Chapter 5

Liengenberg, known as the Northern Palace, was originally a summer retreat for the northern royal family, built in a location ideal for snow hunting, with its main colors being white and light blue.

Later, due to its overwhelming beauty, it was designated as a palace. However, in the current era where Verklear has been unified and the royal family is consolidated, no royal family members reside permanently in this Northern Palace.

Surrounded by the border forest, the palace, known as the White Swan Castle of the royal family, has a splendid appearance, but it also functions as a fortress. During the intense unification war, it was used as a base without hesitation, and there is a chilling anecdote about a morgue room.

Fortunately, the history of the building where Nea was isolated was not as severe as the morgue room story; it was merely a quarantine area for the royal family's distant relatives.

It was not until the afternoon that a formal meeting was held to discuss the incident where Nea captured a contracted monster.

(I managed to skip a few necessary procedures by performing the song invocation ritual myself, but it turned into a busy night...)

The only thing resolved last night was the introduction of the monster Nea had contracted, but since Eadalia fainted upon meeting Dino, it was hard to say it ended well.

(And, I feel I also scared that knight, Mr. Glast...)

Nea, feeling neglected, was sulking, but she noticed the magical anomaly caused by bringing the monster in, and Glast, Eadalia's bodyguard, immediately rushed to the room. Dino, mistaking Glast for an intruder, violently tried to drive him out, and Nea had to apologize and explain.

Moreover, when Glast's contracted monster saw Dino, it immediately knelt and entered a subordinate mode. Nea had to lecture and train Dino, as the interaction between monsters could cause unexpected anomalies, and human society is very delicate. Nea was exhausted.

Considering the intense work that lasted until dawn, one could say this person, who is cautious about trouble, has been quite busy.

(I wonder if there's something like overtime pay for working late at night...)

For Nea, who values sleep above all, being forced to work day and night is very problematic. In a land and culture ruled by royalty, such a concept might not exist. Nea thought she should discuss detailed labor conditions while she was still not fully accustomed to the organization.

Although she is a former prince, she is currently a provisional fiancée and a magician, a knowledge worker.

(That person should have the authority to set things like overtime pay and working hours...)

Nea decided to negotiate cunningly and, if necessary, use the inconvenient truth about Eadalia as leverage. She wanted to proceed as an ignorant person for a while, but the cat she was wearing had slipped off due to last night's commotion.

It is said that one's true nature is revealed in times of crisis, and Nea's cat-wearing technique was apparently still immature.

"Lord Eadalia, I will place Dino in front of you first. Please enjoy. Last night, you fainted, and things got chaotic, so we incurred overtime work. From now on, please pay overtime either on a per-occurrence basis or monthly."

"Wait, Nea. I don't understand what you're saying from the start."

"Why do I have to sit across from this?"

Nea started the meeting formally, but her fiancé, for the sake of appearances, began with a denial, which was very troublesome. The monster she had contracted was also very capricious.

As adults, I hope you can focus on the main points of the conversation, not just the formalities.

(And why is Glast, who told me it was okay to have a normal conversation, acting so hesitant...)

Normally, Eadalia and Glast, due to their status, would not be allowed to sit face-to-face, but the current situation is special, so this issue is being overlooked.

Currently, the song invokers representing each country are in a temporary state of conflict.

The participants are limited to the song invokers representing their countries to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-scale war, as a serious incident is occurring.

Unfortunately, Eadalia was not in a state to be of use last night, so Glast explained the situation that was supposed to be explained by the song invoker who obtained the monster.

(In other words, everyone here is a team member working to resolve the issue...)

To put it simply, it's like a party of heroes to defeat the demon king.

Nea, selected as a song invoker for the country, is part of this team, and she has been told that issues of status can be set aside. While this is appreciated, she is a very modest person who would prefer to be a clerk rather than go on a quest to defeat a demon king.

"Overtime pay?"

Eadalia's voice was still dull, still in shock.

"Yes. I understand that song invokers are public servants. Therefore, please ensure a humane working environment. If not, I will immediately abandon my duties and run away. I understand that you are very capable, so please use me effectively."

"Run away?"

Eadalia, looking confused, seemed to switch gears.

"You are my fiancée but also a song invoker of Verklear. It is inappropriate for someone who is under protection and benefiting from it to make excessive demands on the country. You don't need to be overly cautious in your speech, but be mindful."

"Then, what will happen if my demands are deemed excessive?"

"Being a song invoker is a duty, not a privilege. Inappropriate behavior will be met with appropriate punishment."

"Well! Then, please fire me."

"......What?"

Eadalia's face turned pale at Nea's very cheerful response.

Noticing the change in the atmosphere, Nea saw Glast and his contracted monster shaking their heads vigorously.

Feeling that she was being scolded for making a reasonable request, Nea noticed their gazes were directed at Eadalia.

"I am very grateful for the food and shelter you provided me last night. However, if you charge me for the burden, I will have no further obligations to you."

"Wait...!"

"Dino, you said it was fine last night, but if necessary, please handle the advance payment."

"Of course, my lord. If you want, I can buy this palace for you."

"Mm, I don't need large properties that require high maintenance fees."

Noticing that Eadalia was desperately trying not to look at Dino's beauty, Nea smiled.

"Lord Eadalia!"

"I, I understand. I will negotiate your compensation."

"Lord Eadalia!!"

"No, I will pay whatever you ask. Is that acceptable?"

With Glast's help, Eadalia suddenly became more reasonable.

Nea had explained to Glast the night before that Eadalia probably fainted due to Dino's beauty, and as Eadalia's sword master, he decided to give adult advice to help the two progress.

Despite being troubled by this fact the night before, Glast's quick recovery suggests he is a very flexible thinker. He is also called the captain by the guard knights, so he must be a high-ranking person, but he is the easiest to talk to so far.

(And, I'm not trying to take an unreasonable amount, but considering my future life, I can't lower my demands too much...)

"Then, let's have a monthly salary with room and board, paid in advance. For overtime, I will request additional pay based on an hourly rate. Please provide the necessary work materials."

To Nea, the suggested mission seemed like a major event that main characters in stories would handle. If she couldn't be treated better, she was willing to be fired, and she made a strong demand. Eadalia, however, only nodded silently.

However, when she insisted on negotiating realistic amounts and documenting the contract, he suddenly collapsed on the desk.

As a former prince, he might be unskilled at such matters.

(After all, he's a former prince, so he probably has never struggled with money...)

Such a person, who has never struggled with money, easily harbored a slight rebellious spirit and observed her fiancé, who showed a surprisingly capable switch and started drafting the document.

Looking at him, he is indeed a picture-perfect handsome man. The angle from the side, with a frowning brow, is quite beautiful.

Perhaps Dino should have been placed in this chair.

"......Ah! Right, Dino. Do monsters ever become lovers with the same sex?"

Nea, realizing she had forgotten to check something important, asked Dino quietly, but Glast, who overheard the conversation, choked.

"......I don't know. It happens sometimes, I guess. I don't really care."

"Good! From the tone, it seems Dino doesn't have a strong aversion."

"Nea, why are you asking such a question? Stop it."

The rainbow monster looked sad and clung to her, but Nea, having gotten the necessary answer, detached him and returned her gaze to the front. Eadalia was looking at her with a terrible expression.

"......Lord Eadalia, your pen is broken. Don't worry. With solid effort and charm, people's hearts can be moved unexpectedly. You are a very charming person, so it will surely work out!"

Holding his trembling fingers, Nea said, "I will help you," but his hand was quickly pulled away by Dino. Trying to scold him, she found Dino hugging her hand with a serious expression.

"Dino, this left hand is my property. Please release it immediately."

"Nea, it's better to stop dealing with that strange human."

"You shouldn't mock someone's delicate issues. Besides, Lord Eadalia is... in love with you..."

"No. Stop it."

"Let me reiterate, Lord Eadalia is not a pervert. Dino, I don't understand why you are saying this. Lord Eadalia is a pure, loving man who has opened a rare door to the world."

"I don't want anyone but Nea."

"Don't put me in the middle of a love problem with a powerful person! And release my left hand!"

Dino, seemingly enjoying the arm-pulling, was trying to rescue Nea's left hand. The contracted monster of Glast, who had been sitting on a long sofa in the corner, suddenly spoke.

Zenos, with his light blue hair and transparent amber eyes, is a beautiful monster, tall and slender like a fairy.

Occasionally, he looks at Glast with a lonely expression, and Nea wonders about their relationship. However, she doesn't know them well enough to understand their background.

"That magician is going to die soon, isn't he?"

Glast, the guard knight, snapped back to reality at the contracted monster's words. Checking his master's condition, he quickly bowed to Nea and Dino, who were still pulling arms.

"I apologize, song invoker. My master is not accustomed to such... intimate conversations. Perhaps we should take a break and resume the discussion later?"

(Indeed, Lord Eadalia hasn't moved for a while...)

Being rejected by such a beautiful creature would be disheartening.

Nea, disappointed in her matchmaking skills, decided to work secretly in the future to avoid making both parties stubborn in public.

"Understood. ......Lord Eadalia, please prepare the documents by then?"

Even if temporary, as a superior, she will be involved with him until she saves enough money to leave. She wants to be kind to her heartbroken fiancé.

Bending down to speak as if to a child, she tried to use a gentle voice, but there was no response. Instead, Dino pulled her arm, making her frown.

Despite being an old creature, why can't he read the room?

In the future, she will have to teach Dino to be kind and considerate of Eadalia's feelings.

"Come on, Dino, let's go back to the room."

Nea left, declining Glast's offer to accompany her. She wanted him to focus on Eadalia's recovery and to memorize the building layout on her way out.

The break was longer than expected, and the meeting resumed in the evening.