"First."
The man called Celine in a low voice.
Celine, who was nervous, covered her mouth to keep herself from saying anything and just shed tears.
“You with yellow hair, I mean. Get off.”
The voice was somewhat forceful. The moving car screeched to a halt.
The man in the passenger seat got out and kindly opened the door, and Celine was thrown out of the car, rolling to the side of the road. I watched the scene with a bewildered expression.
What should I do? Why is this so easy?
Originally, I had planned to pretend to sacrifice myself and have them take me instead of my sister.
I also prepared a touching line: "I'm the second daughter and I'm weak, so my father especially dotes on me and I can't go out often! I'm more valuable as a hostage, so take me instead!"
While I was briefly thinking about it, the man casually climbed into the seat next to me and asked.
“I guess you’re not worried, sister. You’re not crying either. That’s amazing.”
“...If anyone can see that I’m in a bigger situation, why are you worried about me?”
The car pulled away, and he stared at me silently for a moment. After a while, the car reached a street lit by gas lamps. The light from the streetlamps lifted the curtains, revealing the man's figure clearly. His hair, once dyed in the pitch-black night, shone like moonlight.
He was a man with a beautiful and wonderful appearance, like a work of art, but there was something empty about him.
The man flashes me a captivating smile. His handsome looks and charming voice seem to be shaking up my reasoning.
Now it comes back to me clearly. The description of the man who imprisoned Celine in the original work.
He was said to have a beautiful face with uncommon silver hair and cloudy blue eyes.
It was undoubtedly Noah Rotsilt, a colonel and Duke from the enemy Frogen Empire.
“Who are you?”
When I asked, pretending not to know, to confirm, the man's long, graceful eyes slightly furrowed.
The eyes, which seemed to be lacking somewhere, seemed to see right through me.
“The one who came to save you.”
“You’re looking for me...”
I was puzzled by the man's incomprehensible answer.
You're saving me? In the original, the man who orchestrated Celine's kidnapping abandoned her on the street without a second thought, as if he'd been targeting me from the beginning. What on earth is going on here?
“You’re going to be kidnapped today. Come with me.”
If what you're doing isn't kidnapping, then what is? Things are indeed going according to my plan, but the more I talk to this man, the more questions fill my head.
I asked again, as I blurted out words that only he could understand.
“Are you saying that you are kidnapping someone and rescuing them at the same time?”
The man smiled, his lips curled into a smile, as I made a somewhat confused expression.
His frost-colored hair swayed gently.
What is so funny about being alone?
I knew I'd be kidnapped by the Duke's men, but he came himself, and he took me instead of Celine. I don't understand why things are going so differently from the original, both for the Lieutenant Colonel and the Duke.
“I'm already following you? I threw out a yellow head as bait.”
The Duke looked behind the car and made a voice that seemed to exclaim in admiration.
A car blocked our path, probably because we were taking a shortcut.
I was stuck between the car behind me and the car in front of me, unable to move.
The driver looked back at the Duke as if wondering what to do, but he still had a strangely excited expression on his face.
“That’s why Bentner’s car is not that good.”
“You brought a car to take you there anyway.”
“That’s the fastest one out there right now.”
What on earth are these two men saying in this situation?
Two soldiers and Lieutenant Colonel Groenendael got out of the car in front and surrounded the car, aiming their rifles.
"Lieutenant. As soon as I get out of the car, I want you to take the side road right next to it."
Duke Rotsilt whispered an order to the driver and led me out of the car. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and thrust his pistol at my head. At the same time, a car carrying a man called the lieutenant slid down a side road, making a squeaking sound, but the lieutenant colonel didn't give the order to fire.
"Putting a gun to her head? What are you doing, Colonel Rotsilt?"
The lieutenant colonel's cool voice was heard.
The feeling of the gun barrel against my head was eerie. This kind of creepy hug from behind is a bit strange.
“I don’t really shoot, sorry.”
He whispered something reassuringly in my ear, straightened his back, and smiled at the lieutenant colonel.
"Lieutenant Colonel. Wouldn't it be better to get her there safely? So we'll be going now."
Duke Rotsilt, who had just given me a brief message, started running off with me somewhere.
Armed men suddenly appeared in the opposite direction as we were running and aimed their guns at the lieutenant colonel and the soldiers.
They seemed to be the Duke's subordinates.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Groenendaal won't die, will he? He's still the main character.
“Let’s take this.”
Where he took me, there was a luxury car parked that looked obviously expensive.
I followed him and obediently got into the black car.
I was a little surprised to see a car with an internal combustion engine. I knew it was incredibly expensive and not everyone could afford one. The cars I occasionally saw were also steam-powered.
“Hold on tight.”
The car started off with a squeaking sound and started to run at incredible speed.
Of course, it's not as fast as a modern car, but perhaps because it's an urgent moment, the speed feels like riding in a mass-produced car.
Unlike the original, I don't know why he chose me, but I was secretly delighted at the thought that I had achieved my goal.
Since it was I, and not the precious Celine, who was kidnapped, we will be able to cross the border without any problems.
“Excuse me, have I been kidnapped?”
“I didn’t lie. I told you to follow me because you were going to get kidnapped.”
“What do you mean you’ll save me?”
“That’s true too.”
"Follow me, I'm going to kidnap you." It was the same thing. I still don't understand what you meant by "I'll save you."
“Get some sleep. We’ll be there around sunrise.”
Trees and buildings passed by faintly outside the window of the car that raced furiously through the darkness.
First of all, it would be normal to pretend to be flustered after being suddenly kidnapped.
I raised my voice somewhat.
“What do you want to do with me?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. But if you run wild and cause an accident, you’ll get seriously hurt.”
The Duke's eyes narrowed as he looked at me, who had quickly become quiet.
I kept my mouth shut and rested my chin on my elbows on the windowsill.
I think I finally dozed off. After a while, I felt a warm sensation on my shoulders and the crown of my head, and I lifted my eyelids. A faint musk scent reached my nose.
“Are you awake?”
The Duke's voice resonated close above my head, causing me to raise my head.
It looks like I'm sleeping with my head on his shoulder.
Despite his cold demeanor, his body temperature was warm, creating a slightly alienating feeling. The bright sun was peeking over the mountain ridge, smothering the dim light of dawn.
The car we were in was parked in front of a magnificent mansion.
This is a wonderful place for me to be imprisoned.
“I couldn’t wake you up because you were sleeping so well despite being kidnapped.”
At the Duke's words, I rubbed my cheek with an embarrassed face.
I thought it was wrong to be so relaxed when I was kidnapped, so I frowned and asked with a scary face.
“Where am I? What do you want?”
“Pretty hostage.”
“This is pretty, you have a unique eye for it.”
No matter how I look at it, Celine is the world's standard of beauty. There must be something wrong with this man's eyes.
“I wonder how much my father will worry about me...”
I covered my face with both hands and tried to pretend to cry, but no tears came out.
He didn't react much to my method acting, got out of the car, opened the passenger door, and held out his hand to me.
“Let’s go, pretty girl.”
“If it weren’t for the gun, I wouldn’t be this obedient...”
I took his hand, blurting out words I didn't mean, as a show of force. The place he led me to was a luxurious, yet slightly gloomy room.
It was full of objects whose intentions were unknown and bizarre pictures.
A large bookshelf occupies one wall and is filled with books.
“If anything feels uncomfortable, please let me know.”
The Duke, his cloudy blue eyes narrowed, pushed me into the room and closed the door.
I can hear a clicking sound, so it looks like the door is being locked.
While imprisoned, I paradoxically felt liberated and free. I had finally escaped that damn place.
You can do nothing and be undisturbed. In the original, only the maid who serves you visits three times a day, and no one else comes.
During her captivity, Duke Rotsilt reportedly visited her several times. In the original, Celine, imprisoned here, devised various escape strategies, but all failed.
When she knocked the maid over and ran out, there were strong soldiers guarding the door, and it was impossible to escape through the window because it was tightly blocked by iron bars.
For now, I have no plans to escape, and I just want to eat and sleep here for as long as possible.
However, the problem is that he realizes that my presence here is of no help whatsoever to the negotiations.
An admiral might have said he'd done a good job of taking me and asked him to kill me instead. He'd surely say something plausible like, "I won't forget the righteousness of my daughter who sacrificed herself for her country."
And he'll receive something like a commendation given to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country.
I'm so tired. I've decided to put those thoughts aside for now. I lay down on the fluffy bed and felt comfortable.
All the essentials for a stay-at-home mom are here. With a down-filled quilt, warm cotton pajamas, and cozy wool socks, this winter is practically over.
The massive marble fireplace burns brightly, warming the air in the room.
The food the maid brings is also plentiful and satisfying. It's said that if you pull the string under the bell, she'll bring you whatever you need.
There are so many books that you won't be bored.
"Thank goodness I got kidnapped!" I cheered inwardly, stretching out my arms and waving them up and down.
It seems like about three days have passed since I was imprisoned.
All this time, I was eating, sleeping, lying in bed, and lazing around to my heart's content.
As in the original, Noah's nose is not visible.
Even the maid doesn't talk nonsense, so it's almost like her mouth is full of slurs, but whatever. I'm usually apathetic, and I find conversation a chore.
I've mostly learned about the history, culture, economics, and chess of this place through reading. I'd love to spend my entire life here doing nothing, but that's impossible, so I needed time to understand the world for the future. My bookshelves are filled with hard-hitting books on topics like philosophy, history, and technical expertise, and while they're certainly helpful, I desperately need something to clear my head.
The 19-year-old novels and romance novels I usually enjoyed were highly unlikely to be found in this atmosphere.
Sometimes, we need that as a change of pace and vicarious satisfaction.
He told me to ask for whatever I need, so I'll get it, right? The Duke rarely comes, so it shouldn't matter.
I pulled the bell twice to call the maid.
There was a knock on the door, and a maid named Molly came in with a blank expression on her face.
She is a woman who appears to be in her thirties, with reddish-brown hair and gray eyes.
Although his posture was somewhat humble, she looked strong, and his tightly closed mouth looked resolute.
I plan to secretly request books for adults later, after we have become closer.
“Could you bring me another book? A romance novel, please.”
"All right."
Molly bowed and left. She quickly retrieved the books and emptied about five of them onto the table. Among the piles of books, like a prize, the hardcover volume at the front stood out with a powerful presence.
The Grand Duke
Molly was looking down at the book with a cold expression.
“Why of all people... the Duke...”
“It’s what the maids had.”
You must have bought it thinking of the Duke you serve. Ugh, it's obvious.
Since she has many accomplices, at least she won't tell the Duke that I asked for something like this.
As she left the room with a cold expression, causing a gust of cold wind, I collapsed on the bed and began to read the book, “The Grand Duke.”
"You actually promised to marry me when you were young? What a twist."
I thought it was some third-rate pornography, but the story was captivating and the descriptions were breathtaking. I read the book for a long time and finally fell asleep around midnight.
I was in a deep sleep, and the bed jerked and shook, waking me slightly. A familiar scent and warmth came from my bedside.
A man wearing a dark gray suit vest over a shirt sat next to me with an open book in his hand.
The silvery back of the head looks familiar.
I managed to open my mouth and speak to him.
“When did you come...”
“I just got here.”
What he was holding in his hand was the book <The Grand Duke>.
“The Duke is... reading the Grand Duke.”
I was mumbling as if in a dream because I was late in understanding the situation, but then I suddenly came to my senses and opened my eyes wide.
I desperately reached out and tried to snatch the book away, but he leisurely avoided my hand.
“You like this kind of thing.”
“That’s not it!”
I lunged with all my might, overcome by the shame that washed over me. Surprisingly, the Duke, who had been pushed back without much effort, collapsed and lifted the book with a relaxed expression.
Blue eyes gazed up at me from beneath the book. Her silver bangs were pulled back, revealing a smooth forehead and gracefully shaped eyebrows.
“You’re so proactive.”
The Duke let out a low, characteristic sigh. Only then did I realize I was on top of him. As I slowly withdrew, he put down the book, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me toward him.
“Your Excellency?”
He chuckled as he looked at my flustered voice, his face so close that my breath almost touched mine.
“Yeah, I’m a Duke too.”
It was a somewhat slow, languid voice, as if he had just woken up.
The man called Celine in a low voice.
Celine, who was nervous, covered her mouth to keep herself from saying anything and just shed tears.
“You with yellow hair, I mean. Get off.”
The voice was somewhat forceful. The moving car screeched to a halt.
The man in the passenger seat got out and kindly opened the door, and Celine was thrown out of the car, rolling to the side of the road. I watched the scene with a bewildered expression.
What should I do? Why is this so easy?
Originally, I had planned to pretend to sacrifice myself and have them take me instead of my sister.
I also prepared a touching line: "I'm the second daughter and I'm weak, so my father especially dotes on me and I can't go out often! I'm more valuable as a hostage, so take me instead!"
While I was briefly thinking about it, the man casually climbed into the seat next to me and asked.
“I guess you’re not worried, sister. You’re not crying either. That’s amazing.”
“...If anyone can see that I’m in a bigger situation, why are you worried about me?”
The car pulled away, and he stared at me silently for a moment. After a while, the car reached a street lit by gas lamps. The light from the streetlamps lifted the curtains, revealing the man's figure clearly. His hair, once dyed in the pitch-black night, shone like moonlight.
He was a man with a beautiful and wonderful appearance, like a work of art, but there was something empty about him.
The man flashes me a captivating smile. His handsome looks and charming voice seem to be shaking up my reasoning.
Now it comes back to me clearly. The description of the man who imprisoned Celine in the original work.
He was said to have a beautiful face with uncommon silver hair and cloudy blue eyes.
It was undoubtedly Noah Rotsilt, a colonel and Duke from the enemy Frogen Empire.
“Who are you?”
When I asked, pretending not to know, to confirm, the man's long, graceful eyes slightly furrowed.
The eyes, which seemed to be lacking somewhere, seemed to see right through me.
“The one who came to save you.”
“You’re looking for me...”
I was puzzled by the man's incomprehensible answer.
You're saving me? In the original, the man who orchestrated Celine's kidnapping abandoned her on the street without a second thought, as if he'd been targeting me from the beginning. What on earth is going on here?
“You’re going to be kidnapped today. Come with me.”
If what you're doing isn't kidnapping, then what is? Things are indeed going according to my plan, but the more I talk to this man, the more questions fill my head.
I asked again, as I blurted out words that only he could understand.
“Are you saying that you are kidnapping someone and rescuing them at the same time?”
The man smiled, his lips curled into a smile, as I made a somewhat confused expression.
His frost-colored hair swayed gently.
What is so funny about being alone?
I knew I'd be kidnapped by the Duke's men, but he came himself, and he took me instead of Celine. I don't understand why things are going so differently from the original, both for the Lieutenant Colonel and the Duke.
“I'm already following you? I threw out a yellow head as bait.”
The Duke looked behind the car and made a voice that seemed to exclaim in admiration.
A car blocked our path, probably because we were taking a shortcut.
I was stuck between the car behind me and the car in front of me, unable to move.
The driver looked back at the Duke as if wondering what to do, but he still had a strangely excited expression on his face.
“That’s why Bentner’s car is not that good.”
“You brought a car to take you there anyway.”
“That’s the fastest one out there right now.”
What on earth are these two men saying in this situation?
Two soldiers and Lieutenant Colonel Groenendael got out of the car in front and surrounded the car, aiming their rifles.
"Lieutenant. As soon as I get out of the car, I want you to take the side road right next to it."
Duke Rotsilt whispered an order to the driver and led me out of the car. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and thrust his pistol at my head. At the same time, a car carrying a man called the lieutenant slid down a side road, making a squeaking sound, but the lieutenant colonel didn't give the order to fire.
"Putting a gun to her head? What are you doing, Colonel Rotsilt?"
The lieutenant colonel's cool voice was heard.
The feeling of the gun barrel against my head was eerie. This kind of creepy hug from behind is a bit strange.
“I don’t really shoot, sorry.”
He whispered something reassuringly in my ear, straightened his back, and smiled at the lieutenant colonel.
"Lieutenant Colonel. Wouldn't it be better to get her there safely? So we'll be going now."
Duke Rotsilt, who had just given me a brief message, started running off with me somewhere.
Armed men suddenly appeared in the opposite direction as we were running and aimed their guns at the lieutenant colonel and the soldiers.
They seemed to be the Duke's subordinates.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Groenendaal won't die, will he? He's still the main character.
“Let’s take this.”
Where he took me, there was a luxury car parked that looked obviously expensive.
I followed him and obediently got into the black car.
I was a little surprised to see a car with an internal combustion engine. I knew it was incredibly expensive and not everyone could afford one. The cars I occasionally saw were also steam-powered.
“Hold on tight.”
The car started off with a squeaking sound and started to run at incredible speed.
Of course, it's not as fast as a modern car, but perhaps because it's an urgent moment, the speed feels like riding in a mass-produced car.
Unlike the original, I don't know why he chose me, but I was secretly delighted at the thought that I had achieved my goal.
Since it was I, and not the precious Celine, who was kidnapped, we will be able to cross the border without any problems.
“Excuse me, have I been kidnapped?”
“I didn’t lie. I told you to follow me because you were going to get kidnapped.”
“What do you mean you’ll save me?”
“That’s true too.”
"Follow me, I'm going to kidnap you." It was the same thing. I still don't understand what you meant by "I'll save you."
“Get some sleep. We’ll be there around sunrise.”
Trees and buildings passed by faintly outside the window of the car that raced furiously through the darkness.
First of all, it would be normal to pretend to be flustered after being suddenly kidnapped.
I raised my voice somewhat.
“What do you want to do with me?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. But if you run wild and cause an accident, you’ll get seriously hurt.”
The Duke's eyes narrowed as he looked at me, who had quickly become quiet.
I kept my mouth shut and rested my chin on my elbows on the windowsill.
I think I finally dozed off. After a while, I felt a warm sensation on my shoulders and the crown of my head, and I lifted my eyelids. A faint musk scent reached my nose.
“Are you awake?”
The Duke's voice resonated close above my head, causing me to raise my head.
It looks like I'm sleeping with my head on his shoulder.
Despite his cold demeanor, his body temperature was warm, creating a slightly alienating feeling. The bright sun was peeking over the mountain ridge, smothering the dim light of dawn.
The car we were in was parked in front of a magnificent mansion.
This is a wonderful place for me to be imprisoned.
“I couldn’t wake you up because you were sleeping so well despite being kidnapped.”
At the Duke's words, I rubbed my cheek with an embarrassed face.
I thought it was wrong to be so relaxed when I was kidnapped, so I frowned and asked with a scary face.
“Where am I? What do you want?”
“Pretty hostage.”
“This is pretty, you have a unique eye for it.”
No matter how I look at it, Celine is the world's standard of beauty. There must be something wrong with this man's eyes.
“I wonder how much my father will worry about me...”
I covered my face with both hands and tried to pretend to cry, but no tears came out.
He didn't react much to my method acting, got out of the car, opened the passenger door, and held out his hand to me.
“Let’s go, pretty girl.”
“If it weren’t for the gun, I wouldn’t be this obedient...”
I took his hand, blurting out words I didn't mean, as a show of force. The place he led me to was a luxurious, yet slightly gloomy room.
It was full of objects whose intentions were unknown and bizarre pictures.
A large bookshelf occupies one wall and is filled with books.
“If anything feels uncomfortable, please let me know.”
The Duke, his cloudy blue eyes narrowed, pushed me into the room and closed the door.
I can hear a clicking sound, so it looks like the door is being locked.
While imprisoned, I paradoxically felt liberated and free. I had finally escaped that damn place.
You can do nothing and be undisturbed. In the original, only the maid who serves you visits three times a day, and no one else comes.
During her captivity, Duke Rotsilt reportedly visited her several times. In the original, Celine, imprisoned here, devised various escape strategies, but all failed.
When she knocked the maid over and ran out, there were strong soldiers guarding the door, and it was impossible to escape through the window because it was tightly blocked by iron bars.
For now, I have no plans to escape, and I just want to eat and sleep here for as long as possible.
However, the problem is that he realizes that my presence here is of no help whatsoever to the negotiations.
An admiral might have said he'd done a good job of taking me and asked him to kill me instead. He'd surely say something plausible like, "I won't forget the righteousness of my daughter who sacrificed herself for her country."
And he'll receive something like a commendation given to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country.
I'm so tired. I've decided to put those thoughts aside for now. I lay down on the fluffy bed and felt comfortable.
All the essentials for a stay-at-home mom are here. With a down-filled quilt, warm cotton pajamas, and cozy wool socks, this winter is practically over.
The massive marble fireplace burns brightly, warming the air in the room.
The food the maid brings is also plentiful and satisfying. It's said that if you pull the string under the bell, she'll bring you whatever you need.
There are so many books that you won't be bored.
"Thank goodness I got kidnapped!" I cheered inwardly, stretching out my arms and waving them up and down.
***
It seems like about three days have passed since I was imprisoned.
All this time, I was eating, sleeping, lying in bed, and lazing around to my heart's content.
As in the original, Noah's nose is not visible.
Even the maid doesn't talk nonsense, so it's almost like her mouth is full of slurs, but whatever. I'm usually apathetic, and I find conversation a chore.
I've mostly learned about the history, culture, economics, and chess of this place through reading. I'd love to spend my entire life here doing nothing, but that's impossible, so I needed time to understand the world for the future. My bookshelves are filled with hard-hitting books on topics like philosophy, history, and technical expertise, and while they're certainly helpful, I desperately need something to clear my head.
The 19-year-old novels and romance novels I usually enjoyed were highly unlikely to be found in this atmosphere.
Sometimes, we need that as a change of pace and vicarious satisfaction.
He told me to ask for whatever I need, so I'll get it, right? The Duke rarely comes, so it shouldn't matter.
I pulled the bell twice to call the maid.
There was a knock on the door, and a maid named Molly came in with a blank expression on her face.
She is a woman who appears to be in her thirties, with reddish-brown hair and gray eyes.
Although his posture was somewhat humble, she looked strong, and his tightly closed mouth looked resolute.
Though she had a somewhat demanding and fastidious demeanor that made it a bit awkward to ask, I made an effort to speak calmly.
I plan to secretly request books for adults later, after we have become closer.
“Could you bring me another book? A romance novel, please.”
"All right."
Molly bowed and left. She quickly retrieved the books and emptied about five of them onto the table. Among the piles of books, like a prize, the hardcover volume at the front stood out with a powerful presence.
The Grand Duke
Molly was looking down at the book with a cold expression.
“Why of all people... the Duke...”
“It’s what the maids had.”
You must have bought it thinking of the Duke you serve. Ugh, it's obvious.
Since she has many accomplices, at least she won't tell the Duke that I asked for something like this.
As she left the room with a cold expression, causing a gust of cold wind, I collapsed on the bed and began to read the book, “The Grand Duke.”
"You actually promised to marry me when you were young? What a twist."
I thought it was some third-rate pornography, but the story was captivating and the descriptions were breathtaking. I read the book for a long time and finally fell asleep around midnight.
I was in a deep sleep, and the bed jerked and shook, waking me slightly. A familiar scent and warmth came from my bedside.
A man wearing a dark gray suit vest over a shirt sat next to me with an open book in his hand.
The silvery back of the head looks familiar.
I managed to open my mouth and speak to him.
“When did you come...”
“I just got here.”
What he was holding in his hand was the book <The Grand Duke>.
“The Duke is... reading the Grand Duke.”
I was mumbling as if in a dream because I was late in understanding the situation, but then I suddenly came to my senses and opened my eyes wide.
I desperately reached out and tried to snatch the book away, but he leisurely avoided my hand.
“You like this kind of thing.”
“That’s not it!”
I lunged with all my might, overcome by the shame that washed over me. Surprisingly, the Duke, who had been pushed back without much effort, collapsed and lifted the book with a relaxed expression.
Blue eyes gazed up at me from beneath the book. Her silver bangs were pulled back, revealing a smooth forehead and gracefully shaped eyebrows.
“You’re so proactive.”
The Duke let out a low, characteristic sigh. Only then did I realize I was on top of him. As I slowly withdrew, he put down the book, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me toward him.
“Your Excellency?”
He chuckled as he looked at my flustered voice, his face so close that my breath almost touched mine.
“Yeah, I’m a Duke too.”
It was a somewhat slow, languid voice, as if he had just woken up.
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