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Chapter 31
Dana headed to the bank.
The bank, located in the capital’s main square, was a place she had first visited when she joined her job—to open a salary account.
“Since then, I haven’t even touched it once.”
Every paycheck Dana earned had gone straight to her family.
The line at the bank was quite long. Dana followed a staff member’s guidance to a waiting seat.
From afar, an angry shout reached her ears:
“Is this for real? It’s not my fault!”
A young woman, around Dana’s age, shouted with a face full of frustration. The staff tried to calm her down.
Judging by her expression, this seemed like a familiar situation.
“My father stole my ID to take out a loan! I told you to cancel it!”
“But after the recent monster incident, the imperial law has changed…”
“Monster or not, just cancel my loan already!”
Ah, that cursed monster incident!
It was meant to simplify the loan process for people who had become impoverished because of the monsters. Yet the fact that a single family member’s ID could secure a loan was still absurd.
From afar, another voice, trembling, spoke:
“It wasn’t me—it was my son…”
“There’s nothing we can do. Under imperial law, a family member with guaranteed credit can take out a loan on your behalf…”
Hearing this, a middle-aged man grabbed the back of his neck.
‘That one’s a problem child.’
Dana looked at him with a sympathetic gaze. Many people at the bank seemed to be victims like her—those forced to repay loans without realizing it, all because of their family.
If Dana hadn’t married Edwin, she might have ended up with an even larger debt. It was fortunate that she had broken free from her family’s control.
After a long wait, it was finally Dana’s turn. The staff called her number and led her to the manager’s office.
Upon knocking and entering, the bank manager looked at her with a bored expression.
“What brings you here?”
Adjusting her glasses, she asked perfunctorily.
“I want to change my salary account.”
“Yes, you just need to fill out your personal information on these forms and provide your ID.”
“I don’t have an ID, but I can provide proof of being a manager…”
“Okay, that will do.”
The process was simple—almost too simple.
Her salary was transferred to her new account. From now on, Dana could manage her earnings entirely on her own.
“And one more thing.”
“Yes?”
The manager, looking exhausted, asked.
“I have several loans under my name.”
The manager recited the usual line mechanically, as if memorized:
“That’s not possible. If there is even one family member with guaranteed credit, the loan can be secured on their behalf…”
“No, I’m not arguing!”
Apparently, the manager thought Dana had come to complain like the others. At that, he visibly relaxed.
“Then what is it?”
“I want to use the mansion as collateral instead of my credit. Is that possible?”
Dana had already checked. The manager nodded.
“Of course. As long as we have the ID of the household head who owns the mansion.”
Dana quickly handed over her father’s ID. The manager skimmed it and said:
“Ah, so this is your father.”
Dana frowned.
“You know my father?”
The manager clicked his tongue.
“Of course. Every time he came, he caused such a scene trying to extort money through his daughter…”
Then, seeing Dana, he cleared his throat:
“Ah… my apologies.”
His eyes softened, as if thinking, ‘Ah, so you’re the poor daughter.’
The transaction for handing over the mansion was completed quickly. The manager gave his final warning:
“Since the collateral is the mansion, if the interest is not paid diligently, the property will become the bank’s. Keep this in mind.”
“Yes, of course.”
Just as Dana had hoped. She no longer needed to suffer under their debts. It was only right that people handle their own mess. Even imagining her family being evicted into the streets caused no guilt.
Outside the bank, a dazzling sunset fell over Dana.
“Why couldn’t I have done this sooner?”
Even knowing Kira’s advice to break free from her family was correct, even knowing her family had no love for her, Dana resisted them day after day. Now, the sudden change in herself felt almost miraculous.
“Was there some trigger?”
She tilted her head in curiosity.
Dana then headed to the capital square to meet Edwin. Since returning from his business trip, he had been taking care of Dana’s dinners every day without fail. Evening dates had naturally become routine.
From afar, she spotted Edwin by the fountain. Among the crowd, he stood out noticeably—enough that passersby glanced at him.
“Senpai,” she called.
He squinted his eyes and waved toward her. Dana smiled brightly as she approached.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“No,” Edwin replied, even if he had waited all day.
He extended one arm toward her, and Dana naturally linked arms with him. Seeing her ease, he smiled warmly; she had become accustomed to their closeness.
Dana looked up at him.
“There’s something I want to do today.”
“Anything,” he said.
“I want to kill time at a bookstore. Just look at books without thinking about anything.”
Dana had grown up with household responsibilities and excessive work, leaving little leisure time. Yet the novels she occasionally read gave her brief happiness.
“Alright.”
Once again, Edwin agreed without objection.
After walking for a while, they reached a quiet street lined with bookstores. Dana wandered into a small one at random.
“Please be quiet.”
Seeing the note, Dana put her finger to her lips.
“Shh.”
“Shh,” Edwin mimicked playfully.
The bookstore, run by an older woman, was cozy and peaceful. They strolled among the shelves, inhaling the smell of old paper.
Dana pulled a book from the novel section—a story about a young girl’s adventure. As she became engrossed, flipping the pages, she felt a heavy gaze on her.
‘Why?’
She silently mouthed the question at Edwin.
He leaned against a bookshelf, lazily watching her.
‘You read too.’
Dana moved her lips again; he replied the same way.
‘What?’
Confused, Dana widened her eyes. Edwin walked toward her, then leaned in.
Behind her was a bookshelf, in front was Edwin… Dana found herself trapped in a narrow space with him.
The closeness allowed her to feel his warmth; a fresh, clean scent brushed against her nose. Warm breath brushed her cheek.
Flustered, Dana blinked.
“W-wait a second…”
But Edwin didn’t stop, pressing his lips near her ear.
“You read books, Senpai. I’ll read you.”
The low voice made Dana’s heart race; her body felt light, ticklish as if filled with feathers.
Edwin pulled back, as if to whisper only. Dana’s face flushed red. She couldn’t meet his eyes.
Hastily, she put the novel back and walked away. A faint laugh seemed to follow, but she had no time to care.
Once sure Edwin wasn’t following, Dana calmed herself and looked around.
<Marriage, Family>
She realized she had reached the marriage section.
‘I really don’t know anything, do I?’
Now she was of age to start a family. For Edwin’s sake, who wanted to marry her, she thought she should learn at least a little about the process.
Her gaze landed on something in particular.
