Snap out of it, Dana Hartwin. You fool.
Those people don’t see you as family.
‘I was stupid to realize it so late.’
Dana quickly brushed off her thoughts and let out a sigh.
If she changed her attitude too suddenly now, they would get suspicious.
“Jamie, this is your last chance. You better succeed this time.”
“I got it, so just focus on preparing for your wedding!”
That crazy bastard! She barely held back the curse that was about to slip out.
If she lost her temper here, her overly strict parents would surely punish her.
The best strategy was to escape before her anger got the best of her.
Shaking her head in frustration at her older brother, Dana walked out of the dining room.
‘See? That girl always ends up listening to me.’
‘Our son is so clever, isn’t he?’
Her family exchanged knowing glances, as if they had expected her to comply once again.
Dana had always begrudgingly followed their requests, no matter how angry she got.
One step at a time, she walked away, her footsteps heavy with anger. Then suddenly, she spun around.
There was no way she was going to leave quietly this time.
‘Fine, I hope you fail spectacularly, Mother, Father, and Brother.’
With a bright smile, she spoke up.
“Oh, right, Jamie.”
“What?”
“Since you’re getting an investment, make sure you get everything you can. Squeeze them dry.”
“Well, as his future brother-in-law, there’s nothing a mere Viscount wouldn’t do for me.”
Wow, for once, you actually said something useful.
Jamie grinned. Dana, who always preached about morals and fairness, was finally saying something useful.
Dana, who had been looking at Jamie coldly, changed her expression.
“So, when will you introduce me to Viscount Hembern?”
“At the upcoming Founding Festival, during the Imperial Ball.”
The Founding Festival… It would be her last chance to escape this house.
“The Viscount of Hembern doesn’t like frivolous women. Stay modest, just like you are now. Got it?”
With those final words, Jamie took another swig of his drink.
He was on his third wife, yet he expected his future bride to be demure.
She couldn’t help but let out a small scoff.
Dana quietly climbed up to her room—the tiny, shabby space at the very top of the house.
Sitting on her creaky bed, she thought back on her life.
Her entire existence had been nothing but exploitation.
As a child, she had taken on the work of the maids.
As an adult, she was nothing more than a tool for making money.
But why…
She tilted her head in confusion.
“Why did I just keep letting it happen?”
Why was she suddenly so determined to change?
Even to herself, the shift in her mindset felt abrupt.
Yet, somehow, her head felt lighter.
As if she had finally been freed from a long-standing curse.
***
“Dana, about the statistics report you wrote last time…”
Kira cautiously approached Dana as she arrived at work.
She tapped on one side of the report.
A folded yellow memo was attached there.
<How to Prevent Loans Under a Family Member’s Name>
Already?
Dana’s eyes sparkled with emotion.
The day after listening to Jamie’s nonsense, she had gone to Kira.
After all, Kira’s sister was an excellent lawyer.
“Thank you so much, Kira…”
“According to my sister, this is the most foolproof method.”
The two whispered in the quiet office.
Could this really be it? A way to escape the mountain of debt her family had piled onto her?
Dana unfolded the neatly folded memo.
<Pitiful girl. Start a new family.>
“……….”
Huh? That’s it…?
A stunned Dana peeled the memo off the report.
She flipped it over, unfolded and refolded it, searching for more words.
Kira, seeing her fidget around in confusion, grabbed her hands.
“That’s all there is. But it’s a surefire method.”
“Start a new family…? You mean…”
“Marriage, Dana.”
Marriage? MARRIAGE?!
Dana was too stunned to speak as Kira helped her outside.
They walked down the long hallway, past the garden’s fountain.
Only when Kira confirmed that no one was around did she call out loudly:
“Snap out of it! What else can you do under Imperial law?”
“You’re right… Damn Imperial law…”
Years ago, monsters that had previously only lived near the northern borders had suddenly flooded into the capital.
No one knew why.
What was certain was that countless people lost their homes and livelihoods.
In response, the Hedron Empire expanded its welfare budget and introduced new policies.
One major reform was the low-interest loan program.
People, eager for the low rates, rushed to the banks.
But due to long lines, most left empty-handed.
As public dissatisfaction grew, the loan process was simplified.
Now, as long as someone had a financially stable family member, they could apply for a loan.
In fact, even a single family member’s ID was enough!
And so, the Hartwin family had taken out massive loans under Dana’s name.
‘My life just keeps getting worse…’
Dana ran a hand over her face and steeled her resolve.
“Kira, you’re right. If I stay in that wretched house any longer, I won’t even have bones left to bury.”
“Exactly! If you’re going to get married, just get it over with!”
Crush them all! Kira punched the air, as if she were about to start a fight.
Kira… were you talking about marriage or dueling?
Dana stood up and tightly grasped Kira’s hands.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
“That’s what friends are for!”
Sunlight shone over Kira’s neatly braided orange hair.
She truly was a reliable friend.
Behind them, the clear sound of a fountain flowed gently.
From time to time, small birds flew in, chirping melodiously.
It was truly a peaceful scene…
“What are you two doing here!!”
-Or so it seemed.
The booming voice of Rayton, the head of the Potion Management Division, interrupted their moment of peace, splitting them apart.
“What is it, Rayton?”
Dana already knew he was an inflexible man, but scolding them for taking a short break?
‘As if he doesn’t take three-hour lunch breaks himself!’
Dana cast a sharp glance at Rayton.
“Paul Damon is coming! The secretary of the Minister of Magic!”
That person? Here?
The Potion Management Division was considered the lowest tier of the Ministry of Magic, even referred to as the ‘scrap department’ at times.
Rayton, now visibly excited, continued,
“The Minister must have an important message for us! Maybe it’s about a promotion… promotion…!”
Rayton was an incompetent man who had reached his position through flattery and connections.
Yet, his desire for promotion never waned.
“Anyway, hurry up! Everyone has to gather!”
There was no time to feel moved by the news—Dana and Kira had no choice but to follow Rayton in a hurry.
Dana’s desk was right next to the office door.
Just as she picked up her fountain pen to catch up on paperwork before Paul arrived…
“Oh! You’re here!”
A loud, urgent voice echoed.
And right beside her…
‘What the hell is this butt doing here?’
It was Rayton’s backside, bent low in a show of excessive flattery.
Moments like this made her despise having a desk by the door.
‘Great. I had to witness this nonsense first thing in the morning.’
Dana awkwardly stepped back to avoid the unpleasant sight and stood up from her seat.
Rayton rubbed his hands together as he approached Paul.
“What brings you here? Does the Minister have something important to tell us…?”
“I apologize for interrupting your hard work.”
Paul cut him off, his expression showing no hint of actual remorse.
“A new recruit has joined the Potion Management Division. I came to introduce him.”
A new recruit?
The employees whispered among themselves at the rare occurrence.
Then, from behind Paul, a dazzling figure stepped forward.
Golden hair, shimmering like sunlight, and a beauty even more radiant than his hair…
There was no doubt.
He was the angel from yesterday.
His face was too striking to forget, and Dana recognized him instantly.
The other employees were also visibly awestruck by Edwin’s appearance.
Meanwhile, the ever-helpful Kira went around closing the mouths of her stunned coworkers.
Among them, the only one who remained composed was Edwin himself.
His gaze was fixed solely on Dana.
When their eyes met, he even smiled slightly.
Paul, looking as if he had seen something distasteful, shook his head before proceeding with the introduction.
“The new recruit’s name is Edwin… Edwin Lambert. Please keep an eye on him so he doesn’t cause any trouble.”
His tone sounded more like he was handling a wild beast than introducing a new employee.
Rayton, looking deflated, asked,
“…Is that all? The hiring process ended last month…”
Paul briefly glanced at Edwin.
His face made it clear that he didn’t even care enough to come up with an excuse.
“This… guy was unwell and couldn’t report for duty until now.”
With that half-hearted explanation, Paul quickly exited the office.
It was as if he were fleeing from a ghost.
Meanwhile, Edwin’s gaze remained locked on Dana.
Feeling awkward, Dana forced a small smile at him.
At that moment, his eyes widened slightly.
His crimson irises flickered like flames.
Meanwhile, Dana’s thoughts were elsewhere.
‘So… he must be a frail guy.’
That was her first impression of the new employee, Edwin.
And just like that, Paul’s excuse led Dana to completely misunderstand him.
