# 48
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Several days passed.
The connections Jimmy formed in the gambling halls were tight, and her friendships tenuous.
Those he thought were his acquaintances laughed at him or ignored him when he came to beg for a loan.
He did not give up, but went around with his usual boldness, knocking on the doors of everyone who had a face he knew even a little, and handing him a plan of action.
But no one took him seriously.
“I heard that everyone who invested in you lost.”
“It was said that they did not even recover the capital.”
His teeth chattered with rage.
He spends his day hanging out near the magic building hoping to see Dana, only to get kicked out.
His night wasted in the gambling streets, which had become unusually deserted.
Since the arrest of Viscount Humbern, most of the houses have been closed.
Everyone became cautious, watching his steps for fear that the sparks of the investigations would strike him.
Even the hall owners shrank for fear of being suspicious.
Jimmy felt like he was falling from the edge of an abyss, with no support or hope.
“Another uess day.”
He returned to the palace after a long series of rejections, and kicked the door violently.
The house, which was empty of maids, was filled with dust and garbage.
Clothes were scattered at every step, and half-empty bottles of wine rolled under his feet.
In moments like these... if Dana were there.
Her absence became the heaviest thing his chest could swallow.
He shouted in an angry tone.
"Mom! Dad! What is this ruin?!"
He felt wronged; He runs like crazy, while his parents live 'like kings'.
It's enough that he was born into a petty family, and now he has to endure this as well?
But his cries were not answered.
Are they still asleep?
Their bedroom door opened.
As soon as he stared at the scattered family while talking, he heard swaying laughter.
“Hohoho! A first-class chef second to none!”
“Going out to dinner every now and then is never bad!”
Laughter mixed with the smell of wine.
Jimmy's temple tendons tightened.
He hit the ground with his foot, intending to make a noise, then he saw the couple entering the palace hall with their usual elegance.
They threw off their coats carelessly, and the scent of sweet wine emanated from them.
The countess smiled at him and said.
“You're back, son? We had dinner at a first-class restaurant today!”
“And the steak was amazing!”
added the Viscount, falteringly.
Jimmy laughed with a crude laugh.
“Are you both crazy?”
The couple blinked slowly, in disbelief.
"What did you say…?"
“I asked if you had lost your minds. Is it possible for you to act like this now?!”
He grabbed a vase and threw it, causing the glass to fall apart. The Count's eyebrows rose in anger.
“You insolent person! How dare you in front of your parents?!”
"Wake up! This is not a time of extravagance! We are on the cusp of a trial and I have not received a single compensation!"
grumbled the countess.
“So what do we do!? There is no chef, and ordinary restaurants are not to my taste!”
Jimmy replied, his voice cutting through the air.
“Live as you can! That's all I'm saying!”
The viscount changed color with anger.
"Is this our fault? Didn't you tell us to depend on you? You are the one who wasted all your money gambling and then you raise your voice against us?!"
He always overlooked it despite his addiction. But the blow to his pride made him explode.
“One meal is nothing compared to what you lost, you idiot!”
“By the way, instead of screaming, go and get back the money you scattered!”
The words stuck into Jimmy's chest like knives. These are the parents he thought he was closest to...
Even they despise him now.
His eyes sparkled sharply.
“You will regret this... Mark my words!”
“And if we regret it, will the money we lost come back?!”
The seemingly solid relationship between the three—Jimmy and his parents—was shattered in an instant.
As their luxurious lives collapsed, each of them sank into f-pity, and no longer saw anyone but themves.
Let each of us save himf first!
This was everyone's thinking, without exception.
***
“Finally, the day of the trial.”
Edwin carefully arranged Dana's clothes.
Time passed quickly, during which Dana reviewed the case documents with Karl, and studied the course of the upcoming session.
As for Edwin, he told her that Count Humbern had been investigated by the Imperial Police, and in the meantime new evidence had emerged proving that the Viscount's family had tried to 'hand her over' in exchange for money.
Thus the guilt of the Hartwin family became clear and indisputable. All that remained for them was to appear in court and wait for the ruling.
Dana asked, silently receiving his soothing touches.
“What if they don’t come to the session?”
“This is impossible. In serious cases, they are forcibly brought.”
“They might hit me again. They always did.”
“You should have broken their hands.”
Dana laughed lightly, despite his words.
The collar of her blouse was decorated with a black ribbon.
Edwin put the ribbon back on with steady hands, glancing at it every now and then.
How do you feel?
Is she afraid?
What should he say to comfort her?
His entire being was drawn to her.
Today you will face the shadows of the past that you have stoned for years.
Her wounds will be exposed to everyone.
“It's warm... I think light clothes are appropriate.”
"Should we go out to eat something after the session? You'll be hungry."
Dana laughed clearly this time.
“Edwin, I'm fine.”
“I know you're trying to calm me down. Thank you... really.”
Indeed, it seemed stable, unshaken by anything.
She said in a warm tone.
“I am no longer afraid. I lived with you these days... and I understood something. A real family is a feeling of comfort and reassurance.”
She extended her hand, and he leaned slightly to meet their gazes. She ran her fingers through his golden hair.
“Those people never treated me kindly. All they wanted was to take away everything in me.”
Her eyes hardened.
“They stole my life and took advantage of it. It is natural that they will be punished.”
She smiled slightly, but her resolve was sharp.
And all this thanks to Edwin, who always whispered to her.
Don't underestimate yourf, Dana. You are a person worthy of love.
With him, she felt valuable.
That this is the meaning of family.
Her determination to end the slavery relationship that linked her to that cold family increased.
She was no longer the “weak daughter employed by the Ministry of Magic.”
Her previous life was like a dark swamp, each step sinking her legs deeper.
Until I stopped wondering what was behind it.
She let herf sink into the mud, not wanting to get out.
Then a new world came to her.
A sunlit forest, a breeze sweeping away the mud stuck to her body, green grasses touching her ankles instead of the heavy fists of the swamp.
She raised her eyes to Edwin,
Towards her forest...
Towards her haven.
“Shall we go?”
She extended her little hand.
Edwin smiled, entwining her fingers between his.
"Let's go."
It is time to end this bitter relationship forever.