chapter_0183

182 – Flowers Bloom Even in Exhibitions

182 – Flowers Bloom Even in Exhibitions

Daniel’s eyes narrowed sharply, making him look like a predator eyeing its prey.

This made Keltrak’s breathing labored.

It felt as if an invisible hand was crawling up his body and strangling him.

Keltrak rolled his eyes, trying to seek help, but the executives gathered at the table were all looking away or maintaining silence.

They all judged that it was better to side with Daniel Steiner than to defend Keltrak, who had failed to manage his subordinates properly and handed the Intelligence Agency over to Duke Belvar.

Arman, the Chief of Staff, who had been watching the two men’s argument, chuckled softly.

‘Keltrak’s complete defeat.’

Politics is a game of numbers where the winner is determined by how many cards they hold.

In that respect, Keltrak had few cards, and Daniel had relatively many.

‘And he was too hasty.’

Perhaps Keltrak had underestimated Daniel, who had seized power in a short amount of time.

He must have judged that Daniel’s political skills were not that great.

‘He must have thought that if he pushed with momentum, Daniel Steiner would back down.’

But judging from his confident attitude now, Daniel knew exactly what cards he held.

He instinctively sensed that there was no need to back down.

In Arman’s view, this was an outstanding talent.

‘If Daniel Steiner had been flustered or made strange excuses when asked about the Abandoned Station incident… I could have clung to it.’

As soon as the Abandoned Station incident was mentioned, Daniel diffused the atmosphere by bursting into laughter.

Immediately afterward, the Director of Intelligence asserted that he had nothing to do with the Abandoned Station incident, as if he were joking.

‘Even so, when the Director of Intelligence did not back down…’

He drove Keltrak into a corner with the logic that falsely accusing an innocent person was also treason and collaboration.

It was the same as drawing a line, saying that if you try to attack me, be prepared to be attacked as well.

Preparing for an irreversible catastrophe the moment you cross the line.

‘Indeed. Excellent eloquence.’

Daniel Steiner’s eloquence was like a dish served by a chef who knew exactly what ingredients he had.

Knowing that he was not at a disadvantage, he did not back down, and because he did not back down, he could boldly drive his opponent into a corner.

‘And…’

Whether it was a natural talent or not, Daniel was acting so naturally as if what happened at the Abandoned Station had nothing to do with him.

So much so that if someone who didn’t know the inside story of the incident saw it, it would look like Keltrak was really framing Daniel.

‘There was a reason why Daniel Steiner was always able to win in various negotiation situations.’

While Arman was inwardly admiring, Keltrak gritted his teeth.

“I…”

Would he cross the line and engage in a fight stained with blood?

Or would he step back and be guaranteed safety?

Keltrak, who was at that crossroads, decided not to cross the line after much deliberation.

He knew that confronting Daniel any more than this would be disadvantageous to him.

“I think I made a joke too far. Please forgive me if I offended you.”

Keltrak, who admitted defeat, lowered his head in humiliation.

Although he did not cooperate with Duke Belvar, Keltrak was also of noble birth.

And he was bowing his head to Daniel Steiner, an Officer from an orphanage.

Daniel, who thought that raising his voice here wouldn’t do any good, accepted the apology.

“It’s okay. People can make mistakes while living. However…”

Daniel, who had regained his smile, continued quietly.

“I hope there won’t be any more mistakes like this next time.”

His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were not.

Keltrak, who raised his head, realized Daniel’s intention and opened his mouth after a brief hesitation.

“…I will keep that in mind.”

It was around the time when the two men’s argument was settled.

“The Emperor is entering!”

As the voice of the Head of the Inner Court echoed, the officials at the table all rose from their seats.

Soon, Selvia, wearing a pure white uniform symbolizing the Imperial Family and a red cloak proving that she was the Emperor, appeared in the conference hall.

While everyone paid their respects in silence, Selvia walked to the throne and sat down.

“You may all be seated.”

Only after Selvia’s command did the officials sit down again.

“Good. Then, from now on, report in order…”

Selvia, who was looking at the faces of the officials, tilted her head in confusion.

“It’s strange. Since all the collaborators have been arrested, today should be a very joyous day, but why are your expressions so stiff?”

The Emperor asked, but no one readily answered.

Arman, the Chief of Staff, who was watching them, sighed and lightly bowed his head to Selvia.

“There was a slight quarrel. It is not something that Your Majesty should be greatly concerned about.”

“That’s true. It’s not like you guys having a quarrel disguised as a discussion is a new thing. Anyway, was it resolved well?”

“Yes.”

Arman, who glanced at Keltrak, who was clearing his throat awkwardly, chuckled and said.

“Because the parties involved have reached an agreement.”

*

The meeting, which started at 10 a.m., ended around lunchtime.

When the meeting was over, Selvia ordered all the officials to leave, but ordered Daniel Steiner to stay because there were additional matters to discuss.

“…So, what is it that you wanted to say?”

In the conference hall where only the two of them were left, Daniel quietly opened his mouth.

Selvia, who confirmed that the footsteps of the officials echoing in the hallway were fading away, rose from the throne.

The throne looked cool, but the material was quite hard, so it was difficult to sit on it for a long time.

“It’s about the top secret matter I mentioned before.”

Top secret meant the Bargov Project.

When Daniel’s expression changed, Selvia stretched lightly and said.

“Bellanos has decided to send us an ambassador. They must be trying to demand something in exchange for handing over the talent related to the project to us.”

“It’s a natural deal since Bellanos wouldn’t want to do business at a loss either.”

“Yes. You’re not wrong. But this time, Bellanos sent an official letter requesting that Colonel Daniel Steiner attend the meeting.”

Daniel blinked blankly.

“…Me?”

“I’m not kidding. It was clearly written in the official letter sent by the Bellanos Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Do you have any idea why?”

“If I have any idea…”

Threatening the Prime Minister of Bellanos? Gambling fraudulently within Bellanos? Or unintentionally spending a pleasant time with the Prime Minister’s daughter?

There were too many guesses to give a definite answer.

As Daniel’s silence grew longer, Selvia sighed softly.

“It’s okay. I won’t force you if it’s difficult to say. More than that…”

Selvia, who was trailing off, looked at Daniel with an expression mixed with guilt and gratitude.

“I heard you caused an incident at the Abandoned Station.”

The people who died at the Abandoned Station were nobles who regularly expressed dissatisfaction with Selvia.

Selvia remembers.

That they tried to interfere with or sabotage the policies she put forward in every way.

Even if Belvar, the mastermind of the rebellion, could be executed, most of them, who could wield power here and there in the Imperial City, would surely be released after serving short sentences.

So she was secretly suffering, but Daniel had stepped forward and eliminated them all.

In Selvia’s view, it seemed that Daniel had acted for her sake.

“It must have been a difficult decision. You stepped up for me again this time.”

On the other hand, for Daniel, who learned for the first time today that the nobles had been massacred at the Abandoned Station, it was an absurd story.

Daniel, who thought that he had to stop this ridiculous misunderstanding, hurriedly got up from his seat.

“Your Majesty! That’s slander! I don’t know why the rumor that I did such a thing is spreading, but I really don’t know anything about it!”

Daniel was wronged, but Selvia didn’t believe him.

Frankly, if it wasn’t Daniel Steiner, there was no one else who could do such a thing in the Imperial City.

“Yes. I’ll pretend that Colonel Daniel didn’t do it. Officially, that is.”

Daniel, who confirmed the smile on Selvia’s lips, thought.

‘I’m screwed.’

Judging from those affectionate eyes, she wouldn’t believe him no matter how much he tried to persuade her that it wasn’t true.

‘I’m really going crazy…’

Before he knew it, he had become a madman who would do anything for the sake of Her Majesty the Emperor.

As he was chuckling in a self-deprecating mood, Selvia approached him.

“Colonel Daniel? Now, even for your own sake…”

Selvia raised her arms.

Before he could even react, Selvia lightly hugged Daniel.

In the meantime, an unknown murmur was heard.

“That way we…”

“Your Majesty?”

Just as he was feeling puzzled by Selvia’s sudden hug, footsteps were heard in the hallway.

Daniel was flustered, but Selvia hugged him even tighter instead of letting go.

The footsteps seemed to be getting closer and closer, but they stopped abruptly as soon as they entered the conference hall.

“…Colonel Daniel?”

It was Lucy’s voice.

Daniel was late in coming out of the conference hall, so she came to see if something had happened.

But what she saw was Selvia and Daniel hugging each other.

Daniel, who only turned his head, couldn’t hide his embarrassment and moved his lips, but his intention was not conveyed.

While Lucy’s eyes were turning colorless, Selvia moved her lips.

“You’ve come.”

Only then did Selvia release her arms around Daniel and take a step back, looking at Lucy.

“A murderer with red eyes.”

As if she knew something.

Author’s Note

Thank you for reading today!

I hope you have a happy day today!

Then I’ll see you again tomorrow!

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