chapter_0118

117 – Different Dreams

117 – Different Dreams

A week later, at the Imperial Palace.

Emperor Bertham’s bedroom.

“What do you think of His Majesty’s condition?”

In response to the words of the Chief of the Guard, Johannes Kunz, the physician inserted medical equipment.

“I have done my best, but currently, His Majesty is experiencing a decline in circulatory function along with organ failure. We are taking medical measures to minimize His Majesty’s suffering, but beyond that, there seems to be no effective solution.”

Johannes, who had been silent, looked down at the physician and clenched his fist tightly.

“How can there be no way? His Majesty is still…”

“Enough.”

It was Bertham’s voice from the bed.

As the two men fell silent, Bertham raised his hand to dismiss them.

“Physician, you may go now. You have done your best.”

The physician closed his medical bag, stood up, and bowed his head toward Bertham.

“I will pray to God for Your Majesty’s swift recovery.”

The physician, expressing his regret, turned and walked out.

Johannes, who had been staring at the physician’s retreating figure, sighed and sat beside Bertham.

“Your Majesty. Now more than ever, you must not give up and take care of your health.”

Bertham let out a dry laugh at Johannes’s words.

“Stop with the flattery. Did you not hear what the physician just said? He said he would pray to God. It’s the same as saying that no one but God can cure my illness.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Stop with the clumsy consolation. Death is a natural thing; I don’t understand why everyone is making such a fuss and looking so sorrowful. It’s just irritating.”

After a brief silence, Johannes spoke up.

“…If we were to smile instead of frown, wouldn’t that be even more bizarre and irritating? Perhaps everyone is pretending to cry so that Your Majesty doesn’t order executions in your anger.”

Bertham glanced at Johannes with rolling eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching.

Then he burst into laughter, as if he could no longer contain himself.

Johannes’s joke had struck a chord with him.

“You’re not wrong. If they don’t want to die, it would be wise for them to pretend to cry. Of course, there is one exception.”

“Exception?”

“There’s a wolf in the General Staff that is trying to make itself bigger.”

Daniel Steiner, Colonel.

As Bertham mentioned the young officer, he turned his gaze to the ceiling.

“Speaking of which, let’s put aside the gloomy talk and discuss that fellow. I heard that the leader of the Liberty Socialist Party has been revealed to be a collaborator; is that correct?”

Johannes nodded.

“Yes. They are currently investigating those involved, but Daniel Steiner is not disclosing any information obtained during the investigation to the public.”

“Is that all?”

“No. Recently, some media outlets have published speculative articles suggesting that the person closely related to the leader of the Liberty Socialist Party is Baron Hendleim.”

According to Johannes, the first newspaper to publish the article was Melbarotten.

“When the speculative article spread like wildfire, Daniel Steiner held a press conference to clear up the misunderstandings. At that press conference, he earnestly appealed for the public to stop the one-sided accusations against Baron Hendleim.”

Bertham blinked in surprise.

“Daniel Steiner defended a noble? Why?”

“I don’t know the exact circumstances, but I heard he asked for the false reports to stop until proper investigation results come out. Additionally, he reportedly made several statements in support of Baron Hendleim.”

“Daniel Steiner took the lead in blocking the accusations against Baron Hendleim. What does the Chief of the Guard think his intentions are?”

“I’m not well-versed in politics, but I think Daniel, feeling cornered, is trying to make peace with the nobles.”

Bertham, lost in thought with half-closed eyes, soon shook his head.

“In my view, Daniel Steiner is trying to undermine the nobles. He’s sowing seeds of doubt everywhere. That damn fool…”

Contrary to his words, Bertham let out a chuckle as if he found it amusing.

“The more I see him, the more I want him. If I were just ten years younger, I would have made him a loyal ally of the Imperial Family…”

He had met him too late.

Now, Daniel Steiner had grown strong enough to easily tear apart an old and sick lion.

All Bertham could do now was hope that Daniel did not harbor any ill intentions toward the Imperial Family.

–

At the same time, Daniel, who had arrived at the General Staff, was sipping coffee by the window in the lounge.

‘I might really die like this…’

After arresting Kemble, the leader of the Liberty Socialist Party, as a collaborator, Daniel had been working non-stop for a week.

Except for a few hours of catnaps, he had been completely immersed in work.

This was not because Daniel was a workaholic, but due to the anxiety that if he took even a moment to rest, he could become fodder for the media.

As Daniel had anticipated, the Imperial Daily was churning out articles stating, “Daniel Steiner has begun his political maneuvers.”

‘Thank goodness I reported first through Melbarotten that the leader of the Liberty Socialist Party was a collaborator…’

If he hadn’t acted first, the Imperial Daily would have twisted the truth, framing the search and seizure as mere party support logic.

‘That’s a relief, but…’

He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had stepped into a swamp from which he couldn’t easily escape.

He was becoming so mentally exhausted that he was even starting to crave the cigarettes he had quit during his cadet days.

‘If this were a game, it would be nice.’

Then he could delete his character and be reborn in some neutral country, enjoying pastoral peace.

But since this was reality, he had no choice but to navigate the situation as wisely as possible.

‘For now…’

Having made statements in support of Baron Hendleim during the press conference, he would soon see a reaction from the other side.

Whether things would go as planned was uncertain, but Daniel believed that this choice had the highest probability of success.

“….”

He could see reporters swarming like ants at the entrance of the General Staff through the window.

As he quietly observed them, Daniel lifted a paper cup and took a sip of coffee.

Enjoying the tranquility of the empty lounge, Daniel suddenly reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a photograph.

It was a picture of a golden retriever with a bright smile.

Looking at it made him feel as if his anxiety and worries about the future were melting away.

Just as Daniel was finding comfort in memories of the past, Lucy entered the lounge.

It was the moment Lucy approached to convey a message to Daniel.

“Kelly. I want to hold you.”

Daniel’s voice, dampened with emotion, made Lucy freeze.

Not realizing that Lucy had entered the lounge, Daniel continued to mutter to himself.

“I miss your embrace. Rolling around in your arms was the joy of my life.”

Lucy’s eyes widened in surprise, like a startled cat.

Her face turned slightly red as well.

From Lucy’s perspective, Daniel’s words could only be interpreted as referring to a sexual relationship.

Quickly glancing around, Lucy realized that no one else was present and felt a sense of relief.

It would be disastrous if someone found out that Daniel was longing for a relationship with his deceased wife.

Determined to stop Daniel before he made a mistake, Lucy cleared her throat loudly.

Only then did Daniel seem to sense her presence, wiping his eyes and putting the photograph away.

Taking a deep breath, Daniel turned around and saw Lucy looking at him with a somewhat flushed face.

“Lieutenant?”

When asked what brought her here, Lucy opened her mouth as calmly as she could.

“…I have come to inform you that Colonel Daniel Steiner has been summoned by the Imperial Family. It is the command of Her Highness the Princess to discuss the results of the inspection, so please visit the Imperial Palace after work.”

So it was today that he was being called.

Daniel nodded calmly.

“Thank you for letting me know. I will visit the Imperial Palace right after work.”

Although Daniel expressed his agreement, Lucy did not turn to leave.

She seemed hesitant, as if she had something more to say, which puzzled him.

Wondering what was going on, Daniel soon had a small realization.

‘She must be extremely tired after working all day following me.’

It was only natural that she would have accumulated some dissatisfaction, and Daniel spoke nonchalantly.

“I completely understand your frustration. You must have a lot on your mind lately. Today is busy for me, but I think it would be good for us to take a walk together and talk soon.”

At the mention of a walk, Lucy’s red eyes trembled slightly.

For Lucy, who had some misunderstanding, Daniel’s words did not sound ordinary.

Thinking she must not let this slide, Lucy barely managed to hold onto her rationality.

“…I’m fine.”

“Why not? Talking while taking a walk—”

“I said I’m fine…!”

Thanks to Lucy’s rare consecutive refusals, Daniel was taken aback.

Unable to face Daniel properly, Lucy half-opened her eyes and turned her gaze away.

With her face flushed, she let out a low breath, bowed her head toward Daniel, and hurriedly turned to leave.

Daniel could only watch Lucy’s retreating figure in a daze.

‘What on earth did I do wrong?’

He couldn’t understand her reaction at all.

A word from the author (author’s note)

Thank you to the readers who read today as well!

I heard that the spring flowers will bloom early this year!

I hope the cold that torments both you and me will retreat soon!

Then, I’ll see you again tomorrow!