chapter_0185

184 – Before Summer Comes

184 – Before Summer Comes

As Selvia’s misunderstandings deepened, Daniel was anxiously waiting outside the conference hall.

‘…From the atmosphere, it was clear they weren’t having a normal conversation.’

The chilling tension from the previous Christmas banquet lingered in the air.

It was obvious to anyone not a fool that the two women were engaged in a battle of nerves, harboring ill feelings toward each other.

‘If Selvia knows about Lucy’s true identity, what will happen to me? Is there a possibility that she might mobilize the Security Agency to punish Lucy? If I were to be discovered hiding a spy for the Allied Nations in the process…’

In the worst-case scenario, he could end up with a fate similar to Duke Belvar.

Of course, Daniel didn’t think Selvia would act so ruthlessly, but the mere possibility of it made him uneasy.

He wished he could press his ear against the door to hear what they were discussing, but he couldn’t bring himself to do that.

Although there was no one in the corridor at the moment, members of the Imperial Household or bureaucrats living in the palace could pass by and see him.

‘Is there nothing I can do? I can only pray that it’s nothing serious…’

With a low sigh, Daniel leaned against the wall of the corridor, staring blankly ahead.

Beyond the window in the corridor, the courtyard of the Imperial Palace unfolded.

Perhaps to showcase the Emperor’s majesty, the courtyard was designed symmetrically, where a few gardeners were busily working.

He could see several birds flying freely among them.

One tired bird perched on a branch to rest, causing the glistening leaves to sway gently.

‘The traces of spring have mostly disappeared.’

Thinking that summer was approaching, fatigue seemed to wash over him.

‘Summer is the season of war.’

As far as Daniel knew, it was during summer that the Federation and the Republic would fully engage in war.

‘I heard that the Republic has already deployed troops to the border.’

They hadn’t declared war yet, but they were effectively preparing for it.

Thanks to this, the Empire felt that the Republic’s movements were unusual and was in the process of redeploying its troops.

‘We need to pull personnel from the Eastern Front and deploy them to the North…’

This would inevitably leave the Empire at a disadvantage on the Eastern Front.

Even with the strongest army in the world, they would be forced to focus solely on repelling the enemy’s attacks.

Still, one fortunate thing was that the Federation had not shown any significant movements yet.

‘Originally, the Federation should be preparing for war alongside the Republic…’

With the changing tides of history, the Federation was currently hesitant to participate.

Just as Daniel was relieved by this bit of good news, the door to the conference hall opened.

Emerging from the door was Lucy, with her snow-white hair.

After closing the door again, Lucy naturally spoke when she made eye contact with Daniel.

“Colonel Daniel. His Majesty the Emperor has finished his business, so it’s alright to leave the palace now.”

A brief silence followed between them.

Breaking the silence, Daniel, who was feeling quite flustered, spoke up.

“…Was there nothing at all? I mean, between you and His Majesty.”

“Yes. We just exchanged small talk.”

Although many words had been exchanged, Lucy dismissed it as mere small talk.

She didn’t want to worry Daniel by recounting what had happened inside, especially since the issue had been resolved.

Daniel knew that Lucy’s words were not entirely true, but he decided to let it go.

Seeing her so composed gave him faith that she had handled it well.

However, there was one point he couldn’t overlook.

Daniel stepped forward and stopped right in front of Lucy.

“Lieutenant. Why did you display such disrespectful behavior toward His Majesty?”

At Daniel’s question, Lucy’s indifferent eyes showed a hint of agitation.

Even she couldn’t pinpoint why she had been so angry at that moment.

She simply didn’t want to see Daniel hugging Selvia.

As Lucy remained silent, unable to express such foolish feelings, Daniel continued.

“Lieutenant. You must understand that when His Majesty speaks to us and listens to our opinions, it is a courtesy coming down from a high place. His Majesty is not the same as us. He can never be. His Majesty is the sun of the Empire, and we are those who live beneath it.”

Lucy’s gaze dropped slightly.

It was true that she had made a mistake by forgetting her status, so she couldn’t argue back.

“So, if you ever have to converse with His Majesty in the future, bow your head and listen. If you have something to say, don’t blurt it out directly; convey it through me. This is advice given for your sake, not anyone else’s. Do you understand?”

Lucy humbly lowered her head.

“I certainly think I was reckless. I will keep your words in mind.”

Since she immediately acknowledged her mistake and agreed to accept his advice, Daniel felt he couldn’t scold her any further.

Thinking it was best to end it there, he looked down at Lucy a bit coldly.

“…To be honest, I’m disappointed in you. Make sure this doesn’t happen again. I have no need for an incompetent lieutenant.”

With that, Daniel turned and walked away.

After a brief pause, Lucy followed him, maintaining a distance of about two steps.

Walking silently through the vast corridors of the Imperial Palace, Lucy caught a whiff of a faint cherry scent.

‘This is…’

It was similar to the perfume Selvia had sprayed on herself today.

‘No, it’s not just similar…’

It was indeed Selvia’s perfume.

Lucy soon realized why that scent still lingered in her nostrils.

The perfume was emanating from Daniel.

When Selvia had hugged Daniel tightly, a trace of her perfume had transferred onto his officer’s coat.

While it was a scent that would be hard for others to notice, Lucy, being a former test subject, had heightened senses and could easily detect it.

Something about it didn’t sit well with her.

It wasn’t just that.

‘…That woman also knew about Kelly.’

She had thought it was a secret just between her and Daniel, but it was not at all.

This realization shook Lucy’s feelings toward Daniel.

‘I thought I knew a lot about Daniel. But…’

That was merely her own delusion.

Daniel had never properly shared anything about himself with Lucy.

Lucy wanted to know.

What Daniel liked besides desserts, what kind of past he had, what made him happy, what scenery he liked, what he disliked, what his ideal type was, and what hobbies he enjoyed when he was alone.

She wanted to know not through speculation but through Daniel’s own words.

However, Daniel was unknowingly hiding himself.

As if he had nothing more to share with her.

Just as Lucy was about to open her eyes in her troubled mind, Daniel, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped.

“Lieutenant.”

Turning his body, Daniel looked at Lucy.

“Don’t take to heart what I just said in front of the conference hall.”

Now that his mind had calmed, he felt a strange sense of guilt for having spoken harshly to Lucy.

Moreover, knowing that Lucy was a spy for the Allied Nations, Daniel had to maintain a good relationship with her at all costs.

“I don’t think you’re incompetent. In fact, you’re too capable for your own good. You just need to be a little cautious when conversing with His Majesty…”

As Daniel continued to speak, Lucy didn’t hear a word.

She was focused on her sense of smell.

‘The scent…’

The cherry fragrance wafting from Daniel’s officer coat seemed to deepen.

“…I heard you’ve been struggling with late-night work lately. I have too, but you also need to fulfill your responsibilities…”

As she inhaled the scent of the perfume, it felt as if Selvia was claiming Daniel as her own, which made her feel uncomfortable.

That discomfort gave rise to jealousy, and jealousy led her to think thoughts she wouldn’t normally entertain.

‘That scent…’

She wanted to cover it with her own scent.

It was a thought that felt so absurd she couldn’t even consider it.

“…So if there’s something you want, I’m willing to listen. How about that?”

As Daniel finished speaking, Lucy slowly lifted her head.

Her blood-red eyes were now filled with the tremors of spring.

“I do have one wish.”

She knew she shouldn’t be doing this.

She realized that making things difficult for Daniel would disqualify her as a lieutenant.

But for today, she wanted to act selfishly.

“Colonel Daniel.”

She wanted to be a little spoiled.

“If it’s alright with you…”

She added a bit more strength to her trembling voice.

“Please…”

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Lucy mustered the courage to part her lips.

“Please hug me… like you did with His Majesty.”