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WGYPWIP Chapter 05

WGYPWIP 05

 

 

 

For the staff in the Potion Management Division, lunchtime—when their supervisor, Rayton, was absent—was their only true moment of freedom.

 

Most of them would take naps at their desks or simply relax, but Toni spent all of that time gossiping.

 

Today was no different. Somehow, he had picked up yet another rumor and was passionately talking about the Third Prince, practically spitting as he spoke.

 

“Calling him crazy is a bit harsh, don’t you think?”

 

Kira, who always spoke properly and politely, frowned.

 

But Toni ignored her and kept going.

 

“I’m not the only one who calls him crazy, you know!”

 

When no one showed interest, Toni looked visibly upset.

 

He was always desperate for attention.

 

“What makes him so unusual?”

 

There it was—a small act of charity. Someone had asked a question.

 

Excited, Toni dragged a chair to the center of the office and sat down dramatically.

 

“Well, you know that the imperial family has dragon blood, right? That’s why they’re all born with special abilities.”

 

“……..…”

 

“The Third Prince has the power to control fire. When he was six, he blew up a door because the playroom wouldn’t open.”

 

What a troublesome child.

 

Dana barely paid attention, absentmindedly twirling a fountain pen between her fingers.

 

Toni, undeterred, continued.

 

“And when he was ten, he set the High Priest’s beard on fire because his sermon went on too long!”

 

Meanwhile, Edwin sat in silence, listening to the ridiculous rumors about himself.

 

In reality, the door he destroyed wasn’t to a playroom—it was the emperor’s audience chamber.

 

A corrupt official had been groveling for three days, begging for forgiveness. Edwin had found it insufferable.

 

His father, the emperor, was too weak-willed to throw the man out, so as the dutiful son, Edwin had taken matters into his own hands—with fire.

 

And that sermon… six hours was simply excessive.

 

He had merely done the bored audience a favor.

 

‘I was quite clever even as a child.’

 

Looking back, he had no regrets.

 

Toni, lamenting the dwindling lunch break, pressed on with his storytelling.

 

“And then there’s the Rune Knights—the unit filled with the empire’s most notorious lunatics! And guess who their commander is? The Third Prince!”

 

“The Rune Knights? You mean the order responsible for guarding the northern border against monsters?”

 

Kira, now interested, asked for confirmation.

 

“Exactly! The government sends all the uncontrollable crazies there!”

 

Was that so?

 

Edwin thought about his subordinates.

 

‘They weren’t that bad, actually.’

 

Sure, they were aggressive and not the brightest, but they followed orders well.

 

“Anyway, he’s absolutely terrifying and ruthless, so be careful!”

 

With that final warning, Toni returned to his seat.

 

Dana, on the other hand, was puzzled.

 

“It’s not like we’ll ever run into him. Why the fuss?”

 

At that moment, Edwin turned to her and asked,

 

“What do you think, senior? About the Third Prince?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

His expression was strangely serious as he awaited her answer.

 

Dana looked at his serious expression and suddenly burst into laughter.

 

“Are you scared?”

 

“…..….”

 

Mistaking Edwin’s demeanor for fear, Dana assumed that, despite his large build, he was actually timid.

 

Grinning, she playfully teased him.

 

“Don’t worry. If we ever run into him, you can just hide behind me.”

 

“……Then, will you stay with me, senior?”

 

“Yeah, why not?”

 

With the atmosphere growing a little friendlier, Edwin’s eyes sparkled.

 

There was no way he was going to let this opportunity slip away.

 

“I’m really scared, senior.”

 

“You do seem like it.”

 

Dana chuckled and patted him on the back.

 

Edwin gladly accepted her small gesture of comfort.

 

And at that moment, he realized something—

 

Dana had a weakness for people who appeared vulnerable.

 

***

 

“Dana, you’re working late again today, right?”

 

“Yeah, see you tomorrow!”

 

After exchanging final goodbyes with Kira, Dana settled in for another late night of work.

 

Alone in the dimly lit office, relying on the faint glow of a magic lamp, she prepared herself for a long, solitary night—

 

“Senior.”

 

Or so she thought. Why was there a voice?

 

Startled, Dana turned toward the sound.

 

Standing in the doorway was Edwin, holding a picnic basket.

 

The unexpected sight left Dana momentarily speechless.

 

“I’m staying late too.”

 

Edwin glanced around the office and smiled.

 

“It’s just the two of us, right?”

 

For some reason, it felt like he was emphasizing the ‘us.’

 

When Dana nodded, he took the seat next to her.

 

A moment later, a few cookies and a bottle of apple juice appeared on her desk.

 

“What’s this?”

 

“You know how your mouth gets bored while working.”

 

“You’re really staying late too?”

 

“Yes, I thought I could learn from you, senior.”

 

He held out a small piece of cookie toward her mouth, urging her to try it.

 

Without thinking, Dana accepted it and took a bite.

 

Her eyes widened.

 

It’s delicious…!

 

Had it just been too long since she last had a treat?

 

No, even considering that, this was on a completely different level from the cookies she remembered from childhood.

 

Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and bursting with rich flavors—it made her head spin.

 

Before she knew it, she had devoured three cookies.

 

A cool bottle of juice touched her lips.

 

“Slow down. Drink some juice too.”

 

Edwin’s gentle guidance made Dana nod absentmindedly.

 

‘This… feels like I’m being domesticated.’

 

Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse his kindness.

 

The long-forgotten sweetness breathed life back into her.

 

“Thanks, Edwin. This is really good. Where did you get it?”

 

“I packed it from home.”

 

Edwin watched her stuffed cheeks with satisfaction, a pleased smile on his face.

 

Once her hunger was satisfied, Dana spread out some documents and asked,

 

“Isn’t it tough working overtime on your first day?”

 

“……I get overtime pay, so.”

 

Hearing that, Dana’s expression turned serious.

 

‘Could it be that he also has a difficult family situation… just like me?’

 

It wouldn’t be polite to ask him directly.

 

Dana smiled and changed the topic.

 

“But your family must be waiting for you.”

 

“Hmm… I doubt they’d be particularly happy to see me.”

 

“…….….”

 

Maybe Edwin was in a similar situation to her.

 

Dana’s expression grew even more serious.

 

‘No, it’s rude to assume that.’

 

She tried to shake off the thought, but it lingered.

 

If he was in the same position as her… she wanted to comfort him.

 

Instead of making her feelings obvious, Dana decided to show kindness through her actions.

 

“Since you’re here working late, I’ll teach you how to do this properly. See these potion reviews from various knight orders?”

 

“Yes, senior.”

 

“Your job is to categorize them by type. If there are any side effects or unusual findings, put them in the middle pile.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Edwin was sharp.

 

Normally, a new recruit would have to ask their mentor about unclear parts, but he classified everything perfectly.

 

It was a relief to have such a competent newcomer.

 

Thanks to him, Dana could focus on her work without worry.

 

How many hours had they spent organizing reports? With a full stomach, sleepiness started creeping in.

 

“………..”

 

Dana’s eyes kept closing.

 

Her head drooped forward several times.

 

I shouldn’t doing this! She shook her head vigorously, trying to wake herself up.

 

Edwin, who had been watching her, suddenly got up and returned with a blanket.

 

“How about taking a ten-minute break? I’ll wake you up.”

 

“Really? Thanks.”

 

It was the best thing she had heard all day.

 

Genuinely grateful, Dana rested her head on the desk.

 

Edwin gently placed the blanket over her back.

 

Soon, the sound of her steady breathing filled the quiet office.

 

“She must be exhausted.”

 

Edwin softly brushed a few strands of hair away from her face.

 

Edwin gently brushed Dana’s soft black hair behind her ear.

 

Ever since they had parted ways on the battlefield, he had tried countless times to imagine her face—

 

What color were her eyes? What did her hair look like?

 

On the day of Dana’s interview at the Magic Department, when he finally saw her from behind the curtain, he knew he would never forget that moment for the rest of his life.

 

She was even more beautiful than any version of her he had ever pictured.

 

Her jet-black hair and unwavering blue eyes became etched into Edwin’s heart.

 

Even her voice was unforgettable.

 

‘If I had known, I would have thought of you every time I looked up at the night sky.’

 

A quiet smile formed on Edwin’s lips.

 

But still…

 

 

‘Dana, you’re working late again today, aren’t you?’

 

 

That employee—was her name Kira? From what she said, it seemed Dana always worked late.

 

‘That can’t be good for her health.’

 

Why was she so obsessed with overtime?

 

Was there something going on that he didn’t know about?

 

While he had been off fighting monsters, he had assumed Dana was living well.

 

‘I need to find out for sure.’

 

With that thought, Edwin pulled her blanket up a little higher, making sure she was warm.

 

Thanks to him, Dana fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace…

 

“Where are my cookies?! You all know I always eat orange jam cookies while handling state affairs!”

 

The emperor was sulking, his face full of disappointment.

 

The flustered attendant lowered his head.

 

“W-Well… it seems the Third Prince took them.”

 

“Edwin?”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty….”

 

“Ugh.”

 

Even when presented with other snacks, the emperor’s mood didn’t improve.

 

Unable to stand the gloomy atmosphere, the attendant hesitantly spoke.

 

“Should I… inform the Third Prince?”

 

“Tell our youngest? No, no!”

 

“That kid is too scary.”

 

The emperor shook his head firmly.

 

“Ugh.”

 

 

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  1. Yosunn says:

    Thank youu ♥️♥️

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