# 11
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'What's the matter?' Didn't he follow me this time?'
Dana turned around with a face of some surprise.
Tony, like Lighten in his nature, was infinitely arrogant in front of those weaker than him.
But now Tony was frozen in place, rigid, with an unmistakable face: the face of terror.
Then a gentle voice caught Dana's attention.
“Senpai, how is the business trip going?”
“Ah, right… Edwin, this is your first time.”
While they did not know it, they had arrived at the square at the fountain, and sat on a wooden bench to open the lunch basket.
Dana began explaining the details of the mission.
“As you heard a moment ago, our job is to visit the Imperial Cavalry Corps. Most of the medical work will be handled by the palace doctors, but our job is to carry medical doses and conduct questionnaires.”
She smiled slightly.
“It's just a formality.”
“I heard that we will be visiting the Rune Knights Corps this time, so will we be heading to the monster spawn area?”
"We won't go that far. We'll just meet the Knights at the base. That's what always happens."
"Understood."
Edwin thought then that he would see the guards first.
He remembered the knights he had chosen to guard.
They were all of his own choosing.
'On what basis was I choosing them...?'
In fact, there was little standard.
All that mattered was that he was afraid that they would get bored of remaining in their places without moving, so he chose the one who would not stop chattering.
Or someone who talks to dolls, for example.
'So far I find I've made a good choice.'
He nodded in admiration at his previous judgment.
“The north is still cold.”
Dana remembered her past when she worked there.
“Even though it was spring, the snow was piling up to the ankles.”
“Then the journey will be difficult for you.”
Dana smiled at his words.
“Aren't you going to get tired?”
He just smiled silently.
He was used to the harshness of the North after many years of battles there.
“If you get tired of walking, lean on me.”
“I'm not a child!”
“But you often get stuck on snowy roads.”
'How did he know that?'
Dana's eyes widened in surprise.
In the capital, snow is rarely seen, which is why it fell frequently when I served in the north.
“How did you know that… I faint!”
A piece of bread suddenly entered her mouth.
Edwin planted it himf.
All the while, he kept putting other bites in her mouth, so that she hardly had time to speak, but was forced to chew what he put into her.
'Delicious as always.'
After Dana was accustomed to eating the same food day after day, the food Edwin prepared was the ultimate luxury.
Every time he brought the fork closer to her mouth, her expression changed in various ways, and Edwin looked at her, smiling contentedly.
‘This isn’t caring… it’s more like raising a pet.’
Dana thought to herf, as she swallowed what was left, feeling something strange.
Then an angry voice rang out.
"Look at this! I knew it was like this!"
The man shaking with rage was Tony.
"You two are in a relationship, right?! That's why you rejected me!"
Before Dana could raise her head, another piece of bread was shoved into her mouth.
“Let me handle it. Senpai, continue eating.”
“A...you?”
“Your eyes should only see what is beautiful.”
Then Tony became more agitated.
“Do you mean that I am ugly then?!”
Edwin stood quietly, walking towards him with steady steps.
He was a full head taller than him, and wider than him, enough to inspire awe in the other.
His long eyes bent down with a smile, and on his face there was a sparkle that was unknown whether it was from sunlight or from a mysterious aura.
Tony froze in shock, then quickly woke up.
"Heh, Dana! You shouldn't just choose guys with their faces!"
“Her ection was not based on face alone.”
Edwin interrupted.
Tony took a hard look at him.
It took time for his sight to move from his head to his feet.
Edwin took a step towards Tony.
"You."
“What, me?”
“You knew Dana always spent her lunch here, right?”
“And you know that she only makes spoiled sandwiches.”
“……So what’s the problem!”
“And you knew she worked extra hours every day.”
“And stressful business trips were always hers, while you were busy dodging.”
“And what about me!”
The corner of Edwin's lip rose.
That face, which was always smiling, now showed signs of cruelty.
As he got closer, his shadow covered Tony's head.
“And during all that trouble Dana went through...what were you doing?”
“That… that was Dana’s own choice…!”
“Who denied that?”
Edwin shrugged.
“I'm just asking you to think from her perspective.”
“While she was toiling and toiling, there was a president who was panting after flattery to live in comfort, and then suddenly, without any preliminaries, he dropped a marriage proposal.”
“That is you.”
There is nothing that confuses a person more than a sudden confession, especially when it comes from someone who has no feelings for him.
Tony's face, which had turned red, soon turned black with anger, as he said with trembling lips:
“I will spread the word among everyone that you two are in a relationship. No work or seriousness, just fun and love...”
“It doesn't matter.”
Edwin clicked his tongue.
“The truth is, it's just feelings on my part. I just like Dana.”
“One-sided love.”
He said, patting Tony on the shoulder.
He did not want Dana to be involved in talk about fun and foolishness and to be embarrassed in front of others.
“Now go. It remains for me to finish my meal.”
He said it in a cold voice.
But suddenly, Tony pushed him and ran towards Dana.
This sudden action was enough to make Edwin lose his mind.
His hand went to the back of Tony's neck.
The same cruel hand that always killed monsters.
Heat rose from his fingertips, almost creating fire.
But at that moment a calm voice came.
“Mr. Tony.”
It's Dana's voice.
Edwin stopped his attack.
It almost showed Dana a mean side of him.
As for Tony, he looked confused when Dana walked up to him.
Then he shouted sarcastically:
“What am I missing! Why do you reject me!”
It was humiliation after humiliation.
Dana exhaled a sigh, then said in a clear tone.
“Stop being groveling like a child.”
"cringe…!"
“Then what right do you have to suppose I should kiss you?”
“Because... of course...”
“I abhor your baseness. Do not approach me to flattery.”
“I always hated hearing you comment on passing women. And I hate even more that you hijack your colleagues’ accomplishments.”
“I didn't steal anything, we did it together...”
“Then I want a better life than this. If I married you, my life would keep repeating itf in vain.”
“Enough... enough...!”
Tony listened in amazement, until his tears flowed.
“Why so! You are such a good and gentle girl!”
“I am not good, but I was tired, so I refrained from discussing with you.”
He looked as if he had received a more severe shock than facing Edwin.
“Do you hate me that much...?”
"Yes."
“You made me cry...”
“Then cry.”
“Aww…” Tony rubbed his eyes with his shirt sleeve and scurried away.
“I talked too much... I’m thirsty.”
Dana sat back on the bench, grabbed the apple juice and drank it in one go.
Edwin watched her, then burst out laughing.
“Why are you laughing?”
she asked, finishing the bottle of juice.
“Because I see something new.”
His laughter didn't stop.
Maybe he too thought, as Tony did, that Dana was just a good girl.
But it turns out she has another side, a firm and unyielding one.
She was just tired, so she didn't want to get into trouble.
It is multifaceted.
Even this bold side seemed endearing to him.
“I really like you, senpai.”
His sudden confession no longer surprised Dana.
Ah, I remembered!
She shouted, an idea flashing into her mind
“You know the magic tool I told you about last time? Can I borrow it today?”
“Of course. Ask whatever you want, I’ll bring it to you.”
He said it gently.
To be able to borrow a magical tool that even the nobles themves would have difficulty obtaining… that is proof of the strength of Edwin's network.
Dana smiled brightly.
“So, I want the photo recording ball.”
As soon as I asked, Edwin immediately got up.
He didn't even ask her why she would use it.
A short time later, Dana was handed a precious magical tool, carefully wrapped.
She was surprised that it happened so quickly.
“Thank you, I will take good care of her.”
“Use it as you wish.”
He smiled at her tenderly.