The Ice Age Came And I Just Got Married - Chapter 1

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 1
Chapter 1. Catastrophe
Logan Arthur Cheswind.
The sole heir of the Cheswind Duchy.
I first became aware of that boy when I was around fifteen.
Strangely, wherever I went, Logan was there too.
At the time, I thought it remarkable how our tastes seemed to align so perfectly.
Every Northern Region exploration project I took an interest in, Logan had already put his name down first, and any rare jewel I managed to acquire would inevitably slip into his hands.
The Imperial Exhibition was no different. The best viewing seats, the finest reception halls—whatever caught my eye always fell to Logan.
The strange coincidence didn’t end there.
At the Academy, we found ourselves in the same class year after year, and the competition continued.
Our test scores seesawed between first and second place, and at Academy competitions we’d race to sweep up the prize money, drawing resentment from our classmates.
At some point, I became obsessed with beating Logan.
Though we’d never exchanged a single word, he was always my rival.
The truth was, Logan didn’t even notice me.
How did I know?
At the Academy festival, we happened to be assigned the same booth, and that’s when Logan asked my name for the first time.
“What’s your name?”
“Eve Lania Everhart.”
“Never heard it before. What class are you in?”
“The same one as you.”
“I see.”
He seemed utterly unaware of my existence. That’s how indifferent he was.
Then one day.
I took a sudden leave of absence just before graduation.
My family had collapsed overnight, and I’d become destitute.
While my eldest brother was abroad studying in the Neighboring Country, my parents and second brother vanished.
In an instant, the family drowned in debt, and even my eldest brother had become unreachable.
A brief leave of absence wouldn’t solve this. There was no room even to grieve. The debt was astronomical, beyond comprehension.
In the end, I submitted my withdrawal application and threw myself into whatever work I could find, all while being hounded by creditors—now facing the prospect of being sold to some aging man.
“Fortunately, Earl Derby is looking for a young wife.”
The Creditor Manager set down his teacup with leisure across from me.
“He may be somewhat advanced in years, but he should be able to settle your debt in one stroke.”
Somewhat advanced was an understatement.
He was an elderly man with silver streaking his hair.
I had nothing to say, so I fixed my gaze on the White Moth Brooch pinned to the Creditor Manager’s chest. I couldn’t very well glare at the man himself.
“Moreover, his financial resources are considerable. He might even be able to help locate your missing Everhart relatives.”
I have no choice, but I can’t simply submit like this. There must be a way.
If I surrender now, I’m no longer Eve Lania Everhart. I pulled out a handkerchief and pretended to dab away tears.
“Would you give me time to think?”
The Creditor Manager, looking uncomfortable, adjusted his glasses repeatedly and nodded.
“I can’t give you much.”
I need to find a way quickly.
Where can I get money?
Anxiety seized me, and I rose hastily from my seat. As I turned to leave the cafe, my dress caught beneath me and I stumbled.
The documents I was holding scattered.
A Debt Demand Notice stamped with a red seizure seal, Pawn Shop Receipts, and even the Academy Withdrawal Application I hadn’t yet submitted.
I hurried to gather the papers.
‘Nothing ever works out.’
In a situation where every moment counts—!
Then, in that instant, a pair of boots stopped before me.
A man bent down and picked up the fallen withdrawal application.
“Thank you.”
I thanked him hastily and reached toward the withdrawal application in his hand—
“I was wondering why I hadn’t seen you, but this is why.”
At the sudden voice, I lifted my head. My eyes widened.
Tall frame, shoulders set square and broad, the body beneath the military uniform tensed without a flaw.
Beneath his dark hair, those red eyes met mine with a chill gleaming in their depths.
More startling than encountering Logan here was—
“Do you remember me?”
It was the fact that he knew of my existence.
“Eve Lania Everhart. How many years have I watched you? Of course I’d know that.”
“You didn’t even know my name.”
“That’s…….”
Logan faltered, his brow furrowing.
He couldn’t answer. It was the truth, after all—there was nothing to say.
I sighed and pointed at his uniform.
“But what’s with the military dress?”
“I enlisted.”
“What about the Academy?”
“I don’t need to attend anymore.”
“Why?”
At my puzzled question, Logan again said nothing. His eyes flicked toward the documents clutched in my arms.
Then he looked past my shoulder—where, no doubt, the Creditor Manager was still seated.
After a moment, Logan asked me.
“Eve, do you need money?”
“If you’re not planning to lend it to me, don’t ask me something so rude.”
“I’ll help you.”
“Feel free to be a little more rude, then.”
At my answer, Logan burst out laughing.
“But there’s a condition.”
“So Logan, just tell me anything.”
“Marry me.”
“……Did you desert?”
At my question, Logan laughed outright.
Aware of the stares directed our way, I had no choice but to grab his arm and leave the cafe.
“Don’t joke like that with someone in desperate straits, Logan. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a classmate from the Academy—I was happy. Now go.”
I took the withdrawal application from his hand and tucked it into the envelope with the other papers.
As I turned to leave,
“I’m not joking, Eve.”
Logan caught my arm.
“Let’s start romance after we’re married. I’m certainly not going to demand marital obligations right away—just tell me whether you’ll accept this bargain or not.”
He paused, then emphasized his next words.
“Then I’ll go right now and tell that Creditor Manager I’ll pay off your debt.”
I was bewildered. What was this about?
“The numbers don’t add up. Why would marriage to a debtor like me be part of the bargain?”
“Which matters more—finding out why, or paying off your debt?”
The moment Logan finished speaking, someone emerged from the cafe. It was the Creditor Manager.
“Oh my. You’re still here.”
The Creditor Manager recognized Logan and awkwardly removed his hat in greeting.
Watching the Creditor Manager move away, Logan pressed me.
“Eve, give me your answer.”
Honestly, I had no reason to refuse. The terms were far too favorable to me alone.
“I’ll do it!”
The moment Logan heard my answer, he followed after the Creditor Manager. I watched from a distance as the two men exchanged words.
What on earth was happening right now?
* * *
A week later.
“……With that, I declare this Marriage Registration to be formally and lawfully established.”
The final declaration was brief.
Scratch-scratch. The pen nib that had been moving across the paper stilled. With that small sound, all proceedings were complete.
Logan had announced our marriage to the newspapers the very day I accepted his proposal.
By coincidence, much like my own family, the Duke and Duchess had disappeared years ago, and Logan had already inherited the Ducal Title.
Since no one’s permission was required, everything happened in a flash.
Now I was officially, both legally and on paper, the wife of Logan Arthur Cheswind, the Duke.
Logan rose from his seat with a relieved expression and extended his hand to me.
“Let’s go, Eve. There’s much to do from now on.”
He seemed somewhat excited. Why was that?
I left the Royal Marriage Registration Office holding the Marriage Registration Certificate and asked him.
“Logan, isn’t it time you told me why?”
“Why?”
“Why you had to get married.”
This man—he’s not actually deserted, is he?
“Ah.”
Logan stopped walking, then stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment. After a pause, he shrugged and answered.
“Because the world’s going to end today.”
“What?”
“This marriage certificate will be reduced to scraps anyway, but somehow it feels like I need to do this to change the future.”
I found myself at a loss for words.
Then I glanced around briefly and leaned in to whisper near his ear.
“Are you all right? You’re not actually thinking of deserting, are you?”
“I know it’s hard to believe. I understand.”
Logan smiled and resumed walking.
The Royal Marriage Registration Office was housed within the courthouse, which stood at the heart of the Capital.
We emerged from the courthouse building and descended the steps. At the bottom, the Duchy’s steam automobile waited.
“The ominous fog is warning us!”
“It is heaven’s warning!”
“As greed deepens, so does the fog! Guarantee the fishermen’s right to survive!”
“Guarantee it! Guarantee it!”
I noticed that members of the Environmental Protection Group and fishermen from the neighboring city had gathered below, holding placards and protesting.
‘Is that… an icicle?’
This time, I spotted icicles hanging from the stair railing.
Icicles in early spring?
Then my vision caught something odd.
Snow was falling.
‘…Wait, snow?!’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————