Chapter 55

The royal family, being a special existence, can be troublesome whether they are allies or enemies.

Often, when you think they are excellent and have your back, you end up getting dragged into complicated situations. Before you know it, your talents are being exploited, and once they are no longer needed, you might be discarded.

(As the next head, I need to pay attention to my relationship with the royal family from now on. Since I started interacting with Lord Lukas and the Duke and Duchess of Ambroch, I’ve begun to see aspects I didn’t know before.)

Until now, Viela hadn’t actively engaged with other nobles, but she started to feel it was time to change her mindset. When it came to social matters, Duchess Hermine of Ambroch was an expert. It might be a good idea to seek her advice—while thinking this, Viela continued her work on enchantments in the technical department.

Then, her supervisor, Director Dresel, called Viela into a separate room.

"Ms. Viela, the Magic Bureau has informed us that the expedition schedule has been set... Did you approve the expedition?"

He placed the paper with the expedition schedule on the table and pushed up his glasses with his middle finger, as if he wanted to complain.

"Director Dresel, didn’t you know? During the recent meeting of the investigation team, Lord Fran from the Development Department announced it as a confirmed matter. I assumed it had already been approved by you."

"…I see. Normally, for support tasks, Director approval is required, but this is being treated as part of the investigation, correct? Ignoring the technical department’s personnel planning and delivery schedules… This is troublesome."

Director Dresel slumped his shoulders and started wiping his glasses.

"Probably to delay my resignation… I’m sorry for the inconvenience."

"Ms. Viela, you’re in a difficult position too, so I have no complaints. Someone in the Magic Bureau must have wagged their tail to please the king, who wants to keep Lord Herring close. But I don’t like this approach. I’ll protest to ensure this expedition is a one-time event."

"Is… is that okay?"

Viela had always thought of Director Dresel as someone who shrank from superiors. She was surprised by his unusually assertive attitude and worried.

Having an ally was reassuring, but with the king involved, it could be dangerous if he got angry and used his power to undermine their positions. However, Director Dresel’s soft smile seemed to negate Viela’s concerns.

"I’m the one who repairs all the magical devices in the palace, from the king’s office to his bedroom. There are even secret magical devices… Who would be the most troubled if I suddenly resigned or abandoned maintenance? Hehe, where should I start tampering?"

Viela’s cheeks twitched at her superior’s unhidden devious thoughts. The usually mild-mannered Director Dresel showing such anger was a clear sign of significant stress.

(The king’s whims affecting even the director… I hadn’t realized it, but this is quite a problem, isn’t it? There must be distortions elsewhere too, and I’m worried that dissatisfaction might erupt into an incident in the palace. I want to resign before the repercussions hit me.)

Viela bowed deeply, hoping her wish would come true.

"Director, please take care of it. I was talking about resigning at the same time as Lord Lukas, but I’m starting to want to resign on my own."

"Planning to return to your territory before Lord Herring?"

Lukas, who had been reluctant even for the one-week experimental expedition, would likely be very lonely. If she mentioned the new business in her territory, he might accept it, but she couldn’t bear to leave him after remembering how he had pouted and hugged her the other day.

"…It doesn’t seem possible. I can’t leave him behind."

"Ah, that’s great! It looks like you’ll be staying in the technical department for a while longer!"

"Huh? I thought you were on my side about my resignation?"

"I can’t stand the Magic Bureau’s upper management taking our excellent personnel without permission, but I welcome Ms. Viela working in the technical department for a long time. Since I’m indebted to Duke Ambroch, I won’t actively try to keep you here."

Previously, Viela had easily obtained leave to return to the Yubert territory. There seemed to be some connection between Duke Ambroch and Director Dresel. Viela was relieved that the director wouldn’t become a target of suspicion. She rechecked the expedition schedule on the paper.

The expedition was next week. The day before, they would be given a day off for preparation, and they would gather at the front gate of the west wing earlier than usual on the day of the expedition. The team consisted of six members from the Development Department, Clement, Viela, and two members from the Barrier Department, making a total of ten people. There would be no guards, as it wasn’t a place where monsters would attack, but the group was larger than expected.

Lukas had been worried about Viela and Clement being alone together, but with others around, it should be fine. Still, the possessive Lukas would undoubtedly worry throughout the absence of his fiancée.

"Director Dresel, before you were married, you were in a long-distance relationship with your wife, right? How did you manage during the separation?"

The director was the second son of a border baron. He had been engaged to his childhood friend, who stayed in the territory, when he went to magic school. After three years of long-distance love, he brought her to the capital to marry when he got a job as a palace mage. Viela had heard this story at a technical department drinking party. She thought that hearing advice on how to overcome three years might help ease Lukas’s mind.

"That doesn’t seem to be for you, Ms. Viela. For Lord Herring, perhaps?"

"I want to hear your opinion as a man. Please give me some advice!"

"Well, it depends on Ms. Viela’s courage and skills…"

Director Dresel relaxed and started reminiscing. Viela listened seriously and took notes, which made his reminiscences accelerate. He shared many stories, and Viela recorded a lot of his experiences.

"Thank you, Director Dresel!"

"You’re welcome for listening. Today, I’ll buy a bouquet for my wife on the way home. I need to finish my work early for that. Let’s work hard, Ms. Viela!"

Director Dresel returned to the workroom, humming happily. It seemed his wife still had a firm hold on his heart. The stories she heard today would be very helpful.

"Now, which ones should I follow?"

Viela looked at her notes, her heart swelling with anticipation.