CHAPTER 4
After Paul left, a new desk and chair were brought into the office.
Ignoring the empty spaces available, Edwin placed his desk right beside Dana’s.
Leighton, looking defeated, was still hovering next to Dana.
“…You came all the way here just to introduce a single new recruit?”
His empty expectations turned into resentment toward Paul.
Then he bumped his thigh into the corner of the desk.
“Ow, ow!”
Embarrassed, he glared at Dana, who happened to be closest.
“Hey, Dana Hartwin! Did you finish that report I assigned you last time?”
“You assigned a ton of things. Which one are you referring to?”
There was no way Leighton, who lacked interest in actual work, would know.
“You should understand even if I don’t spell it out! Seriously, you—mmph!”
His chattering mouth closed the moment Edwin pushed Leighton’s face away with one large hand.
Leighton stumbled helplessly into the middle of the office, like a dried-up leaf blown by the wind.
He stared at the new recruit in disbelief.
Edwin’s long eyes curved as if to say, What’s the problem?
“You were standing in my spot.”
Leaving the dumbfounded Leighton behind, Edwin looked quietly at Dana.
“We meet again.”
There was a hint of excitement in his voice.
Is he getting on Leighton’s bad side on his first day? That’ll be troublesome…
Worried for Edwin, Dana whispered softly,
“You should apologize to Leighton first…”
“I can’t really hear you.”
Edwin leaned closer to Dana.
Is it okay for him to be this close…?
As he brought his ear near her lips, Dana blinked in fluster.
A cool, masculine scent brushed past her nose.
“So…?”
Dana stared blankly at his clean cheeks and the lashes resting beautifully above them.
“So?”
Edwin repeated with a smile.
“You should at least say I’m sorry first—”
“Oh, you’re looking out for me?”
He shrugged like it was nothing.
Standing so close she could almost feel his breath, Edwin chuckled softly.
“That makes me happy.”
“…”
That makes him happy? Why? Dana’s blue eyes filled with confusion.
That was when Leighton’s loud voice echoed.
“What are you two whispering about instead of working?”
“Sorry about that.”
Dana quickly moved away and stood closer to her desk.
Leighton pointed at her accusingly.
“You seem to get along with the new recruit, huh? Then you’ll be his supervisor!”
“Yes.”
Dana nodded.
When she first joined, Leighton hadn’t bothered teaching her anything. She remembered how much she struggled.
She didn’t want the new recruit to go through the same.
“I’ll be in your care, Senior.”
Despite the boss’s yelling, Edwin looked unfazed.
Instead, he handed Dana a bottle of apple juice with a pleasant smile.
That’s my favorite juice!
What a coincidence.
Dana accepted it gratefully.
Seeing her reaction, Edwin looked satisfied.
Wow, what is this? Why is it so good?
Dana’s eyes widened.
She had drunk countless apple juices, but never one this fragrant and rich.
“Does it suit your taste? I’ll bring more tomorrow.”
Edwin smiled at her pleased expression.
The juice had been freshly squeezed that dawn by the Imperial Palace chef with utmost care.
The apple meant for the Emperor’s breakfast ended up in Dana’s hands.
“Thank you, I enjoyed it.”
“You can speak casually to me, Senior.”
With a polite attitude, the new recruit spoke gently.
Dana smiled faintly at his manners.
“Should I, Edwin?”
“…”
At that moment, Edwin’s eyes trembled.
Hearing his own name in Dana’s voice stirred a strange feeling in his chest.
Warm. Comfortable.
“Edwin, are you okay?”
At her call, his dazed eyes regained focus.
“Oh, I’m fine. Better than I expected, actually…”
Better? What does that mean? Dana stood up.
“It’s time to head to the storage room. I’ll teach you how to take inventory.”
“Yes, Senior.”
He answered in a soft tone.
As the two walked through the hallway, Dana explained his upcoming tasks.
“Your main work will be inventory checks and organizing potion usage reports.”
Edwin listened, almost entranced by her voice.
No matter how much time passed, it still sounded clear and bright.
He matched her slow pace.
It was his first time adjusting his stride for someone else.
Not bad.
If it was for Dana, he didn’t mind slowing down at all.
At the end of the hallway, on the right, the storage room appeared when the door opened.
The room, like a warehouse, was chilly.
It helped maintain the potions’ stability.
Ugh, always cold in here… Dana shivered and pulled her collar close.
That was when Edwin’s hand touched her back.
“There’s something on you.”
He gently brushed her back.
“Oh, thanks.”
Later, as she flipped through the documents, Dana tilted her head.
Why does it feel warm?
She checked the magical thermometer, but the temperature hadn’t changed.
Probably just her imagination.
She pushed the thought away and focused on teaching.
“Edwin, do you see this table? It’s always the same format, so once you memorize it, it’ll be easy.”
“I see.”
“Here, you write down stamina potion quantities, and here are the regeneration potions…”
As she explained, she felt a strange gaze.
“Don’t look at me; look at the document.”
“Yes, understood.”
Edwin looked back at the papers.
Dana continued smoothly.
Her explanations showed how diligently she worked.
“And the long-shelf-life ones go on the top shelf—”
Dana climbed a small ladder and stretched her hand upward.
Tony, I told you not to shove things so far inside…
Reaching too far, she lost her balance.
She shut her eyes tight, bracing herself for pain.
But instead of hitting the floor, she heard a low voice at her ear.
“Be careful.”
And she fell—into a firm embrace.
Edwin gently set her down, as if handling a precious sculpture.
“…Thanks.”
Dana looked up and thanked him.
Edwin only smiled.
But a strange feeling stirred inside Dana.
What was that?
Something about his warning felt familiar.
Be careful.
A worried voice she felt she’d heard somewhere…
Before she could think further, the door burst open.
It was Kira.
“Dana, it’s lunchtime!”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
Friendly as always, Kira left to eat with her coworkers.
Thinking about another cheap sandwich made Dana lose her appetite.
Forcing a neutral expression, she told Edwin,
“You must be tired from listening to my explanation. Enjoy your lunch—”
“Senior, I brought a lunchbox.”
“Huh?”
“There’s a lot.”
Edwin’s eyes curved gently.
“Shall we eat together?”
“…Sure?”
It was a smile she couldn’t refuse.
(Lunch Scene)
“You made all this?”
Dana asked in disbelief.
“Yes. It’s not enough though, isn’t it?”
Edwin looked dissatisfied.
They sat on a bench near the fountain—Dana’s usual lunch spot.
Edwin had surprisingly noble manners.
Before sitting, he spread a handkerchief on her seat and asked if she was comfortable.
The food he unpacked was impressive.
A meat pie and salad, easy to eat, and dried apricots for dessert.
For someone surviving on cheap sandwiches, it was heavenly.
And everything glistened with high-quality ingredients.
Edwin sliced the meat pie neatly and offered it to Dana.
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
It’s been so long since I had something this good! Dana happily chewed.
Edwin watched her with satisfaction.
Worth the effort.
Earlier that dawn, the 3rd Imperial Prince had stormed into the palace kitchen, causing chaos.
His fancy cookbook had shocked the chefs.
But while everyone panicked, Edwin quietly prepared Dana’s meal.
He even cast warming magic so it wouldn’t spoil.
“This is delicious. You’re really good at cooking.”
Insane. Why is this so good?
When her eyes sparkled, Edwin spoke gently.
“I have a habit of preparing meals for two.”
“Really? That’s an unusual habit.”
“So from now on, you should eat lunch with me.”
Just the two of them.
Dana nodded with puffed cheeks.
Whether it was a real habit or not didn’t matter—anything was better than cheap sandwiches.
After lunch, they returned to the office, where Tony called everyone together.
He was Leighton’s right-hand man and notorious for being a gossip.
“Did you hear? That crazy 3rd Prince is back!”
His excited voice spread through the room.
Even Edwin, who had just walked in, heard it clearly.
