Preauthorization booking.com even after paid in full?

I just booked a hotel on booking.com with a pay later/free cancellation option. I was planning to pay well before my check in date, just not today. After I booked I received a message saying “once we enter the cancellation period, we will proceed with a preauthorization of the total amount on the credit card provided when booking. Upon arrival, you can choose to complete the payment with the same card or use a different method”. I messaged the property asking if I would still have a preauthorization if the full amount even if it was paid in full upon arrival and they said the terms are set by booking.com and can be found on the account?

My question and concern is: if I pay now, am I going to have a huge hold on my account still? It was a very expensive booking and I would hate to have this large of an amount put on hold if I already paid, I will be out of the country and need money.. and preauthorizations can take up to a week to go away on your card.

Anyone deal with this?