# 35
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“They say the entry of outsiders is strictly prohibited from now on.”
"truly?"
So suddenly?
Dana tilted her head in surprise. Edwin smiled calmly.
“Anyway, you'd better rest for a while. They might track you down the road.”
Dana agreed, then opened the office door.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
I exchanged the usual formal greetings with colleagues. She placed her bag at her desk and walked over to Lighten.
“I want to submit a leave request for half a month.”
“What? Suddenly?”
“According to the Imperial Administration Law, the number of days of annual leave is specified, and if they are not used, they are postponed to the following year...”
“Ah, I see! Since you worked overtime all the time and didn't even rest.”
Lighten waved his hand clearly evasively. Then he turned to Dana when she sat down.
“Only half a month.”
"present."
Layten had a clear reason for being lenient with her vacation. Dana had been the hardest working employee in the department over the past period, to an extent that even Layton, who was not interested in work, could have noticed.
In other words...an ideal employee who is easy to exploit.
If the screws are tightened too much, even the idiots leave.
Moreover, there was nothing currently being done except recording the stock of doses.
Dana knew this very well, which is why she applied for leave now.
“I'll just write a list of remaining chores before I leave.”
Until the last moment, Dana remained dedicated to her work.
Layton said to everyone.
“You know that all the court personnel will be summoned to prepare for the Foundation Festival, right? If anyone wants to take a leave of absence, please request it now. You still have time.”
Yes…
But among the exhausted employees, one voice suddenly rose.
“I'll take my day off then.”
He was the same quiet apprentice… too quiet.
Just looking at him made me angry.
Lighten furrowed his eyebrows.
“What is this? You will also take half a month like your wife?”
“No, I will only rest one day.”
“Do whatever you want!”
Lighten screamed in disgust, as if he couldn't stand the sight of him. Dealing with this apprentice was draining of energy day after day.
Edwin smiled at Dana sitting next to him.
“We will go together...to our marriage home.”
Is this just why he took a vacation? Dana laughed lightly, in disbelief.
But... the Founding Festival...
He still had a lot of time, and yet I felt exhausted already.
All employees will devote themves to the activities of the Imperial Palace.
It's like she's starting to get tired now.
In addition to preparing for the festival, attendance at the dance was mandatory.
'Do I have to wear a uniform this year too...?'
Last time, she was the only one in formal wear amid a sea of luxurious dresses.
There was no way she would have a party dress.
Anyway...nothing to be embarrassed about.
Dana simply dismissed the idea.
She'll stand in the corner at the party and then go back to work—as usual.
Thanks to her precision, her tasks remained in order for a long time. When she was almost finished, the clock showed lunch time.
Layton collected his cigarettes and called out to Tony.
“What are you doing? Let’s go and have lunch.”
Tony followed him as he always did, with extreme subservience. The rest of the colleagues also rose with a gleam in their eyes—
The only time they feel alive is the lunch break.
Before she left, Kira approached Dana.
“This is your first vacation, right? Rest well and come back safely!”
“Thanks. I sorted out all the previous work, so no one will have a problem...”
Then Kira said with a tired face as if she had had enough.
“Stop thinking about work! Go get some rest!”
Kira patted Dana on the shoulder and advised her to eat a lot, rest a lot, and sleep well.
After she walked away, Edwin picked up Dana's bag.
“You have little luggage.”
“That's why it was easy to escape.”
Dana answered him in a joking tone. They left the magic department exchanging a friendly conversation.
“Hungry? We better do some shopping before we go home.”
“Do you intend to cook at home?”
“I'll cook, and you can just rest.”
Edwin smiled weakly and led her towards the square.
'We really look like newlyweds.'
Dana's face reddened as she thought about that.
A strange feeling, embarrassing and exhilarating at the same time.
She quickly glanced at him without attracting attention.
'My husband...'
Her life partner with whom she will spend her life...
A strong, warm, friendly relationship.
Then Edwin turned to her.
“Is there any food you like?”
“Uh? Uh…?”
Dana was confused when their gazes met.
"I...I eat anything! I love apples so much!"
“What do you want to eat today?”
She replied with an offhanded phrase not even knowing what she said.
“Your face is red, senpai.”
Edwin's question came suddenly. Dana waved her hand as if she was cooling off.
“It's hot!”
Although the weather is pleasant spring, there is no heat. Even Dana realized it was a ridiculous argument.
“Well… it looks like you're feeling really hot.”
Edwin passed by as if he had noticed nothing.
Dana breathed a sigh of relief quietly, unaware of the smile he was hiding.
He was not quick to notice, which is no stranger to him; He noticed her shy looks a little while ago, and her burning cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes were not hidden from him.
He didn't know what was going on in her head, but he knew one thing: she thought about him a lot, and that pleased him.
So he left it as it was.
But a slight desire to joke began to come over him.
Dana was so endearing that he almost embraced her.
As he stared at her and began to feel a thirst for her, she cried out.
“We arrived. This is the place, right?”
Their target was Vegetable Street in the square; A long row of vegetable shops.
“They're all the same.”
"correct."
A shop owner approached them and asked.
“You look like a new couple, how beautiful you are!”
Edwin smiled and walked towards the shop.
Dana did not expect a sentence like this to convince him so easily, so he pulled her inside.
The ler started praising them and choosing vegetables for them.
“They really fit together. By the way, today’s potatoes are excellent.”
“Give us some.”
“And today the carrots are good too.”
“Give us carrots.”
If it were left to these two, they would have bought the entire store. Dana gripped Edwin's arm anxiously.
“Edwin, aren’t you buying too much?”
He suddenly realized that his hands were full of vegetables. Dana gave the ler a sharp look and the latter averted his gaze.
“There are only two of us, there is no need for all this.”
Dana started sifting through the vegetables. The ler seemed sorry.
“Let's go.”
Dana said as she clasped Edwin's arm and left with him.
Edwin looked at her, smiling contentedly.
“What makes you laugh?”
“I've got a wise wife.”
He smiled, then they bought meat and fruits, and then time flew by until it was past noon.
“We should really go home now.”
“Right, it's near here.”
“Close to here...?”
Dana looked at him suspiciously.
“Didn't you say your house was close to where I used to live?”
Dana's house was located in a modest area on the outskirts of the capital, where small nobles and some commoners lived, not far away.
“What exactly is going on?”
Her question came sharp, penetrating, and a wave of confusion surrounded Edwin.