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Chapter 32
<146 Ways for Couples to Communicate>
The gold-embossed title immediately caught her attention.
146 ways to communicate?
So, the world of married couples was truly profound…
Dana reached out to take the hardcover book with its red cover.
But her height wasn’t enough.
Just as she was about to give up with a frustrated grunt, a shadow fell over her.
“Is this the one?”
It was Edwin, who had come to her side without her realizing.
His warmth, so close once again, made Dana’s heart flutter.
Even the fresh, clean scent emanating from him added to it.
“Yeah, thanks…”
Dana deliberately lowered her head and opened the book.
She didn’t want him to notice that she was aware of him.
She flipped through the pages quickly, trying to appear indifferent.
As a result, she didn’t even register what the book contained.
Then, an embarrassed voice came from above her head.
“Why something like this…?”
Dana looked up at Edwin.
His face was flushed all the way to the tips of his ears.
Why is he like that?
Dana made a confused expression.
In a small, trembling voice, Edwin said:
“…Previewing isn’t a bad idea, right?”
What is he talking about?
Only then did Dana’s gaze land on the pages of the book.
“…!”
The pages were filled with explicit illustrations of intimate acts between a man and a woman.
It wasn’t just a conversation… it was a conversation of the body…?
Dana’s mind went completely blank.
So that was why she had been stretching on tiptoe so diligently.
And all of it had been right in front of Edwin.
Flustered, Dana stammered:
“Ah, no… I didn’t realize this conversation meant… haah…”
The more she spoke, the worse it sounded.
“It’s okay, senpai.”
“…….”
“I’ll do my best.”
Edwin took the book with a determined expression.
His face was flushed as he examined it carefully.
What exactly does he mean by “do my best”…!?
But in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
After finishing his review, Edwin took Dana’s hand and headed outside.
Yet, he didn’t let go of the book.
Today, for some reason, his hand felt warmer than usual.
Trying to lighten the mood, Dana spoke in an intentionally bright voice:
“I’m hungry. Should we get something to eat now?”
“Sure. I know a place famous for its apple pie today…”
Edwin explained the restaurant he had reserved according to Dana’s taste.
As Dana responded enthusiastically, the tension gradually eased.
To shift the topic, Dana brought up something from earlier:
“I went to the bank today.”
“Was that to handle the collateral issue you mentioned last time?”
“Yeah. It was simpler than I expected.”
But despite her words, her expression was troubled.
“Senpai, did something happen?”
Dana let out a small sigh.
“Seeing the other victims in person at the bank made me feel uneasy.”
“……”
“I don’t know who these laws are really for. At this rate, more innocent people will suffer.”
“…I see.”
“I can’t understand what His Majesty the Emperor was thinking approving this. It’s truly baffling.”
“…Indeed.”
Edwin nodded slowly.
Although memories of his father lingered in his mind, it was more important to empathize with Dana’s feelings.
“Oh, and I have something to say…”
“Yes, we should move in together soon.”
As if anticipating Dana’s words, he smiled gently.
Like someone who had been waiting just to hear that.
“Senpai, don’t worry about anything. Everything’s ready.”
Everything’s ready…?
After all, it was just moving back to the house she originally lived in.
“Just by hearing it, you’d think I bought a brand-new mansion.”
Dana laughed teasingly.
Edwin smiled, recalling the past.
Their new marital home had long been prepared.
Edwin had personally been arranging the mansion for several days.
Surprisingly, finding a house to live with Dana wasn’t difficult.
He immediately located a house that matched the tastes Dana had mentioned over time.
But the mansion’s owner was extremely stubborn. That’s why Peter, his aide, and his father had struggled to convince her.
Hearing this, Edwin went to the mansion himself.
Peter and his father were still negotiating with the owner.
“I’ll pay double the price of the mansion!”
“Hmph, no way!”
The elderly white-haired woman recounted her memories, showing she had no intention of selling.
“I was born here and have lived with my family…”
“This is the eighty-fourth time you’ve said that!”
Hearing their endless conversation, Edwin muttered quietly:
“Even ten times the price wouldn’t work.”
The old woman froze at his words.
Ten times? Her eyes suddenly sparkled.
“…I’ve been waiting. I’ll treat you properly.”
In an instant, the mansion owner went inside and began packing her belongings.
The owner has a kind heart.
Watching the owner’s sudden change, Edwin was genuinely impressed.
From above Peter’s dazed face, Edwin’s look of exasperation landed with precision.
“What happy thoughts are you having?”
Seeing Edwin smile so contentedly, Dana asked.
“Nothing. The collateral issue is resolved. Is there anything else to do?”
“First, I want to meet with a lawyer.”
“A lawyer?”
“I need to take precautions so the Viscount’s family can’t approach me. And I want to claim the compensation they caused me.”
Edwin listened carefully to her words.
In the first case, he alone could handle it.
From investigating the Viscount’s family, he knew the Viscount and his son hadn’t even received basic knight training.
If they tried to attack Dana…
I’ll have to cut them down if necessary.
Edwin imagined their end expressionlessly.
Then he smiled at Dana.
“What kind of compensation are you talking about?”
“Money and freedom.”
Dana gave a crooked smile.
“No matter how much the Viscount couple pretends to repent, it won’t be genuine. And my painful past won’t disappear either.”
Then she wanted to take away what they valued most.
Dana said firmly.
They had been grotesquely indulgent in luxury since childhood.
Even while fleeing because of debt, they carried cheap jewels on their necks and hands.
Money was their everything, the purpose of their lives, and the reason they had exploited Dana.
Yet, they had never worked with their own hands even once.
Seeing them evicted and left penniless in the mansion would probably be satisfying.
Edwin’s eyes curved slightly.
He felt proud of Dana, not with pity, but for moving forward.
He spoke gently:
“You’ll need a competent lawyer. One who works well and keeps their mouth shut.”
Dana tilted her head in curiosity.
“Huh? I was planning to ask Kira’s sister…”
Edwin shook his head.
Dana had unknowingly become a princess.
Even a small matter could be exaggerated into a rumor that might harm her.
To protect her, this had to be handled discreetly.
And with an excellent lawyer.
“I know a capable lawyer.”
Edwin caught Dana’s gaze as she tried to look away.
So she would listen only to him.
“He’s an acquaintance of my father and is highly knowledgeable about the law.”
“Kira’s sister also knows him…”
“Experience cannot be ignored.”
The clarity in his voice made Dana’s eyes widen.
“Is he really that impressive?”
“He has never lost a case.”
Edwin gave her a reassuring expression.
If he’s saying this much, he must be extraordinary.
“He must be very busy…”
“No, he’s probably playing chess as usual.”
Chess and lawyers… what kind of combination is that?
Is it some kind of mental training…?
Dana nodded, impressed.
“Alright. Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“I’ll bring him over as soon as possible.”
