Chapter 1

◆The book version of Volume 1, which includes a new episode and an extra chapter at the end, is scheduled to be released on [11/2]!

『Father has fallen ill. Find a husband immediately and return home. Any husband will do.』

In a research building in one corner of the royal palace, Viela Yubert, upon seeing the short message written on a card delivered by a magic express service, placed the card on her desk for a moment.

She combed her disheveled yellow-blonde hair with her fingers, put eye drops in her slightly pink, sleep-deprived eyes, and then took a bitter energy drink to wake herself up before looking at the card again.

"It's not a mistake, is it?"

Viela is the eldest daughter of a viscount's family that governs a rural territory about a week's carriage ride from the capital. The territory used to be prosperous due to a gold mine, but it has declined since the mine's closure, and the Yubert family is now known as a poor noble family.

Her father, Viscount Yubert, has offered to return the territory to the royal family and even tried to transfer it to another family, but both offers were rejected. Viela's hometown is such a poor land that no one wants it.

Fortunately, Viela had a talent for magic, so she attended a magic school while working part-time and studied hard, eventually securing a job as a royal palace magician.

Currently, she works in the Technical Division of the Magic Bureau and sends money to her younger sister, who attends a royal academy. She cannot afford the costs for frequent social events, and she hasn't attended a ball in over two years since accompanying her sister to her debutante ball.

Due to her busy work schedule, she has no time for socializing and has already passed the typical marriage age for young ladies, which is around twenty, by about three years. Suddenly being told to find a husband is an impossible task.

She had always thought that her younger, six-year-old sister would catch a wealthy husband and become the successor to the viscount's family. Her sister also attended the royal academy, paying high tuition fees, and is actively trying to find a husband there.

Incidentally, in this country, the Kingdom of Tressti, women can also become the head of a family. However, this is conditional on having a partner. Unlike men, women have to bear and give birth to children, which means they cannot work as a lord for a period of time, so a partner is needed to fill that gap.

Her sister is only seventeen, and she still has a year before she can qualify as a successor at eighteen. If something happens to her father, the succession issue will be left unresolved.

Her mother alone cannot manage the poor territory. If she becomes a widow, she will not be eligible to be the head of the family. In such a case, the territory would automatically be returned to the royal family, but the Yubert family's previous attempt to voluntarily return their title was rejected. If the territory is left unmanaged, the people will suffer.

In other words, the only hope is for Viela to get married and return home. That's why, despite their poverty, they used the expensive magic express service to send the message.

"What a dilemma... How am I supposed to find a husband?"

Viela held her head and slumped over her desk.

"Senior Viela, are you slacking off? The magic tool I asked for isn't finished, is it?"

Just then, the voice of the man she least wanted to hear came from behind her. Viela raised her head and glared at him without hiding her resentment.

"Lord Clement, if you want it so quickly, please assign it to another technician."

Clement Bartel, a young man with flame-like red hair, clear amber eyes, and a height that made looking up at him difficult, smiled and replied.

"I like the equipment Senior Viela enchanted the most. That's harsh. Thanks to my personal orders, you should be getting overtime pay, referral fees, and a higher salary... Do you really want me to stop assigning you tasks?"

"...I understand. Sir, the leader of the Second Team of the Barrier Division."

Clement is a junior from the same seminar at the magic school. Despite being a junior, he has seen through her, and as a senior, she has lost face. However, since she has indeed stopped working, Viela reluctantly resumed her task. In fact, thanks to his orders, she earns more than her colleagues.

The Magic Bureau is divided into three departments.

One is the Technical Division, where Viela works. This department is responsible for enchanting clothes, weapons, and other items to create magic tools.

The second is the Development Division, which specializes in developing magic tools. This department requires creativity and knowledge and is considered an intellectual field.

The third is the Barrier Division, where Clement works. In this world, there are creatures called monsters, which are different from wild animals and are known for their aggressive behavior. They recognize humans as prey and are a troublesome existence that live in the natural world. While animals live by their hearts, monsters live by a stone-like core, which is the basis for distinguishing them.

The Barrier Division is responsible for setting up barriers in dangerous forests to prevent monsters from approaching human settlements. This department requires not only magical talent but also high physical abilities and can be considered an elite group. Many magicians aspire to join it.

Moreover, Clement is a prodigy who became a team leader at the young age of twenty-two. He always assigns tasks to Viela and orders a large number of magic tools. She is chronically sleep-deprived and exhausted, and he is the root cause of her problems.

She has often thought about refusing, but since he is the heir to a marquis family and a team leader in the Magic Bureau, while she is just a regular employee, she has no choice but to accept his orders.

"Since the expeditions will increase soon, please do your best. The safety of my team and me depends on the armor you create."

"You're always good at putting pressure on people. Don't worry, I won't cut corners."

"Yes, I believe you. Here, this is a gift."

With a clink, Clement placed three small bottles on her desk. They contained the highest-grade energy drink, a limited edition that ordinary people cannot obtain. It has an excellent effect, and drinking it before sleeping ensures a refreshing morning, no matter how short the sleep.

(In other words, he wants me to drink this and finish the magic tools on time.)

His usual tactic is to pretend to be kind while overworking people. Viela took the bottles, and an idea came to her.

(If I need to find a partner, I might as well attend balls. With this, I can stay up all night and have time to attend balls. I can borrow a dress from my sister or rent an old one.)

Finding hope in her search for a husband, her mood improved.

"Thank you! I feel like I can do it now."

She smiled at Clement, who quickly averted his gaze and said, "Then please do your best," before quickly leaving the Technical Division room.

Three days later, Viela attended a ball.

She endured the discomfort of a corset she hadn't worn in years and put on a dress borrowed from her sister. She applied a bit more makeup to look like a proper young lady.

However, the ball, which she hadn't attended in two years since her sister's debutante ball and was only her fourth in her life, was a harsh world for a reclusive young lady. Her only acquaintances among men were her colleagues from the Technical Division, and she knew they wouldn't be suitable husbands.

Feeling hopeless and staring into space as a wallflower, a beautifully dressed young lady approached her. With honey-colored, light blonde hair and large, slightly pink, clear eyes, she was so beautiful that even her sister would be captivated.

"My angel is as cute as ever."

"Sister, you're as always. So, how are you?"

"See for yourself. By the way, do you know any men who might consider marriage?"

Viela asked casually, and her sister, Emma, frowned and sighed.

"The men who seem likely to marry are usually living off their rich parents. If they are loose with their wallets, they are also loose with their belts. I can't introduce them to an innocent sister like you."

"But I don't think we're in a position to be picky right now."

"I understand, but there's no need to take in a problem child. We need a gentleman with more than just assets."

"I'm thinking of a temporary marriage until you get married and become the successor. If it's a bad man, we can divorce. At this point, I'd welcome anyone who would come as a husband."

Emma, seeing Viela's determined expression, lowered her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

"You've already done enough for the family. I understand Father's situation, but I hope you can consider your own happiness a little."

"Thank you, Emma. If you find someone you think is suitable, will you introduce them to me?"

"Yes, I'll look for someone suitable for you. I'll go hunting for men right away!"

Emma gave a thumbs-up and headed towards the crowd. Viela smiled at her sister's strength and reliability.

Then, another beautiful young lady approached, looking like Clement's twin sister with her red hair and amber eyes.

"Oh, Lady Viela? I didn't expect to see you at a ball. Are you here alone? Don't you have a partner?"

Clement's sister, Sara, hid her mouth behind a fan and arched her eyebrows in a crescent moon shape, perhaps subtly mocking her for not having a partner even at her age.

"Unfortunately... Congratulations on your marriage, Lady Sara. I've heard your husband is wonderful."

"Did you hear it from Clement? Yes, he is too wonderful for me. Speaking of which, would you like me to introduce you to a gentleman as a share of my happiness?"

"Um, for example..."

"Well—"

The men Sara mentioned were so problematic that even the socially awkward Viela thought, "They're dangerous!" They were even more questionable than the men Emma described, and Viela's face twitched.

(What does this brother and sister have against me!?)

If she continued talking, she might actually be introduced to one of them. Fearing this, Viela looked for a way to escape. However, Clement stood next to her, blocking her path.

"Sara, your brother-in-law is looking for you."

"Oh, my husband? Then I must go. Good day."

Sara's face brightened, and she quickly left Viela.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, thank you."

She was surprised to be protected by Clement, as she expected to be mocked by her sister.

"Still, why are you attending a ball, Miss Viela?"

He called her 'Miss' in the social setting, which surprised her even more. Viela, confused, answered.

"To find a partner... to reassure my parents."

"Huh?"

"It's a bit late, but I'm worried about my parents."

"What is that...?"

Clement's voice contained a hint of anger, and Viela, not understanding, looked up at him.

"Looking for a partner in the social world is a futile endeavor. Even if you find someone in a hurry, you'll end up being a target for the kind of men Sara mentioned. You should stay in the Magic Bureau and keep to yourself."

"Oh, you're so concerned."

"Of course, because—"

Clement stopped speaking.

(Of course, because if you get married, I won't have someone to push my requests onto...)

Viela sighed quietly, so he wouldn't notice, and smiled.

"Thank you for your concern. But I am a noble lady, and I need to take action at my age. I need to find a partner, so I'll take my leave."

Clement's expression stiffened, but she had no obligation to consider his feelings. She bowed slightly and left the scene.

She searched for a suitable young man, but without the social network to judge, and with no one approaching her, she decided to drink to drown her sorrows.

After all, she had paid the participation fee. If she couldn't find a husband, she would at least get her money's worth in food—her poor spirit demanded it.

However, the venue was full of people, and she couldn't drink freely. She took a bottle of the most expensive whiskey and a glass from the table and went to a deserted garden.

A gazebo seemed to be empty. She sat on a bench, opened the bottle, and then realized someone was already there.

A young man with long, black hair that seemed to blend into the darkness, tied in a braid, and blue-gray eyes that held a hint of displeasure, was lying on the opposite bench.

Thank you for reading!