Chapter 118

After failing to understand Lucy’s reaction, Daniel headed to the indoor garden of the Imperial Palace upon leaving work.

Following the Chief of the Imperial Household’s guidance, as Daniel entered the garden, he saw Selvia sitting in a chair, stroking a Doberman.

The Doberman, which had been contentedly moaning under Selvia’s touch, soon lifted its head, sensing someone nearby.

The Doberman, perking its ears, then began to growl, showing its teeth.

Seeing this, Selvia stood up and turned to look in the direction the Doberman was guarding.

There stood Daniel, dressed neatly in his military uniform.

Their gazes met, and Daniel placed his hand on his chest, bowing his head respectfully.

“Your Highness the Princess. I have come in response to your request.”

At Daniel’s greeting, Selvia faintly smiled.

Lately, she seemed fatigued, her complexion tinged with signs of tiredness.

“I’ve been waiting for you. Let’s sit down and talk…”

Selvia paused mid-sentence, tilting her head.

Daniel was staring intently at the Doberman growling at her.

“…Colonel Daniel? Do you like dogs?”

Realizing he had been looking at the dog, Daniel cleared his throat.

“I don’t dislike them. I’ve owned a retriever before.”

“Really?”

After a brief moment of thought, Selvia said playfully.

“Would you like to pet it once?”

It was highly unlikely that someone would willingly pet a dog growling at them.

Selvia had intended to tease Daniel if he refused, but…

“I will do so.”

Without hesitation, Daniel accepted and approached the Doberman.

The Doberman, which had been growling, seemed bewildered by Daniel’s approach and quickly retracted its teeth.

Kneeling down in front of the Doberman, Daniel gently stroked its head.

The Doberman blinked lazily but did not resist Daniel’s touch.

“Such a good dog. It shows it doesn’t bite people.”

Watching Daniel pet the Doberman, Selvia tilted her head again.

‘I thought this dog wasn’t usually so well-behaved…’

The Doberman that had growled and barked at everyone except its owner, Selvia, was now acting like a docile lamb in front of Daniel, wagging its tail. It was certainly strange.

“Reminds me of old times. Our Kelly used to be this obedient as well.”

“Kelly? Is that the name of the retriever you just mentioned?”

“Yes. He was charming when he smiled.”

After saying that, Daniel gave the Doberman a final stroke before standing back up.

“Nevertheless…”

Turning to Selvia after tidying up his hands,

“Is there not something you wish to discuss with me, Your Highness?”

At his suggestion to get to the main point, Selvia pointed to the nearby table.

On the table were exquisite cups and plates filled with pastries.

“Shall we talk while sitting?”

At her suggestion, Daniel nods.

Naturally, the two walked to the table and sat down.

Selvia then picked up a steaming cup of tea and began speaking.

“Colonel Daniel, what exactly are your intentions?”

The first question came out with an edge.

For a moment, Daniel hesitated before offering an awkward smile.

“I don’t quite follow what you mean.”

“Don’t play dumb. Right now, Colonel Daniel, you’re deliberately delaying the investigation. The fact that Kemball is a traitor has been revealed, so what exactly are you hesitating about?”

Of course, Selvia had already listened to the confession recording that Daniel had obtained.

With the evidence already gathered, the next step was to investigate Baron Hendleymein.

‘Yet…’

Daniel merely kept dodging questions at press conferences by saying, “Nothing is confirmed yet,” doing nothing substantial.

In fact, Daniel had even pleaded for the malicious press coverage on Baron Hendleymein to cease.

‘There’s not much time left until the coronation. That also means Daniel’s authority to investigate will soon be over.’

At a time when he should have been most active, Daniel seemed to be dragging his feet as if he had no intention of concluding the investigation.

Confused by this behavior, Selvia frowned unhappily.

“Are you by any chance trying to form an alliance with the nobles? Now of all times?”

She was questioning if he was cowering like a coward just as it was clear they were under attack by them.

Daniel hesitated briefly before answering Selvia’s question.

He needed time to consider whether he could trust Selvia.

‘The possibility that Selvia might be involved in the nobles’ plan to hand me over to the enemy country is…’

Slim to none, probably.

Selvia was not someone who perfectly aligned with the legitimacy of the royal family.

In fact, during the succession disputes, the majority of the nobles had supported the prince rather than Selvia.

That incident created deep resentment between Selvia and the nobles, which persisted even now, covertly or overtly pitting them against each other. They were hardly allies.

‘Unintentionally…’

Daniel and Selvia were on the same boat, disliked by the nobles.

Daniel decided there was no need to hide his thoughts and spoke.

“It’s not about forming an alliance. Quite the opposite, in fact.”

“Opposite?”

“Your Highness. As you said, we have grounds to investigate Baron Hendleymein based on Kemball’s testimony. But would evidence really remain in the baron’s manor?”

Selvia didn’t respond, biting her lower lip tightly.

She already knew Kemball likely destroyed all evidence the moment he was caught.

“If there’s no evidence, even if I, as the inspector, lead troops to search Baron Hendleymein’s manor, it will end futilely. It would only invite the mockery of the nobles.”

“Mockery? To me, it seems that it would give them something to fear. It might instill a sense of reverence for the royal family, at least.”

“You are not wrong. But an empty threat merely strengthens their unity. Moreover, it solidifies a crucial suspicion.”

Lifting his hand, Daniel picked up his tea cup.

“Daniel and the princess are rushing things because there are no traitors within our ranks. Let’s keep acting as usual…”

After taking a sip of tea, Daniel gently placed the cup back.

“In the end, all we’ve achieved is catching Kemball, who is nothing but a mere pawn. On the other hand, they will clear their internal distrust and continue their attack on me and Your Highness.”

Setting the cup down, Daniel continued his explanation.

“Who benefits from proceeding in this conventional manner?”

Following the standard steps would only end up favoring the nobles.

Realizing Daniel’s point, Selvia became solemn.

“So, Colonel Daniel’s goal is to dismantle them?”

“Correct. They’re likely puzzled by how Daniel Steiner was able to foresee the Crown Prince’s attack on the Belmoore Kingdom.”

Who would consider the occurrence a mere coincidence after analyzing it?

Even Daniel chuckled softly, finding the situation absurd.

“How did Daniel Steiner know about the Crown Prince’s attack in advance? As they continue to ponder, they’ll fall into the delusion that there’s a traitor within our ranks.”

These people, who only have fragmented information, can only conclude that an internal traitor has been collaborating with Daniel Steiner.

Forcing the investigations might only lead them to realize their speculation was wrong and thus they would rally, but Daniel had intentionally delayed the investigation, letting this speculation spread widely.

“When they’re in a situation where they can’t determine who Daniel Steiner is collaborating with, they will begin to suspect each other. Oh no, here comes the journalist.”

“The report suggesting that Baron Hendleymein might be linked to Kemball?”

“Correct. The public may be confused, but the nobles will already know that Baron Hendleymein might be involved. However, I denied it, citing insufficient evidence.”

Even though Daniel Steiner had indeed received testimony from Kemball, his public defense of Baron Hendleymein made the nobles naturally suspect the baron.

“Is Baron Hendleymein collaborating with Daniel Steiner in some way?”

“Their suspicions will soon solidify into convictions. Whether true or false doesn’t matter. What’s important is that the sacrificial lamb who will die carrying all doubts is already decided.”

The quickest way to strengthen the unity of an organization is to execute the suspected traitor.

The exact leader of these nobles is still unclear, but based on Kemball’s testimony, it was evident they didn’t hesitate to eliminate people for their plans.

“Therefore, Baron Hendleymein must make a choice.”

Daniel leaned back in his chair and shrugged as if expressing regret.

“Die in isolation or betray the organization to save himself.”

Whether Baron Hendleymein would choose one or the other wasn’t clear, but neither outcome would harm Daniel or Selvia.

Even if the baron were to die, the seed of discord sown within their ranks would not easily fade.

After hearing Daniel’s entire explanation, Selvia swallowed dryly.

One puzzle piece was left unassembled.

“Could the person behind the article suggesting that Baron Hendleymein might be a traitor…”

The entire plan hinged on the existence of an article that hinted at Baron Hendleymein’s possible treason.

Only then could Daniel deny the article while making the nobles start suspecting the baron.

Listening to Selvia’s deduction, Daniel calmly nodded.

“Yes.”

With softly narrowed eyes, Daniel continued in a flat tone.

“It was my order.”