Prologue
It is said that when the human brain is saturated with dopamine, it can no longer distinguish between pleasure and pain.
“Then, am I overdosed on dopamine?”
I pondered this thought.
Before me knelt an incredibly beautiful man, looking up at me with glistening eyes.
No matter where you searched in this world, there would be no human as beautiful as him.
My gaze drifted past him, scanning the room.
Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, I sank onto the bed.
Ah, the bed was so incredibly soft…
I heard that it was a masterpiece crafted by the empire’s most skilled artisan, who spent three years researching bed engineering(?).
But that wasn’t all. The frame was made of gold.
Beside me lay books—all unpublished works by my favorite authors.
These novels had been written over three months exclusively for me.
Moreover, the fruits placed next to the books were rare, out-of-season delicacies.
Every meal served here was prepared by a chef who had won first place in the Empire’s culinary competition.
Living here was nothing short of heaven. I didn’t have to strain my mind over paperwork.
I could even fulfill my lifelong wish of sleeping endlessly.
“Dear God, I have a dilemma.”
I mumbled inwardly.
“…This captivity! It’s nothing like what I imagined…!”
Yes, I was imprisoned, but I was happy. I knew what this was called.
It was none other than imperial captivity.
The man kneeling before me tilted his head innocently as if he understood nothing.
Snapping out of my trance, I returned my attention to his flawless face.
…Once again, I had succumbed to comfort!
This wasn’t right.
This was a world inside a book, and that man was the cruel male protagonist of a dark captivity trope novel.
I was supposed to be imprisoned by him, sobbing helplessly.
How did it come to this?
“Your Majesty.”
I spoke hesitantly. The man blinked his long-lashed eyes and responded.
While resting his chin on his hands.
His cheeks flushed faintly.
“Yes, my love.”
“…Please drop the ridiculous title.”
His full lips curved into a compliant smile.
With his sculpted nose and sharp jawline as if carved by the gods, he truly was a flawless human being.
“Yes, Duchess. Oh, by the way! I heard the sequel to the book you were reading has been released. I’ll have it brought to you by tonight.”
“…The second volume of Even Demons Get Audited?”
I froze, realizing my slip. The man smiled gently and spoke softly.
“Yes. And the chef has prepared veal again, knowing how much you like it. Extra pepper?”
“Yes… lots…”
Ugh, this wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
Succumbing to his subtle temptations, I closed my eyes tightly. But honestly…
Help me! This captivity is too nice and comfortable.
The exquisite food seemed to melt on my tongue, and no one scolded me for lazing around all day reading novels.
This captivity was nothing like the one in the book!
‘And I even get paid to stay here!’
I was living the ultimate life of leisure—a blissfully happy captive.
Barely managing to recall why I came here, I cleared my throat and forced a serious expression as I asked him:
“Well, that’s not the point. Your Majesty, when will this accursed mark be lifted?”
“I’m not sure…”
The man—no, the male protagonist of this book, Jackal—murmured with a slightly forlorn expression.
“Judging by the fact that I still want to imprison you, it seems it hasn’t lifted yet.”
“…”
I bit back my words.
“And our goal was to completely deceive His Majesty the Emperor. But it seems that my father, His Majesty, hasn’t been fully convinced yet.”
Still kneeling, the man reached out to me.
His demeanor was reverent, like a devout worshiper, yet relaxed.
I swallowed hard.
Jackal’s golden eyes sparkled like fireflies on a dark night, captivating anyone who looked at them.
But I couldn’t let my guard down.
There was a black aura swirling violently in his gaze—something I hadn’t noticed earlier.
He exhaled slowly, as if fatigued.
“Hah… To avoid losing control again, I’ll need your help.”
The corners of his lips curled slightly. It was a dangerous smile.
“Will you help me?”
Silently, I extended my hand to the man who smiled enchantingly at me once again.
I had made a contract to help him avoid losing control.
To put it simply:
The man was cursed, and I was the only one who could suppress that curse.
And the curse… was an absurd one that compelled him to imprison the object of his affection.
…Why was I in this mess because of a curse that wasn’t even mentioned in the book?
The bed shifted slightly beneath us.
His face drew closer. I tried to pull back, only to slip and fall flat on the bed.
Lying there, I stared directly at the male protagonist.
“When will this damn mark disappear?”
“I don’t know, Duchess. It’s unbearable…”
His face came dangerously close. His warm breath brushed against my nose.
His breath traveled lower and lower.
“Ah…”
The sudden sensation at the nape of my neck made me let out an involuntary sound.
Moments later, he chuckled softly, his voice a seductive baritone.
“That’s why I’m asking you—please, endure being imprisoned just a little longer.”
His lips drew nearer.
‘How on earth did it come to this?’
I began to reflect on the past.
To figure out exactly what had led to this situation…
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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