CH 5

“You want a day off?”

“Well… technically, yes.”

“…Don’t tell me you’re made to work even on your days off?”

“A-ahahaha…”

I laughed it off, but His Highness looked scary.

“This is not a laughing matter.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m not angry at you. You said you’re a magic tool maker, right? What about the others? Are you the only one left?”

“Uh, well…”

His Highness kept pushing me with questions.

I didn’t know how to answer, so I was trembling with fear.

“Is something wrong?”

“N-No, it’s nothing.”

“Tell me the truth.”

“…Yes.”

In the end, I decided to tell him everything, under the pressure of His Highness.

What happened today.

What has been happening since before.

I didn’t plan on telling him, but once I started talking, I couldn’t stop complaining about everything.

“What the hell is that?! It’s clearly power harassment.”

“A-Ah, I guess so…”

“Weren’t you aware of it?”

“…I did have some expectations, but not because I wanted you to.”

His Highness lets out a big sigh.

“You know, expecting someone to give you unreasonable work is not really called having expectations. It’s definitely just a form of harassment against you. I’m surprised you’ve endured it for four years.”

“Hahaha… I had no choice.”

“Even with the broken engagement. You were angry, weren’t you?”

“I couldn’t be… you know, angry.”

A Day In The Life Of A Time Managem...

It’s true that I disappointed him.

Cain-sama wasn’t always cold towards me.

It was me who made him like that.

I’m now thinking about how it’s too late to have consulted with him earlier.

“Is that so? I feel like he just didn’t see you properly.”

“Is that… really the case?”

“Well, it’s up to you to think what you want. But at least it’s a fact that the environment you’re in right now is not normal.”

“…Yes.”

I know that.

I’m aware that many people dislike me.

I’ve been made painfully aware of that fact.

I hold back a sigh that is about to overflow.

“Alright, I’ve decided. Freya, pack your things tomorrow.”

“Eh…? Are you saying I’m fired from my job?!”

Did he think I held resentment towards the kingdom for speaking my mind?

How am I supposed to survive if I’m suddenly fired?

“No, no. It’s actually a promotion.”

“Pro, promotion?”

“Yeah, and you can take plenty of time off. You can look forward to it.”

I tilt my head in confusion.

It wasn’t until the next day that I understood what that meant.

❂❂❂

“With this, Freya Roster is appointed as the special court magic tool maker for the second prince…”

“That’s what it says.”

In the morning, a letter of appointment arrived at my doorstep.

Director is now reading its contents.

Being appointed as the magic tool maker under Prince Julius, meaning you are under his direct control.

“So, in the future, if there’s work for me, please pass it through his Highness first. I’ll also return this research lab. His Highness will be providing a new one.”

“What the hell is this? What the hell is going on?”

“I don’t know either.”

It’s a gift from His Highness to me.

I actually know, but His Highness has instructed me to keep quiet about the curse incident.

Above all, this person is no longer my boss.

There is no need to talk about it.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me up until now.”

I bow deeply and greet her.

“W-Wait! There’s still work left to do, isn’t there?”

“I finished the work from yesterday. Please consult with His Highness regarding today’s work.”

“We have regular duties too, you know!”

“His Highness will decide on that from now on. It should be stated in the appointment letter.”

The previous duties will be handed over to another court magical instrument craftsman.

Effective from today.

By the way, the name of the new magic tool maker is written as the director.

Of course, it was His Highness’s instruction.

I cannot refuse.

The director desperately tries to stop me from leaving.

She must really not want to take over my work.

“Wait! Don’t you think it’s irresponsible to pass your work onto someone else?”

“I apologize for that. However…”

It may be a bit mean to say this, but I’ll take this opportunity to say it.

I’ll let out all my pent-up frustration at once for enduring until today.

“Director, you could easily handle the workload of just one person like me, right? After all, you’re the best magic tool maker in this country, aren’t you?”

“Fr-Freya…”

“Thank you for your hard work. If there’s anything, please let His Highness know.”

I say that and close the door.

I bid farewell to the laboratory I’ve been in for four years and headed from the court to the royal castle.

I head to the room I was told about earlier, take a deep breath, and open the door.

“Welcome to your new laboratory.”

Julius His Highness is waiting inside the room.

The laboratory has new research tools and is neatly cleaned.

It’s about one size larger than the court’s laboratory, and there’s also a room next to it for me to live in.

I no longer need to return to the Roster family estate.

I don’t have to worry about being chased by the grueling workload that gives me a headache at the court.

I can work here under his guidance.

I can wake up in the morning, work, finish at regular hours, and take a leisurely rest.

I have regular days off too.

So that I can lead an ordinary life.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“Yes! It feels amazing!”

From this day on, the environment around me undergoes a big change.

This is the story of a single genius magical tool maker, who unknowingly saves people and their country.

This is where it begins.