LGYH 04
You said we were going to your house, so why are we going to the Imperial Palace?
Episode 4
After Paul left, a new desk and chair were brought into the office.
Rather than taking the spacious empty seat, Edwin chose the spot right beside Dana.
Layton, looking dejected, was still lingering beside Dana.
“……You came all the way here just to introduce one new recruit?”
His futile expectations turned into resentment toward Paul.
Then he ended up stabbing his thigh against the corner of the desk.
“Ow ow ow!”
Embarrassed, he glared for no reason at Dana, who was nearby.
“Hey, Dana Hartwin! Did you finish that report I assigned you last time?”
“You assigned me quite a few. Which one are you referring to?”
There was no way Layton, who had no interest in work, would know.
“You should be able to figure it out without me telling you! You always…… Ngh!”
His chattering mouth was silenced at that moment.
Edwin had pushed Layton’s face away with his large hand.
Layton was shoved unceremoniously into the middle of the office.
Like a dried-up leaf.
He stared at the new recruit with a look of disbelief.
Edwin curved his long eyes as if to say, What’s the problem?
“You kept standing in my spot.”
Leaving the dumbfounded Layton behind, Edwin gazed intently at Dana.
“Nice to see you again.”
For some reason, he seemed excited as he said it.
Did this guy already get on Layton’s bad side on his first day? If so, this could be troublesome……
Worried for Edwin for no particular reason, Dana whispered softly.
“First, you should apologize to Layton……”
“I can’t hear you very well.”
Edwin leaned his upper body toward Dana.
Is it okay for him to get this close……?
When he brought his ear closer to her, the flustered Dana blinked.
A cool, masculine scent suddenly wafted into her nose.
“So……”
Dana absentmindedly stared at his clean, handsome cheeks.
Even his eyelashes, which rested beautifully above them.
“So?”
Edwin smiled and repeated Dana’s words.
“First, you should say you’re sorry……”
“Ah, are you thinking about me?”
He shrugged as if it were nothing.
From a distance close enough for her to feel his breath, Edwin gave a small laugh.
“I’m happy.”
“…….”
Is that really something to be happy about?
Dana’s blue eyes showed her confusion.
That was when Layton’s angry shout rang out.
“Why are you two whispering instead of working?”
“Sorry about that.”
Dana quickly pulled away and pressed herself closer to the desk.
Layton pointed at her as he continued.
“Looks like you two get along well, huh? Then you’re in charge of training this guy!”
“Understood.”
Dana nodded.
When she first joined the company, she had suffered terribly because Layton had not properly handed over any of his work.
She hoped the new recruit wouldn’t have to go through the same hardship she had.
“I look forward to working with you, senior.”
Even under his superior’s continued yelling, Edwin wasn’t intimidated at all.
Instead, he showed off a pretty smile and held out a bottle of apple juice to Dana.
‘It’s my favorite juice!’
Was it just a coincidence?
Dana happily accepted the bottle of juice.
Seeing Dana like that, Edwin looked satisfied.
‘Wow, what is this? Why is it so delicious?’
Dana’s eyes widened.
She had tried countless apple juices over the years, but this was the first time she had tasted something so fragrant and rich.
“Do you like it? I’ll bring more tomorrow.”
Edwin smiled gently as he watched her satisfied expression.
It was apple juice freshly squeezed by the Imperial Palace chef, who had devoted himself to making it since dawn.
The apples that were supposed to be served at the Emperor’s breakfast had ended up in Dana’s mouth instead.
“Thank you, I enjoyed it.”
“Please speak comfortably with me, senior.”
The new recruit spoke to Dana in a gentle manner.
His polite attitude made Dana smile shyly.
“Should I, Edwin?”
“…….”
At that moment, Edwin’s eyes wavered.
Hearing his own name in Dana’s voice stirred an unfamiliar emotion inside him.
His heart felt full, and somehow warm……
“Edwin, are you okay?”
At Dana’s call, his vacant eyes regained focus.
“Ah, I’m fine. I just like it more than I expected……”
What does he like? Dana stood up from her seat.
“It’s time for me to go to the storage room. I’ll show you how to check the quantities.”
“Yes, senior.”
He answered in a gentle voice.
As the two walked down the hallway, Dana explained what he would be doing from now on.
“The main things we do are checking inventory and organizing reviews after using potions.”
Edwin listened to her voice as if spellbound.
Even after all these years, her clear and distinct voice was unchanged.
He walked slowly, matching Dana’s pace.
It was the first time in his life that he had adjusted his pace to someone else’s.
‘Not bad.’
If the person he was accommodating was Dana, he was willing to slow his steps as much as necessary.
At the very end of the hallway, they opened the door on the right, revealing the storage room.
The temperature inside the storage room, which resembled a warehouse, was extremely cold.
It was to keep the potions in a consistent condition.
‘Ugh, it’s always cold no matter when I come here.’
Dana shivered and pulled her collar tighter.
That was when Edwin’s hand touched her back.
“You have something on your back.”
As he said that, he gently brushed her back.
“Hm? Thanks.”
Afterward, Dana flipped through the documents and tilted her head.
‘Why does it feel strangely warm?’
She checked the magical thermometer because of the sudden change, but the temperature was exactly the same.
It must be my imagination. Dana brushed the thought aside.
She had to teach her junior right now.
“Edwin, can you see this chart? It’s always the same format, so it’ll be easy once you get used to it.”
“I see.”
“First, you enter the quantity of stamina recovery potions here, and the quantity of regeneration potions here……”
As she explained what he would be doing, she felt a strange gaze from the side.
“You’re supposed to look at the documents, not me.”
“Yes, understood.”
Edwin’s eyes turned back to the documents.
Dana’s explanation continued smoothly.
His attitude showed without reservation that he had been working diligently all this time.
“And the ones with a long expiration date go up there……”
Dana climbed onto a small ladder and reached out her hand.
‘Senior Tony, I told you not to put the boxes so far back…….’
Dana waved her hand around in the air, but eventually lost her footing.
She squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself for the pain that was about to come.
Then, an extremely low voice rang beside her ear.
“Be careful.”
Contrary to what she expected, where she fell was not the floor, but a firm embrace.
Edwin easily lifted Dana and set her back down on the floor.
His movements were delicate, as though he were handling a precious statue.
“……Thank you.”
Dana raised her head and thanked him.
Instead of answering, Edwin smiled gently.
Meanwhile, Dana tilted her head, feeling strange.
‘What was that just now?’
Hearing Edwin tell her to be careful gave her a distant sense of déjà vu.
‘Be careful.’
A worried voice that sounded as though she had heard it somewhere before……
What could it be? Just as she was lost deep in thought, the door to the storage room suddenly flew open.
It was Kira.
“Dana, it’s lunchtime!”
“Yeah, thanks for letting me know.”
Kindhearted Kira left to eat with the other coworkers after saying that.
Just thinking about the cheap sandwich she would have to eat today made her lose her appetite.
Dana forced away her stiff expression and spoke to Edwin.
“You worked hard listening to such a boring explanation. Enjoy your lunch……”
“Senior, I brought a packed lunch.”
“Hm?”
“There’s a lot.”
The corners of Edwin’s eyes curved beautifully.
“Shall we eat together?”
“……Should we?”
It was a smile she simply couldn’t refuse.
* * *
“You packed all of this yourself?”
Dana asked with a surprised expression.
“Yes. Isn’t it a little lacking?”
Edwin looked dissatisfied as he said it.
The two were sitting on a bench in front of the fountain, Dana’s usual designated lunch spot.
Edwin had more aristocratic manners than she expected.
Before sitting on the bench, he laid a handkerchief down where Dana would sit and asked if there was anywhere uncomfortable.
When she said she was fine, he laid out the meal, and it was incredible.
There was meat pie and salad that were easy to eat, and even well-dried apricots for dessert.
For Dana, who had been surviving on terrible sandwiches, it was food from heaven.
Moreover, everything seemed to be made with good ingredients, because the food practically gleamed.
Edwin cut the meat pie into bite-sized pieces and held it out to Dana.
“Thanks, I’ll enjoy it.”
A special meal for the first time in ages! Dana happily chewed on the food.
Edwin watched her with satisfaction.
‘It was worth preparing.’
At dawn today, the Imperial Palace kitchen had been turned upside down by the Third Prince, who had suddenly barged in.
The cookbook he had brought with him had also been more than enough to surprise the Imperial Palace chefs.
Regardless of all that, Edwin personally prepared food for Dana.
He even remembered to cast a warming spell so the food wouldn’t spoil.
Dana sincerely exclaimed,
“It’s delicious. You’re good at cooking?”
This is crazy. Why is it so delicious?
When her eyes lit up, Edwin spoke softly.
“Senior, I have a habit of preparing two servings of food.”
“Really? That’s an unusual habit.”
“So from now on, have lunch only with me.”
Just the two of us.
At those words, Dana nodded with her cheeks puffed out.
She didn’t know whether it really was an unusual habit or not, but as long as she could escape those cheap sandwiches, she was fine with anything.
After finishing their meal and returning to the office, their superior Tony called everyone over.
He was Layton’s right-hand man and a man famous for having a loose tongue.
“Did you hear? The crazy Third Prince has returned!”
His excited voice rang out clearly to everyone.
Even Edwin, who had just walked in.
You said we were going to your house, so why are we going to the Imperial Palace?
Episode 4
After Paul left, a new desk and chair were brought into the office.
Rather than taking the spacious empty seat, Edwin chose the spot right beside Dana.
Layton, looking dejected, was still lingering beside Dana.
“……You came all the way here just to introduce one new recruit?”
His futile expectations turned into resentment toward Paul.
Then he ended up stabbing his thigh against the corner of the desk.
“Ow ow ow!”
Embarrassed, he glared for no reason at Dana, who was nearby.
“Hey, Dana Hartwin! Did you finish that report I assigned you last time?”
“You assigned me quite a few. Which one are you referring to?”
There was no way Layton, who had no interest in work, would know.
“You should be able to figure it out without me telling you! You always…… Ngh!”
His chattering mouth was silenced at that moment.
Edwin had pushed Layton’s face away with his large hand.
Layton was shoved unceremoniously into the middle of the office.
Like a dried-up leaf.
He stared at the new recruit with a look of disbelief.
Edwin curved his long eyes as if to say, What’s the problem?
“You kept standing in my spot.”
Leaving the dumbfounded Layton behind, Edwin gazed intently at Dana.
“Nice to see you again.”
For some reason, he seemed excited as he said it.
Did this guy already get on Layton’s bad side on his first day? If so, this could be troublesome……
Worried for Edwin for no particular reason, Dana whispered softly.
“First, you should apologize to Layton……”
“I can’t hear you very well.”
Edwin leaned his upper body toward Dana.
Is it okay for him to get this close……?
When he brought his ear closer to her, the flustered Dana blinked.
A cool, masculine scent suddenly wafted into her nose.
“So……”
Dana absentmindedly stared at his clean, handsome cheeks.
Even his eyelashes, which rested beautifully above them.
“So?”
Edwin smiled and repeated Dana’s words.
“First, you should say you’re sorry……”
“Ah, are you thinking about me?”
He shrugged as if it were nothing.
From a distance close enough for her to feel his breath, Edwin gave a small laugh.
“I’m happy.”
“…….”
Is that really something to be happy about?
Dana’s blue eyes showed her confusion.
That was when Layton’s angry shout rang out.
“Why are you two whispering instead of working?”
“Sorry about that.”
Dana quickly pulled away and pressed herself closer to the desk.
Layton pointed at her as he continued.
“Looks like you two get along well, huh? Then you’re in charge of training this guy!”
“Understood.”
Dana nodded.
When she first joined the company, she had suffered terribly because Layton had not properly handed over any of his work.
She hoped the new recruit wouldn’t have to go through the same hardship she had.
“I look forward to working with you, senior.”
Even under his superior’s continued yelling, Edwin wasn’t intimidated at all.
Instead, he showed off a pretty smile and held out a bottle of apple juice to Dana.
‘It’s my favorite juice!’
Was it just a coincidence?
Dana happily accepted the bottle of juice.
Seeing Dana like that, Edwin looked satisfied.
‘Wow, what is this? Why is it so delicious?’
Dana’s eyes widened.
She had tried countless apple juices over the years, but this was the first time she had tasted something so fragrant and rich.
“Do you like it? I’ll bring more tomorrow.”
Edwin smiled gently as he watched her satisfied expression.
It was apple juice freshly squeezed by the Imperial Palace chef, who had devoted himself to making it since dawn.
The apples that were supposed to be served at the Emperor’s breakfast had ended up in Dana’s mouth instead.
“Thank you, I enjoyed it.”
“Please speak comfortably with me, senior.”
The new recruit spoke to Dana in a gentle manner.
His polite attitude made Dana smile shyly.
“Should I, Edwin?”
“…….”
At that moment, Edwin’s eyes wavered.
Hearing his own name in Dana’s voice stirred an unfamiliar emotion inside him.
His heart felt full, and somehow warm……
“Edwin, are you okay?”
At Dana’s call, his vacant eyes regained focus.
“Ah, I’m fine. I just like it more than I expected……”
What does he like? Dana stood up from her seat.
“It’s time for me to go to the storage room. I’ll show you how to check the quantities.”
“Yes, senior.”
He answered in a gentle voice.
As the two walked down the hallway, Dana explained what he would be doing from now on.
“The main things we do are checking inventory and organizing reviews after using potions.”
Edwin listened to her voice as if spellbound.
Even after all these years, her clear and distinct voice was unchanged.
He walked slowly, matching Dana’s pace.
It was the first time in his life that he had adjusted his pace to someone else’s.
‘Not bad.’
If the person he was accommodating was Dana, he was willing to slow his steps as much as necessary.
At the very end of the hallway, they opened the door on the right, revealing the storage room.
The temperature inside the storage room, which resembled a warehouse, was extremely cold.
It was to keep the potions in a consistent condition.
‘Ugh, it’s always cold no matter when I come here.’
Dana shivered and pulled her collar tighter.
That was when Edwin’s hand touched her back.
“You have something on your back.”
As he said that, he gently brushed her back.
“Hm? Thanks.”
Afterward, Dana flipped through the documents and tilted her head.
‘Why does it feel strangely warm?’
She checked the magical thermometer because of the sudden change, but the temperature was exactly the same.
It must be my imagination. Dana brushed the thought aside.
She had to teach her junior right now.
“Edwin, can you see this chart? It’s always the same format, so it’ll be easy once you get used to it.”
“I see.”
“First, you enter the quantity of stamina recovery potions here, and the quantity of regeneration potions here……”
As she explained what he would be doing, she felt a strange gaze from the side.
“You’re supposed to look at the documents, not me.”
“Yes, understood.”
Edwin’s eyes turned back to the documents.
Dana’s explanation continued smoothly.
His attitude showed without reservation that he had been working diligently all this time.
“And the ones with a long expiration date go up there……”
Dana climbed onto a small ladder and reached out her hand.
‘Senior Tony, I told you not to put the boxes so far back…….’
Dana waved her hand around in the air, but eventually lost her footing.
She squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself for the pain that was about to come.
Then, an extremely low voice rang beside her ear.
“Be careful.”
Contrary to what she expected, where she fell was not the floor, but a firm embrace.
Edwin easily lifted Dana and set her back down on the floor.
His movements were delicate, as though he were handling a precious statue.
“……Thank you.”
Dana raised her head and thanked him.
Instead of answering, Edwin smiled gently.
Meanwhile, Dana tilted her head, feeling strange.
‘What was that just now?’
Hearing Edwin tell her to be careful gave her a distant sense of déjà vu.
‘Be careful.’
A worried voice that sounded as though she had heard it somewhere before……
What could it be? Just as she was lost deep in thought, the door to the storage room suddenly flew open.
It was Kira.
“Dana, it’s lunchtime!”
“Yeah, thanks for letting me know.”
Kindhearted Kira left to eat with the other coworkers after saying that.
Just thinking about the cheap sandwich she would have to eat today made her lose her appetite.
Dana forced away her stiff expression and spoke to Edwin.
“You worked hard listening to such a boring explanation. Enjoy your lunch……”
“Senior, I brought a packed lunch.”
“Hm?”
“There’s a lot.”
The corners of Edwin’s eyes curved beautifully.
“Shall we eat together?”
“……Should we?”
It was a smile she simply couldn’t refuse.
“You packed all of this yourself?”
Dana asked with a surprised expression.
“Yes. Isn’t it a little lacking?”
Edwin looked dissatisfied as he said it.
The two were sitting on a bench in front of the fountain, Dana’s usual designated lunch spot.
Edwin had more aristocratic manners than she expected.
Before sitting on the bench, he laid a handkerchief down where Dana would sit and asked if there was anywhere uncomfortable.
When she said she was fine, he laid out the meal, and it was incredible.
There was meat pie and salad that were easy to eat, and even well-dried apricots for dessert.
For Dana, who had been surviving on terrible sandwiches, it was food from heaven.
Moreover, everything seemed to be made with good ingredients, because the food practically gleamed.
Edwin cut the meat pie into bite-sized pieces and held it out to Dana.
“Thanks, I’ll enjoy it.”
A special meal for the first time in ages! Dana happily chewed on the food.
Edwin watched her with satisfaction.
‘It was worth preparing.’
At dawn today, the Imperial Palace kitchen had been turned upside down by the Third Prince, who had suddenly barged in.
The cookbook he had brought with him had also been more than enough to surprise the Imperial Palace chefs.
Regardless of all that, Edwin personally prepared food for Dana.
He even remembered to cast a warming spell so the food wouldn’t spoil.
Dana sincerely exclaimed,
“It’s delicious. You’re good at cooking?”
This is crazy. Why is it so delicious?
When her eyes lit up, Edwin spoke softly.
“Senior, I have a habit of preparing two servings of food.”
“Really? That’s an unusual habit.”
“So from now on, have lunch only with me.”
Just the two of us.
At those words, Dana nodded with her cheeks puffed out.
She didn’t know whether it really was an unusual habit or not, but as long as she could escape those cheap sandwiches, she was fine with anything.
After finishing their meal and returning to the office, their superior Tony called everyone over.
He was Layton’s right-hand man and a man famous for having a loose tongue.
“Did you hear? The crazy Third Prince has returned!”
His excited voice rang out clearly to everyone.
Even Edwin, who had just walked in.
