Chapter: 02
Edwin’s humming continued all the way until he entered the minister’s office.
Knock, knock—along with the sound, Paul tried to announce the arrival of a guest.
Or rather, he was about to.
Bang—!
Edwin pushed the door open and strode in without hesitation.
Since this wasn’t the first time, Paul silently went to prepare tea.
Meanwhile, Derek Child, the Minister of Magic, doubted his own ears.
‘Is that guy… actually humming right now?’
That lunatic? Why?
Regardless, Edwin naturally took the seat of honor on the sofa.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince, you have arrived.”
Derek sat diagonally across from him, wearing a mask-like smile.
Edwin placed a damp book on the table and tapped it lightly with his fingers.
As the humming continued endlessly, Derek glanced at Paul.
‘Am I really seeing what I think I’m seeing?’
Paul, who had just come in with tea, nodded with an exhausted expression.
Derek looked at Edwin with clear annoyance.
“I heard that you returned safely. I am honored that you came to see me before even His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Cut the flattery.”
“Very well.”
The two had been friends for a long time.
Derek, the second son of the Child ducal family, became the Third Prince’s friend simply because they were the same age.
And that, too, was forced by their parents.
Thanks to early education, Edwin had an unpredictable personality, and Derek was the only one who could handle him.
Though Edwin himself didn’t seem particularly grateful.
“But what’s with the book? Some kind of assassin’s manual… or something like that?”
“It’s a poetry collection.”
A lunatic and poetry… not exactly a fitting combination.
Derek had given up trying to understand him a long time ago.
“I won’t say I’m sorry for making you wait. You came quite suddenly, after all.”
“Really? I was thinking about killing you.”
Let’s just ignore that threat…
Derek checked the time. The grand council meeting would begin soon.
“So, why did you come here all of a sudden?”
“I have something urgent.”
Something urgent in the Ministry of Magic?
Could it be…?
Suppressing a sinister smile, Derek asked,
“Is it related to Miss Dana Hartwin?”
In that instant, an icy gaze shot toward Derek.
“How do you know her?”
No matter how many times he experienced it, the pressure emitted by the Third Prince was overwhelming.
Derek gave an awkward smile and replied,
“There’s no way I’d forget. During the recent recruitment interview, you suddenly showed up and only asked her questions.”
The Edwin Derek knew never showed interest in anyone.
Yet the Third Prince had taken time out of his schedule to attend a Ministry recruitment process…
It was unusual.
And it stirred Derek’s darker curiosity.
“So what’s this urgent matter?”
“I’m thinking of getting a job.”
Did I hear that wrong?
Derek tilted his head, questioning his own hearing.
‘Did he lose his mind after spending years in the North fighting monsters?’
No—he had been insane since birth.
Looking at Derek’s baffled expression, Edwin continued,
“Make a position for me in the Potion Management Department. This week should be fine for the deadline, right?”
At this shameless job request, Derek stared at him blankly.
Unbothered, Edwin stood up.
At the same time, he carefully tucked the tattered, water-soaked book into his coat.
Despite the madness in his head, his movements were neat and composed.
“……”
“……”
Even after he left the office, Derek and Paul remained frozen.
Derek was the first to return to his senses.
“By any chance, Dana Hartwin’s department is…”
“Yes… that’s correct. The Potion Management Department.”
At Paul’s answer, Derek seemed to organize his thoughts, then smirked.
“As I expected, she and the Third Prince are not ordinary acquaintances.”
A playful smile spread across his face, his eyes gleaming mischievously.
“It wouldn’t be so bad to watch the Third Prince struggle for once.”
“Excuse me…?”
No… don’t… please don’t…!
Paul unconsciously shook his head.
But Derek ignored his silent plea.
“Create a position. At the lowest level.”
With a grin, Derek raised the corner of his lips.
Paul glanced at him nervously.
Despite his lighthearted appearance, Derek possessed a deeply twisted inner nature.
‘Nothing will happen… right?’
Only the lowly secretary felt uneasy.
* * *
“Dana, are you working overtime again today?”
Her colleague Kira looked at Dana with concern.
“Today’s tasks are simple, so I think I’ll finish quickly.”
Despite Dana’s bright smile, Kira didn’t leave right away.
“Dana, I know your situation, but… your health is more important than money.”
“I know, I know! Thanks for worrying!”
Go home already!
Dana pushed her out by the shoulders.
Watching her colleague walk away, Dana murmured,
“Thanks, Kira.”
In her harsh life, even the smallest warmth made her heart feel at ease.
“Well then, shall I start overtime again today?”
Dana stretched and sat at her desk. It seemed she was the only one working tonight.
In the dark office, she lit a single magic lamp and began writing reports.
“Let’s see, what do I have to do today…”
Over the past few years, as medical technology advanced, potions were only used to assist with stamina recovery.
Naturally, applications to the Potion Management Department declined, and no new hires came after Dana.
Because of that, the workload became easier—but since the department could be abolished at any time, she was always anxious.
“No side effects.”
Recovery potions were mainly distributed to knights—from the Imperial Knights to border guards.
They were required to report the effects and side effects of potions, and organizing those reports was the department’s job.
She had done this dozens, hundreds of times already.
Dana wrote the report skillfully.
After several hours passed, Dana stretched her stiff body.
“Ugh, what time is it!”
The sky outside was pitch black.
Perhaps from staying in one position too long, her whole body ached.
She turned off the magic lamp and left work.
‘When I get back to the mansion, I’ll soak in warm water… then get some good sleep…’
How many hours would she actually get?
Dana gave a bitter smile.
Though she was a noble lady, there was no carriage for her.
At least her workplace was close to the mansion.
Dragging her tired body, she opened the door.
“Hahaha!”
As always, laughter echoed from the dining room.
A familiar scene.
“My lady, you’re back…”
A maid approached cautiously, watching Dana’s reaction.
Seeing the paper in her hand, Dana instantly woke up.
“Don’t tell me…”
“Yes… that’s right…”
Dana took the notice with trembling hands.
‘How many zeros are there…?!’
The enormous amount made cold sweat run down her back.
She rushed into the dining room.
As usual, the table was filled with expensive wine.
Her family, completely drunk, didn’t even notice her arrival.
Her brother Jamie puffed up his chest and spoke to their parents.
“Father, Mother! This time it’s for real! The trading company I’m investing in is incredible—”
“Jamie!”
It was Dana who stopped him.
“What kind of debt did you take on this time? I’m going crazy!”
“My ears are going to burst.”
Jamie picked at his ear.
Their mother looked at him with concern.
“My dear Jamie, are you alright?”
Her gentle gaze instantly turned vicious.
“Honestly, why are you so aggressive for a girl? Women shouldn’t interfere in men’s matters!”
Their father, Viscount Hartwin, also glared at Dana.
“Your only brother is doing something important, and instead of helping…”
It was always like this.
Jamie caused trouble, their parents indulged in luxury—and Dana alone had to pay everything back.
Because of that, even their territory had been handed over to the state.
Yet they refused to give up their grand mansion, luxurious dresses, and servants.
“This isn’t something I can repay with my abilities!”
Dana finally shouted.
Her rising anger consumed her thoughts.
“That’s right, you do have your limits.”
Jamie chuckled.
“But at least… you’ve got a decent face.”
A sense of dread crept over her.
Dana instinctively felt her whole body grow cold.
“So…”
Jamie’s eyes gleamed with greed.
“You should get married.”
“……”
“I received an investment from Viscount Hembern. He wants a third wife.”
At the words that they were selling her off, Dana was speechless.
Her parents nodded, as if they had already agreed.
“Haha…”
A hollow laugh escaped Dana’s lips.
The voices of her family slowly faded.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion.
At that moment—
Something inside Dana snapped.
She understood instinctively.
Her love for her family.
Her sacrifices.
They all ended today.
