# 7
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"You know what? You mean for me to go see a potential suitor?"
When Dana asked, Kira nodded.
“You are about to get married, aren’t you? I asked my sister to find a suitable man for you.”
“But I prefer natural encounters...”
“If you keep chasing natural encounters, your life will end in failure!”
“Tshh.”
Kira always said what was right.
But shouldn't you at least know something about the man you're going to spend your life with?
Dana asked a light question about the man.
“What kind of person is he?”
“It seems that his family situation is similar to yours, so he wants to start a family quickly.”
So, he is also a victim...
Dana felt pity for him even though she had not seen him yet.
“What is his job?”
“He works with my sister as a lawyer.”
“Aha, I see.”
“What do you think? Shall I arrange a meeting for you?”
Hmm. She didn't know why, but she felt hesitant.
Even though she knew that the situation could not be postponed.
Dana had never felt what was called “family love” in her life.
Maybe for this reason, she had a vague wish in her heart to start a real family with a man she loved.
A very long time ago.
Meanwhile, Edwin was...
'Are you just going to get married like this?'
As time passed, he felt more and more depressed.
Whoever has the blood of dragons in the imperial family must have one of his five senses developed.
Edwin's sense of hearing was extremely superior.
That's why he could clearly hear their conversation from afar.
'It can't be... The Dana I know wouldn't do this...'
Edwin recalled memories from the past.
'I don't like sudden encounters, I prefer love that slowly creeps into my heart.'
She had said it clearly.
Thus his plan no longer made any sense.
His plan is to gradually get closer to her without revealing his identity.
Just thinking that she might marry another man made his heart feel cold.
As if a cold breeze tore apart the emptiness inside him.
It was as if the strong fortress he had patiently built for years had collapsed all at once.
At that moment, Dana seemed to have made up her mind, and opened her small lips.
“Thanks, Kira. I…”
“Senpai.”
At that moment, a low and clear voice rang out.
Dana looked beside her, looking surprised.
When did he arrive? No one was nearby a while ago.
Hiding his steps and walking silently was an old habit of Edwin.
He had practiced this for years on the battlefield, and Dana could not have noticed his approach.
“We'll talk later.”
Dana said to Kira with a movement of her lips.
Kira nodded and went back to her desk.
The time for Lighten's arrival is drawing near.
Dana quickly took Edwin to the office.
Then she smiled slightly.
“I'm late greeting you. Good morning, Edwin.”
“Good morning, Senpai.”
Hmm? His voice sounds sad for some reason.
Dana quickly looked at his face.
But he was smiling like he always did.
Is it just an illusion? She looked away quickly.
Then, with the sound of the door opening loudly, Lighten entered the office.
Being thirty minutes late for work was an old habit of his.
Today too, he wasn't in a good mood.
And the reason? silly.
Because he simply had to go to work.
He looked around nervously at those around him.
The employees began to avoid looking at him.
So that they do not become the target of his wrath.
Then his gaze stopped at Edwin, who was standing upright.
He didn't like this boy from the beginning.
A handsome face, exaggerated height, and an exasperating smile.
But what bothers him most is his arrogant look.
Despite his commitment to etiquette, his look seemed to be looking at him from above.
'I have to put this newbie in its place.'
He pointed at it with his finger.
“Hey Edwin.”
“Yes, sir.”
Look at him, he doesn't even come close, and he responds from his far away place.
Lighten laughed sarcastically and said:
“I would like to talk more cloy.”
“Would you rather?”
Just then, Edwin got up.
'Finally he started obeying orders.'
Lighten smiled slyly, then frowned.
Edwin was pulling out a chair and placing it in front of his desk.
In other words, if you want to talk, come to my place.
Suddenly, faint laughter erupted from one of the employees.
Then he pretended to cough.
Lighten's face turned red until it became almost black.
There was no doubt that this employee was manipulating him.
In this awkward situation, Dana looked at Edwin.
He was smiling coldly, as if he didn't realize what was happening.
This was normal, as he spent his life just giving orders.
'Smart, but he doesn't read the atmosphere...'
Dana looked at the newcomer with eyes full of pity.
Then she whispered to him gently:
“Go to Lighten's office.”
Oh, so then? Edwin's eyes widened.
“Thanks for the heads up.”
His eyes curved into a gentle smile. Then he got up slowly.
His movements were so elegant and majestic that Lighten felt even more angry.
Edwin walked quietly towards Lighten and stood in front of him.
“Did you call me?”
“Yes, I called you.”
Lighten handed him a messy stack of papers.
“This is your task today. Organize doses according to use.”
The papers contained order quantities for each type of potion.
Edwin leafed through the papers slowly, then said:
“I don't think we need that much.”
Whoever sees it thinks we are at war.
As soon as he heard those words, Lighten stood up angrily.
"And what do you know?! If the official says this, accept it as it is!"
He shouted at him, feeling as if Edwin's words had struck him to his core.
In fact, he ordered large quantities on purpose.
Because he wanted to see the newcomer suffer while arranging the doses.
Moreover, the arrangement location was near the Department of Magical Alchemy.
This means that the place is very far.
'It will be time to leave once I finish work, it seems.'
Hmm. Edwin's red eyes were reading the papers carefully.
Unlike what he was used to with Dana, he was emitting a sharp aura.
'What's wrong with him?' Did he notice something?'
Lighten deliberately shouted loudly:
“Go quickly, and take your supervisor with you!”
"present."
When he heard that he had to go with Dana, Edwin quickly returned to his office.
His face showed strange happiness.
While he was taking the basket of food he had prepared as a picnic, Edwin said:
“We will leave right after we finish work.”
His confident tone of voice was enough to astonish everyone.
But he did not care about that, but he also carefully prepared Dana's luggage.
Dana was pushed without realizing it, and went out with him.
The office fell silent because of the new employee's boldness.
***
“Senpai, this way.”
As they headed to the potions arrangement room, Edwin called out to Dana and guided her to a shady place.
While he stood on the sunny side.
“Aren't you thirsty? I brought six bottles of apple juice.”
“Six bottles?”
Six bottles in that little basket...?
However, Edwin was holding it in one hand as if it weighed nothing.
Dana said with hidden admiration:
“Edwin, I have to get back to the office. I have extra work tonight.”
“You're also working tonight?”
"Yes."
“And you do that every day?”
"almost."
A thin line appeared between his elegant eyebrows.
Why, he wondered to himf, did Dana Hartwin go so far at work?
'Does this have anything to do with the marriage I mentioned earlier..?'
Edwin was lost in his own thoughts.
Dana laughed out loud when she saw his serious expression.
“Edwin, if you're curious, you can ask.”
“Anyway, you'll know for yourf if you keep working with me.”
She said this with a bright smile:
“My family is drowning in debt, and I am working to pay it off with all my energy.”
Her family's debts? Was the Hartwin family suffering that much?
But...what do family members do then?
She said to him, noticing his frozen features:
“This is why my colleagues mock me and call me ‘exploited.’ And they are right.”
“But I intend to stop it. I am thinking of separating from the family completely.”
No matter which man you marry, sooner or later it will be exposed.
There was no reason to tell Edwin this privately.
“However, I regret that I will get married without having a love story.”
She laughed with effort, but her blue eyes looked sad.
Finally Edwin was able to understand the situation.
Only now did I realize why Dana was seeking marriage so quickly.
He opened his charming red lips and said:
“Senpai.”
"Yes?"
“If you are going to separate from your family, you should stop being 'exploitative' too.”
“Live for you.”
At that moment, Dana's eyes widened.
Edwin's words pierced her still heart like a pebble falling into a calm pond.
Excessive workload has become a habit.
She became so entrenched that she no longer even dared to think about stopping.
She now takes night work for granted.
'To live for me?' What does that mean?'
Dana didn't even have a hobby.
Edwin approached her slowly.
The closer he got to her, the more his fragrant, refreshing scent crept into her nose.
He leaned down slightly to meet her eyes directly.
“Stop working overtime...”
Then he whispered in a low voice.
“And let's spend the rest of the day together.”
“Let's be together tonight.”
Dana's soul trembled when she heard those words.