Chapter: 03
Get a grip, Dana Hartwin. You idiot.
Those people don’t see you as family.
‘I was just stupid to realize it so late.’
Shaking off the thought quickly, Dana let out a sigh.
If she suddenly changed her attitude here, it would only raise suspicion.
“Jamie, this is the last time. Please, just succeed this once.”
“I told you, just quietly focus on preparing for the wedding!”
That crazy bastard! Dana barely held back the curse threatening to escape her lips.
If she got angry here, it was obvious that only her strict parents would punish her.
It was smarter to avoid conflict before she got more frustrated.
Shaking her head at her older brother, Dana stepped out of the dining room.
‘See? That girl will end up following my words in the end.’
‘I see. Our son is clever, isn’t he?’
Her family exchanged glances, pleased that Dana had once again complied.
After all, Dana had always reluctantly obeyed her family, even while getting angry.
Taking step after step with anger simmering, Dana suddenly spun around.
She wasn’t going to leave quietly, not this time.
‘If I’m going down, I might as well go all the way. Mother, Father, and older brother.’
She smiled faintly and spoke.
“Oh, right, Jamie.”
“What now?”
“Since you’re receiving an investment, make sure you get everything. Take all you can.”
“Of course, what can’t I do for the brother of my future wife?”
Was that actually a sensible thing to say for once?
Jamie chuckled. Dana, who had always been so proper and uptight, was finally showing some usefulness.
Dana’s gaze turned cold as she looked at Jamie, then her expression shifted.
“So, when are you going to introduce me to the Marquis of Hemburn?”
“At the Founding Festival when we return, at the palace ball.”
The Founding Festival… that was the last chance for her to escape this household.
“The Marquis of Hemburn doesn’t like frivolous women. Behave properly like you are now, understood?”
Jamie downed the rest of his drink with that final remark.
He was taking a third wife, yet he expected his future bride to be demure.
No wonder a bitter laugh escaped her.
Dana quietly went up to her room.
At the very top of the house, a shabby and small space was Dana’s room.
She perched on the creaky bed and thought back on her past.
Dana’s life had been pure exploitation.
As a child, she had done the work of the maids; as an adult, she was nothing more than a means to make money.
But why…
She tilted her head in confusion.
“Why did I keep letting this happen to me?”
Why she suddenly felt resolved, she didn’t know.
Even she thought the sudden change was abrupt.
Her mind felt strangely lighter.
As if she had been freed from a long-standing curse.
“Dana, about the statistics sheet you prepared last time…”
Kira approached Dana cautiously at work and tapped on one side of the report.
A yellow memo, folded in half, was attached there.
<How to prevent loans under your family’s name>
This fast?
Dana’s eyes lit up with emotion.
The day after hearing Jamie’s nonsense, she had gone to Kira.
Kira’s sister was a competent lawyer, after all.
“Thank you so much, Kira…”
“My sister said there’s no better way than this.”
In the quiet office, they whispered to each other.
Could this really be the way to escape the mountain of debt created by her family…?
Dana unfolded the neatly folded memo.
<Poor thing. Start a new family.>
“…….”
Huh? That’s it…?
Surprised, Dana removed the memo.
She looked around, folded it back, and searched for more words.
Kira, feeling awkward, gently held Dana’s hands as they moved.
“That’s all. But it’s foolproof.”
“Starting a new family means…?”
“Marriage, Dana. Nothing else.”
Marriage? Marriiiiiiage?
Kira helped the dazed Dana walk outside.
They went down the long corridor to the fountain in the backyard, and Dana said nothing.
After ensuring no one was around, Kira called out loudly.
“Wake up! What do you think Empire law can do about this?”
“Right… damn Empire law…”
Long ago, monsters living near the northern border had flooded the capital.
No one knew why.
What was certain was that people’s lives were completely ruined.
Eventually, the Hedron Empire released welfare funds and introduced new policies.
One of these was a low-interest loan program.
Attracted by the low rates, people hurried to banks.
But long lines meant most went home empty-handed.
As public complaints rose, the loan procedure was simplified.
Even if you had just one family member with guaranteed credit, you could apply.
Even with just one family ID!
Excited, the Hartwin family borrowed a large sum in Dana’s name.
‘My life just got even worse…’
Dana wiped her face with her hands, then steeled her resolve.
“Kira, you’re right. If I stay in this damn household any longer, I won’t even be able to recover.”
“Yeah, think of it as just getting the marriage over with quickly!”
“Trample it all down!” Kira punched the air.
Wait… Kira, was this supposed to be marriage or a duel?
Dana stood up and held Kira’s hands tightly.
“Thank you for trying so hard for me.”
“It’s nothing between friends!”
Sunlight fell on Kira’s neatly braided orange hair.
She was truly a reliable friend.
Behind them, the fountain’s clear water gurgled.
Occasionally, little birds flew by and chirped.
It was such a peaceful scene…
“Why are you two here!!”
—Yeah, right.
Leighton, head of the Potion Management Department, stormed in and separated them.
“What is it, Leighton?”
Dana knew he was rigid, but scolding them for taking a break…
‘He’s been using three hours for lunch himself!’
Dana’s disapproving gaze landed on Leighton.
“Paul Damon is coming! Secretary to the Minister of Magic!”
Why him?
The Potion Management Department was the lowest-ranked department in the Ministry of Magic, often called the scrapheap.
Leighton’s face lit up with excitement.
“He must have an important message from the Minister! Like a promotion… or a promotion…”
Inept Leighton had reached his position through brown-nosing and balancing acts.
Yet, his desire for promotion hadn’t diminished.
“Anyway, come quickly! He said to gather everyone!”
With no time to react, Dana and Kira hurried after Leighton.
Dana’s desk was next to the office door.
She picked up her pen to process the backlogged paperwork while waiting for Paul.
“Oh, you’re here!”
A desperate voice rang loudly.
And what appeared beside her was…
‘What is this ass?’
It was Leighton’s flattering backside.
Moments like this made the desk by the door unbearable.
‘Saw something disgusting first thing in the morning.’
Dana hesitated, avoiding his posterior as she stood.
Leighton rubbed his hands together and approached Paul.
“What brings you here… Is there something the Minister wanted to tell us…?”
“Sorry to interrupt everyone’s hard work.”
Paul cut him off with a face that looked anything but apologetic.
“There’s a new recruit in the Potion Management Department. I came to introduce him.”
Everyone whispered excitedly about the newcomer.
Then, from behind Paul, a dazzling man appeared.
His golden hair shone brilliantly, but his beauty shone even more.
It was unmistakable. The angel Dana had seen yesterday.
His unforgettable appearance immediately made Dana recognize Edwin.
Even the staff couldn’t hide their admiration.
Kind Kira quietly closed the open mouths of everyone in the room.
The only one remaining calm was Edwin himself.
His gaze remained fixed on Dana.
When their eyes met, he smiled leisurely.
Paul, as if having seen something inappropriate, shook his head and introduced the newcomer.
“The new recruit’s name is Edwin… Lambert. Please make sure the new employee doesn’t run wild.”
Why did he sound like that? Like a trainer handling a wild beast.
Leighton, looking disheartened, said,
“…Is that all? Didn’t the new hires finish last month…?”
Ah. Paul glanced briefly at Edwin.
He looked too lazy even to make an excuse.
“This… person has been unwell and couldn’t come to work until now.”
With that, Paul hurriedly left the office.
His steps were so frantic it was as if a ghost were chasing him.
Edwin’s gaze never left Dana.
Embarrassed, Dana gave him an awkward smile.
His eyes widened.
Red irises burned like fire.
Meanwhile, Dana…
‘He’s a weak guy.’
That was Dana’s first impression of the new recruit, Edwin.
Paul’s excuse had inadvertently caused Dana’s misunderstanding.
