After completing the marriage registration, a look of deep satisfaction never left Edwin’s face.
He was truly happy—overwhelmed, even.
He had heard Dana call him her husband several times now, each time reaffirming that they were officially married.
But that dream-like day shattered in an instant.
It happened as he was dropping Dana off.
He couldn’t help but worry as he watched her enter the mansion.
He despised the people of the Hartwin household who had exploited and tormented her.
He wanted to bring her back to him as soon as possible and be with her.
As soon as he returned to the Imperial Palace, Edwin issued an order to his attendant.
“How did the investigation go?”
The perceptive attendant quickly summoned the waiting aide.
Peter entered Edwin’s chamber as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“Greetings to His Highness, the Third Prince. I’m Peter Milo, your aide—”
“That’s enough with the formalities.”
Unlike their first encounter, Edwin’s face was cold.
Feeling the pressure from Edwin’s stern expression, Peter cautiously handed over the documents.
“This is a list of all the loans the Hartwin family has taken out so far. Not just from banks, but also through illegal channels.”
“Do they have any means to repay it?”
“No, they don’t. However, it seems they’ve been taking advantage of their daughter’s position as a palace administrator.”
“Is the administrator’s salary really that generous?”
“Not exactly… It’s more likely they used her verified identity to gain trust and receive investments from various places. They used that money to repay debts and then sought more investments elsewhere…”
The more Edwin heard, the more appalled he became.
To them, Dana was nothing but a tool to make money.
Peter pointed to the last page of the document.
“The last part is especially serious.”
“Viscount Hembern? They borrowed money from him?”
“Yes. The eldest son, Jamie Hartwin, received a large investment. But in exchange…”
“…..…”
Edwin’s crimson eyes burned as he read the document.
His gaze, now full of fury, glowed intensely.
“They planned to hand over Dana Hartwin to Viscount Hembern…?”
“It seems he intends to take her as his third concubine. We obtained this information through a covert investigation at the illegal gambling den he operates.”
Edwin’s face turned emotionless.
But that expression, void of any feeling, was more chilling than before.
“Should I just burn everything down…?”
At his icy tone, Peter flinched.
There was a chilling murderous intent behind his calm voice.
Edwin fell silent, lost in thought.
During the time his long fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk, Peter didn’t dare utter a word.
Barely even breathing, Peter finally heard Edwin speak in a low voice.
“Find me a mansion. Near the Imperial Palace.”
What…?
Peter looked at Edwin, confused by the seemingly out-of-the-blue command.
“It’s where a newlywed couple will live, so the interior should be well-considered too.”
The most urgent matter was separating Dana from those people.
Before revealing his true identity, it was best to secure a residence.
Edwin continued.
“And it should be full of flowers.”
“Do you mean… to purchase a mansion?”
“Yes. Is that difficult?”
There wasn’t a trace of hesitation on Edwin’s face.
The moment Peter looked unsure, Edwin seemed ready to replace him with someone else.
“No, Your Highness! I can do it!”
Peter responded with fierce determination.
“As it happens, my parents run a real estate business.”
“Good. I’d like the mansion to be white.”
“Understood. If you could grant me a week—”
“One day should suffice, right?”
“………”
“Make sure it’s elegant, neat, cozy, and has a classic feel.”
“……So, I take it the budget is unlimited.”
Peter, ever quick-witted, immediately grasped his intent.
It meant money was no issue—just get the best result.
‘I need to secure a decent-looking place first. The flowers can be planted anew… and I’ll have to settle for ready-made furniture.’
Peter’s mind was already whirring with plans.
“If needed, you may move some furnishings from the prince’s palace.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll do my utmost.”
“Before that, stop by the palace physician and get a stamina potion.”
“Are you feeling unwell, Your Highness?”
At that, Edwin gave him a look of disappointment.
“It’s for you.”
Peter’s eyes widened at his words.
Stamina potions used by royalty were on another level compared to regular ones.
To be given such a valuable potion…
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
“Share it with your family.”
“For even my family too…!”
Eyes brimming with tears, Peter repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
Annoyed, Edwin waved him off.
The potion was given simply to make sure he moved quickly and secured the mansion as soon as possible.
***
Late at night, loud laughter echoed through a men’s tailor shop.
“Is the wedding suit coming along well?”
Viscount Hembern asked the designer.
“Yes, of course. Just as you instructed—extravagantly! It’s finished.”
“Hmm, as it should be.”
The designer’s sycophantic attitude greatly pleased the Viscount.
Soon, the staff brought out his wedding outfit.
The dark blue fabric sparkled under the lights, encrusted with an excessive number of jewels.
Vivid colors and golden embroidery were overwhelming, shouting for attention.
It wasn’t about taste—it was just an outfit meant to flaunt wealth.
“Not bad.”
He commented, his double chin folding as he grinned with satisfaction.
With a small nod, the Viscount gestured to his attendant, who handed over a hefty pouch of coins—the payment for the outfit.
The designer accepted the money with a grin, then glanced around before cautiously bringing something up.
“Have you chosen a wedding dress for your bride yet? Coincidentally, my wife runs a dress shop right next door, and…”
A deep frown formed on the Viscount’s face.
“She’ll wear something off the rack. No need for extravagance in a woman.”
“Y-Yes, of course, quite right!”
Despite his own outfit being lavishly adorned with gold thread and jewels, he was extremely stingy when it came to his bride.
The designer twisted his mustache behind the Viscount, clearly displeased.
Especially since the Viscount’s body had required quite a bit of extra fabric.
He had insisted on concealing his bulging belly.
His shoes had to be specially made with higher heels to offset his short stature.
Yet he flew into a rage whenever any extra charges were brought up.
Suppressing his irritation, the designer forced a smile.
“Viscount, would you like to try on the completed suit?”
“Let’s do it.”
“I’ll send over the shoes and an attendant to assist you shortly.”
Ignoring the suggestion to wait, the Viscount walked straight into the fitting room.
As expected of a tailor serving nobles, the fitting room was spacious.
He couldn’t wait to put on the flashy outfit.
In his eagerness, the Viscount hurriedly stripped off his clothes.
Just as the Viscount reached out to grab his newly hung suit—
“How flashy.”
A dangerously low voice echoed through the room.
The Viscount scowled and turned around.
“…Who are you?”
A stunning blond man stood there, holding the suit.
His dazzling looks and overwhelming presence were enough to make even the Viscount falter.
“You ever think your bride might run away in embarrassment if you wear something like this?”
“Are you a staff member? How dare you speak so rudely!”
The Viscount raised his arm, attempting to strike him.
But the man—Edwin—caught the Viscount’s arm and bent it in one swift motion.
“Aaaargh!”
The Viscount’s arm twisted at an unnatural angle.
“Such noise.”
Edwin yanked off the Viscount’s wig and stuffed it in his mouth.
Then, raising his other hand, a flame burst to life in his palm.
The Viscount’s eyes widened in shock.
What is happening…?
“Mmm! Mmmmph!”
“I was going to hold back—for my wife’s sake…”
“Mmph!”
“But I just can’t. I need to vent.”
The Viscount groaned behind the wig gag, his eyes filling with dread.
The flames in Edwin’s hand grew larger.
Heat began to pour into the room as sweat—maybe cold sweat—beaded down the Viscount’s body.
Without hesitation, Edwin reached toward the suit.
In an instant, the fire consumed it.
The suit shriveled and twisted, losing all form.
Burnt black and tattered, it looked like it couldn’t even be used as a rag.
As he stared at the utterly ruined garment, Edwin let the flames die down.
It had all happened in mere moments.
And in utter silence.
The Viscount couldn’t say a word.
He feared that the flames might devour him next.
Edwin stared down at the now nearly naked Viscount with terrifying composure.
The man was stripped to his undergarments, having been in the middle of changing.
“You look cold, Viscount Hembern.”
Edwin slowly stepped closer, a crooked smile playing on his lips.
The Viscount instinctively shook his head and stumbled backward.
“I’ll warm you up.”
At that moment, fire surged from Edwin’s hand once more.
للحظ،أنهيت توي الفصل25ولكن هناك آخر😭💞
براه فكرت في إخراجه عاريا للشارع😂💔💔