Chapter 7

After that, the boss didn't return to the workplace until evening.

Dressel, the head of the department, is also an excellent magician, often getting involved in the restoration of the palace buildings' magical enchantments, so it's not unusual for him to be away for long periods.

（I wanted to continue discussing my retirement date and report on my fiancé, but it seems I'll have to reschedule. Well, it ended on time.）

Although I'm more exhausted than usual due to the significant consumption of magic, I managed to leave on time.

Viela stopped by the break room before heading to the meeting place to check her hairstyle and makeup. Lucash said he would attend the meeting tonight in his knight's uniform, so Viela would also go in her technical department uniform.

She felt a bit nervous about meeting her fiancé's parents, but she had come this far with such momentum. There was no turning back now.

She steeled herself and left the break room.

（Come to think of it, I forgot to check the Herring family's title. I should have casually asked a colleague... Wait, what?）

While walking down the west wing corridor with a small regret, she encountered Clement, who was waiting with an angry expression.

He often made various requests to Viela. Sometimes, when deadlines were missed, he would sigh but never direct his anger at her.

Viela's body instinctively shrank back, and she took a step backward.

“Senior Viela, what do you mean by getting married?”

Clement's voice was very calm compared to his expression. It was low, cold, and restrained. As he questioned Viela, he closed the distance with his long legs. Coincidentally, they were the only two in the corridor, with no place to run.

“It’s true, as you heard from Director Dressel.”

“You said you had given up looking for a partner. At the ball, you didn’t have anyone yet. Were you lying and hiding it!?”

“I didn’t lie. I stopped looking because I found someone. Why do I have to report my engagement status to you, Clement!?”

The rebellious words slipped out before she could stop them.

Clement was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise, and he showed a slightly flustered expression.

She didn’t want to be dominated by Clement in her personal life as well as at work. She didn’t understand why he was so obsessed with her.

Once the words were out, the wall that had been holding back her pent-up frustration crumbled.

“Why are you harassing me just because you don’t like my existence? Is it because I turned down the offer to be assigned to the Barrier Division?”

“It’s not out of spite!”

“Then is it a stress outlet? Taking it out on me? Either way, I know you don’t like me. Don’t worry, I’ll leave the capital as soon as I get married, so please leave me alone.”

“Leave the capital!?”

Clement's anger exploded, and he grabbed Viela's wrists tightly. Her wrists, squeezed with no restraint, burned with pain, and her fingers, deprived of blood, rapidly turned cold.

“L-let go!”

“No.”

“What’s so bad about a person you dislike disappearing? Do you really want to use me as a punching bag!?”

“No! I just can’t stand it if you’re not by my side!”

She couldn’t understand his intentions.

（I’m scared. Why are you targeting me? Have I done something so terrible to deserve this?）

She wanted to run, but her hands, tightly gripped, wouldn’t budge. She lacked the courage to scream for help and cause a scene.

She wished someone would pass through the corridor.

She prayed that the enraged Clement would come to his senses if someone appeared. Just then, a familiar man appeared behind Clement.

“Let go of her.”

Viela was more surprised than relieved by Lucash’s appearance.

Because the uniform he was wearing was not the usual knight’s uniform.

It was the uniform worn only by the elite knights who had contracted with the griffin, the divine beast that protected the country, known as the "Divine Beast Knights."

Moreover, the medal on his chest indicated that he was the commander of the knights.

The commander of the Divine Beast Knights is known as the "King of the Skies," the strongest sword in the country, recognized by the king himself as a "King."

Unable to grasp the situation, Viela could only stare blankly.

Clement, on the other hand, was startled and loosened his grip on her hand.

“Why are you here, Lucash? Did you come to discuss the expedition with the Barrier Division?”

“No. I’m here to pick up the woman who will be my wife.”

“――――!? You’re Senior Viela’s fiancé?”

Clement cast a disbelieving glance at Viela, but she could only look confused, unable to believe it herself.

（Even if you ask me... I don’t want you to look at me. I feel like fainting from the unexpectedness of this. I wish this was just a dream!）

But Lucash had declared Viela as his future wife. Since it wasn’t a dream, she nodded slightly.

“Such a thing—”

“Let go of her, Clement Bartel.”

Lucash stepped between Viela and Clement, pulling them apart.

Viela was pulled by the shoulder and ended up falling into Lucash’s chest.

Despite the force of the impact, he easily caught her and wrapped his arm around her waist, showing it off to Clement.

Clement was flustered, still unable to believe it, muttering, “How could you have any connection? There was no way.”

“You have no business here. Let’s go, Viela.”

“Y-yes.”

Lucash left the west wing of the palace with Viela, leaving only a cold glance for Clement.