LHWP 35

Chapter 35

 “You said we’d go to your house, so why the Imperial Palace?”

“From now on, they’re strictly prohibiting outsiders from entering.”

“Is that true?”

Just like that?

Dana tilted her head in puzzlement.

Edwin smiled gently.

“Still, it’s best to take a break for a while. They might follow you on your commute.”

Hearing that, Dana nodded in agreement.

Then she opened the office door.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

They exchanged the formal morning greetings with their colleagues.

Dana set her suitcase down at her desk and approached Layton.

“I’d like to take a fifteen-day vacation.”

“What? All of a sudden?”

“According to the Empire’s management rules, each employee has a set number of vacation days per year. If unused, you can roll them over to the next year…”

“Oh, I see! You’ve been working without a break with all the overtime and whatnot.”

Layton waved his hand as if it were a hassle.

Returning to his seat, he spoke to Dana.

“Fifteen days, no more.”

“Understood.”

There was a reason Layton was generous about Dana’s vacation.

She had been handling the most work in the department so far.

Even someone as indifferent to work as Layton could see that.

In short, she was perfect for being made to work hard.

Push too hard, and even a pushover will leave.

Besides, for now, there wasn’t much to do other than keeping track of potion inventory.

Dana knew this, which was why she applied for vacation.

“I’ll just make a list of the tasks I need to do before I leave.”

Dana remained diligent until the very end.

Layton addressed everyone.

“You know that all palace officials will be involved in this Founding Festival, right? If you want to take vacation, do it now. There’s still plenty of time.”

“Yes, sir…”

Then, a weak voice suddenly spoke up among the other timid officials.

“Then I’ll take it today.”

Even today, the new recruit was relaxed.

Just looking at him was enough to make one irritated.

Layton frowned.

“What, you’re taking fifteen days off too, following your wife?”

“No, I’ll only take today off.”

“Fine, do as you please!”

Layton shouted as if he didn’t even want to see him.

Somehow, dealing with the new recruit drained all his energy.

Edwin, who had been granted vacation, smiled as he looked at Dana beside him.

“We should go together. To our new home.”

Just for that reason, she took vacation?

Dana let out a small laugh of disbelief.

“Anyway… the Founding Festival…”

Though there was still plenty of time, she was already feeling exhausted.

All officials had to devote themselves to the palace events.

She already felt overworked.

And it wasn’t just the Founding Festival—attendance at the ball was mandatory as well.

“Do I have to wear my uniform again this time…?”

At the last Founding Festival, she had to attend alone in uniform among all the fancy dresses.

There was no way Dana owned a dress suitable for a ball.

“Well, it’s not embarrassing anyway.”

Dana shrugged off the thought.

It was clear that she would just stand quietly and leave after this Founding Festival too.

True to her meticulous nature, Dana’s work organization took a long time.

By the time she finished, the clock pointed to lunchtime.

Layton grabbed his cigarette and called Tony.

“What are you doing? Let’s go eat.”

Tony obediently followed him once again.

The other colleagues also brightened up as they got up from their desks.

It was the only lively moment during work.

Before Kira left, she approached Dana.

“This is your first vacation, right? Make sure to rest well!”

“Yeah, thanks. I’ve already taken care of the previous work…”

At that, Kira made a face of exasperation.

“Stop thinking about work! Just go rest!”

She encouraged Dana to eat well, rest plenty, and sleep deeply.

After she left, Edwin carried Dana’s suitcase.

“Not much luggage, huh?”

“Which is why it was easy to escape.”

Dana replied playfully.

The two left the Magic Department, chatting affectionately.

“Hungry? We should do some grocery shopping before going to the mansion.”

“Cooking at home?”

“I’ll handle the cooking. You just rest, senior.”

Edwin smiled as he led Dana to the square.

After work, going grocery shopping and cooking together…

‘We really do look like newlyweds.’

Dana’s face flushed at the thought.

It was a strange feeling—embarrassing, yet exciting.

She subtly turned her gaze to look at Edwin.

‘My husband…’

The partner I’ll spend my life with…

A solid and loving relationship.

Then, Edwin turned his head.

“Do you have a favorite food?”

“Huh, uh?”

Their eyes met, and Dana was flustered.

“I… eat anything! I especially like apples!”

“What would you like to eat today?”

Dana made up a quick answer.

She didn’t even know what she had said.

“Senior, your face is red.”

Once again, Edwin pointed it out.

Dana waved her hand to fan herself and replied.

“It’s hot!”

It was still spring. There was no heat at all.

Even she thought her answer was ridiculous.

“You’re feeling hot, huh?”

Edwin seemed unfazed.

Seeing that, Dana quietly exhaled in relief.

Unaware that Edwin was secretly smiling.

He turned his head, suppressing a laugh.

Someone as sharp as him couldn’t fail to notice Dana’s gaze.

He had noticed everything—the glances, the sparkling eyes, the flushed cheeks, and her shy smile.

He didn’t know exactly what she was thinking, but knowing he filled her thoughts was a pleasant feeling.

So he let it be.

But he couldn’t resist a mischievous urge.

“Senior, your face is red.”

“It’s hot!”

Dana looked so adorable saying that, he wanted to just hug her.

Just as he felt drawn to her, she called out:

“We’re here. Is this the place?”

Their destination was the vegetable street in the square.

It was a place with several vegetable shops clustered together.

“They all look the same.”

“Yes, they do.”

Even the signs and the vegetables seemed similar.

Then one shop owner asked them:

“You must be newlyweds? You look good together.”

Hearing that, Edwin smiled and entered the shop.

Surprisingly, it was easy to sway Edwin’s heart.

Dana, bewildered, was dragged along by his hand.

The shop owner picked vegetables for them and continued complimenting them.

“You two really suit each other. By the way, the potatoes are excellent today.”

“Then we’ll take the potatoes.”

“I can read people well—you two will be happy together forever. The carrots are good today too.”

“Then we’ll take the carrots too.”

At this rate, they were going to buy out the shop.

Dana urgently grabbed Edwin’s arm.

“Edwin, aren’t we buying too much?”

“……”

When she came to her senses, both his hands were full of vegetables.

When Dana glared at the shop owner, she looked away.

“You don’t need to buy so much for just the two of you.”

Dana removed some of the vegetables again.

The shop owner sighed regretfully.

“Let’s go.”

Dana linked arms with Edwin and left the street.

Edwin watched her and smiled warmly.

“Why are you smiling?”

“I got a wise wife.”

Edwin smiled.

Afterward, they bought meat and fruit, and lunchtime had already passed.

“Shall we finally head back to the mansion?”

“Yes, it’s close from here.”

“Close…?”

Dana looked at him suspiciously.

“Your house isn’t near where I lived before?”

Dana’s mansion was in a modest area, away from the square.

Where lower nobles or commoners lived.

Quite far from the square.

“……”

“What’s going on?”

Dana’s sharp question put Edwin in a tight spot.