chapter_0184

183 – Daniel Steiner’s Abnormal Sexual Desire

183 – Daniel Steiner’s Abnormal Sexual Desire

“Red-eyed murderer? Could it be that Selvia has figured out Lucy’s true identity?”

If that were true, Daniel would find himself in a difficult position.

Selvia was the Emperor of the Empire, and Lucy was a biological weapon of the Allied Nations.

No matter whose side he chose, it was clear that he could not avoid a terrible future.

As Daniel, realizing that his survival was at stake, began to sweat, Lucy calmly spoke up.

“Your Majesty, while that may not be incorrect, murder is an inevitable part of war. The duty of a soldier is to kill the enemy.”

It was a reasonable argument.

However, to Selvia, Lucy’s words sounded like nothing more than a ridiculous excuse.

“Are you trying to claim that you are no different from ordinary soldiers?”

“I apologize, but that is indeed the case.”

“That’s absurd. As far as I know, you…”

Selvia stopped mid-sentence.

She had glanced at Daniel, who was standing next to her.

‘Daniel probably doesn’t know that woman is a spy for the Allied Nations.’

If he had known, he wouldn’t have kept her by his side as his aide all this time.

It was unthinkable that Daniel Steiner, who had shown such dedication to the Empire, would be hiding a spy.

‘I don’t want to make things difficult for him.’

Selvia, not wanting to argue in front of Daniel Steiner, cleared her throat.

“Colonel Daniel?”

At the sound of her calling, Daniel finally snapped back to reality and bowed deeply.

“Your Majesty, I sincerely apologize. I will take responsibility for my aide’s rude behavior and ensure that such an incident does not occur again. Please, I ask for your forgiveness.”

Though she felt a pang of guilt for putting Daniel in a bind, Selvia had no intention of backing down.

“I’m not angry. I simply wish to speak urgently with Colonel Daniel’s aide, so I would like to ask you to step aside.”

“With my aide?”

A sense of unease washed over him, but he could not dare refuse the Emperor’s request.

“…Understood. Just in case, I will wait outside.”

Daniel raised his head, cast a worried glance at Lucy, and then moved away.

After walking to the entrance of the conference hall, Daniel carefully closed the door behind him.

This left only the two women in the conference hall, where a light silence lingered.

As their gazes crossed, sparks seemed to fly, and Selvia quietly opened her mouth.

“You must have had a hard time hiding your identity in front of Colonel Daniel.”

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. That I am hiding my identity—”

“Code name Hongsa.”

Lucy’s eyes flickered for a moment.

Thinking she had hit the nail on the head, Selvia smiled faintly.

“Or perhaps you are also known as the Red-eyed Reaper? Specialized in assassinations, your main task is to hunt down and eliminate those who betray the Allied Nations. My, you must have had quite a tough time.”

“Your Majesty, I know nothing of that.”

“Indeed. You would want to keep playing dumb. But just because you say you don’t know doesn’t mean it can be overlooked. Unlike before, I have gathered evidence that you are a spy for the Allied Nations.”

Lucy’s expression, which had been indifferent, now showed signs of agitation.

Selvia slowly approached Lucy.

“Now that I have evidence, there is no problem in punishing you. However, considering that you have diligently served as Colonel Daniel’s aide, I will give you one chance.”

Clack—

The sound of heels echoed hollowly in the spacious conference hall.

Selvia stopped a few steps away from Lucy and spoke.

“Leave the Empire quietly. And do not return.”

This was Selvia’s gentle decree to a spy from an enemy nation.

However, Lucy was no fool.

She knew that Selvia would not extend kindness without reason.

“I understand. I see no need to leave the Empire.”

“…Are you deaf? I have obtained evidence that you are a spy for the Allied Nations. If you don’t believe me, I can show it to you.”

“It is likely true that Your Majesty has collected evidence. But then, why are you offering me a chance? What need is there for that?”

The situation took a turn.

As Selvia swallowed hard, Lucy continued calmly.

“You know, Your Majesty, that the moment you label me a spy, Colonel Daniel’s position will be severely shaken.”

If it were to be revealed that Daniel Steiner’s aide was actually a spy for the Allied Nations, it would cause quite a stir.

No matter how much the Imperial Daily defended him, independent newspapers thirsty for sensational stories would line up to print the article, and the public would consume it.

Rumors would spread in an instant, and soon the royal family and the military would have no choice but to hold Daniel Steiner accountable.

In that process, various rumors would circulate, and Daniel Steiner would be left utterly isolated.

Even if the situation somehow resolved itself, the label of “a soldier who didn’t even know his aide was a spy for the Allied Nations” would follow him for the rest of his life.

“When all is said and done, Colonel Daniel will blame Your Majesty. He gave everything to save you, yet you put him in a difficult position.”

Selvia’s blue eyes, reminiscent of a clear sea, trembled slightly.

It was only natural to feel flustered after having her intentions seen through.

She wanted to refute somehow, but her lips wouldn’t move.

There was nothing wrong with Lucy’s words.

‘In the worst-case scenario…’

Daniel Steiner might have to take off his military uniform and return to civilian life.

‘For Daniel, who considers serving the Empire the greatest honor, that would be a terrible thing that must not happen.’

For Selvia, who did not want to see the man she loved in pain, it was a choice she could never make.

Clenching her fists in frustration, Selvia steadied her resolve and glared at Lucy.

“If you won’t back down, I have my own way of getting rid of you.”

“…You mean personally?”

“Yes. While you may be performing your duties well as an aide now, I cannot predict what harm you might bring to Daniel in the future.”

It was a kind of assassination warning, but Lucy remained unfazed.

Having killed hundreds, Selvia’s threat seemed like nothing more than a child’s tantrum to her.

However, even a child’s tantrum could take a life when it came from the Emperor’s position.

Unsure of what to do, Lucy decided to reveal her true feelings after a brief contemplation.

“I have no intention of harming Colonel Daniel Steiner in the future.”

“Are you asking me to believe that?”

“I won’t force you to believe it. But to be honest, my relationship with the Allied Nations is not very good right now. This is because I raised questions about them.”

Selvia furrowed one eyebrow.

It was something she had never heard before.

“Since I raised questions, the Allied Nations have had no contact with me. They may consider me a traitor.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Even if the Allied Nations command me to kill Colonel Daniel, I will not comply. So I hope you can put your worries aside.”

Listening to her, Selvia’s mind became a whirlwind of confusion.

As she wavered, she finally spoke.

“It sounds as if you are concerned for Colonel Daniel.”

“Indeed. Perhaps I care even more than Your Majesty does.”

“…What did you say?”

Due to Lucy’s discussion of the size of her heart, veins began to pop on Selvia’s forehead.

“What makes you so confident that you know anything about Colonel Daniel?”

“I have spent over a year close to Colonel Daniel. Do you think no secrets have built up in that time?”

“Hah? I have secrets too. For example, about Kelly…”

At the mention of Kelly, Lucy’s expression turned solemn, a rare sight.

“I know about Kelly as well.”

She was the woman Daniel Steiner could not forget.

Recalling Daniel, who had taken out a photo and lost himself in admiration, Lucy placed her hand on her chest and said,

“I am ready to take Kelly’s place for Colonel Daniel. Are you prepared for that, Your Majesty?”

Selvia felt her confusion deepen at Lucy’s words.

‘Did I hear that right? She wants to be a dog for Daniel?’

The shock from the gap in information stiffened Selvia’s body.

After blinking blankly for a while, Selvia finally managed to speak.

“…Wait a moment. Does Colonel Daniel want that too?”

Recalling Daniel’s words, “You are more precious than Kelly,” Lucy nodded.

“Perhaps he does.”

At Lucy’s affirmation, Selvia broke out in a cold sweat without realizing it.

Her face began to heat uncontrollably, and the hair on her body stood on end.

Flustered, Selvia suddenly trembled.

‘I didn’t know…’

With her arms crossed and her gaze downcast, Selvia’s shoulders shrank.

‘I never thought Daniel would have such a preference…’

Her flushed face showed no signs of cooling down.