CPSMBD Chapter 01

CHAPTER 1  Date Candidate

 The Empire I live in has a peculiar law.

It's a statute that prohibits married individuals from working overtime.

In other words, once I get married, even my superior, the Crown Prince, cannot force me to work late.

'Not even His Highness Friedrich, nor his grandfather could make me work overtime. That's right!'

Why, you ask? Because imperial law protects my working hours!

But what good is such a law when...

"I need to find a man first..." I sighed, slumping in my chair as it spun listlessly.

That's when Brahe placed a coffee from the Imperial Café on my desk and asked, "A man? Are you feeling lonely these days, senior?"

I took a long sip of the coffee Brahe brought and shook my head.

"How could I be lonely when I'm this busy? I just need a man, that's all. Do you know anyone you could introduce me to?"

"Of course! They don't call me the Imperial Social Butterfly for nothing. I pride myself on my connections!"

"Then introduce me to someone decent."

"If that's what you want, I'd be happy to help. Wow! I thought you weren't interested in dating. What made you suddenly think about meeting someone?"

"Not dating—marriage. I'm sick and tired of working overtime."

Brahe tilted their head to the left, clearly confused.

"...Wait a minute, senior. Are you saying you want to get married just to avoid working overtime?"

"Yes. Didn't you hear what His Highness said the other day? He said if I don't want to work overtime, I should get married. I'm determined to escape this overtime life through marriage."

I reaffirmed my resolve. Brahe muttered with a somewhat dubious expression.

"Ah, well... I suppose your motivation doesn't matter as long as you're willing to meet someone. What kind of person would you like me to introduce you to? Tell me your ideal type."

"My ideal type?"

"Yes. I need to know your preferences to match you with the right person."

I hadn't really given much thought to my type before. But right now, the most important thing was...

"Someone who's serious about marriage and dating with that intention."

"What else?"

I thought of my parents. Despite being married for many years, they still acted like newlyweds.

Father always put Mother first.

Someone who knew how to cherish their partner like my father did—that's the kind of person I could rely on for life.

"I'd like someone gentle and caring."

"What about looks?"

"Well, I wouldn't mind if he were handsome..."

I nervously glanced at Brahe while chewing on my straw.

'What if they think I'm too picky and won't introduce anyone?'

But then again, what woman wouldn't want a handsome man?

"That goes without saying! But what type of handsome do you prefer? Wild and rugged? Sexy? Or perhaps intellectual? Which is more your style?"

"I like them all. Each has their own charm."

"Your taste is broader than I expected. Alright, noted!"

"But will anyone actually want to go on a blind date with me?"

I fidgeted with my pen as I voiced my concern.

"Huh? Senior, are you joking? If word gets out that you're looking, men will be lined up outside the palace gates!"

Brahe had a tendency to exaggerate everything.

Still, it was quite pleasant to hear.

"Don't worry too much. I'll keep introducing people until we find someone you really like."

Until we find someone I really like! I had no idea Brahe's network was this extensive.

Brahe pulled out a piece of paper and filled it with names.

After studying the list intently for a while, Brahe seemed to reach a decision and drew several circles around one man's name.

"I think this guy would be perfect for you, senior."

I sneaked a peek at the circled name.

Failum Dale

I had a good feeling about it.

Even though I'd just learned his name, something told me this might work out.

"He's a professional and has a great personality. They even call him 'The Saint'!"

"That's wonderful. A professional is exactly what I want."

He was exactly the type of husband material I was looking for. Good personality and capable—what more could I ask for?

"I'll ask him then."

"Okay."

As a sixth-year aide to the Crown Prince, I'd recently come to appreciate the importance of having specialized skills.

Though I often felt like quitting and running away, job changes weren't easy for liberal arts graduates like me.

I already envied this man I hadn't even met yet.

'In my next life, I want to be a professional too.'

While I was lost in these idle thoughts, Brahe quickly wrote a letter and took out a paper bird from the drawer, rolling up the message and placing it in its beak.

"The recipient is Failum Dale. Go."

The paper bird that received Brahe's command fluttered up and quickly left the aide's office.

The reply came soon after.

"Senior, he said yes! How's tomorrow for you?"

Tomorrow? It was a bit sudden, but as they say, strike while the iron is hot.

There was a big event coming up at the palace soon.

Once it started, we'd be too busy to breathe. Now was the perfect time while things were still relatively calm.

"Perfect.”

"I'll tell him to send you the time and place."

"Okay."

Brahe immediately wrote a letter of acceptance. After sending another paper bird off, Brahe stretched leisurely.

"It's unusually peaceful today. Even though His Highness is out on personal business, it's rare to have time for casual chat with you, senior. Why is it so quiet?"

"Hey, you...!"

The words 'peaceful,' 'quiet,' and 'calm' were absolute taboos in the aide's office.

Whenever someone uttered them, an unmanageable incident would inevitably occur.

Brahe, belatedly realizing their mistake, covered their mouth with an 'oops' expression.

But as if to prove it was already too late...

BOOM!

A ground-shaking explosion resonated through the palace.

The General Chief Aide, who had been dozing behind me, jumped up from his seat.

"Y-yes, Your Highness! W-why did you summon me?"

"His Highness didn't call you."

Hearing my response, the General Chief Aide sank back into his chair with relief, scratching his balding head.

"Is that so? I could have sworn someone called me. Must have been my imagination."

But as if mocking the General Chief Aide's words, a series of smaller explosions followed.

BOOM! BANG! CRASH!

Our easily startled General Chief Aide turned to me with a terrified expression.

"Senior Violetta, w-what's that sound?"

"I'll go check."

I got up from my seat with a heavy sigh. I needed to investigate and handle whatever mess the palace staff had created this time.

Another day of overtime awaited me.

***

The next day, I headed straight to the Crown Prince's office upon arriving at work. I needed to report yesterday's incident.

My superior, Crown Prince Friedrich, started picking on me as soon as he saw me.

"Senior Violetta, what's wrong with your face?"

"What do you mean, what's wrong with my face?"

"It looks like there's something on it."

The Crown Prince flashed a bright, radiant smile.

"That's my personal business. You needn't concern yourself with it."

"Am I not your superior? A good ruler must take interest in their subordinates' personal lives, wouldn't you agree?"

Yeah, right.

I lightly scratched my made-up face. Was it because I rarely wore makeup?

My face felt itchy.

"I have a blind date this evening."

"A... blind... date...?"

The Crown Prince's brow furrowed ever so slightly.

Despite surely knowing the term well, his expression was peculiar, as if hearing it for the first time.

"Yes. A blind date."

"Must be nice having so much free time at the palace lately? Enough to go on blind dates?"

"Not at all. We're extremely busy."

If palace work had been leisurely, I wouldn't have even considered going on blind dates.

Tap, tap, tap. The Crown Prince's fingertips rhythmically drummed against the sofa's armrest.

That was his habit whenever something displeased him.

'What's he upset about now?'

I reviewed our conversation, but nothing seemed particularly offensive.

"Who's the other person?"

"Pardon?"

The completely unexpected question made me repeat it back unconsciously.

"Who's the person you're meeting?"

"Pardon?"

The completely unexpected question made me repeat it back unconsciously.