“An introduction? Are you saying I should go on a blind date?”
When Dana asked, Kira nodded.
“You have to get married soon, don’t you? So, I found a decent man for you.”
“But I prefer meeting someone naturally…”
“If you keep waiting for that, your life is going to be ruined!”
“Tch.”
Kira always had a point.
But still, since this was a man she would be living with, shouldn’t she at least know a little about him?
Dana hesitantly asked about the man.
“What kind of person is he?”
“His family situation seems similar to yours. That’s why he’s eager to start a new family.”
So, he’s in a tough spot too.
Dana already felt sorry for a man she hadn’t even met.
“What does he do?”
“He’s a fellow lawyer, just like my sister.”
“Oh, I see.”
“So, what do you think? Should I set up a meeting?”
She hesitated.
Even though she knew her situation was urgent.
Dana had never really experienced family love in her life.
Maybe that’s why she had always vaguely longed to build a real family with someone she loved.
For a very long time.
Meanwhile, Edwin…
‘She’s just going to rush into marriage like that?’
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
As a member of the imperial family, descended from dragons, at least one of his five senses was bound to be highly developed.
For Edwin, it was his hearing.
Thanks to that, he could hear their conversation clearly, even from a distance.
‘That’s not possible… The Dana I know wouldn’t do this…’
Edwin recalled a moment from the past.
‘I prefer love that grows gradually rather than something sudden.’
She had definitely said that.
Now, everything was falling apart.
The plan to stay by her side, gradually getting closer while hiding his true identity…
If Dana really went ahead and married another man, the thought sent a chill through his heart.
Like a cold wind cutting through an empty space.
Like a fortress he had painstakingly built over time, crumbling to the ground.
At that moment, Dana seemed to have made up her mind.
She parted her lips and said,
“Thank you, Kira. I…”
“Senior.”
At that moment, a low and clear voice rang out.
Startled, Dana turned to look beside her.
When did he get here? There had been no one around just moments ago.
Moving swiftly and without making a sound had long been Edwin’s habit.
Having spent years on the battlefield, his movements were impossible for Dana to detect.
‘Let’s talk later.’
Dana mouthed the words to Kira.
Kira nodded and returned to her seat.
Rayton was about to arrive soon.
Dana quickly led Edwin into the office.
Then, she smiled.
“I forgot to greet you. Good morning, Edwin.”
“Good morning, senior.”
Huh? His voice sounded a little off.
Dana quickly examined his face.
As always, he was wearing a bright smile.
Maybe it was just my imagination. Dana soon looked away.
Just then, bang!—the sound of a door swinging open announced Rayton’s arrival.
It was his long-standing habit to be thirty minutes late to work.
And, as expected, he was in a bad mood.
For no real reason other than the fact that he had to be at work.
He scanned the room with an irritable gaze.
The employees quickly looked away, not wanting to become his next target.
His eyes landed on Edwin, who stood with his usual poised demeanor.
From the start, Rayton had disliked him.
That annoyingly good-looking face, his irritatingly tall stature, that smug smile…
But what annoyed him the most was his arrogant gaze.
Even though Edwin followed proper etiquette, it felt like he was looking down on him.
‘I need to put this rookie in his place.’
Rayton pointed a finger at him.
“Hey, Edwin.”
“Yes, sir?”
Look at this guy. He doesn’t even bother walking over when I call him. He just answers from a distance.
Rayton scoffed in disbelief.
“I’d prefer to talk up close.”
“Is that so?”
Only then did Edwin rise from his seat.
‘Now he’s finally learning his place.’
Rayton thought with a smug grin.
But then, his expression hardened.
Edwin had pulled up an extra chair to his own desk.
In other words, if Rayton wanted to talk, he should come to Edwin’s seat.
Pfft! Someone let out a suppressed laugh.
Realizing their mistake, they quickly covered it with a fake cough.
Rayton’s face turned red—no, almost black with rage.
No matter how he looked at it, this was a subordinate mocking his superior.
In the midst of this tense situation, Dana looked at Edwin.
He was smiling nonchalantly, as if he didn’t realize what was happening.
Of course, he wouldn’t. He had spent his entire life commanding others.
He’s competent but completely oblivious…
Dana pitied the clueless rookie.
She leaned toward him and whispered softly.
“Go to Rayton’s desk.”
Oh, so that’s what this is about? Edwin’s eyes widened in realization.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
Edwin’s long, sharp eyes curved slightly.
Then, he slowly rose from his seat.
His graceful and dignified movements only fueled Rayton’s irritation even more.
Even as he stood before him, Edwin remained as composed as ever.
“You called for me?”
“Yes, I did.”
Rayton shoved a disorganized stack of documents at him.
“This is your task for today. Organize the potions by their usage.”
The documents contained the printed order quantities for each type of potion.
After leisurely scanning the papers, Edwin commented,
“This seems excessive.”
Anyone would think we were preparing for a war.
Hearing his muttered remark, Rayton shot up from his seat.
“What do you know?! If your superior says it’s necessary, then it’s necessary!”
Feeling exposed, Rayton shouted at Edwin.
It was true that he had placed a larger-than-usual order.
He simply wanted to see the rookie struggle with sorting them.
On top of that, the storage area for the potions was near the Magical Pharmacology Division.
Which meant—it was very far away.
By the time he finishes, it’ll be time to clock out.
Hmm. Edwin’s crimson eyes carefully examined the documents.
Unlike when he was dealing with Dana, a sharp energy surrounded him.
What’s with that look? Did he notice something?
Rayton deliberately raised his voice.
“Hurry up and get going! Take your supervisor with you!”
“Understood.”
Hearing that he had to go with Dana, Edwin swiftly returned to his desk.
Strangely, he looked almost excited.
As he packed a picnic lunch, he casually remarked to Rayton,
“We’ll be heading home after finishing the task.”
His confident tone left the entire office speechless.
Ignoring them, he even carefully packed Dana’s belongings.
Before she knew it, she was being ushered out by him.
“…….…”
“………”
The office fell silent at the rookie’s audacity.
***
“Senior, this way.”
On the way to the potion storage room, Edwin led Dana into the shade.
Meanwhile, he stood in the bright sunlight.
“Aren’t you thirsty? I brought six bottles of apple juice.”
“Six bottles?”
She glanced at the small basket.
How did six bottles even fit in there…?
Yet Edwin carried it effortlessly in one hand, as if it weighed nothing.
Dana couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Hey, Edwin. I actually have to head back to the office for overtime.”
“You’re working overtime again?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you work overtime every day?”
“Yeah.”
A fine crease formed between Edwin’s elegant brows.
Why did Dana Hartwin work herself to exhaustion like this?
Could it be related to the marriage she mentioned earlier?
Edwin fell deep into thought.
Dana, noticing the serious look on his face, burst out laughing.
“Edwin, if you’re curious, just ask.”
“………”
“You’ll find out eventually if we keep working together anyway.”
She laughed brightly and spoke.
“My family is in debt. I’ve been working like crazy to pay it off.”
Family debt? Was the Hartwin family in that much trouble?
No, more importantly—what were her family members even doing?
As Edwin stood frozen, Dana continued.
“That’s why people at the office call me a pushover. They’re right, I guess.”
“…….…”
“But I’m planning to stop. I’m going to leave my family behind.”
No matter who she married, everyone would find out about it soon enough.
Telling Edwin first didn’t make it any more special.
“Still, it’s a bit sad to get married without having ever been in love.”
She tried to smile, but her blue eyes shone with loneliness.
At last, Edwin understood why Dana had been rushing to get married.
His alluring red lips parted.
“Senior.”
“Hm?”
“If you’re planning to leave your family anyway, you should stop being a pushover too.”
“……..…”
“Live for yourself.”
For a moment, Dana’s eyes widened.
Edwin’s words were like a pebble thrown into the still waters of her heart.
Her excessive work had become a habit, ingrained so deeply she’d never even considered stopping.
Overtime had always seemed natural.
A life for myself? What even is that?
Dana had never had a hobby or a passion.
Edwin slowly approached her.
The closer he got, the more his fresh, clean scent lingered around her.
Bending down, he brought his eyes level with hers.
“Forget overtime…”
Then he whispered,
“Spend the rest of your time with me.”
“…….…”
“Stay with me tonight.”
Dana’s breath caught in her throat at those words.
