I didn’t know the face of the woman who gave birth to me.

Ever since I could remember, I had been living in the Magic Association. Apparently, it was because even as an infant, the amount of magical power I possessed was extraordinary.

I was adopted by a marquis family that held tremendous influence in the Magic Association. Even so, it was just a front.

The best way to prevent rare talents from being taken away by another country was to marry them to members of the royal family. However, illegitimate children with obscure backgrounds couldn’t join the royal family.

The surname “Noz” from the marquis family was exactly for that purpose.

“Nice to meet you. I’m the man who will become your husband.”

If I recalled correctly, I met my fiancé when I was eight years old.

I thought he was a very arrogant guy.

But hey, he’s the crown prince.

He was two or three years older than me.

At the same time, I was a genius who had passed the exam and was acknowledged as a full-fledged magician at the age of eight. I knew I wouldn’t be punished even if I was somewhat rude.

Instead of curtseying, I held out my hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you. I’m the woman who’ll become your wife.”

Naturally, the adults around me were in an uproar at my words and actions.

But the prince in front of me was different.

He smiled, shook my hand and said, “It’s an honor.”

…At that time, I had a dream.

If I married this man, maybe I could have a real family.

Such a fleeting, wistful dream it was.

My fiancé, Suel von Nouwen, was also a magical prodigy. He studied not only imperial studies, but also magic rigorously.

As a result, he passed the magician’s exam at the age of twelve and a grand celebration was held. I was also invited to the party as his fiancée.

But the truth was, I didn’t want to attend such a party.

After all, the youngest person in history to pass the exam was eight years old. I broke that record four years ago.

Wouldn’t it be mean of me to congratulate him?

So, I enjoyed a delicious meal in the corner, ignoring my father’s instructions. Then, a boy strode up to me. Of course, it was Prince Suel, breathing heavily.

“Why didn’t you congratulate me?”

“Well, I was hungry.”

What other excuse could I give?

I thought I was being considerate in my own way.

Then, he grabbed the cake I was about to eat and gobbled it down.

“That was the last piece!”

“Shut up! We’re celebrating together!”

Then, he took my hand and said, “You’ve been eating too much cake! Eat some meat too!” dragging me somewhere else.

I wanted to eat more cake, but the meat dish that followed was pretty tasty as well.

Thus, I had more opportunities to work with him.

As a crown prince, he studied various things to broaden his horizon until he officially inherited the throne.

“—Come to think of it, haven’t you been spending too much time at the Magic Association lately?”

“I like magic. Is that bad?”

“It doesn’t really matter. Well, as long as you’re doing what you like.”

In fact, he had produced more than enough results as a researcher. He was particularly good at coming up with ideas to improve existing structures. Moreover, his reports were very easy to understand. He often rewrote my reports in more detail, selecting and discarding information so that anyone could understand it.

I never asked him to do that, though. But he said that even if I made something good, it was meaningless if it couldn’t be conveyed to others. So, I always left the cleanup to him.

That day, I was busy with my own research.

“What are you researching now?”

“The development of a prosthetic arm that moves with mana.”

“But the director told you to research the greatest magic!”

Certainly, I did receive such an order.

At the same time, I knew that even if I did something else, as long as I produced good results, they wouldn’t bat an eye.

“I hate offensive magic.”

“You? Who reduced a giant monster into ashes in one hit the other day?”

“That’s why. Taking the time to help others do what I can do… Isn’t that a waste? It’d be faster if I do it myself.”

In this era, there were many cases of animals and plants becoming gigantic due to miasma.

When the vigilantes and knights couldn’t handle it, the Magic Association often dispatched magicians to help with the extermination. For me, it was a side task to do while sightseeing.

I can just go anytime, I thought, as I fiddled with a prosthetic arm.

Then, I heard him mutter.

“…This damn genius.”

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“Nothing.”

He gave a brief reply and went back to working on his report…

At that time, I didn’t really care about anything.

---

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***T/N: Her fiance is the classic arrogant tsun????

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