Chapter: 08
You Said Let’s Go to Your House, So Why Are We Going to the Imperial Palace?
“Let’s stay together tonight.”
“…….”
What does he mean…?
Dana’s flustered eyes drifted to Edwin’s smooth, slightly curved lips.
For some reason, his red lips looked especially alluring today.
Could it be… flirting?
Even though she had never dated before, Dana wasn’t clueless.
Her thoughts began running far ahead on their own.
“E-Edwin! I…!”
“We’ll chat together, eat something delicious, and just have fun.”
“Ah….”
What was I even thinking?!
Dana’s face flushed.
It looked as if touching it would leave pink paint on your fingers.
Did he notice what I was thinking…?
She cautiously glanced up at Edwin, but his face remained calm as ever.
Forcing confidence into her voice, Dana spoke.
“Y-Yeah! Let’s hang out together today.”
She had accepted without thinking, out of sheer embarrassment—
Not even realizing it might have been Edwin asking her out on a date.
By then, the two had arrived at the Department of Magical Pharmacology.
The person in charge of the storage room opened the door and said,
“No matter how I think about it, the order quantity is way too high… Are you sure you can sort all of this?”
“Of course. It’s fine, so you can go in.”
Dana smiled with the polished ease she had gained from years of working life.
The staff member left, still looking worried.
“Edwin, can you hand me the documents?”
Edwin neatly unfolded the papers and passed them to her.
After checking the quantities, Dana tilted her head.
“It really is strange. There haven’t been any incidents, yet the order volume has increased….”
It seemed she also sensed something suspicious.
Edwin asked gently,
“Is the order quantity decided solely by Manager Layton?”
“Mostly. He reports to the higher-ups once a month.”
“And who prepares the report?”
“We prepare it, but Layton is the one who submits it.”
Then it could be manipulated as much as he wanted.
Edwin quickly finished assessing the situation.
At that moment, Dana’s voice sharpened.
“To be honest, it does feel suspicious. The potions in the storage are being emptied unusually fast too.”
“Are you suspecting him?”
“It might not necessarily be Layton, but….”
Either way, the circumstances pointed toward Layton.
Potion management was entirely handled by the Imperial Palace.
Leaking or selling them externally was a serious crime.
“We should investigate.”
“It’s useless.”
Dana sighed.
“My direct superior, Tony, will always take Layton’s side. And to report to higher-ups, we have to go through Layton no matter what.”
“Then let’s follow him.”
“Follow him…?”
“I have a friend in the Magical Tools Management Department. He can lend us a magical recording device.”
“Wow.”
The boldness of a newcomer who immediately took action was impressive.
Normally, borrowing a magical tool required royal permission or at least three months of waiting.
And he could just borrow one through a friend?
The power of connections… impressive.
At that moment, Dana’s eyes sparkled.
Wait, a magical tool….
The corner of her lips curled up.
Then she said to Edwin,
“Could I borrow one too?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. I want to give my brother a nice gift.”
There was a strange excitement in her voice as she said it.
Meanwhile…
At that same time, in Baron Hembern’s clubhouse—
“Since it’s come to this, please trust my younger sibling and invest just a little more.”
Jamie, Dana’s older brother, was begging in a servile manner.
Baron Hembern narrowed his eyes.
“Didn’t you say the same thing last time? And the time before that? Yet nothing has been returned.”
“This investment is through a trustworthy merchant group!”
“Hm.”
The baron licked his lips with a greasy tongue.
This place was a clubhouse he had established.
Though it was supposedly for socializing among male nobles, in reality, it was nothing more than a gambling den.
That was also how he had come to know Jamie.
“I hear your sister is quite pretty?”
Jamie quickly nodded.
“Yes, she’s a bit rigid, but her looks are certainly decent.”
“And she’s probably too busy to have ever dated.”
“Of course, of course!”
“A woman should be modest, after all.”
Seemingly pleased, the baron called someone over.
Soon, documents and a check were placed on the table.
“Just sign here. Then the money is yours.”
“Thank you!”
Jamie signed without even reading the document.
The baron sneered.
“Did you read it? I’m not lending money to your sister—I’m lending it to you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Take responsibility and bring your sister to the wedding hall. If not, Jamie Hartwin, you’ll be held accountable.”
“Ah, no need to worry! That girl obeys family completely.”
Jamie grinned greedily.
Back to Dana and Edwin
After labeling the boxes full of potions, checking quantities, and organizing everything, it was already time to leave work.
“Senior, should we head out now?”
“Yeah.”
Once outside, Dana looked up at the sky.
It was early evening, tinted with a bluish hue.
People were leaving work all around them.
It’s been so long since I’ve seen a view like this….
Dana’s sky had always been one of two things:
A rushed morning commute, or the pitch-black night after overtime.
As she soaked in the moment, Edwin spoke.
“Senior, is there anything you want to do today?”
“Well….”
She had left work early, but didn’t even know how to enjoy herself.
Edwin smiled reassuringly.
“Then shall we start with dinner?”
But the place he led her to wasn’t a house—it was a plaza.
Laughing children, food stalls with delicious smells, even street performances…
Dana became absorbed in the lively scene.
Then Edwin called out to her.
“Today, I’ll just follow your lead, Senior.”
“What do you mean?”
“For today, just do whatever your heart wants. No plans, no thinking.”
It had been a long time since she was given that kind of choice.
Her life had long become routine.
As she hesitated, his gentle voice continued,
“It’s not difficult. Just choose what draws you in. Go wherever your feet take you.”
“…Okay.”
Strangely, his words soothed her.
A pleasant flutter spread through her body.
Dana wandered the plaza freely—
Looking at flowers, listening to street musicians.
Edwin quietly matched her pace.
Eventually, they arrived at a small restaurant.
It looked like a renovated house, filled with flowers everywhere—
In the yard, on the windowsills, even along the roof.
Seeing Dana admire the garden, Edwin asked,
“You like flowers?”
“Yeah. Being around plants gives me energy.”
She smiled softly.
“It might sound strange, but I think I get along well with plants.”
“Really?”
“For some reason, when I touch them, even wilted flowers perk up again. So I take care of all the plants in the office.”
At that moment, a spring breeze blew.
Petals drifted gently beneath a pink-blossomed tree.
Breathing in the fresh scent of spring, they entered the restaurant.
It was quiet—only the two of them were there.
As soon as they ordered, the owner brought fragrant flower tea.
Looking at the fresh flowers on the table, Dana smiled.
“Today was tough, right? Organizing potions may look simple, but it’s not easy.”
While Dana looked around, Edwin’s gaze stayed fixed on her.
He spoke,
“You too, Senior.”
“Hm?”
“You did well today. You endured it—diligently, quietly.”
“….”
It was the first time anyone had acknowledged her day positively.
Her bosses and family only demanded more, regardless of her effort.
Maybe that’s why his words hit her so deeply.
Forcing a bright smile, she said,
“Thanks, Edwin. You really have a way with words.”
“I mean it.”
He tilted his head slightly, his red eyes fixed clearly on her.
“It might sound presumptuous, but…”
His voice turned serious.
“You really worked hard today. No one could say otherwise.”
“….”
“So now, let’s spend time just for yourself.”
Then he smiled playfully again.
Just a few words from someone she had only known for days left a deep impression on her.
He seems like a warm person.
Warm and kind… someone like this would make a good husband—
She suddenly gasped.
What am I thinking about a new recruit!?
Blinking, she shook off her thoughts.
Just then, Edwin leaned closer.
From across the table, he bent forward and reached out toward her.
As his hand neared her ear, Dana flinched.
The sweet scent of flower tea, his hand brushing close to her cheek—
Even without drinking, she felt dizzy.
She froze, forgetting to breathe.
“Edwin, wait….”
“Got it.”
He leaned back again.
Between his fingers was a pink petal.
“It got caught in your hair.”
“Ah….”
It must have fallen from the tree earlier.
Embarrassed, Dana quickly drank water.
Then Edwin asked,
“Senior, would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow as well?”
Pffft!
Dana ended up spitting out her water.
