Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Confinement Life
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“…Tired?”
“Yeah, I don’t want to meet anyone. I’m just going to hole up in my room alone with my cats for the rest of my life. That’ll be the happiest.”
“…Do you even know what ‘holing up’ means?”
His tone implied I wouldn’t know, which puzzled me.
What about you? As a merchant, you must be busier than anyone running around outside. How would you know?
I pushed my questions aside and answered first.
“Yeah.”
Darsi stared at me, eyes wide. He leaned forward bit by bit. He seemed eager to talk.
“So, how do you plan to use this magic tool?”
“I’m going to record operas and plays and watch them alone. Without stepping foot outside my house.”
“So the sole daughter of the Etwar Marquis House is saying she’ll imprison herself?”
His words embarrassed me. Seeing his intrigued expression only made it worse.
I mumbled my response and changed the subject.
“…Yeah. So, the item?”
Darsi smirked at my words.
“Of course I brought the commissioned item, perfectly made.”
His half-lidded eyes gleamed dangerously. He grinned and licked his lips.
“I always deliver outstanding work.”
His low voice clung to my ear.
“Hold out your hand.”
He demanded. I extended both hands. Debating such rudeness felt too bothersome. In truth, everything was too bothersome except for my confinement lifestyle.
“It’s completely different from what I imagined…”
Darsi muttered, chin in hand. His direct gaze nearly made me turn away. He was too handsome.
“Good thing it’s different, then.”
I replied casually and glanced away. Holding his gaze was too taxing on my heart.
“Here.”
Darsi placed something in my hand.
His touch was suddenly hot. Surprised by the warmth unlike his usual demeanor.
…Finally, I could record videos? And play them back?
As I gripped my pounding heart and checked the magic tool.
“Let’s change our contract.”
Darsi’s voice rang out.
What didn’t he like? He’d made the magic tool in such a short time, so he was talented I didn’t want to lose…
While pondering conditions that might appeal to Darsi.
“I’ve gotten interested in this confinement life of yours. Show me how it’s done.”
Darsi said with a curious grin. His face shone dazzlingly, almost haloed.
Darsi was utterly sick of confinement life. His plan to flee to another country instead of seeking revenge was all to escape that yoke.
The emperor who only sought to use him, and the people around who condoned it.
Humans truly were the most selfish creatures.
So he never imagined someone would enjoy confinement. Sure, the world had all sorts of people, but he thought craving freedom was human instinct. What an odd hobby.
“Tired of meeting people.”
Her expression as she said it felt strangely unfamiliar. It wasn’t just simple reasoning; it carried a depth of anguish unfit for the pampered sole daughter of the Etwar Marquis House.
Her downcast eyes held a lonely gleam that fascinated him.
What a strange woman. From her initial request to this answer, she always exceeded his expectations.
“Let’s change our contract.”
He glossed over the reason vaguely but honestly. It was impulsive, but he didn’t regret it. He was curious what she was thinking, discussing confinement before someone who’d lived his whole life in the shadows.
The woman eyed him warily.
“Why you?”
“I spend a lot of time alone too.”
“You’re a merchant?”
“I’m less popular than you think.”
“…….”
Marso seemed skeptical, but it was true.
If he’d been popular, he wouldn’t be a hidden prince scrambling to escape to another country. He’d have lived a brilliant life like Ryan Streugen, the current crown prince candidate.
If he could just survive this birthday… it wasn’t hopeless.
He could challenge for the throne, but he had no reason or attachment to endure the long wait.
There was no fundamental reason to put down roots here.
Even revenge felt wasteful considering the time he’d already lost.
Life was short. He wanted to spend the remaining time doing as he pleased.
…While atoning somewhat for what he’d done.
Having lived so long under pressure, he craved freedom and impulse, and this choice stemmed from that.
He never thought this decision would upend his life.
Darsi persuaded her lightly.
“There aren’t many who can make things like this.”
He knew how serious she was about the magic tool.
Marso flinched, then sighed and led him to another room. Before moving, she dismissed everyone to honor their contract terms.
Darsi followed her. He’d heard of the Etwar Marquis House, but touring the mansion was a first.
The mansion lived up to its fame in opulence. Chandeliers and murals screamed money.
He stared piercingly at the movie theater room, wondering how much she’d poured into it, feeling indifferent.
Marso opened the door and guided him in.
“…This is the movie theater.”
Darsi raised an eyebrow at the room. What was this?
“Plainer than I thought?”
Marso smiled sheepishly at him.
“This isn’t just plain.”
Despite his sarcastic tone, Marso didn’t argue. She knew he was right.
If she knew, why decorate it like this? The mysteries kept piling up.
As soon as they entered, Marso set the magic tool on the drawer by the plush bed-like chair.
“Too bad there’s nothing recorded yet…”
“No pre-recordings.”
“It’s fine.”
Recording herself holed up would only capture her sniffing scented candles.
Marso activated the magic tool. A decent-sized screen appeared on the wall before the bed. Nothing recorded yet, so it just displayed the blank screen.
“Wow, it’s really amazing…”
“Eh, just this much.”
Darsi shrugged. He’d enjoyed making it too.
He was still surveying the room.
Three beds faced the walls. A phonograph for music caught his eye, but otherwise, the room was nearly empty. No drawers or closets.
Wasn’t it too barren for anything?
“So you do your confinement here? What exactly do you do?”
“Oh, usually lie around listening to music. Now I’ll watch videos too. Read books, eat delicious food.”
Darsi was speechless.
“…You won’t go out just to do that in your room?”
It made no sense. Marso nodded as if it were obvious. He’d go mad with curiosity if he left now, so he asked.
“Why not go outside?”
“I like being alone.”
“…Alone?”
Her nonsensical answer furrowed his brow. Marso stroked her chin thoughtfully.
“Merchants probably don’t get much alone time. Hm, since you’re curious, I’ll let you experience it. It’s surprisingly relaxing. Here’s what I do… Lie down on another bed.”
Receiving her innocent gaze assuming he couldn’t know isolation irked him with rebelliousness.
You’ve spent your life surrounded by people—don’t lecture me. I know isolation best.
‘Even I think it’s childish.’
Darsi swallowed the words rising in his throat.
“You said you were curious. I’ll show you.”
Marso stared at him wide-eyed, wondering why he wasn’t complying.
Darsi lay down reluctantly. At least the bed was far plusher and higher quality than expected.
“My favorite time is midnight or around dawn.”
Marso drew the curtains. They were so thick, no sunlight penetrated.
The room darkened, shifting the mood. Like late night or early dawn. Marso approached the phonograph.
“My favorite composer. Chopin.”
“I don’t know much about music.”
He hated specialized terms he didn’t know. Never had the chance or interest. Marso smiled it off.
“I don’t know much about merchants either. It’s natural.”
That wasn’t what he’d wanted to hear.
She played the music. Gentle strains flowed. An unnamed pianist’s performance whispered in his ears. Quiet.
The piano melody filled the room. Marso flopped onto her bed atop the blanket and closed her eyes.
“Lie like this, spacing out. Listening to music.”
“…That’s it?”
“Yeah. Sometimes read a book. Spending time alone lying down.”
“…This is way different from the confinement I imagined.”
Darsi rose silently. Curious about her face as she spoke.
He crept to her bedside stealthily. The eye magic tool let him see clearly even in darkness.
Marso lay gazing at the ceiling, utterly relaxed. So impassive.
What was so scary? Humans were the scariest animals, but couldn’t Marso Etwar manipulate people as she wished with her wealth and power?
“Why? You’re the sole daughter of the Etwar Marquis House with everything.”
“Being an only child doesn’t make me not human.”
Her weighted words halted him. Similar eyes as before.
As if his silence signaled it was okay to continue, Marso spoke on.
“Relationships always flow completely differently from what I expect. I need some time that’s just mine, away from people.”
Having heard of her life, Darsi judged harshly.
“You’re tired because you care about people. Just live without thinking.”
But to his blunt criticism, Marso smiled.
“That’s how I plan to live from now on.”
Her quick agreement embarrassed him instead.
“…….”
“No more getting hurt.”
Her sincere face oddly drew his gaze.
She looked strangely precarious.
He didn’t know how to comfort. Darsi simply watched the real Marso lying there listening to music and asked.
“What do you want this time?”
“Oh, right. This time…”
That was the moment. Her eyes sparkled like when they’d first met.
“An amplifier for this magic tool to project the playback screen across the entire wall.”
“…The wall?”
“Yeah, the whole wall as a screen.”
Her excited face as she spoke…
Irked him just a little.