Christmas Day.
Golden Rose Bakery.
“Captain Daniel Steiner and Lieutenant Lucy Emilia, correct? It’s an absolute honor to have you visit our shop. Could you please wait a moment while I confirm the reservation?”
As Daniel nodded, the employee lifted a document folder and checked the list.
During that time, Daniel glanced at Lucy standing beside him.
‘I’ve never seen her in casual clothes before…’
Lucy was currently wearing a snow-white blouse with a coat draped over her shoulders.
She also had on a light brown pencil skirt that subtly accentuated her figure.
It was a chic yet elegant outfit that brought to mind the image of a modern woman of this era.
‘Still…’
It seemed like she wasn’t used to wearing such clothes, as there was a hint of tension about her.
‘I get it. You know how it feels.’
Even if you try to dress up according to the latest trends, once you step outside, you can’t help but feel self-conscious under other people’s gazes.
“Captain Daniel Steiner. Lieutenant Lucy Emilia.”
The employee’s call broke his train of thought.
As Daniel turned his gaze, the employee greeted them with a professional smile.
“The reservation has been confirmed. Allow me to escort you to your seats.”
The employee stepped forward from the counter, motioning for them to follow.
Without a word, Lucy and Daniel followed, and the employee guided them to a window seat.
“You can wait here while we bring out the food and coffee.”
With a polite nod, the employee disappeared, leaving Lucy and Daniel to take their seats.
Sitting across the table from each other, they naturally locked eyes.
While Lucy blinked expressionlessly, Daniel let out a small chuckle.
“…Colonel Steiner? Why are you laughing?”
“Just because. I always see you in your stiff uniform, so seeing you in civilian clothes makes you look different. What do you know, you could pass for a top actress right now.”
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, Lucy lost her words, her mouth slightly agape.
Though she had dressed up hoping for praise, now that her imagination became reality, she didn’t know how to respond.
As a spy dealing with Daniel, she never hesitated, but trying to face Daniel as just a woman left her mind in turmoil.
After observing Lucy for a moment, Daniel raised his hand and removed his leather gloves.
“Moreover, you know that we have to visit the Imperial Palace this evening, right?”
“Ahhh. If it’s about the banquet, I know.”
There was no way she could not know since Daniel had informed her days ago via phone.
‘Although I still don’t understand why I was invited…’
But when the princess herself calls, refusal isn’t an option.
“There’s no need to be nervous.”
Daniel placed his gloves beside the table and continued.
“The royal banquet may sound grand, but it’s just a social event at the end of the day. Be careful with your words, avoid excessive drinking, and enjoy the feast…”
He stopped mid-sentence as an employee approached with the stollen.
“Here’s our special Christmas menu: Stollen! Enjoy!”
The cheerful employee placed the stollen in the center of the table.
Then, setting down two steaming cups of coffee in front of Lucy and Daniel, they stepped back.
“This is…”
Staring at the stollen in the center of the table, Lucy’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“It really looks like snow has fallen on the bread. So pretty.”
“Not only does it look good, but it tastes great too. Let me slice it for you shortly.”
With the bread knife in hand, Daniel gently cut through the stollen.
After slicing it into several pieces, he finally set the knife down.
“Go ahead and try first.”
Daniel wanted to hear Lucy’s honest impressions and encouraged her to eat.
Nodding slightly, Lucy picked up her fork, speared the stollen, and brought it to her lips.
Her eyes widened as she took a bite.
‘Delicious…’
As soon as the stollen entered her mouth, it burst with sweetness.
Chewing the soft, moist bread released a rich aroma.
Additionally, the raisins added a refreshing tang.
Savoring the taste, Lucy swallowed the stollen and hesitated before speaking honestly.
For some reason, Daniel’s smug smile annoyed her.
It was as if he were saying, “How is it? Told ya it’d be delicious since I recommended it.”
Feeling mischievous, Lucy hid her true feelings and dabbed her lips with a napkin.
“…It’s edible.”
Of course, this didn’t fool Daniel at all.
‘Tasting good but pretending otherwise, huh?’
Her expression when she took the first bite said it all.
Thinking she was being cute and rebellious, Daniel maintained his smile and raised his hand.
“If it’s edible, then I’m relieved. Now, let me try…”
Reaching for his fork, Daniel’s hand hovered aimlessly in the air.
There was no fork in sight.
“Hmm? Guess the staff forgot my fork.”
Thinking of eating with his hands, he hesitated, fearing sugar might get on them.
Just as he decided to call for the employee,
“I’ll feed you.”
Lucy leaned forward with her fork speared with stollen.
“…Feed me?”
Though Daniel thought it might be a joke, Lucy’s red eyes blinked innocently without any hidden meaning.
‘Is this part of some beauty strategy?’
Not knowing exactly, but feeling he shouldn’t refuse, Daniel accepted the stollen.
Savoring its sweet and savory flavors, Daniel glanced around before speaking.
“There aren’t too many eyes watching, but having you do this might make people think we’re a couple, which could cause trouble.”
Realizing her unintended implication, Lucy blushed belatedly.
“Ah.”
She felt embarrassed realizing she had unintentionally acted like a lover.
“Colonel Steiner, I absolutely didn’t mean to…”
Trying to explain herself, the atmosphere had already grown awkward.
After a brief silence, Lucy murmured softly.
“…I’m sorry.”
Her ears were bright red as well.
*
After finishing their meal, Lucy and Daniel headed to the Imperial Palace as evening fell.
Guided by members of the palace staff, Lucy and Daniel arrived shortly at the hall where the banquet was held.
As advertised, every lighting fixture dazzled, and even in the parking lot, prominent figures from business and politics chatted animatedly.
Walking past them into the grand hall, a massive chandelier caught their attention.
Tables were laden with countless dishes, and a giant Christmas tree stood proudly in the center.
Adding to the ambiance, the royal orchestra played classical music, creating a truly magnificent atmosphere.
‘I heard that Christmas banquets are different from regular ones, but…’
Impressed inwardly, Daniel and Lucy found a quiet corner table to sit.
Not wanting to draw unnecessary attention, they chose a discreet spot.
However, someone as famous as Daniel would naturally attract attention even in the corner.
“Isn’t that Colonel Steiner?”
They hadn’t been seated long when a familiar voice reached their ears.
Turning his head, Daniel saw Sedric, the Deputy of Operations Staff, dressed in formal attire.
Beside him was Princess Selvia, prompting Daniel to quickly rise from his seat.
Lucy did the same.
“Deputy Sedric. And Her Highness the Princess.”
Following proper etiquette, Daniel bowed his head.
“Colonel Steiner, thank you for accepting our invitation.”
“On the contrary, I’m grateful for the invitation. It’s an honor.”
“Being invited doesn’t necessarily make it an honor. Still, Sedric mentioned he had something to discuss with you, right?”
Sedric looked puzzled, as he hadn’t planned any specific discussion with Colonel Steiner.
However, understanding the princess’s intentions, Sedric nodded.
“Indeed, Your Highness. Let’s move somewhere else to talk.”
“Yes, understood.”
Sedric led Daniel away.
Watching their backs disappear, Princess Selvia turned her attention to Lucy.
“Lieutenant Lucy Emilia? You’re Colonel Steiner’s aide-de-camp, correct?”
Selvia’s mouth smiled, but her eyes remained serious.
In the strange tension, Lucy nodded.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Good. Then I’d like to ask you a few questions, if that’s okay… Ah, let’s sit down first.”
“I cannot sit while Your Highness stands.”
Selvia’s smile deepened.
“I said sit.”
Only then did Lucy realize the command behind those words.
“…Understood.”
Once Lucy sat, Selvia began calmly.
“I’ve recently taken an interest in you, Lieutenant Lucy Emilia. Would you mind sharing a bit about your upbringing? Your hometown, or your relationship with your family?”
The intent behind the question was unclear.
Nevertheless, Lucy couldn’t refuse and responded as trained.
“I was born in a village called Mullendorf, located in the southwest of the Empire. To be precise, I grew up in a small cabin near the forest.”
“Hmm. And?”
“I was raised by my grandfather until I could live independently. He cared for me deeply. Afterward, I attended the Military Academy, completed all the courses, and was assigned to the General Staff Headquarters, where I assist Colonel Steiner.”
A concise and straightforward explanation.
It seemed to satisfy Selvia as well.
“I see. That must have been quite challenging—growing up in a cabin without parents, raised solely by your grandfather. Perhaps all of Lieutenant Lucy Emilia’s experiences could be summarized in one word?”
“One word?”
“Are you curious? I’ll tell you then.”
Selvia rested her hand on the table and leaned forward.
Her glossy platinum hair cascaded down her shoulder.
As the tension tightened, her sapphire-like blue eyes softened slightly.
At the moment Lucy instinctively shrank back, Selvia smiled faintly and moved her lips.
“Liar.”
