The room was moved.
Before pushing me into the new room, Liam warned me with a cold expression.
“You will pay the price for lying to His Highness the Duke.”
Honestly, I was scared. It was very terrifying.
The way he spoke seriously made me wonder how bad the prison they were going to lock me in would be.
But the reality I faced was completely different from what I expected.
“Do they really not know what a bad environment is?”
jingle.
She lay down on the soft mattress and rolled over.
The window had iron bars, and the direction seemed to have changed, so the light did not enter properly.
At first, I was a little nervous because of the humid atmosphere in the room, but after just one night, all my worries went away.
'Since the light doesn't come in well in the morning, I can't sleep comfortably!'
Honestly, the only thing I missed about this mansion was the lack of blackout curtains.
But now that it has been resolved naturally, I couldn't be more satisfied.
Of course, the ominous “price” was probably true, as the room was much smaller. There wasn't enough space to move around after putting the bed down.
But even this wasn't a problem for me, as I was able to handle everything from bed.
The simple, light meals were comforting to my stomach, and I loved being able to eat them from my bed.
“When I was playing games for 13 hours a day, I was living on energy drinks and sandwiches for a week straight.”
Fools.
They didn't even know I was a homebody who got up from hell.
If I had to choose between getting a billion dollars and living without any contact with the outside world for ten years, or just living normally, I would choose the billion dollars without hesitation.
In this case the amount I did not receive could exceed 15 billion.
“It was built that way.”
Since I was planning to hide inside under the guise of punishment anyway, this was actually a better outcome than I wanted.
Right now, no one bothers me.
“Ah, that's nice...”
They said they would lock me in prison, but they even changed the bed sheets every two days.
Maybe that's why the smell of soft sunshine made me feel happy so quickly.
Just as I was about to fall into a light sleep, I buried my face in the soft blanket.
“It's Liam.”
Just in time, I heard Liam's voice.
What now? What is happening?
I didn't answer, and I started to feel annoyed, so he asked again.
“Can I come in?”
“Yes, please.”
I sat down on the bed, explaining that I was tired.
Liam walked in and adjusted his glasses with his fingers as usual.
What's this feeling, like he's always getting me into trouble? Although it may be just an illusion.
“What's going on here?”
“It is a message from His Highness the Duke.”
"…message?"
A slight sign of embarrassment appeared on his usually serious face, but he quickly spoke boldly.
His Highness the Duke receives Princess April, Princess of the Kingdom of Salt, as a distinguished guest, and provides her with luxurious accommodation and heavy security. He wants to get a fair price in return.
What?
When did kidnapping become a privileged treatment? When did surveillance become guarding?
When did this prison-like life, which was unbearable for ordinary people, turn into a luxurious residence?
I couldn't hide my suspicious look when I looked at Liam.
However, I had to know what they wanted from me before I wondered about it later.
“Price? What is this?”
“The construction of Duke Dam has been delayed recently.”
“Are you asking me to help build as payment for this wonderful treatment?”
At my question, Liam shook his head in disbelief.
no. The princess must search for the reason for the delay and find a solution.
What if it's difficult?
“Okay...”
Liam answered in a deadpan voice, as usual, and in a businesslike tone.
“Then… maybe something you can imagine will happen.”
Although I wasn't entirely sure what I was imagining, I could tell that this was a warning that something unpleasant was happening.
I rubbed my forehead, feeling exhausted and world-weary.
“It's not like I can avoid it anyway.”
Even if I try to deny it, the Duke will soon find out that I served as the deputy of the Limia Empire.
In that case, wouldn't it be better to prove myself useful as a slave and save my life rather than suffer a miserable death?
Since there's no way to escape or refuse, it's probably best to get it over with quickly and rest afterward.
In addition, I've already said something before.
I don't expect to be repeated, but honestly, I'm a person who works hard at one thing. If you spare my life, I will serve you without pay and work to my core!
At that time, I just wanted to live, so I said anything… but the Duke really listened to me and didn’t turn me back. Rather, he put me in this dark paradise.
Yes. Well, what can I do?
Do you have any relevant documents?
Here they are. If necessary, I can go with the guards to conduct an inspection...
“That's good.”
Since I didn't want to cause any trouble, I took the documents Liam gave me and started reading them carefully.
‘Hmm.’
The content was exactly the same as what the Duke had told him. The construction of the dam was delayed, and the project was halted.
Normally, such massive constructions would require the mobilization of local villagers, but the problem was that it was late summer, just before the harvest season.
If the construction is not completed quickly, it could greatly affect the livelihood and food production of the people of the Duke's lands.
“By the way, there's something else I want to tell you.”
“What now?”
As I continued to focus on the text, I received a quick answer.
“The deadline is two weeks.”
What will happen if it is not finished by then?
Maybe you know it without me saying. The things you imagine...
“Got it.”
I nodded obediently.
What else could I do? If I'm asked to do something that involves this kind of threatening action(?), I'm used to it by now.
At least they let me sleep and eat while I'm forced to work, so I'll be satisfied with that.
I tried to stay positive and moved on to the next page.
* * *
The Duke was clearly anticipating that April would offer something special. Liam agreed too.
Once April was kidnapped, the food importation case was passed, and a fundamental mistake was made that a princess of Limia would never make.
But that was all.
“That's not enough to judge April Salt.”
So they decided to seek advice on building the dam.
The solution was simple: send workers to complete the task in a short period.
But the problem was in the method. How could they hire additional workers at this time of year, just before the harvest season, and when all the farms were crowded?
Even if they found a group that specialized in this kind of mission, forming a contract and transporting them to the duke's territory would take a long time, and the cost would ultimately be a loss.
“In the end, no matter how hard we try, the solution will be imperfect.”
In the Duke's office, after Liam delivered the letter to April, the Duke spoke quietly from where he was sitting at his desk.
“But in case of emergency, I decided to use the existing budget.”
What will you do if the appropriate solution is proposed?
The Duke laughed at Liam's question.
That would be welcome. That's why I do this annoying job.
“I still don't understand...”
“Everything will become clear after the mission is completed.”
"…concept."
The deadline was only two weeks.
Liam was expecting April to come up with a solution that would involve some losses on her part.
That evening, when the knight guarding April's headquarters came to report, Liam still had the same thought.
“Excuse me, assistant.”
“What's going on here?”
“The guest is looking for you.”
Liam immediately stood up and headed towards the room where April was staying.
Is she giving up?
It was a natural question, L
It would be difficult to solve the matter on that day without a miracle.
"What is this?"
“Have you been working this late?”
“The Duke’s assistant must always be on guard.”
"…harsh."
April didn't seem nervous at all, even though she called him earlier than expected, even though she said she would call him tomorrow.
"So, what's the matter? Are you giving up?"
“No, please send this to me.”
While different thoughts were running through his mind, April handed him a gentle letter.