Prologue
“Now, we should go home.”
“Huh? Uh…?”
“You promised we’d go home and greet them properly.”
Edwin smiled brightly at Dana.
His golden hair gleamed like it was coated in honey, his eyes folded gently, and his sharp nose and strong jawline stood out.
Today, his beauty seemed even more radiant.
‘He’s so handsome today, too…’
“Do you like my face that much?”
Edwin’s innocent question broke Dana out of her thoughts.
“Of course—wait, no!”
Dana opened the carriage window as they sped along.
Yes, she hadn’t realized it before, but something definitely felt off.
The strangely fast-tracked trial date.
The newlywed home filled with flowers that looked exactly like those in the Imperial Palace gardens.
Edwin’s innate grace and composure, as if he was born with them.
His unusually close relationship with the Minister of Magic.
…No matter how she looked at it, there was no way—
Her husband was a prince?!
Could she really call that enormous Imperial Palace her home?
She just needed a little more time to prepare herself… just a little more!
“Ha ha… Edwin, maybe not today, but—”
“That won’t do, Dana.”
He spoke with a tender smile at the corners of his lips.
“You promised to accept me completely.”
“………”
“From the moment we first met, you were always mine.”
Dana froze.
His gaze locked onto hers, swirling with obsession.
***
Dana Hartwin was working in the Potion Management Division of the Department of Healing Magic at the Ministry of Magic.
The title sounded impressive, but in reality, it meant she was just a low-level administrator in charge of making stamina recovery potions.
Today, like any other, she checked potion stock and labeled bottles.
Her tasks were simple—only the workload was overwhelming.
Coming from an insignificant noble family, Dana had only secured a job at the Ministry because of her time working in the monster-infested North for a year.
She had endured extreme hardships, but in return, the pay had been generous.
Perhaps the country had taken pity on those who suffered on the monster subjugation forces, as anyone who served for over a year was automatically placed in a related department. That was how Dana had been hired.
‘The interview was strange, though…’
The interviewers asked standard, formal questions—it was clear the process was just for show. She was going to be hired regardless.
Then came the final question.
‘Do you have a favorite poem?’
The man who had caught her attention the entire time spoke. He had been sitting silently in the back, hidden behind a curtain.
‘Yes, I do.’
Dana answered without hesitation, recalling her favorite poet.
And then…
‘………’
The man behind the curtain remained silent.
And just like that, Dana was hired. For over a year, she worked diligently—beyond just being hardworking, she willingly took on overtime and weekend shifts.
All for the sake of extra pay.
Dana Hartwin was the official pushover of the Potion Management Division. She survived on cheap sandwiches while being unable to stop her family’s extravagant spending.
And it was all thanks to her older brother, Jamie.
When she refused to fund his business venture, he had the audacity to show up at her workplace and throw a tantrum—bringing their mother along.
‘You’re earning plenty of money, and you can’t even help your only brother’s business? Is it because of that last loan? Or the one before that?’
‘Yeah, why are you being so cold to your own family?’
Their expensive clothing and glittering jewelry only made the situation more disgraceful. Her coworkers clicked their tongues in disapproval.
Thinking about that day still made her face burn with embarrassment. While fanning herself to cool down, a coworker called out to her.
“Dana, it’s lunchtime. You’re going to eat at the fountain again, right?”
Dana gave an awkward smile. At this point, there was nothing left to hide.
“See you later.”
While her colleagues headed to a nice restaurant nearby, Dana sat at the fountain.
It was peaceful and empty during lunch hours, which she liked.
Taking a deep breath, she could smell the fresh scent of trees in the garden.
She always felt more energized when she was surrounded by nature.
Soon, she pulled out her cheap sandwich.
The ham and vegetables inside were clearly past their expiration date.
“How much was this month’s loan interest again…?”
She muttered while taking a bite.
Just then, right on time, the fountain sprayed water into the air.
The gentle sound of water behind her helped clear her mind a little.
As she looked down at her reflection in the rippling water, she saw the dark circles beneath her blue eyes.
At the same time, her black hair swayed slightly in the breeze.
She absentmindedly played with the water’s surface.
“My peaceful workplace, as always…”
“Should I just kill him…”
The eerie voice shattered the peace.
Murder? Here? In my sacred place of employment?!
Her body froze, and she couldn’t move.
A large shadow loomed over her.
A man’s shoes stepped into view.
Dana stiffly lifted her gaze—until her eyes met his.
“Huh?”
He wasn’t some rough-looking thug.
On the contrary, he had the face of a golden-haired angel.
His fair skin contrasted sharply with his defined, straight nose.
Despite his gentle eyes, his deep red lips added an oddly seductive charm.
“………”
“………”
For a few seconds, their eyes remained locked. His intense crimson gaze held Dana’s attention, almost like a spell.
Then, he finally spoke.
“Today is my lucky day.”
And with that, he flashed a dazzling smile—one so sweet it felt like it could melt anything.
Dana stood frozen, momentarily dazed.
The man casually lowered the book he had been holding and let out a soft chuckle.
“Is there something on my face?”
“Ah, I’m sorry!”
Dana had been staring too rudely. She fidgeted awkwardly before speaking.
“I was looking because… um… you just said you were going to kill someone…”
“Ah, that? It’s nothing. Just someone making me wait.”
A murder threat was nothing?
But looking at that smile, she felt like she had to believe him.
“Oh, I see! Nothing to worry about! Well then, I’ll be going. Excuse me!”
Dana turned to leave in a hurry but accidentally knocked his book into the fountain.
Oh no!
Before she could even reach for it, the book had already fallen into the water.
She quickly snatched it up and shook it off, but it was already soaked beyond saving.
“I’m so sorry! Really, I’m so sorry!”
What is up with my luck today?!
Dana grimaced.
“I’ll compensate you!”
“No need.”
The man waved his hand dismissively.
His heart was as angelic as his face. Dana, still dazed, nodded and handed the book back as he gestured for it.
But as she looked at the cover, her eyes widened.
It was a poetry collection by Shane.
“Oh? I love this poetry book too!”
“I know.”
What did he mean by that?
Dana blinked in confusion as the man gently brushed her bangs aside. Some water must have splashed onto her hair when she shook the book off earlier.
“Ah… Not many people know this poet… It’s nice to meet someone who does!”
She smiled brightly—a clear, radiant smile, like the warm sunshine of spring.
“………..”
The man froze. His crimson eyes, normally unwavering, flickered slightly.
He unconsciously reached toward Dana’s cheek.
Dana blinked in surprise at the sudden touch.
As tension built between them, their faces slowly drew closer.
Then, in a low voice, the man murmured,
“There’s something I want to say…”
Gulp. Dana swallowed dryly.
And at that moment—
“There you are!”
A voice called out from a distance.
Startled, Dana quickly stepped back.
The voice belonged to the secretary of the Minister of Magic.
He wasn’t her direct superior, but he still outranked her.
No way am I running into a superior during my precious lunch break.
Dana swiftly stepped away and spoke to the man.
“Excuse me for the trouble. I’ll be off now!”
“Wait—”
Before he could stop her, she was gone.
As she walked away, her mind replayed the scene.
What was that just now?
Her heart had pounded like never before, and her face was still flushed.
A ticklish, unfamiliar feeling settled in her chest.
Whether he knew it or not, the golden-haired man—Edwin—kept his gaze fixed on her for a long time.
Meanwhile, the secretary approached him respectfully.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince. I have come to escort you—”
“You really have no sense, do you?”
It’s been so long since I saw her.
The man smirked, and the secretary flinched.
A smile from Third Prince Edwin Hedron was often a warning of death.
Fortunately, he walked past his secretary, Paul, without another word.
“Has Dana Hartwin been doing well?”
“Yes, as you just saw.”
Paul clearly remembered Dana.
She was, after all, someone personally selected by the Third Prince himself.
Of course, even without Edwin’s influence, her qualifications were strong enough to pass.
“Then let’s go see the Minister.”
Paul bowed respectfully and led the way.
The Third Prince was unpredictable.
A tyrant would have been easier to handle, but Edwin was an entirely different kind of dangerous—an unpredictable madman.
As Edwin hummed a cheerful tune, Paul’s face turned pale.
