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Chapter 29
After a storm had passed, the potion management department staff resumed their respective duties.
Occasionally, Tony’s sighs could be heard, but no one paid them any mind.
At that moment, a document was placed on Dana’s desk.
It was a report from Kira.
Suppressing a smile, Kira pointed to a sticky note attached to the document.
<Hurry up and tell me!>
Seeing the excited handwriting, Dana got up from her seat.
“Shall we go sort the inventory together?”
At those words, Kira nodded vigorously.
All the way from the office to the storage room, Kira’s questions never stopped.
“What on earth happened? What was that incident with the newbie? And what’s this sudden marriage all about?!”
“Kira, breathe.”
“Besides, a marriage registration? I’m going crazy with curiosity!”
Answering her questions one by one, they arrived at the storage room.
While noting the potion quantities, Dana shyly replied.
“…I realized it when we went on a business trip together. That I like Edwin.”
Kira was as happy as if it were her own business.
“You two really suit each other! Seeing Tony’s reaction was priceless!”
“Right? I never imagined he’d look at me that way. He even planned for kids.”
“That’s crazy.”
Kira made a gagging sound.
“Well, as long as you’re happy.”
“Thank you, Kira.”
Dana smiled warmly.
While organizing the potions, Kira said,
“By the way, there’s been a lot of news about marriages lately.”
“Who got married this time?”
“My friend Mari, and also the Third Prince has completed his marriage registration.”
At that, Dana’s eyes widened.
“The Third Prince? But why is it so quiet about it?”
“I don’t really know. Only a few priests saw it. For some reason, they were silenced. So, only a few officials know the rumor.”
“How did you find out?”
“Tony was babbling about it.”
Typical Tony, loving rumors.
But half of what Tony said was exaggeration.
Kira chuckled and added,
“Probably just another baseless rumor.”
“I think so too.”
After finishing the quantity entries, Dana smiled at Kira.
“Actually, I think it’s time to completely leave my house behind.”
Finally! Surprised, Kira covered her mouth with her hand.
“What happened? I tried to convince you, but you wouldn’t listen.”
“I don’t know. I only just made up my mind.”
“Do you think your family will let you go easily?”
“There’s this Baron Hembern who lent money recently. I’m sure his gambling house and loan shark business are all illegal.”
“How do you know that?”
“The bank told me I can’t get loans under my name anymore. So it’s obvious.”
At those words, Kira looked at Dana pityingly.
“Isn’t it illegal for them to take you instead of the money from the start?”
“Exactly. Because they took a person as collateral.”
“I want to use that to ruin both of them.”
Dana disliked both her family, who planned to sell her instead of repaying money, and the baron who proposed it.
Both were pushing Dana’s life into the abyss for their own benefit.
Ah, yes! Kira suddenly clapped her hands as if she remembered something.
“My sister said there’s a lawyer in her office who had a similar situation.”
“That’s right.”
“That lawyer was almost exploited by a loan shark because of family, but found illegal evidence and reported it to the security forces.”
“What kind of evidence?”
“A contract! The interest rates were excessively high compared to the Empire’s legal limits.”
“A contract…”
It must be with Jamie.
‘The clause about trading me instead of money, and the identities of the two contracting parties would be needed as proof.’
Dana’s eyes shone coldly.
She had no lingering feelings for the family she already decided to leave.
Dana and Kira finished their conversation and focused on the potion inventory records.
After filling the forms thoroughly, as Dana was leaving the storage room, someone called out.
“Wow, it’s been a while!”
“…Minister?”
It was Derek Child, the Minister of the Magic Department.
It was their first meeting since the business trip at the gate.
Because of his much higher rank compared to a mere manager like Dana, she wore a puzzled expression.
‘How does he know me?’
She greeted him reluctantly.
“Hello.”
“Hello! How have you been lately?”
The way he suddenly approached seemed like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how.
“Lately? Same as usual. Everyone’s busy with their work…”
“No, no! I’m not asking about the potion department!”
His eyes lit up as he pointed at Dana.
“…Me?”
“Yes, any progress? Like in romance, or marriage…”
Why was he asking about her personal life?
Dana eyed him suspiciously.
His roundabout way of speaking to probe her thoughts felt somehow unpleasant.
Only then did Derek realize the mood and cleared his throat.
Ahem, “I’ve been acting rather unbecomingly.”
Yes, you have.
Dana swallowed her words and gave a professional smile.
Derek smiled even brighter and continued.
“We’ll be seeing each other often, so don’t be awkward.”
“Us?”
“Well, see you next time then.”
Derek said his piece and left.
No one saw the sinister smile that appeared on his face as he turned away.
Unease spread over Dana’s face.
That a distant superior who she rarely even met remembered her.
That he said they would see each other often from now on.
That meant…
“Did I… do something wrong?”
She must have committed some serious mistake.
Kira looked at Dana worriedly.
“Yeah… How does the minister know you?”
Dana’s pupils trembled violently.
Could it be… I’m going to get fired?
At lunchtime, Edwin’s packed lunch was impressive as always.
Seeing the sandwich full of fresh ingredients, Dana’s mouth watered.
“Eat slowly.”
Edwin also brought some tangy apple juice.
“Yeah, it’s delicious again today.”
Dana, her cheeks puffed out, happily munched, and Edwin looked at her with satisfaction.
After eating for a while, Dana asked him a question.
“By the way, was that just talk?”
“What talk?”
“The wedding and honeymoon.”
Edwin took out a napkin and gently dabbed the corners of her mouth.
“We’re preparing step by step. It won’t take long.”
“With what money?”
He smiled leisurely.
“I’ve worked hard, you know.”
“Before joining the company?”
Edwin nodded.
Having led the top knight order for many years, it wasn’t wrong.
His unused salary had piled up significantly.
“Sometimes there were big money-making events too.”
Here, the ‘events’ referred to hunting down criminals in the North.
The Rune Knights didn’t only hunt monsters.
When a few nobles fattened themselves through illegality and exploitation, Edwin stepped in to deal with them.
Some of the property confiscated by the Imperial Palace was given to him as rewards.
He even gained quite a few mines this way.
“Don’t worry about anything, senior.”
He smiled gently.
“Just think pretty thoughts.”
“Alright.”
Dana smiled back at him.
‘Looks like he wants to hold even a modest ceremony.’
If Edwin wanted, she was willing to have it even in the yard of her mansion.
“By the way, senior, what kind of house do you want to live in?”
“What kind of house? Weren’t you going to your mansion?”
“Just curious.”
Dana answered without much thought.
“As long as there’s a kitchen and a place to sleep, that’s enough.”
“That’s good too.”
If there was only one room, they’d be stuck together all day.
Dana’s simplicity came across differently to Edwin.
Without knowing his thoughts, Dana said,
“But we have to move before the National Foundation Festival.”
“National Foundation Festival? Isn’t that too far away?”
Edwin asked, disappointed.
“I want to live with you soon.”
At those words, Dana burst out laughing.
“Yeah, it’s right to leave quickly before I’m sold off.”
“…Sold off?”
“We’ve already completed the marriage registration…”
Dana sighed.
“My brother had debts from before, and they said they’d take me as a bride instead of money. That’s on the day of the National Foundation Festival’s palace ball.”
“…”
“If I don’t run away, who knows what they’ll do. They’re planning to set off bombs on both sides beforehand.”
It was a story she already knew.
But the rising anger was uncontrollable.
