The Secret Ingredient is...

On his unyielding quest for employment, the MC picks up an odd job request at the townsboard from the local alchemist.

A straightforward, kinetic novel made with Ren'Py and a version of Skyrim SE, heavily modded for the creation of novels such as this one.
The game is not necessarily intended to take place in the world of The Elder Scrolls, so having played Skyrim is not required to understand the plot.
It features a few choices for dialogue variety but they do not alter the overall story, hence the kinetic novel tag.
It's primarily intended to be a one-shot story, with some light humor and romance elements.