CHAPTER 3
Get a grip, Dana Hartwin. You fool.
Those people don’t think of you as family.
‘I’m stupid for realizing it so late.’
Dana quickly pushed away her thoughts and sighed.
If she suddenly changed her attitude now, it would only make them suspicious.
“Jamie, this is the last time. Please succeed this time.”
“I said I know! Just stay quiet and prepare for your marriage!”
That bastard! She barely held herself back from swearing.
If she got angry here, her parents would surely punish her instead.
It was wiser to leave before she grew even more furious.
Dana shook her head at her brother and turned to leave the dining room.
See? That girl always listens to me in the end.
Indeed. Our son is quite clever.
Her family exchanged glances, convinced she would obey like always.
Dana always protested, yet always ended up doing what they asked—so they expected the same again.
Dana took one angry step after another… then suddenly spun around.
It was too unfair to just walk away quietly.
Fine. I hope you all ruin yourselves—Mother, Father, and you, Jamie.
Smiling sweetly, she spoke.
“Oh, right. Jamie.”
“What?”
“If you’re going to get investment, squeeze every bit you can out of him.”
“Well, yeah. I’m the brother of the woman he’ll marry. A Viscount can do anything for me.”
Wow… you finally said something right?
Jamie chuckled smugly. Dana, who had always been upright and strict, finally seemed useful.
Dana looked at him coldly, then shifted her expression.
“So, when will you introduce me to Viscount Hembern?”
“At the upcoming Foundation Day imperial ball.”
Foundation Day… her last chance to escape this house.
“Hembern doesn’t like loose women. So behave yourself and stay modest like you are now, understand?”
With that final remark, Jamie went back to drinking.
He planned to take a third wife, yet expected his new bride to be the one acting modest.
Dana couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
She quietly went up to her room.
Her room was at the very top of the mansion—a tiny, shabby space.
Sitting on the creaking bed, she thought back to her past.
Dana’s life had been nothing short of exploitation.
As a child, she did all the chores instead of the maids;
as an adult, she was nothing but a source of income.
But why…
She tilted her head.
“Why did I keep letting them use me?”
Why did she suddenly make a firm decision today?
It was a sudden change even to herself.
Her mind felt strangely light.
As if she had been freed from a long-standing curse.
* *
“Dana, about the statistical report you wrote last time…”
Kira cautiously approached Dana, who had just arrived at work.
She tapped a corner of the report.
A yellow memo note was attached—folded neatly in half.
<How to stop loans taken under your family’s name>
Already?
Dana’s eyes sparkled with emotion.
After hearing Jamie’s nonsense the previous day, she had gone to Kira for help.
Kira’s older sister was an excellent lawyer.
“Thank you so much, Kira…”
“My sister said this is the most reliable method.”
The quiet office made their whispers more noticeable.
What could it be? A way to escape the mountain of debt her family kept creating…!
Dana unfolded the neatly folded memo.
“……”
Huh? That’s it?
Puzzled, Dana peeled off the note.
She flipped it over, looked behind it, folded it again—searching for more words.
Kira awkwardly grabbed her wandering hands.
“That’s everything. But it’s definitely effective.”
“Make a new family means…”
“Marriage, Dana. Only marriage.”
Marriage? Marriaaaaage?
Kira supported the stunned Dana and guided her outside.
Dana stayed silent all the way down the long corridor and to the fountain in the courtyard.
Seeing no one else around, Kira shouted:
“Snap out of it! It’s the Empire’s fault for having such laws!”
“That’s true… curse this Empire’s law…”
Long ago, monsters that once only appeared near the Northern border had descended all the way to the capital.
No one knew why.
But one thing was certain—people’s livelihoods were destroyed.
To support citizens, the Hedron Empire expanded welfare budgets and introduced new policies.
One was the low-interest loan program.
People rushed to the banks for the cheap loans.
But long waiting lines forced most to return empty-handed.
When complaints grew, the Empire simplified the process.
If any family member had stable credit, the loan could be approved.
Even with just that family member’s ID!
The Heartwin family eagerly used Dana’s name to take out huge loans.
And my life spiraled even worse…
Dana rubbed her face.
“Kira, you’re right. If I stay in that horrible household any longer, I’ll be destroyed.”
“Exactly! If you’re going to get married anyway, just get it over with quickly!”
Crush them! Kira punched the air fiercely.
Kira… were you talking about marriage or combat?
Dana stood up and held Kira’s hands tightly.
“Thank you for helping me.”
“Friends do at least this much!”
The sunlight fell over Kira’s neatly braided orange hair.
She truly was a reliable friend.
Behind them, the fountain trickled gently.
Little birds even fluttered down and chirped occasionally.
Such a peaceful scene…
“Why are you two here!!”
—was completely shattered.
The head of the Potion Management Department, Layton, barked at them.
“What brings you here, Layton?”
She knew he was narrow-minded, but scolding them for taking a short break?
You take three-hour lunch breaks yourself!
Dana’s annoyed gaze landed on Layton.
“Paul Daymon is coming! The Secretary to the Minister of Magic!”
Why him?
The Potion Management Department was considered the scraps of the Magic Ministry—so low that some called it the trash department.
Layton, looking extremely excited, continued:
“Surely the Minister has important words for us! Like a promotion… or a promotion…”
Layton had reached his position through flattery and connections, not competence.
Yet he still burned with desire for promotion.
“Anyway, hurry! Everyone must gather!”
Before Dana or Kira could feel touched, they were dragged along.
Dana’s desk was near the entrance.
She decided to process some overdue documents until Paul arrived, and reached for her fountain pen—
“Oh, you’re here!”
A loud, frantic voice echoed.
And beside her appeared…
What is that butt?
Layton’s butt, sticking out as he bowed excessively.
Moments like this made Dana hate having a desk by the door.
Great, disgusting sight first thing in the morning.
Dana stepped aside to avoid the butt and stood up.
Layton rubbed his hands and approached Paul.
“What brings you here… Did the Minister have something to say to us…”
“Sorry to interrupt your hard work.”
Paul cut Layton off, his face completely unapologetic.
“A new employee has joined the Potion Management Department. I’m here to introduce him.”
A new employee? Everyone began whispering.
Then, behind Paul, a dazzling man appeared.
Brilliant blond hair, and even more brilliant beauty—
No doubt about it. He was the angel from yesterday.
His appearance wasn’t something one could forget easily; Dana recognized Edwin immediately.
The employees were struck speechless.
Kind Kira went around pushing their dropped jaws closed.
Among them, the only one unfazed was Edwin.
His gaze was fixed solely on Dana.
When their eyes met, he even gave a relaxed smile.
Paul shook his head as if he’d seen something disgraceful and introduced the new recruit.
“The new employee’s name is Edwin… Lambert. Please watch him closely so he doesn’t cause trouble.”
Why did he sound like someone introducing a wild beast to zookeepers?
Layton asked blankly:
“…Is that all? Recruitment ended last month…”
Ah. Paul glanced sideways at Edwin.
He didn’t even bother to think of a convincing excuse.
“This… fellow was in poor health and couldn’t come earlier.”
With that, Paul hurriedly rushed out of the office.
As if a ghost were chasing him.
Edwin’s gaze continued drilling into Dana.
Feeling embarrassed, she gave him a small, awkward smile.
His eyes widened instantly.
His red eyes flared like flames.
Meanwhile, Dana’s first thought was—
Oh, he must be a man with poor health.
That was her first impression of the new employee, Edwin.
Paul’s excuse had caused a major misunderstanding.
