# 13
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Did I look wrong?
But no, there's no mistaking that radiant beauty.
Edwin was sparkling in the spring sunshine.
“Senpai.”
Edwin approached with confident steps as he stood in front of the palace.
Then, simply put, he picked up Dana's bag.
“...Did you come to get me?”
Was it because he was afraid my bag would be heavy?
But before Dana could open her mouth, Edwin said.
“I just wanted to go to work with you.”
“I apologize for my sudden appearance.”
He smiled a warm smile, as if to confirm that his coming was of his own desire, so that Dana would not feel embarrassed.
She smiled in return, sensing his intention.
“Thank you for coming.”
The sparkle in his eyes trembled when he saw her smile, then he turned his face to avoid looking at her.
Redness appeared on the tips of his ears.
Edwin has never known the taste of shame in his life, but when he is with Dana, he finds himf facing feelings that he has never been familiar with before.
While he was trying to calm his heart, Dana began explaining to him the details of the trip.
“The good thing is that the palace will open the magic gate for us. Otherwise, we would have spent days on the train.”
".…correct."
“Then we won't encounter monsters, so don't worry.”
Edwin looked at her with an ambiguous look.
“You said before that you worked in the North?”
“Yes, I spent a whole year there.”
“How did you find the Rune Knights?”
The question suddenly piqued his curiosity.
How does Dana see the knights he was leading?
Would you be as horrified by them as Tony was, and think they were crazy?
Or will she get over the matter coldly as usual?
Wait for her little lips to open up to speak...
“I don't know.”
Edwin froze for a moment at the unexpected answer.
But Dana continued calmly
“I was not in direct contact with them. I was more busy bandaging the wounded or sterilizing their injuries.”
“Then no one sees you unless they are seriously injured.”
“You could say that.”
As always, her answers fell short of his expectations. Edwin's eyes sparkled with even greater curiosity.
While they were talking, they had arrived at the headquarters of the Magic Department.
There they were each given an external uniform, usually worn on volunteer campaigns or events.
Edwin asked with a smile that seemed strangely happy.
“Are we the only ones going to wear this outfit?”
"Yes."
'Why is he smiling like that?'
Dana looked at him in amazement.
At the center of every department of the empire was a magic portal, and the Magic Department was no exception.
When they got downstairs, the Minister of Magic, Derek, was waiting for them.
Only the Imperials or the Vizier himf were allowed to open the magic gates.
“You are from the Potion Administration Department. I wish you a safe trip.”
He told them that the palace men had just crossed to the north, then reopened the gate.
Dana bowed in respect to Derek and walked toward the gate.
But the minister suddenly stopped Edwin.
“Long time no see, new Potions Officer.”
"What?"
Edwin gave him a smile like a mask.
Dana watched the situation curiously, it seemed as if they had an old acquaintance.
As for Derek, he knew him well as an old friend, and he immediately understood the feelings Edwin was hiding behind that smile.
It was nothing but downright annoyance.
He also smiled a defiant smile and said.
“How have you been lately? I just wanted to know if you were okay.”
Then he pointed his eyes towards Dana.
He was clearly curious about his friend's emotional conditions.
Edwin replied with a smile.
“I found the basement dark on my way here. I can make it brighter.”
His point was clear: Stop interfering before I set the place on fire.
In other words: shut up and disappear.
Derek nodded, then quickly pulled away.
Edwin was the type of person who could actually carry out such a threat.
Dana watched the mysterious exchange and Derek's departure with wondering eyes.
“Are you two old friends?”
"impossible."
Edwin answered with an innocent, unblemished face.
“A really weird guy.”
"actually."
"We're too late. Shall we get going?"
He extended his arm around her shoulder, and they walked together into the gate.
***
In moments they arrived at the northern gate.
As expected, they were greeted by cooler air from the capital.
Edwin asked in a worried tone.
“Aren't you cold?”
"It's okay. The uniform is thick enough."
“But if you feel cold, tell me.”
"So what? You'll light a fire for me?"
Dana made the joke lightly, and he merely smiled silently.
Then he looked at the place around him.
He saw wooden huts that seemed to be intended for overnight stays, so he nodded.
‘Firewood is plentiful then.’
But no one knew what dangerous thoughts were on his mind.
Meanwhile, the imperial entourage began to emerge one by one from the huts.
Dana knew some of the faces, she used to see them at regular service activities.
They approached carefully through the snow until they came to where she and Edwin stood.
“You've arrived, you're from the Potions Department, right?”
“Yes, we ask for your cooperation.”
“We preceded you here, so we rested for a while. As for the Rhone Knights, they are now having breakfast.”
“When do we meet them then?”
“Two hours later, at the training ground over there.”
He pointed to a large building that was clearly visible.
Dana smiled solemnly, then headed towards her dorm.
Edwin was following her, carrying her bag.
“Edwin, have you had breakfast?”
“No, and you, Senpai?”
“I don't even eat breakfast.”
“Because you have no appetite?”
“Not really, it's just because I'm busy.”
Edwin suddenly stopped midway and looked at her in amazement.
“What about dinner?”
Dana didn't answer, just smiled confused.
'One meal a day?'
Then he remembered how she had lived on bad sandwiches at lunch before he came.
Excessive fatigue and malnutrition...a situation threatening collapse at any moment.
'This is completely unacceptable.'
He decided to make her food a top priority.
Their residence was on the top floor.
The place is cramped, as the attic has been converted into only two rooms.
“So we're alone on this floor.”
“It seems so. If you're bored, come visit me.”
Edwin smiled jokingly, and she smiled back.
He put her bag in the middle of her room, then left quietly.
“See you in two hours.”
“Well, get some rest too, Edwin.”
He smiled at her and gently closed the door.
But as soon as he returned to his room, he carelessly threw his bag on the ground and then went downstairs.
His face was serious and his steps were steady and unhesitating.
The place seemed so familiar to him that even the snow piled up at his ankles did not pay him any attention.
He soon met guards at the base's borders.
Their eyes suddenly widened.
“Commander?!”
“Open the door... and follow me.”
His features warned that something big might happen.
They followed him with a mixture of joy and awe.
But his destination was completely unexpected.
Doom!!
He kicked the dining hall door hard, and it swung open, crashing into the wall.
The knights who were stacking the loaves of bread stopped and looked in amazement.
“Commander!”
“Wow, how much we missed you...”
But they had not finished their words before Edwin smiled dazzlingly.
“Why don't we play a game?”
'Game?'
The faces froze in an instant.
The word “game” in Knights of the Rune was not a passing term.
Edwin, the commander and third prince, never rebuked any of his men.
Even when some of them imposed arbitrary rituals on the newcomers to humiliate them, he was the one who strictly abolished those traditions.
But from time to time he would suggest… “playing.”
Where everyone gets equal opportunities, and the loser is punished.
The Knights initially welcomed him with enthusiasm, a group drawn to fun and challenge.
But after several rounds, they began to learn a whole other meaning...
Meaning of “fear”.