Chapter: 1
Prologue
“Now we should go to our home.”
“Hm? O-okay……”
“We agreed we’d properly greet them once we got there.”
Edwin smiled brightly at Dana.
His honey-like golden hair, gently curved eyes, sharp nose bridge, and firm jawline…
For some reason, his looks shone even more today.
‘He’s handsome again today…….’
“Do you like my face that much?”
It was Edwin’s innocent question that broke Dana’s thoughts.
“I do— I mean, that’s not it!”
Dana opened the window of the moving carriage.
Right… it’s not that she hadn’t noticed. There were definitely many strange things.
The trial date that had been set unusually fast.
The flowers in their newlywed house that looked like they had been taken straight from the Imperial Palace garden.
Edwin’s natural elegance and composure, as if he had been born with it.
The way he seemed unusually close to the Minister of Magic.
…But still, for my husband to be a prince?!
Can I really call that enormous Imperial Palace home?
I need… just a little more time to prepare myself!
“Haha… Edwin. Um, maybe not today—”
“That won’t do, Dana.”
He spoke with a gentle smile on his lips.
“You promised to accept me completely.”
“……”
“You’ve been mine ever since the moment I first saw you.”
Dana froze.
His gaze, fixed on her, was overflowing with obsession.
* * *
Dana Hartwin worked in the Potion Management Division of the Healing Magic Bureau under the Ministry of Magic.
Though it sounded impressive, it really just meant she was a low-ranking worker who made stamina recovery potions.
Today as well, she checked potion inventory and attached labels. The work itself was simple—there was just too much of it.
The only reason someone from a humble background like her could get a job at the Ministry was because she had spent over a year working in the monster-infested northern region.
For the high pay, Dana had gone through tremendous hardship.
Perhaps the country recognized that, because anyone who worked in monster subjugation for over a year was automatically assigned to a related department. Dana had been accepted that way.
‘Though the interview was a bit strange….’
As usual, the interviewers had asked formal, routine questions. It was more for appearances anyway—she was going to pass regardless.
It was right after she finished answering the final question.
‘Do you have a favorite poem?’
He was the interviewer who had bothered her the entire time—a man sitting silently behind a curtain at the very back.
‘Yes, I do.’
Dana answered without hesitation, recalling her favorite poet.
And then…
‘……’
The man behind the curtain said nothing.
And just like that, she was accepted.
After that, Dana worked quietly for over a year. More than just diligent—she worked overtime and even weekends.
All for extra pay.
Dana Hartwin was officially the department’s pushover.
She survived on a single cheap sandwich a day while being unable to stop her family’s extravagance.
And all of this was exposed by her older brother, Jamie.
When she refused to fund his business, he came all the way to her workplace and caused a scene—along with their mother.
‘You earn so much, yet you can’t even support your only brother’s business? Is it because of your last loan? Or the one before that?’
‘Really, why are you so cold to your own family?’
Seeing their luxurious clothes and jewelry, all the employees clicked their tongues in disapproval.
Even now, thinking about that day made her face burn.
As she fanned her heated face, a coworker spoke to her.
“Dana, it’s lunchtime. You’re going to eat your sandwich by the fountain again, right?”
Dana gave an awkward smile. There was nothing left to hide anyway.
“See you later.”
While her coworkers headed to a decent nearby restaurant, she sat by the fountain.
At lunchtime, it was quiet and empty. Dana liked this stillness.
As she inhaled, the fresh scent of the garden trees filled her lungs.
For some reason, being surrounded by nature gave her strength.
Soon, she took out her cheap sandwich.
Just by looking at it, one could tell the ham and vegetables were past their expiration date.
“I wonder how much the loan interest is this month……”
She muttered as she took a bite.
At that moment, the fountain began to spray water right on time. The clear sound echoed behind her.
It made her mind feel a little clearer.
When she looked at her reflection in the water, she saw dark circles under her blue eyes.
At the same time, her black hair fluttered softly in the breeze.
Dana played with the surface of the water.
“My workplace is always so peaceful……”
“Should I just kill him…….”
The peaceful moment was shattered by a chilling voice from the other side of the fountain.
What the—murder? In my sacred workplace?!
She froze, unable to move from the tension.
A large shadow fell over her stiff body.
Along with the sound of a man’s footsteps.
Dana slowly raised her rigid head—and met his eyes.
“Hmm?”
He wasn’t some rough thug.
If anything, he looked like a blond angel.
A sharp nose stood out against his flawless skin.
His gentle eyes contrasted perfectly with his dangerously alluring red lips.
“……”
“……”
For several seconds, they locked eyes.
His intense red gaze captured Dana completely.
It was his voice that broke the moment.
“…Seems like I’m lucky today.”
Then came a bright smile.
It was so sweet it could melt anyone.
For a moment, Dana stood there blankly.
The man set down the book he was holding and smirked.
“Is there something on my face?”
“Ah— I’m so sorry!”
She had been staring too rudely. Fidgeting awkwardly, Dana spoke.
“The reason I was staring is… well… you said you were going to kill someone……”
“Ah, that? It’s nothing. There’s someone who kept me waiting.”
Calling a death threat “nothing”…… But somehow, with that smile, it felt believable.
“I see, it’s nothing! Then I’ll be going—sorry for bothering you!”
As she hurried away, she accidentally knocked the book resting on the fountain.
Oh no!
Before she could react, it fell straight into the water.
She quickly picked it up and shook off the water—but the soaked book was beyond saving.
“I’m so sorry, really!”
What’s wrong with my luck today?!
“I’ll compensate you!”
“There’s no need.”
The man waved his hand casually.
An angel in both appearance and personality. Dana nodded absentmindedly and handed the book back.
Then her eyes widened as she saw the cover.
“Ah? I like this poetry collection too!”
“I know.”
What does he mean, he knows?
As she blinked in confusion, he gently brushed her bangs aside—apparently they had gotten wet earlier.
“Ah…! Not many people know this poet… nice to meet you!”
Dana smiled brightly.
It was as clear and warm as spring sunlight.
“……”
The man froze.
His vivid red eyes trembled.
Without realizing it, he reached out toward her cheek.
Dana blinked at the sudden touch.
Their faces slowly drew closer.
In a low voice, he murmured,
“There’s something I want to say……”
Gulp.
Dana swallowed nervously.
Just then—
“We’ve found you!”
Someone approached from afar.
Startled, Dana quickly pulled away.
It was the Minister of Magic’s secretary.
Not her direct superior, but still higher in rank.
‘I can’t run into a superior during my precious lunch break.’
She quickly stepped back and said,
“I’m sorry for everything. I’ll be going now!”
“Wait—”
Before he could stop her, Dana disappeared.
As she walked away quickly, she recalled what had just happened.
‘What was that just now?’
The unfamiliar pounding in her chest.
Her flushed face.
That strange, ticklish feeling in her heart.
Whether he knew it or not, the angel-like man—Edwin—kept his gaze fixed on her for a long time.
Meanwhile, the secretary approached him respectfully.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince. I’ve come to escort—”
“You really have no sense of timing.”
It had been so long since he’d seen her. As he smiled faintly, the secretary flinched.
When the Third Prince, Edwin Hedron, smiled brightly, it was often a sign of death.
Fortunately, he simply walked past the secretary, Paul.
“Has Dana Hartwin been doing well?”
“Yes, as you just saw.”
Paul remembered Dana clearly.
After all, she was someone personally selected by the Third Prince himself.
Even without Edwin’s influence, she had the qualifications to pass.
“Then I will guide you to the Minister.”
Paul bowed and led him forward.
The Third Prince was an unpredictable man.
It would be easier if he were a tyrant—at least then he’d be understandable.
But Edwin was a madman whose actions couldn’t be predicted.
Behind him, Edwin hummed cheerfully.
Completely unaware that Paul’s face had turned pale.
