# 40
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It was a name that Edwin repeated in his heart endlessly, day after day.
However, he still suppressed his urgency with a neutral name like Senpai, to establish a barrier over himf.
He felt that whenever he said her name, the last dividing lines would disappear, and he would find himf crossing them without hesitation.
“That's right...we are now a couple....”
Now there was nothing to prevent him from calling her name as he wished.
Pronounce it carefully.
“…Dana.”
At the same moment, the valve of feelings that he had been suppressing all along opened. It seemed to him like a call that would finally allow him to reveal what he had hidden from her.
He whispered her name again.
“Dana.”
“Yes, Edwin.”
Dana replied, giving him a bright smile.
He felt as if a new world was opening before him.
Dana… Dana…
He followed her in a dreamy tone, as if he was fascinated by her.
“Yes, okay.”
Dana continued to respond, smiling, while his features changed with her every time.
“I'll call you him every day from now on, Dana.”
I laughed then. What makes him say something like that with such determination?
“Okay. Then he talked to me informally, too.”
“…Okay, Dana.”
Another wall was falling between them.
They got what they wanted, and the distance between them grew indescribably close...
'How greedy I am.'
A f-mocking smile appeared on his lips.
The longing he had for her would not subside. On the contrary, the closer he got to her, the heavier and more possessive that feeling became.
A suffocating feeling. It is not worthy of Dana's purity and calm.
Dana looked at him in amazement.
“Edwin…?”
There was a different sparkle in his gaze, a ferocious look like an ember igniting a fire.
Her body froze before that suffocating weight.
His red eyes settled deeply on her, sliding over her features slowly.
They stopped for the longest time at her rosy lips.
Dana understood, and the color in her face rose immediately. She felt heat rising to her lips, as if they were on fire.
A prolonged silence, and heavy air pressing on the place.
Dana was not a child to misunderstand these tensions.
She couldn't take it anymore, so she called out.
“Edwin.”
She looked away, cupping a lock of her hair with a trembling hand, hoping that her temperature would cool in the light breeze.
“Yes, Dana.”
His voice returned, and this time his tone seemed warm, toned down, and he had regained his usual features.
The charged air around him vanished.
Dana cleared her throat to regain her calm, and began examining her surroundings to reduce her blushing intensity.
At that moment, a small bird landed on her shoulder.
Then other birds followed, circling around with soft chirps.
Dana extended her hand, and a bird that was above her head descended to her finger and began to caress her palm with its beak.
Edwin approached, surveying the scene, and murmured.
“It reminds me of what happened when we went to the temple.”
That day too, that parrot was following Dana in an unusual manner.
Dana answered as if she was used to it.
“I told you before. Birds follow me a lot.”
“Really… Forest Fairy.”
“Ah, enough!”
Dana burst out laughing at Edwin's joke. Then she whispered, her voice carrying traces of laughter.
“Edwin, this is something I'm only telling you...”
I have one talent too.
Her eyes sparkled.
“I'm really curious now.”
Edwin was content with this childish feeling that made it seem as if she considered him someone special.
He leaned towards her, bringing his face closer to hers.
Then he brought the side of his face closer to where her lips were.
“Tell me what you have, for me alone.”
Dana laughed at his exaggeration; What is this? It is not secret military information.
She also imitated him with feigned seriousness.
“Actually, it's no big deal...”
She raised herf slightly on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.
“The plants I take care of always grow quickly. They grow very healthy.”
“This is an achievement.”
The tip of his lips rose slowly.
“It's not an easy thing.”
Dana waved her hand, embarrassed by his exaggeration.
“Something so small that I'm ashamed to say it. It's not obvious growth...just a little faster than others.”
“Caring for plants is a skill. This means you know a lot about them.”
No, that was not the case. Dana shook her head.
“It's not because of studying. It's just... when I touch it, it grows better.”
That's it. She smiled as if to say he wasn't worth mentioning.
***
"Ahh! What is this!"
The next day, screams rang out inside the Hartwyn mansion.
The Viscount's wife was completely pale as she stared at the paper in her hand.
“Noise since morning... my ears will prick.”
The Viscount, who had just woken up, came forward, rubbing his ear.
“It's not morning, it's two in the afternoon! And that's not important...”
She pushed the crumpled paper toward her husband.
The Viscount blinked, his eyes heavy with intoxication.
“What… is this…”
“Don't you see? Our house is in debt!”
"…What?"
He felt like a hammer had hit his head; He woke up completely.
The Viscount's wife explained in a sharp voice.
“These are papers from the bank! If we do not pay the interest on time... they will take the palace!”
“Why didn't you pay the interest? We have Dana for that!”
Jimmy got down after hearing the loud noise.
"what is going on?"
It is not possible…
He rushed towards the records room, his hand shaking as he tried to open the door.
He inserted the key with difficulty, and as soon as he opened it, he leaned against the safe.
His bad prediction was correct.
The safe that should contain important papers...was empty.
“Ahh!”
Jimmy screamed and kicked the desk hard.
He kicked him many times, but his anger did not subside.
“Just let her into this house...”
Then a terrifying intuition came over him.
No...impossible...
He entered Dana's room.
An empty wardrobe...and the few clothes she had were all gone.
Then Jimmy realized the truth.
Dana left the house on purpose.
Such triviality... how dare you...!
His bloodshot eyes widened.
He left the palace, heading towards the Ministry of Magic.
“They won't get away from me no matter how hard they try.”
Last time, he went with his mother to Dana's workplace because of the debt.
Dana's face was red with embarrassment as she was forced to obey them.
And now she is back to bring shame upon herf.
Jamie smiled crookedly and confidently walked in front of the Ministry of Magic.
Or try to log in.
“What do you have to do here?”
Two huge knights stood in his way.
The presence of guards at the Ministry of Magic is normal.
By presenting proof that he was from the family of an employee there, he was usually allowed entry.
He spoke wearily.
“I came to meet my sister who works here.”
“What department do you work in?”
“Potion Management Department!”
The questions bothered him while he was in such a hurry.
“I'm Dana Hartwin's brother. I have to meet her right now...”
His voice faded.
Since the mention of Dana's name, the atmosphere around the two knights has changed.
As if someone had told them about it.
Jimmy couldn't stand the intense looks that were poured over him.
One of the knights scanned him from head to toe.
“So, you're Jimmy Hartwin, right?”
'What? How does he know my name?'
Jimmy nodded confused.
The knight's face hardened.
“You are prohibited from entering the Imperial Palace, and therefore prohibited from entering its Ministry of Magic.”
"…What did you say?"
“Be right back.”
Jimmy was stunned.
They were treating him like he was a criminal.
“Why are you treating me like a criminal! I just want to see my sister...!”
With his shout, more guards approached from afar.
"what is going on."
A number of massive knights slowly approached.
And Jimmy was never able to stand up to the strong.
“If you continue this behaviour... we will enforce the Knights Law.”
When one of them grabbed the hilt of his sword, Jimmy fled in terror.