Chapter 6
She had a dream.
It was about the Northern region, where she had suffered miserably for over a year.
Monsters invaded several times a day, and the smell of blood and pain filled the air. Dana worked in medical support there.
Technically, she was part of the medical team, but the important treatments were done by the doctors.
Dana’s job was washing blood-soaked towels and changing patients’ bandages.
As always, she went to throw away the worn-out bandages when black smoke suddenly approached her.
It was large and thick, like smoke from a fire.
But strangely, Dana wasn’t afraid of it.
Instead, she felt relaxed—almost amused.
The smoke spoke to her.
‘Why are you smiling?’
‘No reason.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘To dispose of blood-stained bandages.’
‘…….’
Before she could take another step, a gruff voice came from behind her.
‘…Be careful.’
At that, Dana burst out laughing.
Then, because she wasn’t looking ahead, her foot caught on a stone.
Huh…?
Her forehead was just about to hit the ground―
“Ah!”
Startled, Dana barely woke up from the dream.
She sat up too fast, and the blanket slid off her body.
“Are you okay?”
The sudden voice made Dana flinch.
When she looked to the side, Edwin was watching her anxiously.
Right… I’m working overtime.
Once she grasped the situation, her fear eased.
Edwin gently cupped her face with both hands.
“It looks like you had a nightmare.”
He examined her face carefully as he asked if she was alright.
Dana had felt this before—Edwin had a way of flustering people without warning.
He’s way too close…!
His handsome face would suddenly appear inches from hers.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.”
Dana tried to gently push his shoulder away.
Even then, Edwin didn’t seem reassured. He tucked a strand of her messy hair behind her ear.
Then he rubbed her back softly.
Dana blinked.
Does he have a lot of younger siblings or something? Why is he so gentle?
His expression was so serious that Dana ended up telling him about her dream.
“It was nothing. I was saying hello to some black smoke, got distracted, and tripped in the dream.”
“…Black smoke?”
“Yeah, it reminded me of the time I did medical work in the monster outbreak area…”
“……”
After hearing the story, Edwin quietly let out a small laugh.
“That wasn’t a nightmare.”
“Huh?”
“It was a good dream.”
His expression looked strangely excited.
Dana smiled back.
“Yeah, it was a good memory. One I’ll never forget.”
“……”
Edwin went silent for a moment.
A memory she’d never forget…
It felt as if warm spring air blew gently through his chest.
Comforting, overwhelming, and bittersweet all at once.
His red eyes deepened as he looked at her.
His yearning for her grew stronger than ever.
“What… you made all this by yourself?”
Dana’s bright voice cleared his thoughts.
Edwin closed his eyes tightly and opened them again.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he smiled calmly.
“Yes. It just happened that way.”
“I feel bad… I just slept.”
Dana apologized sincerely.
Edwin reorganized the papers as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“I actually liked it.”
“What did you like?”
Because I got to look at your face as much as I wanted.
He swallowed those words and smiled instead.
“It helped me get used to the work.”
Such a passionate rookie. Dana nodded.
“You’re getting off work, right? Let’s leave together.”
He extinguished the magic lamp.
In the dark office, Dana fumbled along the wall.
Then warmth brushed across the back of her hand.
In the pitch-black room where nothing was visible, Edwin’s fingers slid across her hand.
“Take my hand.”
His large hand gently held hers.
The sudden touch felt awkward and ticklish.
In the quiet, still office, only Edwin’s warmth felt vivid.
He walked slowly, leading the way out.
Thanks to him, Dana was able to leave without trouble.
“……”
“……”
They left the Ministry of Magic building and walked toward the back garden gate without saying a word.
Dana glanced at Edwin repeatedly.
Why isn’t he letting go of my hand?
Outside the office, it was faintly lit.
Stars shimmered across the inky night sky.
The magic lamps would light the path all the way to her family estate.
“Um… Edwin…? I think it’s okay to let go now…”
“Is it? It’s still dark.”
At those words, Edwin finally let go.
Dana didn’t see the disappointment on his face.
After they walked for a while, a question formed in Edwin’s mind.
Where is her carriage?
The carriage that should have come to pick up Dana was nowhere to be seen.
It was dangerous for a noblewoman to walk alone this late at night.
She said she worked overtime every day, so he assumed her family sent a carriage each night…
Are her parents neglecting her?
Edwin felt anger toward Dana’s parents—whom he’d never even met.
But he swallowed it and decided to ask her carefully.
He knew he might be misunderstanding.
But… how do I ask?
Despite being royalty, Edwin was terrible at speaking indirectly.
He had never considered other people’s positions before.
“What are your parents doing that they don’t even send a carriage?”
No, too aggressive.
“Do you like walking?”
No, that might sound sarcastic.
As he struggled—probably for the first time in his life—Dana spoke up.
Two roads appeared ahead.
“I walk from here to my estate. What about you, Edwin?”
It meant if our paths differ, we separate here.
So she really did walk home. Edwin’s expression stiffened.
He regretted not secretly arranging guards for her.
Should he offer to fetch a carriage?
He quickly erased the troubled look.
“We’re going in the same direction.”
“Really? Then we can walk together every time we work late!”
Dana beamed at him.
Together? That word pierced right into Edwin’s chest.
Walking with her every night doesn’t sound bad…
Any plans for guards or carriages disappeared instantly.
Meanwhile, Dana thought—
He must be around the same social class as me.
She gained another piece of information about him.
The higher the noble, the closer they lived to the Imperial Palace.
Families like Dana’s, lower-ranking nobles, typically lived farther away.
Yet Edwin was heading toward the same area as her.
“Your place is nearby too?”
“Yes, mine is farther in.”
Edwin pointed down the road.
Dana relaxed.
She’d worried the kind new recruit only escorted her out of obligation.
“Then I’m heading in. Sleep well—see you tomorrow!”
“Goodnight.”
Dana waved and entered her estate.
Watching her disappear, Edwin murmured softly,
“Goodnight, Dana.”
* * *
The next morning, dawn.
Edwin, who rarely slept long, woke early as usual.
After rising from his bed in the Imperial Palace and finishing sword training, he immediately opened a cookbook.
“……”
Hundreds of recipes, yet none felt right.
Everything seemed unworthy compared to Dana.
I should ask the chef.
Edwin was the type to act the moment he thought of something.
His decisive footsteps took him to the Imperial Palace kitchen.
When he swung open the door, the startled chef gasped,
“H-hello—hic!”
Edwin ignored the strange greeting.
He immediately asked,
“Something simple, elegant, and delicious.”
“…….”
The chef thought quickly.
“A fresh omelet… perhaps?”
Edwin rolled up his sleeves immediately.
He cooked silently, following the chef’s instructions exactly, then cast a warming spell.
He didn’t forget the freshly squeezed apple juice.
Just imagining Dana happily munching made his mind clear.
Carrying the lunchbox, Edwin entered the Ministry of Magic and headed straight to the Potion Management Department.
He couldn’t wait to see Dana Hartwin.
Right before he reached the office, Dana stepped into the hallway.
She was with her coworker, Kira.
Edwin smiled faintly and opened his mouth to call her—
But then he heard Kira speak.
“Dana, there’s a man I want to set you up with.”
At that moment, the air around Edwin turned icy cold.
