# 47
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“Exaggerated demand for doses?”
“Yes. At this point, the manufacturing department was going to raise questions, but it is completely silent. I searched everywhere and there is no entity that needs this huge amount of doses.”
Moreover, if officials ignore this, it is suspicious.
Edwin listened to her words, then spoke out what was on his mind.
“One of two cases, then: either Layton was in cahoots with them, or the officials were deceived by false reports.”
“The possibility of a false report exists. The final report always goes through Tony before it reaches Layton.”
Potions were manufactured, administered, and distributed through the Ministry of Magic, but were originally owned by the Imperial Palace.
If Lighten was stealing the potions for personal gain, the punishment would be severe.
A serious look appeared on Dana's face.
“If he were ling the doses himf, that might be easier.”
Edwin understood her concern immediately.
“Excessive doses cause disturbances, unbearable energy that may destroy the body.”
The currently widespread doses were diluted, and were used only for treatment and enhancing physical strength.
Excessive consumption of it provoked serious physical rejection.
However, there were people conducting secret experiments on monsters and humans, mixing potions with dark magic to turn them into weapons.
In the recent monster incident, traces of this were found, but the mastermind was not revealed.
Dana tried hard to remove her frown.
“It's true that Lighten has a bad temper... but he's not that bold. I rule it out.”
“If you think so, then so be it.”
Edwin placed his hand on top of hers.
The situation alone is stressful enough for Dana; He had no intention of adding another worry.
“Shall we eat now?”
He smiled a calm smile.
"Yes."
Dana smiled back at him, and together they headed to the dining room.
***
After they finished eating, Dana climbed the stairs leading to the second floor library.
Walking up the central staircase in the lobby, there was a painting bathed in a pink glow.
The painting “Flowers of Ives” brought by Edwin from the Emperor.
Even Dana, despite her little knowledge of art, realized that the painting was extremely valuable—a piece that might be displayed in the palace hall without shame among its masterpieces.
She turned to Edwin, who was following her.
“Edwin, where did you get that painting? The flowers in it are so beautiful.”
“I was brought from a distant land. Do you like it?”
“Yes, its bright colors make me feel cheerful.”
Dana stood at the railing, looking up at the painting.
The pink flowers were of a shape she had never seen before.
Edwin stood beside her, explaining gently.
“Ives grow only in the far East. It is said that couples who own this painting become happier.”
His warm gaze drifted towards her.
“That is, the affection between them deepens.”
Dana's face flushed faintly.
No matter how much she heard Edwin's emotional expressions, she did not get used to them easily.
Edwin laughed lowly as he saw her rosy cheeks against her black hair.
Dana pretended not to care, then changed the subject.
“Did you buy it yourf?”
Edwin thought for a moment, then answered.
“It was a gift.”
The emperor's face, wet with tears, came to his mind.
That was only a few days ago.
After moving into the new mansion, he started buying things that would make the place comfortable for Dana.
As the furniture was completed, he felt that something special was still missing.
Something unique...and rare.
Where can he find it?
He didn't think long.
He went straight to the Imperial Palace.
At the same time, the Empress entered her room with a distressed expression.
“What’s the matter? It’s sword training time.”
The Estel Family House, the home of the Empress Mother, was famous in the empire as the family that laid the foundations of the sword arts.
She is an accomplished swordsman herf, and did not neglect her training even after she became Empress.
“My dear, an amazing masterpiece has arrived!”
The Emperor rushed towards her with an excited face.
The Empress avoided his embrace indifferently.
“Are you inviting me just for this?”
“No! This business should not be treated lightly!”
“I bought another painting then.”
Unlike the art-loving Emperor, the Empress showed no interest in paintings.
“But this one is completely different!”
At a signal from the Emperor, the servant lifted the cover from the painting.
The painting was full of pink flowers.
The Emperor said with subdued emotion.
“It is the Ives flower, which grows in distant lands... and it is said that it deepens the affection between spouses...”
“And you believe such myths?”
The Emperor's shoulder trembled under the cold tone in her voice.
“Anyway… All I want is to live a long, happy life with the Empress….”
His eyebrows fell with childish sadness.
He knew her heart softened when he looked like this.
He pretended to be more distressed, and cast hesitant looks at her.
The Empress sighed.
As he expected, the intensity of her eyes began to soften.
“Okay! As soon as I hang it in the Empress’s room, I—”
However, it was suddenly cut off.
“This is really great work.”
The quiet, lazy voice came from the side of the door.
It's Edwin.
Why is he here...?
The astonishment did not last long, as the Emperor quickly covered the painting again.
“Ah… aha! My little one has come! What brings you?”
Edwin advanced with long, slack steps.
His eyes were fixed on the painting.
“I came looking for a painting to decorate the house with. It seems I found what I wanted.”
"W-home? And why... no, wait... you should buy a new one!"
“Why should I? Here there are countless rare works.”
“H-Okay... Your father will give you another painting...”
My dear, help me...
The Emperor's pleading gaze reached the Empress.
She said, and she picked up the thread of the situation immediately.
“Is this the house you will live in with your wife?”
Then she continued in a questioning tone.
“Leaving residence in the Crown Prince’s Palace and living in an independent house...what is the reason?”
“I will explain everything later.”
“Okay. Carry the plate carefully.”
And with that the Empress left the room.
The Emperor kept looking at Edwin with a depressed face.
“Edwin...”
"Thank you all."
Edwin took the painting and left immediately.
Ah…
The Emperor remained alone in the spacious room, his head bowed.
“Edwin...did you really receive it as a gift?”
Dana asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
With her voice, the last vestiges of the Emperor's image were erased from his mind.
“Someone would gladly give you a painting this rare? He's a really generous person.”
But she had heard that he had imported it from a distant country.
Confusion appeared on Dana's face.
Importing a precious painting from abroad requires a significant amount of wealth, and this is what she knew well.
Carl, and the person who gave him the painting...
Edwin had unimaginable knowledge.
'Now I'm thinking... how did he even get this house?'
What life did he live before she met him?
The Edwin that Dana knew was kind, very pure.
‘Is he really the illegitimate son of a noble…?’
That idea seemed logical. Maybe he was hiding it because it didn't agree with his principles.
I will give him confidence first...then he will find the courage to reveal what he is hiding.
Dana turned her gaze from the painting to Edwin.
“Edwin, you said you would introduce me to your parents soon, right?”
His eyes twitched for a moment.
Dana gave him extra courage.
“Any time is fine. Just let me know when you're ready. Whatever is yours, I accept it.”
She smiled at him, interlacing his fingers between hers.
There was pure blue in her eyes, overflowing with confidence and affection.
Edwin smiled back.
But he felt that his smile was not rising as he wanted.
He gripped her hand more tightly.
Then intertwine her fingers carefully, leaving no way out.
He never had any intention of leaving Dana.
Not a single moment.