Arasila named the flying ship a magical airship and began to develop specific development plans.

As she conceived the design and internal structure of the airship, roughly estimated the number of magic stones required, and calculated the development equipment and magic research costs, the scale grew larger than she had imagined.

It was likely to be the most capital-intensive invention among her research thus far.

In that case, there was only one problem.

“Lady Arasila, I inquired with the higher-ups, but the internal funding is limited for each lab, so they can’t provide more than 10 million gold.”

“What should we do? Even if we pool all the remaining budget in the lab, it’s far from enough.”

It was money.

Arasila’s lab, which had already been conducting costly magic stone research, had already exhausted half of its annual budget.

Even combining additional funding from the Magic Tower and extra budget, it was barely enough to cover one-third of the development cost for the magical airship.

Seeing the report handed over by Rudy, the lab’s financial manager, with an estimated amount in the billions, Arasila fell into thought.

In fact, the lack of money was fine as she could make up for it by liquidating her personal assets, but there was a separate concern.

‘If the development cost alone is this much, the scale of the subsequent business will also be large, so it seems difficult for the three of us to handle it alone……’

Neither Arasila nor her juniors could be called business-minded, as they had all devoted their lives solely to magic.

However, if they poured this much money into development and the business failed, Arasila’s lab would suffer an irrecoverable blow for the next few years.

‘It might be better to find a business partner instead.’

In the long run, she thought it would be better to receive outside investment and seek collaborators.

However, if there was one more problem arising here, it was that Arasila had never collaborated with others or received external sponsorship.

So she had no idea what tricks to use in a situation like this.

‘Who on earth do I get investment from, and who do I work with?’

Arasila unknowingly let out a deep sigh, but upon seeing her juniors’ expressions darken, she came to her senses.

At times like this, if she, the lab’s representative, showed a weak side, the anxiety felt by Rudy and Sally could only double.

Clapping her hands lightly to draw their attention, she deliberately made a confident voice.

“Kids, don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything, so you just focus on development.”

“But……”

“It’s a problem I can solve with my connections. If it were me, I’d be writing an investment plan instead of worrying like this.”

To her, who spoke as if she were a social butterfly, her juniors couldn’t bring themselves to say, “Lady Arasila, you don’t have many friends……” and swallowed hard.

Anyway, Arasila was a superior who had wisely resolved any danger that had come to the lab, so they decided to trust and follow her.

While Sally and Rudy were diligently preparing a plan to attract outside investors, Arasila scoured her few connections.

It was very demanding to find someone who was not only willing to invest, but also actively lead and succeed in the magical airship business.

‘Well, first of all, my family has money but lacks business talent, so they’re out. Paula is similar, and Frederick…… I have a feeling I shouldn’t get deeply involved with him these days.’

As she eliminated them one by one, her connections quickly hit bottom.

Unable to find a suitable candidate, Arasila thought of her relatives’ in-laws’ eighth cousins, and suddenly realized that she had one last connection left.

‘Ah, Demian.’

On paper, he was currently the closest person to her as her husband.

‘……But I don’t think Demian would be particularly interested in business either.’

There was nothing more burdensome than persuading someone who was uninterested to join a business.

Moreover, since Demian was not a real husband but a contract husband, it was all the more so. If something went wrong, they would both get headaches.

In the end, Arasila, who had also excluded Demian from the list of candidates, had no more connections left. Time passed without finding a suitable investor.

The day of the royal ball celebrating the return of the 1st prince dawned.

Even Arasila put aside all her work and focused on preparing for the ball today.

Wearing a top dress with a flower petal-shaped neckline and twisting her hair into a low bun revealed her long neckline and straight collarbone.

Audrey placed a modest pearl necklace over it and hung small diamond earrings on her ears.

Fixing a butterfly-shaped ornament to the side of her hair, she exclaimed upon seeing Arasila’s reflection in the mirror.

“No one will be more beautiful than you at the ball today, my lady.”

It was no exaggeration; Audrey was truly confident of that. The other maids who were helping with the grooming also piled on endless praise.

Feeling the sincerity in the compliments, Arasila smiled slightly.

Finishing her ensemble by putting on gloves that reached her elbows, she went downstairs so as not to be late. Demian was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

“You’re here, my lady.”

He was wearing a black uniform with the upper part covered in lavish gold embroidery and decorations, which seemed to match Arasila’s dress perfectly.

Her dress also had yellow floral embroidery on the top and a wide, flared black chiffon skirt.

This was obviously intentional, to show that their relationship as a couple was so good that they coordinated outfits to attend the party together.

Taking Demian’s hand and getting into the carriage, Arasila spoke as soon as they departed.

“You know we have to act properly later, right? You have to act as if you love me very much. I’ll do the same.”

“I’m well aware. Don’t worry.”

“I can sense some confidence in your answer, so I guess you’ve prepared a lot?”

“Don’t I always do well without fail? I’m more worried about your acting skills, my lady.”

“Ah, you’re worried that I’ll do so well that you’ll be compared unfavorably? My acting is quite realistic.”

At the brazen reply, Demian chuckled.

They were still bickering, but unlike before, their tone was oddly deflated. It meant they weren’t sincerely sharpening their words as before.

Although the mischievous intention to tease each other was included.

As they exchanged conversation intermittently, the carriage sped along and arrived in front of the imperial palace.

However, it took some time to enter as the carriages of the nobles attending the ball all flocked together.

By the time the two got out of the carriage and stood at the entrance to the hall, the venue was already packed with people.

“His Grace Duke Demian Vandermir and Her Grace Duchess Arasila Vandermir are entering!”

Along with the attendant’s loud exclamation, everyone’s eyes were drawn to the open door.

People murmured as they looked at the couple entering hand in hand.

Unlike the rumors circulating recently, they looked very close and affectionate, having carefully matched their outfits.

The way they glanced at each other and smiled looked like a fresh and lovely newlywed couple.

“Demian, smile while looking at me.”

“I’m already doing that to the point of getting a cramp.”

Although the content of the conversation they secretly exchanged was like this.

Ignoring the stares boring into their skin, the two took their place next to the champagne table on the right side of the hall.

Before long, several noble couples approached. Their intention to greet them and confirm whether the rumors about the couple were true was obvious.

“It’s truly a pleasure to meet the Vandermir couple here.”

“Are you enjoying your newlywed life?”

“We also got married earlier this year, so we feel a strange kinship.”

The opening remarks to start the conversation were mostly favorable. It was like expressing that they had no intention of openly attacking the two and being at odds.

However, Arasila clearly read the desire to probe them in their sparkling eyes.

If they showed a harmonious appearance with Demian here, it would conversely spread the word that their actual marital relationship was very different from the rumors.

Nodding her head moderately, Arasila deliberately clung to Demian, linking arms and giving a picturesque smile.

Glancing at her, Demian made a slightly pondering expression.

He was wondering what he should do as much as Arasila was actively linking arms.

Then a noblewoman complimented her.

“Duchess Vandermir, you look so beautiful again today. It’s embarrassing to stand next to you.”

“Haha, thank……”

“That’s right. My wife is the most beautiful at this event.”

Demian suddenly cut off and interjected into Arasila’s words, which she was going to casually brush off.

Momentarily startled, Arasila whipped her head around to stare at him. She wondered if those words really came out of Demian’s mouth, who was stingy with compliments.

No matter how much she told him to act more lovingly than before….. Still, to say something so over the top.

Even though everyone was looking dumbfounded, Demian was calm and confident. Rather, he was feeling somewhat proud inwardly.

‘Isaac’s advice seems to be working well.’

A few days ago, when Arasila demanded that he show more love than before, he fell into deep thought as he was at a loss on how to do better when he was already doing his best.

Then, suddenly remembering that he had reconciled with Arasila through Isaac’s advice before, he asked him for counseling.

When he roughly asked how he could show that he truly loved his wife, Isaac answered with all his heart.

His first piece of advice was ‘Whenever, wherever, say your wife is the prettiest!’

“Ahaha…… You must be very happy to have such a beautiful wife, Your Grace.”

Piercing the awkward silence, a nobleman jokingly remarked. Others chimed in agreement and the atmosphere gradually loosened.

“So that’s why your complexion has improved after marriage. Hoho, you two look so good together.”

“I know, right? When was the last time my husband called me pretty? You must be happy to have such an affectionate husband, Duchess.”

…… No, I’ve rarely heard such words either.

Arasila only muttered that inwardly and outwardly gave a bright smile.

Although a bit flustered, she was satisfied that they had effectively showcased their marital relationship from the start. The gazes looking at them had loosened slightly.

However, it didn’t take long for the thought that the beginning wasn’t bad to change.

“This embroidery on the sleeve was sewn by my wife. What do you think, isn’t it excellent?”

“It really is! As expected, the embroidery skills of the Countess of Granscher must be recognized.”

When a viscount known for doting on his wife boasted about her embroidery and a friendly conversation was going on.

“I may be biased, but it can be said to be the best in the empire.”

“Oh my, you’re making me blush.”

People burst into laughter at the viscount’s wife’s embarrassed reaction. And taking advantage of the momentary pause, Demian spoke.

“My wife can row a boat and complete a lake course without an oar.”

“…… Pardon?”

Several pairs of eyes turned to him at the same time, wondering what he was suddenly talking about.

Not noticing the bewildered gazes, Demian spoke again to perfectly execute Isaac’s second piece of advice, ‘Boast about your wife’s strengths to others!’

“And she’s a born hunter who’s very good at catching both animals and people.”