chapter_0104

103 – Each Person’s Choice

103 – Each Person’s Choice

The sight of the two women looking at each other was so strange it was unsettling.

Is this what it feels like to sit on thorns?

‘I don’t know why they’re fighting, but…’

Daniel, thinking he should mediate, opened his mouth with a smile.

“Whether it’s silverware or goldware, they’re the same in that they’re used for eating. Which one you use ultimately depends on personal preference, so I don’t think there’s any need to argue.”

Both women’s gazes turned to Daniel.

The gazes were far from friendly, and Daniel involuntarily broke out in a cold sweat.

“Personal preference?”

Selvia was the first to speak in the silence.

“Then, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, which would you choose, goldware or silverware?”

The question, with its obvious intent, sent a chill down his spine.

Just as he was wondering if he had interfered unnecessarily, the Imperial orchestra changed its tune.

The music, which had been leisurely until now, was now playing at a slightly faster tempo.

Judging by the brighter mood of the song, it was a performance announcing the ball, the highlight of the banquet.

Daniel, thinking it was an opportunity to change the subject, quickly steered the conversation.

“Has it already gotten this late? If possible, may I have the honor of witnessing Her Highness’s dance?”

Selvia, displeased with Daniel’s slippery evasion, decided to let it go this once and nodded.

“If you would be my partner, I see no reason not to. Would you like to dance?”

“If Your Highness wishes, I would be delighted.”

As Daniel rose from his seat, Selvia also stood up.

Glancing sideways at Lucy, Selvia took Daniel to the center of the hall.

Near the Christmas tree, couples were already enjoying the dance.

“Daniel.”

Selvia, walking and looking at them, parted her lips.

Selvia, who was about to tell him that his adjutant was suspicious, soon shook her head.

She decided that it would be better not to spread uncertain information.

So she decided to just ask another question.

“Have you ever considered joining the Imperial Guard?”

Her voice was uncharacteristically trembling.

Daniel, taking Selvia’s hand to waltz, replied.

“I received the same offer from Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann before. I’m afraid I have to give you the same answer as then.”

Hearing the answer, Selvia gently bit her lower lip.

She respected Daniel’s opinion, but she couldn’t hide her displeasure.

Daniel, puzzled by this, spoke again.

“…Your Highness. Is something the matter?”

Of course, there was.

Selvia was currently absorbing all power as the next Emperor of the Empire.

Power is, by its very nature, about receiving oaths of allegiance from those who belong to the head of the group.

In the process, Selvia felt a sense of emptiness.

This was because she vaguely knew that the nobles who were responsible for the core of the country did not sincerely follow her.

Power was becoming increasingly concentrated, but Selvia found it difficult to tell whether it was her own power or not.

She couldn’t even know what those who claimed to be her allies were really thinking.

So Selvia wanted to keep someone she could trust by her side.

Someone who had saved her life twice and had not hesitated to fight the prince.

‘But…’

Pouring out this uneasy feeling was not much different from acting spoiled.

It was the same as showing a disgraceful side that a future Emperor should not show.

An Emperor is someone who must rule and lead all people.

Selvia, thinking that she could not show weakness, gave a bitter smile.

“It’s nothing.”

As the orchestra’s performance began to intensify, the two began to move their feet.

Selvia could see that his dance moves were as skilled as if he was tired of it.

Compared to Selvia, Daniel’s movements were somewhat clumsy, but they didn’t look too bad on the outside.

“You dance quite well.”

“Didn’t Your Highness say before that you have to be able to dance this well to avoid being looked down upon?”

Selvia, recalling the past, nodded.

She would never be able to forget dancing together under the moonlight, even if she wanted to.

“There should be a reward for a student who remembers the teachings well. Tell me, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. Is there anything you want?”

There was one thing he wanted.

“Since you mention a reward, I dare to ask. Your Highness. If possible, could you issue an order that would allow me to be active on the battlefield?”

Selvia’s feet, which had been moving gracefully, stopped.

Thanks to this, Daniel almost tripped, but he managed to regain his balance.

“…Your Highness?”

Confusion swirled in Selvia’s blue eyes.

Selvia, catching her breath from dancing, looked up at Daniel.

“I don’t understand why. You want to go to the battlefield? Weren’t you satisfied with what happened in the Bellanos territorial waters?”

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand Selvia’s words.

However, the problem was that if he made a mistake, he could suffer the same fate in the Imperial City as he had in the Bellanos territorial waters.

Daniel couldn’t say to the princess, “Your father is tormenting me,” so he gave an awkward smile and made an excuse.

“Your Highness. You have risen to the position of heir, but domestic public opinion is not entirely favorable. Some are even spreading absurd rumors that Daniel Steiner is manipulating the Imperial Family.”

“What about such street rabble’s nonsense?”

“It is nonsense. But when one dog barks, other dogs tend to bark along. When dogs start barking, their owner will also try to find the cause.”

Daniel gently grasped Selvia’s hand.

“Therefore, I believe that the best thing for Your Highness and I is to maintain a distance that is neither too close nor too far. By sending me to the battlefield, please let everyone know that ‘Daniel Steiner is just a soldier.'”

By sending Daniel, who had survived death in Bellanos, to the battlefield again, he would quell the nobles’ suspicions.

It was a reasonable proposal, but Selvia couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“…Are you telling me to send you to your death with my own hands?”

In Selvia’s eyes, Daniel seemed to be showing a terrible spirit of sacrifice for her sake.

The reality was that he was just struggling to survive, but Daniel, who didn’t need to reveal his inner thoughts, said in a helpless tone.

“This is the only way for both Your Highness and I to survive.”

This was genuine.

Selvia, receiving Daniel’s gaze, opened her mouth after a brief silence.

“Then promise me just one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Promise me that you will never die. And that you will come to see me on the day of the coronation.”

Daniel, who had no intention of dying, smiled and nodded.

“I will keep that in mind, Your Highness.”

*

Lucy was watching Selvia and Daniel’s secret conversation from afar.

She didn’t know what they were talking about, but she could tell that they were having a pretty serious conversation.

Selvia had suddenly stopped dancing and was talking to Daniel in a serious manner.

She was wondering what they were talking about.

“Lucy Emilia.”

A familiar voice came from behind.

Lucy knew who the owner of that voice was without turning around.

Theobalt Berno.

He was the head of the Allied Nations Intelligence Agency’s Palentia branch.

“This is a recall order. Pack your bags and return home in the near future.”

Lucy’s shoulders flinched.

Lucy, choosing her words, replied after taking a deep breath.

“I refuse.”

It was a word that should never have come out of a spy’s mouth, but Theobalt did not scold or get angry.

He simply stared at Lucy’s back and frowned.

“Is it because of Daniel Steiner? Has that man bewitched you?”

“…No.”

“Then what is the reason? If you were in your right mind, you wouldn’t choose to betray the Allied Nations.”

Lucy gritted her teeth at Theobalt’s audacity.

“Lucy Project.”

“……”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know about this. I will not be loyal to the Allied Nations until everything is clear.”

There was no answer.

Theobalt, seemingly flustered, paused for a moment before opening his mouth.

“You will definitely regret your choice.”

With those words, Theobalt slowly retreated.

Only then did Lucy relax and look ahead, blinking blankly.

Daniel, having finished dancing, was walking alone.

Lucy, puzzled by this, opened her mouth.

“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? Where is Her Highness?”

“Ah. Her Highness has many people to meet after the banquet, so I couldn’t keep her. But…”

Daniel asked, puzzled.

“Weren’t you just talking to a man?”

Lucy, wondering whether to tell the truth to Daniel’s question, shook her head.

She didn’t want to involve Daniel in her personal affairs.

“He wanted to dance with me. I refused.”

“…Is that necessary? You should enjoy yourself since you’ve come to the banquet.”

“I’ve never learned to dance, so I wouldn’t find it fun.”

“I see.”

Daniel, feeling somewhat sorry, reached out to Lucy.

“Then I’ll teach you. There’s still some time left before the banquet ends.”

Lucy, not expecting to be invited to dance, looked up at Daniel in surprise.

After hesitating for a moment, Lucy soon took Daniel’s hand.

Lucy, feeling the warmth of their touching hands, looked at Daniel and smiled faintly.

“If you wish, I will gladly follow.”

In the moonlight streaming through the window, Lucy could be sure.

She would never regret this choice.