WGYPWIP Chapter 11

 

 

 

‘Why isn’t he following me?’

 

Dana glanced back in surprise.

 

Her superior, Toni, was quite similar to Rayton in personality—always lording over those weaker than himself.

 

But now, Toni stood frozen in place, clearly terrified.

 

At that moment, a soft voice drew Dana’s attention away.

 

“Senior, how’s the business trip going to proceed?”

 

“Oh, right. It’s your first time, Edwin.”

 

By then, the two had reached the fountain and sat on a bench, unpacking their lunch.

 

Dana began explaining the details of their upcoming trip.

 

“As you heard earlier, we’re going to assist the imperial knights. Most of the medical work will be handled by the palace’s healers. Our job is to deliver potions and conduct surveys.”

 

She smiled faintly.

 

“It’s mostly just a formality.”

 

“I heard we’ll be visiting the Rune Knights. Are we going to a monster-infested area?”

 

“We’re not going that far. We’ll just meet the knights at their base, like we always do.”

 

“I see.”

 

Edwin pictured the guards on duty. Every one of them had been personally selected by him.

 

What was my criteria again…?

 

There wasn’t really a strict one. He had mostly chosen the ones who talked nonstop—figuring they’d keep themselves entertained during long shifts—or the ones who chatted with dolls.

 

Still, that was a brilliant decision, even in hindsight.

 

Edwin nodded to himself, impressed by his own judgment.

 

“The northern region is still cold this time of year.”

 

Dana reminisced about her past work in the northern territories.

 

“Even in spring, the snow piles up to your ankles.”

 

“That sounds tough for you.”

 

At Edwin’s comment, Dana laughed.

 

“And you think it won’t be tough for you?”

 

He simply smiled without a word.

 

After spending years stationed in the north, he was used to it.

 

“If you get tired while walking, just hold onto me.”

 

“Do I look like a child to you?”

 

“Well, you do tend to slip on icy roads, Senior.”

 

How does he know that?

 

Dana’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

Snow was rare in the capital, so she often slipped when walking on the unfamiliar snowy paths of the north.

 

“How did you—mph!”

 

Before she could finish, Edwin stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth.

 

From that point on, he continued feeding her one bite after another, leaving Dana with no chance to speak.

 

At least the food’s delicious.

 

After years of eating the same plain meals, the dishes Edwin brought felt like a luxury.

 

Watching the various expressions that crossed Dana’s face as she chewed, Edwin smiled in satisfaction.

 

This doesn’t feel like affection—it’s more like I’m fattening her up…

 

Dana swallowed the food, a strange feeling creeping over her.

 

Just then, an angry voice rang out.

 

“See! I knew it!”

 

The man shaking with fury was Toni.

 

“You two are dating, right? That’s why you rejected me!”

 

Before Dana could even lift her head, another piece of bread was pushed into her mouth.

 

“I’ll handle this. Just enjoy your meal, Senior.”

 

“You will?”

 

“You should only look at pretty things, Senior.”

 

Toni’s face grew redder with anger at Edwin’s calm words.

 

“So, you’re saying I’m ugly?”

 

Edwin rose slowly and walked toward Toni.

 

His tall frame—at least a head taller than Toni—loomed over him, exuding a quiet pressure.

 

Edwin’s long, fox-like eyes curved into a soft smile. His radiant expression was almost blinding, making it hard to tell if the light was from the sun or just his presence.

 

Toni, momentarily dazed, snapped back to reality.

 

“Hey, Dana! You can’t just date a guy because of his face!”

 

“It’s not just his face, though.”

 

Edwin smoothly cut him off.

 

Toni’s gaze swept over him from head to toe—a process that took longer than it should have.

 

Edwin took a step closer.

 

“You.”

 

“What? Me?”

 

“You knew Dana has been eating her lunch here every day, didn’t you?”

 

“……”

 

“With nothing but those half-rotten sandwiches.”

 

“W-What about it?!”

 

“And you knew she’s been working overtime every day.”

 

“……”

 

“She also handled every difficult business trip while you were busy avoiding them.”

 

“So, what’s your point?!”

 

A smirk curled on Edwin’s lips.

 

The usual carefree smile was gone, replaced by a chilling sharpness.

 

As he advanced another step, his shadow cast over Toni.

 

“So, while Dana was struggling, what exactly were you doing?”

 

“T-That was her choice—”

 

“And who’s arguing with that?”

 

Edwin shrugged nonchalantly.

 

“I’m just asking you to think from Dana’s perspective.”

 

“……”

 

“While she worked herself to the bone, you lived comfortably, only to suddenly propose out of the blue.”

 

“……”

 

“That’s the kind of person you are.”

 

And nothing confuses someone more than an abrupt confession—especially from someone they have no feelings for.

 

Toni’s face flushed crimson, then darkened with humiliation. His lips trembled as he tried to speak.

 

“I—I’ll spread the word! That you two are just fooling around instead of focusing on work—”

 

“Be my guest.”

 

Edwin cut him off with a click of his tongue.

 

“But let me make one thing clear—this is a one-sided crush. I’m the only one who likes Senior Dana.”

 

A crush.

 

He lightly patted Toni’s shoulder, as if dismissing the whole matter.

 

The last thing he wanted was for Dana to be dragged into rumors and face unnecessary trouble.

 

“Now, why don’t you leave? I still need to finish my meal.”

 

Edwin spoke coolly.

 

But instead of leaving, Toni shoved Edwin aside and lunged toward Dana.

 

The sudden action caused Edwin to momentarily lose his composure.

 

His hand shot out toward the back of Toni’s neck—swift and precise, just like when he disposed of monsters.

 

Heat flared at his fingertips, ready to ignite into flame.

 

At that moment, a calm voice interrupted him.

 

“Senior Toni.”

 

Dana’s voice snapped Edwin out of his aggressive stance.

 

He had almost shown her a side of himself he didn’t want her to see.

 

Toni, on the other hand, looked flustered as Dana stepped closer.

 

His expression twisted with resentment as he blurted out,

 

“What’s so wrong with me?! Why won’t you accept me?!”

 

His words reeked of desperation.

 

Dana sighed softly before speaking in a firm tone.

 

“Stop whining like a child.”

 

“W-Whining?!”

 

“And… why did you assume I’d automatically accept you?”

 

“Well, obviously—”

 

“I can’t stand how petty you are. The only time you take the lead is when you’re busy sucking up to someone.”

 

“……”

 

“Also, I’m tired of hearing you rate every woman who walks by. And let’s not forget how you keep stealing credit for your subordinates’ work.”

 

“I didn’t steal—I helped—”

 

“And most importantly, I want a better life. If I married you, nothing would change—it would just be more of the same.”

 

“Stop… stop it…”

 

Toni’s already pale face twisted further as Dana’s blunt words struck him.

 

He finally broke down, tears welling in his eyes.

 

“Why are you being like this? You were always so kind and sweet!”

 

“I wasn’t ‘sweet,’ Senior. I was just too exhausted to argue with you.”

 

“……”

 

Oddly enough, Dana’s words seemed to hurt Toni far more than anything Edwin had said or done.

 

“Do you… really hate me that much?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You’re… making me cry…”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Sniff!

 

With a loud sob, Toni rubbed his eyes on his sleeve and ran off.

 

Feeling parched from all the talking, Dana returned to her seat and took a long sip of her apple juice.

 

Edwin, who had been silently observing, suddenly burst into laughter.

 

“What’s so funny?”

 

Dana asked after finishing her drink in one go.

 

“You surprise me, that’s all.”

 

Edwin replied, still chuckling softly.

 

Perhaps, like Toni, he had underestimated her.

 

He had assumed she was just a quiet, kind-hearted person.

 

But in reality, she had a firm and unwavering side as well.

 

She wasn’t soft—she was simply too tired to waste her energy on pointless things.

 

Dana was full of surprises.

 

Even this bold, sharp-tongued side of her was utterly charming.

 

“As expected, I really do like you, Senior.”

 

By now, Edwin’s sudden confessions no longer startled her.

 

Oh, right!

 

Something seemed to cross Dana’s mind as she exclaimed,

 

“The magical artifact I mentioned last time—can you borrow it for me today?”

 

“Of course. Just say the word, and I’ll bring you anything.”

 

Edwin replied smoothly.

 

The fact that he could easily obtain a magical artifact—something even high-ranking nobles struggled to get—was a testament to his remarkable connections.

 

Dana smiled brightly.

 

“Then, could you get me a recording orb?”

 

Without hesitation, Edwin stood up.

 

He didn’t even ask what she planned to do with it.

 

A short while later, he returned with the magical artifact, neatly packaged in an ornate box.

 

Dana marveled at how quickly he had managed to acquire it.

 

“Thanks, I’ll take good care of it.”

 

“Use it however you like.”

 

Edwin said with a gentle smile.

 

Or even roughly—he wouldn’t mind.

 

His eyes softened as he looked at her.