CHAPTER 2
Edwin’s cheerful humming continued all the way to the Minister’s office.
Knock, knock—after the polite sound of a knock, Paul attempted to announce the arrival of a guest.
But before he could, Edwin swung the door open with force and entered without hesitation.
This wasn’t the first—or even the second—time something like this had happened, so Paul silently went to brew tea.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Magic, Derrick Child, doubted his own ears.
Is that lunatic really humming?
Why?
Regardless of Derrick’s disbelief, Edwin casually sat in the seat of honor on the sofa.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince, you’ve arrived.”
With a mask-like smile, Derrick sat diagonally across from him.
Edwin placed the wet book on the table and tapped it lightly with his finger.
As the humming continued endlessly, Derrick glanced at Paul.
Is what I’m seeing actually happening?
Paul, who had just brought in the tea, nodded with a drained expression.
Derrick looked at Edwin with an expression that clearly said he didn’t want to hear any more.
“I heard that you returned safely. It is an honor that you chose to visit me before even seeing His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Drop the empty flattery.”
“Very well.”
The two were long-time friends.
Derrick, the second son of Duke Child, had become friends with the Third Prince simply because they were the same age.
—Forced by their parents, of course.
Thanks to early education, Derrick was the only one who could tolerate Edwin’s unpredictable personality.
Though Edwin himself never seemed particularly grateful for that.
“So, what’s with the book? Some killer’s secret technique manual?”
“It’s a poetry book.”
A lunatic and a poetry book… The combination didn’t suit him at all. Derrick had given up trying to understand Edwin long ago.
“Well, I’m not sorry for making you wait. You showed up so suddenly.”
“Really? I was considering killing you, you know.”
Leaving the death threat aside, Derrick glanced at the clock. It was almost time for the general meeting.
“So, why did you suddenly come here?”
“It’s urgent business.”
Urgent business… in the Magic Ministry? Could it be…?
Suppressing a sly smile, Derrick asked:
“Does it have something to do with Dana Hartwin?”
At that moment, a frost-cold gaze pierced him.
“How do you know her?”
The Third Prince’s pressure was overwhelming, as always.
Awkwardly, Derrick opened his mouth.
“How could I forget? During the last interview for new administrative officers, you suddenly appeared and asked her a question.”
The Edwin he knew never showed interest in anyone.
Yet the Third Prince had taken the time to personally attend the Magic Ministry’s recruitment… It had been unusual.
Unusual enough to stir Derrick’s dark curiosity.
“So what’s this urgent business?”
“I’m here to get a job.”
…Did he hear that wrong?
His hearing seemed unreliable today, and unbelievable statements kept piling up. Derrick tilted his head.
Did beating monsters in the North for years finally break him?
No. The Third Prince had been broken since birth.
Seeing Derrick’s bewildered face, Edwin spoke.
“Make room for me in the Potion Management Department. The position can be ready by the end of the week, right?”
Derrick stared at him, stunned by his shameless attempt at job hunting.
Edwin didn’t care. He stood up.
At the same time, he carefully tucked the soggy, tattered poetry book into his coat as if it were precious.
His mind was insane, but his movements were neat and elegant.
“……”
“……”
Even after Edwin left the office, Derrick and Paul remained in a daze.
Derrick was the first to return to reality.
“Dana Hartwin’s assigned department…”
“Yes… it’s the Potion Management Department.”
When Paul answered, Derrick organized his thoughts—then snorted.
“As expected, those two aren’t ordinary acquaintances.”
A playful smile crossed Derrick’s lips, and his eyes gleamed mischievously.
“It might be fun to watch the Third Prince suffer a bit.”
“…Sorry?”
No… please… don’t…! Paul instinctively shook his head.
But Derrick ignored the silent plea.
“Prepare a position. A low-ranking one.”
Grinning as though this would be entertaining, Derrick lifted the corners of his mouth.
Paul glanced at him anxiously.
Because beneath Derrick’s lighthearted appearance lay a disturbingly sticky personality.
Nothing bad will happen… right?
The only one who felt uneasy was Paul, the lowly secretary.
* * *
“Dana, are you working overtime again today?”
Her colleague Kira looked at Dana with concern.
“It’s simple tasks today, so I’ll finish quickly.”
Despite Dana’s bright smile, Kira hesitated to leave.
“Dana… I know you have circumstances, but your health is more important than money.”
“I know, I know! Thanks for worrying!”
“Go home already!” Dana gently pushed her out the door.
Watching her colleague’s fading figure, Dana murmured softly:
“Thanks, Kira.”
In her harsh life, those small moments of warmth always softened her heart.
“Well then, let’s start another night shift.”
Dana stretched and sat at her desk. It seemed she was the only one working tonight.
In the dark office, she lit a single magic lamp and began writing reports.
“Let’s see… what do I need to do today…”
Over the past few years, advancements in medical technology had reduced potions to little more than stamina supplements.
Naturally, applications to the Potion Management Department dropped, and Dana had been the last new hire.
The work became easier, but the fear of the department being dissolved never left her.
“No side effects on this one.”
Recovery potions were mainly sent to knights—Imperial knights to border guards.
They were required to report the potion’s effects and side effects, and summarizing those reports was the job of the department.
She had done this dozens, hundreds of times before. Dana wrote the report skillfully.
After several hours, Dana stretched her stiff body.
“Ugh, what time is it!”
The sky outside was pitch-dark. Her body ached from sitting too long.
She turned off the magic lamp and left work.
When I get home, I’ll soak in warm water. Then sleep for… however long I can.
She laughed bitterly. How many hours could she really rest?
Though she was a noble’s daughter, she didn’t have a carriage.
Luckily, her workplace and the estate were close.
Dragging her heavy body, she opened the door to the mansion.
“Wahahaha!”
As always, laughter echoed from the dining room. A familiar—and exhausting—scene.
“Young Lady, you’ve returned…”
A maid approached cautiously, holding a piece of paper.
One glance at it snapped Dana fully awake.
“No way…”
“Yes… it’s true.”
With trembling hands, Dana took the overdue payment notice.
How many zeroes even IS this?!
Cold sweat ran down her back.
She rushed to the dining room where her family had gathered.
As always, expensive wine covered the table.
Her family, drunk as usual, didn’t even notice Dana entering.
Jamie, her older brother, shrugged and said to the Viscount and Viscountess:
“Father, Mother! I’m telling you, this is guaranteed! Do you know how amazing this merchant group is—”
“Jamie!”
Dana cut him off, shouting in disbelief.
“When did you borrow money AGAIN?! I’m seriously losing my mind!”
“My ears are gonna burst.”
Jamie stuck a finger in his ear.
Their mother, the Viscountess, looked at him with concern.
“Jamie, dear, are you alright?”
Her affectionate gaze turned sharp in an instant.
“And you! Why are you so aggressive for a girl? Women shouldn’t interfere in men’s affairs!”
Dana’s father, Viscount Hartwin, glared at her as well.
“Your only brother is undertaking something important, and instead of helping him—”
It was always like this.
Jamie caused trouble, the Viscount couple indulged themselves,
and Dana was the only one who paid for it.
Because of that, even their estate had been handed over to the kingdom.
Yet her parents still clung to their large mansion, luxurious dresses, and house staff.
“I can’t pay this back! It’s impossible!”
Dana finally exploded. Anger churned through her mind.
“Well, you do have limitations.”
Jamie snickered.
“At least your face is decent.”
A sinking dread swept over her. Dana instinctively felt her whole body turn cold.
“So here’s what I’m thinking…”
Jamie’s eyes gleamed with greed.
“You’re going to get married.”
“……”
“I secured an investment from Viscount Hembern. He wants a third wife.”
Dana was speechless.
They were selling her off.
Her parents nodded in approval.
“…Ha.”
A hollow laugh slipped from Dana’s lips.
Their voices faded.
The world around her slowed.
And in that moment, something inside her snapped.
Her affection for her family.
Her willingness to sacrifice for them.
Everything ended today.
