chapter_0165

164 – Daniel Steiner, the Male Lead of the Romance Fantasy

164 – Daniel Steiner, the Male Lead of the Romance Fantasy

The officers, under Daniel’s command, grasped the doorknob without a word and pulled it open.

As the door swung open, Selvia, dressed in a one-piece, was seen from behind.

The bright moonlight descending from the full moon illuminated Selvia in a pitiful manner.

Though an atmosphere suggested he should not approach, Daniel did not hesitate.

As he stepped into the room, Daniel quietly spoke.

“Your Majesty.”

His low voice, gentle as a breeze, made Selvia’s shoulders tremble slightly.

Yet, she did not turn around.

It was as if Selvia had known Daniel would come, as she quietly parted her lips.

“…Come in, Daniel.”

Nodding, Daniel slowly approached Selvia.

Standing beside her, Daniel naturally admired the scenery spread out below the terrace.

He could see numerous tanks and soldiers stationed across the vast Imperial City.

The tanks looked like toys, and the busy soldiers appeared as small as ants.

Selvia had been watching the 7th Armored Division enter the Imperial City, which is why she knew Daniel would come to find her.

“Your Majesty, as you can see, everything is now in order…”

Turning to the side, Daniel began to speak but fell silent.

There was no trace of vitality on Selvia’s face, which was only partially visible through her half-closed eyes.

Moreover, faint tear stains were visible.

“Do you know?”

Her dry voice cracked aimlessly.

“Why do you think I decided to become Emperor?”

Daniel found it difficult to answer.

A mere soldier should not dare to fathom the Emperor’s intentions.

As Daniel remained silent, Selvia continued after a brief pause.

“Honestly, I never wanted to be an Emperor.”

What followed were somewhat shocking revelations from Selvia.

“I could say I had no interest at all. What I dreamed of as a child was to meet a man I loved and build a family.”

At that time, politics and power were nothing more than illusions to Selvia.

There was no need to touch them, nor did she want to.

“But thoughts can change.”

As if recalling a past she wished to forget, Selvia exhaled softly.

“When I turned ten, my brother killed a maid who was following me. The reason was that the maid did not obey his orders.”

The maid met her death for refusing to comply with an unjust command to undress.

At that time, Selvia was deeply shocked and reported the incident to her father, appealing to many nobles in the Imperial Palace, but the response was to “be quiet.”

The reason was that if it became known that a prince had committed murder, the authority of the royal family would be shaken.

“That’s when I realized. The royal family had many structural problems. Moreover, if my brother, who felt no guilt about killing, became Emperor, I instinctively knew that this empire would surely be filled with sorrow.”

Selvia’s breath mingled with the night wind and scattered.

“So, I decided to become Emperor. If I didn’t, no one would be able to stand against my brother.”

To ensure that the death of the maid who had followed her was not in vain, Selvia did her utmost.

From a position with no foundation, she built her own power and engaged in political propaganda, even going to the front lines to encourage the soldiers.

During that time, Daniel Steiner appeared.

Daniel Steiner, who stood out in every aspect, assisted Selvia in many ways to become Emperor.

Thus, as Selvia became Emperor, she held onto hope.

Even if she couldn’t make the empire greater than it was, she wanted to create a livable empire.

…Though it was all in vain.

“I viewed politics based on principles. If I, as Emperor, worked for the happiness of the majority, those who opposed me would eventually surrender and cooperate.”

But reality was different.

“I was wrong. Politics was ultimately driven by self-interest.”

The noble alliance, fully aware that their actions would plunge the empire into chaos, incited war.

They imprisoned their Emperor, seized the power of the empire, and spread false rumors.

Even knowing that this would instill fear in the people, collapse the market economy, and weaken military discipline, they proceeded.

Everything was for the sake of the benefits they would enjoy.

“I realized too late. I could say my incompetence created this chaos.”

Seeing Selvia, with dead eyes, uttering words of self-reproach was pitiful.

After a moment of choosing his words, Daniel spoke.

“It is not Your Majesty’s fault. No one could have anticipated that the noble alliance would seize the Imperial City by exploiting the late Emperor’s funeral.”

The noble alliance, having swallowed their fear of the variable that was Daniel Steiner, acted hastily.

That haste was a betrayal of humanity, and it was an event that would defy many expectations.

Even if someone wiser than Selvia had taken the Emperor’s place, it would have been difficult to predict.

However, Selvia’s heart bore wounds too deep to accept Daniel’s comfort.

“How many would believe me if you, Colonel Daniel, said it wasn’t my fault? I am already—”

“Your Majesty!”

Daniel interrupted Selvia, raising his voice.

“Pull yourself together! You have governed rightly! How could the uprising of the noble alliance be Your Majesty’s fault? I assure you, all the people will blame not Your Majesty, but Duke Belvar, the leader of the traitors.”

Daniel, who had spoken passionately, gazed at Selvia, who looked at him with somewhat surprised eyes.

“You should not be dwelling on self-reproach right now, but rather thinking about how to stabilize the empire. Therefore, I would like to propose the fastest way for you to stabilize the empire from now on.”

His expression was serious, but Daniel’s inner thoughts were different.

‘This is the last chance to take off my uniform…!’

With his mind made up, Daniel knelt before Selvia.

“Your Majesty, I humbly request that you dismiss me.”

At the mention of dismissal, Selvia’s eyes wavered.

Flustered, Selvia struggled to speak.

“…Dismiss me? Why would you say such a thing?”

“Your Majesty, I must inform you that I, Daniel Steiner, currently control the Imperial City and have reclaimed all power institutions. Therefore, it is highly likely that not only the people but also the military and politicians believe that the real power of the empire is no longer Your Majesty, but Daniel Steiner.”

Daniel bowed his head humbly.

“Thus, by dismissing me, you can reclaim all power. You have a justification for my dismissal due to my retreat without orders. If you do so, I will withdraw without any resistance.”

Daniel’s unwavering voice carried sincerity.

However, from Selvia’s perspective, she could not understand Daniel’s attitude at that moment.

“Are you saying you would give up everything for me and leave?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Why make such a difficult decision…?”

Color returned to Selvia’s once-dead eyes.

Just moments ago, the emotions reflected in her blue eyes were self-reproach and regret, but now they were sympathy and compassion.

Selvia could not comprehend why Daniel would want to abandon everything he had achieved.

“Do you understand what it means to be dismissed by me? It means you can never enter the military again, nor hold any public office. The word dismissal from my mouth is not the same as the usual procedure.”

The moment the Emperor personally orders a dismissal, that person’s life is essentially cast into the abyss.

At least in the empire, it was certain they would not have a proper job.

Yet, Daniel spoke without hesitation.

“That is what I desire.”

As if he was prepared for it.

“If my becoming unhappy can make Your Majesty happy, I will gladly do it.”

“Are you out of your mind? Why go that far…?”

“Did I not clearly tell you in the past?”

Daniel lifted his head to look up at Selvia.

“Selvia von Amberg.”

Calling her name, Daniel smiled faintly.

“You are the only Emperor I acknowledge.”

You must exist for me to exist as well.

In that sense, Selvia accepted Daniel’s words, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Before her stood a man willing to give up everything for a single woman.

Before that man, the woman sobbed softly.

“I… have nothing…”

She had nothing to offer Daniel.

Yet, Daniel continued to seek Selvia without expecting any reward.

‘Even this time, for my sake…’

He was willingly choosing to ruin his own life.

Unable to hide her overwhelming emotions any longer, Selvia knelt and embraced Daniel tightly.

As their bodies pressed together, warmth was shared.

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry…”

The unprecedented feelings directed at Daniel blossomed into flowers.

Though she had tried to hide them and occasionally denied them, she could no longer deny it.

She was destined to love Daniel.

“…Your Majesty.”

Daniel held Selvia close, gently patting her back.

He spoke, understanding at least a little of the pain and guilt Selvia had to endure.

Under the starry sky, as a woman rather than an Emperor, Selvia nestled against Daniel and gained a modest realization.

‘Daniel is…’

An eternal loyal subject she must keep by her side and the only man who had taken her heart.

‘So…’

Dismissal was out of the question.