Chapter 8 

“Let’s stay together tonight.”

“…….”

What did he just say…?

Dana’s flustered eyes shifted toward Edwin’s smooth smile. His red lips looked unusually alluring today.

No way… was he flirting?

She had never dated, but she still understood things.

Her thoughts began racing far ahead on their own.

“E–Edwin! I…”

“We’ll talk, eat good food, have fun together.”

“Oh…”

What was I thinking!?

Dana’s face flushed bright pink, as if a touch would smear watercolor across it.

He didn’t read my thoughts, did he…?

When she cautiously looked up, Edwin still wore a calm, peaceful expression.

Dana forced herself to sound bold.

“Y-yeah! Let’s hang out today.”

She agreed before thinking, overwhelmed by embarrassment—completely unaware that this was Edwin asking her out on a date.

Soon after, they arrived at the Potion Studies Department.

The storeroom manager opened the door and said,

“No matter how I think about it, this order quantity is way too high… Can you handle all of this?”

“Of course. It’s fine, you can go.”

Dana flashed the well-trained smile she had perfected through office life.

The manager disappeared with a worried expression.

“Edwin, can you hand me the documents?”

Edwin neatly opened the paperwork and passed it to her.

Dana tilted her head after checking the numbers.

“It really is strange. Nothing happened recently, yet the order quantity increased…”

She, too, sensed something was off.

Edwin asked in a gentle voice,

“Does Chief Layton decide the order amounts alone?”

“Usually, yes. He reports to the higher-ups once a month.”

“And who submits the report?”

“We write it, Layton submits it.”

So Layton could manipulate it however he wanted.

Edwin quickly finished assessing the situation.

Then Dana spoke sharply,

“Honestly, it does feel suspicious. The potions in the warehouse are disappearing unusually fast.”

“You suspect him?”

“It might not necessarily be Layton, but…”

It was clear that she suspected him the most.

All potion management was handled by the Imperial Palace. Leaking or selling potions to the outside was a serious felony.

“We should investigate.”

“It’s useless.”

Dana sighed.

“Tony, my direct superior, always takes Layton’s side. And if I want to report this to the higher-ups, I have to go through Layton.”

“Then let’s tail him.”

“T-tail him…?”

“I have a friend in the Magical Tools Department. He’ll lend me a Magical Visual Recorder.”

“Wow.”

His initiative as a new recruit was impressive.

Normally, borrowing a magical tool required permission from royalty—and even then took at least three months.

And he would borrow one through a friend, just like that?

Connections are powerful…

At that moment, Dana’s eyes sparkled.

Wait… a magical tool…

One corner of her mouth curled up.

Then she asked Edwin,

“Could I borrow one too?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks. I want to give my brother a really nice present.”

Her voice carried an odd note of excitement.

Meanwhile, at Viscount Hembern’s club house…

“Since things are already like this, please trust me one more time and invest a bit more.”

Jamie, Dana’s older brother, begged pitifully before the Viscount.

Viscount Hembern narrowed his eyes.

“Didn’t you say that last time? And the time before that? I never recovered anything.”

“This time the merchant group is trustworthy!”

Hmm. The Viscount licked his lips with his greasy tongue.

This place was a club house he had established. Officially it was for noblemen to socialize, but in reality, it was simply a gambling den.

His connection with Jamie had also begun here.

“I heard your sister is quite pretty.”

At that, Jamie quickly nodded.

“Yes, she’s a bit stiff, but she’s good-looking.”

“And she’s probably never dated because she’s always busy.”

“Exactly, exactly!”

“Of course. A woman must be virtuous.”

Apparently satisfied, the Viscount called someone.

A moment later, checks and documents were placed on the table.

“Just sign here. This money will be yours.”

“Thank you!”

Jamie signed without reading anything.

The Viscount smirked.

“Did you read the contents? I’m not lending money to your sister—I’m lending it to you.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“You’ll personally bring your sister to the wedding hall. If not, Jamie Hartwin, you will take responsibility.”

“Ahh, don’t worry! That kid listens to her family no matter what.”

Jamie grinned greedily.

After labeling all the potions and counting everything, it was already time to go home.

“Senpai, should we get off work now?”

“Yeah.”

Once outside, Dana looked up at the sky.

Early evening—the air tinted with faint blue.

People heading home filled the streets.

It’s been so long since I’ve seen a scene like this…

Dana’s sky had always been two things: the morning rush, or the pitch-black night after overtime.

Then Edwin asked,

“Senpai, is there anything you want to do today?”

“I’m not sure.”

She had left work early, but she didn’t know what to do, how to relax, or how to have fun.

Edwin smiled reassuringly.

“Then should we start with dinner?”

He led her not toward home, but toward the plaza.

Brightly smiling children, stalls filled with delicious smells, street performances…
Dana was captivated by the lively scene.

Then Edwin called her.

“Today, I’ll follow only you.”

“What do you mean?”

“For today, just do whatever you feel like. No plans, no thinking.”

It had been ages since she was given any choice.

Her life had been standardized for so long.

While Dana hesitated, his soft voice soothed her.

“It’s not hard. Just choose whatever draws you. Go wherever your feet take you.”

“…Okay.”

Strangely, Edwin’s voice warmed her heart.

A pleasant thrill spread through her.

Dana wandered the plaza, carefree—admiring flowers at stalls and listening to street musicians.
Edwin simply matched her pace.

They eventually reached a small restaurant, seemingly a remodeled cozy house. Flowers filled the garden, the windowsills, even the roof edges.

As Dana admired the garden with a delighted expression, Edwin asked,

“You like flowers.”

“Yeah, being around plants gives me strength.”

She smiled.

“It sounds weird, but I think I get along well with plants.”

“Really?”

“When I touch them, even wilted flowers perk up. That’s why I take care of all the office plants.”

A spring breeze blew.

Petals fell softly from the pink blossom tree.

Breathing in the fresh spring scent, they entered the restaurant.

It was quiet—only the two of them were there.

The owner served a fragrant flower tea.

Dana smiled while looking at the fresh flowers on the table.

“Today was rough, huh? Sorting potions looks simple but it’s hard work.”

While Dana looked around the restaurant, Edwin’s gaze stayed only on her.

He said,

“You too, Senpai.”

“Hm?”

“You also worked hard today. Diligently and quietly.”

“……”

No one had ever acknowledged Dana’s effort before.

Her superiors and family always demanded more, regardless of how much she was already doing.

Maybe that’s why Edwin’s words hit her heart so deeply.

She smiled brightly.

“Thank you. You really speak beautifully, Edwin.”

“I meant it.”

He tilted his head slightly, his red eyes glowing as they fixed on her.

“This may sound presumptuous, but…”

He spoke sincerely.

“You lived today the best you could. No one can criticize that.”

“……”

“So now, you should enjoy time for yourself.”

Then he smiled playfully again.

A few days weren’t enough to know someone well, yet his words resonated deeply.

He’s warm…

A warm, gentle person. Someone like him… marrying someone like that would be nice…

Realizing what she was thinking, Dana inhaled sharply.

What am I thinking with a new recruit!?

She blinked and shook off her thoughts.

That moment, Edwin leaned closer.

Sitting across from her, he reached toward her.

His fingers brushed near her ear, making her flinch.

The sweet scent of flower tea, the warmth of his hand lightly grazing her cheek…

Even without drinking alcohol, her head felt hazy.

Dana froze, forgetting to breathe.

“Edwin, wait…”

“Got it.”

He pulled back slightly.
A pink petal lay between his fingers.

“You had it in your hair.”

“Oh…”

It must have stuck when petals were falling earlier.

Dana hurriedly gulped water in embarrassment.

Edwin then asked,

“Senpai, will you go on a date with me again tomorrow?”

Pffft—Dana ended up spitting out her water.