Edwin hummed a tune all the way until he entered the Minister’s office.
Knock, knock. Paul knocked on the door to announce the guest’s arrival—or at least, he tried to.
BANG!
Without waiting for a response, Edwin flung the door open and strode in confidently.
Since this wasn’t the first time this had happened, Paul simply left to fetch some tea without a word.
Meanwhile, Derek Childe, the Minister of Magic, doubted his own ears.
‘Is that guy… humming?’
That lunatic? Why?
Regardless of Derek’s bewilderment, Edwin casually took the most prestigious seat on the sofa.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince, welcome,”
Derek greeted with a practiced smile, sitting diagonally across from him.
Edwin placed a damp book on the table and tapped it with his finger.
Derek glanced at Paul, silently asking if he was really seeing what he thought he was seeing.
Paul, who had just returned with the tea, nodded with a weary expression.
Derek gave Edwin a look that made it clear he didn’t want to hear whatever was coming next.
“I heard you returned safely, I must say, I’m honored that you came to see me before reporting to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Cut the flattery.”
“As you wish.”
The two had been friends for a long time.
As the second son of Duke Childe, Derek had been forced into befriending the Third Prince simply because they were the same age.
And thanks to his early education, Derek was probably the only one who could handle Edwin’s unpredictable nature.
Not that Edwin himself seemed particularly grateful for it.
“What’s with the book? Is it some kind of secret assassin manual?”
“It’s a poetry collection.”
A lunatic and poetry… that was an odd combination.
But Derek had long since given up trying to understand Edwin.
“You don’t seem the least bit sorry for keeping me waiting. Then again, you did barge in unannounced.”
“Is that so? I was actually thinking of killing you.”
Ignoring the murder threat, Derek glanced at the clock. The grand assembly would be starting soon.
“So, why did you suddenly drop by?”
“I have something urgent to discuss.”
Something urgent? In the Ministry of Magic?
Surely not…
Hiding his smirk, Derek asked,
“Is this about Lady Dana Hartwin?”
At that moment, Derek felt an icy gaze pierce through him.
“How do you know her?”
No matter how many times he experienced it, the sheer pressure emanating from the Third Prince was overwhelming.
Derek let out an awkward laugh before responding.
“There’s no way I wouldn’t remember. During the last recruitment interviews, you suddenly showed up and directed all your questions at her.”
The Edwin he knew had never shown interest in anyone.
For someone like the Third Prince to personally attend the Ministry of Magic’s recruitment process… it was unprecedented.
And it sparked Derek’s darker sense of curiosity.
“What’s this urgent matter you mentioned?”
“I need a job.”
…Did I mishear that?
Derek blinked, wondering if his hearing was failing him today.
‘After spending years exterminating monsters in the North, had he finally lost his mind?’
No… The Third Prince had been crazy from the start.
As Derek stared at him, utterly unable to comprehend the situation, Edwin spoke again.
“Make a position for me in the Potion Management Division. The deadline is this week, right?”
Derek could only stare in stunned silence at this brazen job request.
Edwin, unconcerned, got up from his seat.
With a practiced elegance, he tucked the soaked and tattered book safely into his coat.
His thoughts might be chaotic, but his actions remained graceful and composed.
“……….”
“……….”
Even after Edwin left the office, Derek and Paul sat frozen, unable to process what had just happened.
Derek was the first to return to his senses.
“…Don’t tell me. Dana Hartwin’s assigned department is…”
“Yes… The Potion Management Division.”
Paul’s response seemed to confirm Derek’s suspicions. Derek processed this for a moment before breaking into a grin.
“Just as I thought. There’s something unusual between the Third Prince and Dana Hartwin.”
His mischievous smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
“Seeing him struggle for once might be entertaining.”
“…Excuse me?”
No way… Please, don’t…! Paul instinctively shook his head in silent protest.
But Derrick betrayed his expectations.
“Fine, I’ll make a spot for him… as a low-level worker.”
He smirked, clearly amused.
Paul shot him a wary glance.
Despite his carefree exterior, Derek had a rather cunning side.
‘Nothing’s going to happen… right?’
Paul was the only one feeling uneasy about this.
***
“Are you working overtime again, Dana?”
Her colleague, Kira, looked at her with concern.
“Today’s tasks are simple, so I should be done quickly,”
Dana replied with a bright smile. Even so, Kira hesitated to leave.
“Dana, I understand your situation, but… your health is more important than money.”
“I know, I know! Thanks for worrying about me!”
Dana gently pushed her friend toward the door. As she watched Kira walk away, she murmured,
“Thanks, Kira.”
In her harsh life, small moments of kindness like these warmed her heart.
“Alright, time to get to work!”
Stretching, Dana sat down at her desk. She was the only one left in the office.
In the dimly lit room, she turned on a magic lamp and started drafting reports.
“Let’s see… what’s on today’s task list?”
In recent years, advancements in medical technology had made potions mostly supplementary for stamina recovery.
As a result, the Potion Management Division saw fewer applicants, and Dana had been the last new hire.
While this made work easier, the uncertainty of the department’s future kept her on edge.
“No side effects this time.”
Recovery potions were primarily sent to knights—ranging from the Imperial Guard to the border defense forces.
It was mandatory for them to report the potions’ effects and any side effects.
Compiling and analyzing this data was the Potion Management Division’s responsibility.
Dana had done this hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Effortlessly, she continued writing her report.
Several hours later, she finally stretched her stiff body.
“Ugh… what time is it?”
Outside the window, the sky was pitch black.
Sitting in the same position for so long had left her sore all over.
After turning off the magic lamp, she packed up to leave.
‘Once I get home, I’ll soak in hot water, then sleep until…’
But how many hours of sleep would she actually get? She let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Despite being a noble, Dana had no carriage to take her home.
At least her workplace was close to her family estate.
Dragging her exhausted body, she finally reached the front door.
“Hahaha!”
As always, laughter echoed from the dining room.
A familiar scene.
“Ah, my lady, you’re home…”
A maid approached her hesitantly, holding a piece of paper.
One look at it, and Dana instantly sobered up.
“No way…”
“…Yes, it’s what you think.”
With trembling hands, Dana took the overdue notice.
‘How many zeros are on this thing?!’
A cold sweat ran down her back.
Clutching the paper, she rushed toward the dining room, where her family was gathered.
As always, the table was filled with luxurious wine.
Her family was already drunk, oblivious to Dana’s arrival.
Her older brother, Jamie, shrugged as he spoke to their parents, the Viscount and Viscountess.
“Father, Mother! This time, it’s a sure thing! The trading company I’m investing in is absolutely top-tier—”
“Jamie!”
Dana cut him off, her voice filled with exasperation.
“When did you rack up more debt?! This is insane!”
“Ugh, you’re so loud.”
Jamie lazily picked at his ear.
The Viscountess, their mother, looked at him with concern.
“Oh, Jamie, are you alright?”
But in the blink of an eye, her gentle gaze turned sharp.
“You’re such a headstrong girl! Women shouldn’t meddle in men’s affairs!”
Their father, Viscount Hartwin, gave Dana the same disapproving look.
“You should be supporting your only brother instead of getting in his way.”
It was always the same.
Jamie caused trouble, their parents indulged in luxury, and Dana was left to clean up the mess.
Because of them, the family’s estate also had to be handed over to the nation.
And yet, they still couldn’t part with their grand mansion, extravagant dresses, or their army of servants.
“This is way more than I could ever pay off!”
Dana couldn’t hold back her frustration any longer.
Fury boiled inside her, clouding her thoughts.
“Yeah,there’s a limit to what you can do.”
Jamie chuckled.
“Well, at least your face is decent enough to look at.”
His words sent a chill down Dana’s spine. A deep, instinctive fear gripped her.
“That’s why…”
Jamie’s eyes gleamed with greed.
“You’re going to get married.”
“…………”
“I secured an investment from Viscount Hembern. He wants you as his third wife.”
Dana was speechless.
Had her parents agreed to this?
They simply nodded.
“Haha…”
A hollow laugh escaped her lips.
The voices of her family blurred.
Time seemed to slow.
And in that moment, something inside Dana snapped.
She knew, without a doubt—
Her love for this family. Her sacrifices for them.
It all ended today.
