After finishing his conversation with the head of the Security Bureau and returning to his office, Daniel found Lucy sitting neatly at her desk, diligently working.
“…Aide-de-Camp?”
Calling her name tentatively, Lucy slowly raised her head. Her crimson eyes, which resembled blood, showed no sign of disturbance or emotion, maintaining her usual blank expression.
‘If the head of the Security Bureau suspects me, Lucy likely feels the same way. If she believes I am responsible for the destruction of the Palencia Branch of the Allied Nations’ intelligence organization…’
Swallowing nervously as he looked at Lucy, Daniel thought, ‘Lucy, being a spy for the Allied Nations, might feel anger toward me.’
Considering Lucy’s relationship with the Palencia Branch was unknown to Daniel, his deduction seemed reasonable. However, Lucy felt no special attachment to the Palencia Branch, which had treated her as a tool. In fact, she was developing a positive impression of Daniel for having eradicated the organization.
“Colonel?”
Lucy tilted her head in confusion after observing Daniel’s subtle tension.
“Is there something you wish to discuss?”
Her voice remained calm and indifferent, as though entirely unaware of any recent events.
‘Trying to probe her for information would be futile.’
Shaking his head, Daniel replied, “It’s nothing.” Walking over to his desk, he pulled a few documents from the drawer, pretending to work while deep in thought.
The words of the head of the Security Bureau kept replaying in his mind.
‘Duke Belvar is going to stir up a storm…’
From the metaphor, it seemed something would happen within the system.
‘Perhaps removing me isn’t their sole objective.’
If his elimination was just a part of a bigger plan, Duke Belvar was a far more dangerous figure than Daniel thought.
‘I should prepare, but…’
Having been appointed as the staff officer for the 7th Division at the Eastern Front, reckless moves were not an option.
Though Daniel intended to leave the capital soon, there was no need to stir up trouble while things were relatively calm. Besides, he had already inflicted maximum damage on the aristocratic coalition that he could, taking down Kemball, the leader of the Freedom Social Party, with charges of treason and isolating Baron Hendleymein.
Thanks to the “brick incident,” Daniel Steiner’s political position had become more secure.
Investigating Duke Belvar’s intentions now might lead to the worst-case scenario of mutual destruction, especially since any evidence tying Daniel to the secret organization of the prince would have already been erased.
Even if Daniel attacked, victory was not assured, which would inevitably lead to a dangerous mudfight. Losing one’s life in political disputes was something to avoid at all costs.
‘And…’
Daniel needed to investigate who destroyed the Palencia Branch.
‘According to the head of the Security Bureau, they used sleep paralysis gas, similar to the method used when the prince’s secret organization was suppressed.’
The prince’s groups had confessed to being unconscious due to sleep gas during their arrest.
‘So, they’re likely the same group…’
Their intentions, however, remained unclear.
‘They’ve been using my name to commit these acts… Typically, such actions are taken to pin crimes on someone else…’
But the dismantling of the prince’s treasonous organization and the Palencia Branch were, in essence, feats of public service.
‘Who could be providing me credit for these deeds?’
As time went by, these bizarre incidents kept piling up, leading Daniel to doubt that they were merely coincidences.
But Daniel had no clue why anyone would execute these odd actions.
As Lucy gathered the documents, Daniel subconsciously glanced at the wall clock and realized it was already time to leave.
‘Already this late?’
Even though the visit from the head of the Security Bureau left him with little work done, it was always right to leave on time.
Picking up his briefcase, Daniel rose. “Let’s call it a day.”
“Yes, sir.”
Lucy stood up as well. As Daniel opened the office door and stepped into the corridor, Lucy followed.
While walking down the quiet hallway, Daniel unintentionally began to scrutinize Lucy.
‘She seems a bit down today…’
Lucy usually maintained a blank expression, rarely showing surprise, anger, or even joy.
This initially made Daniel suspect she lacked normal emotional responses, but after spending almost a year together, he realized there were subtle emotional nuances in her demeanor.
‘Such as now…’
Her gaze was slightly lower than usual, looking not straight ahead but slightly downwards—a telltale sign Lucy exhibited when in deep thought or melancholy.
‘She must be worried about the destruction of the Palencia Branch.’
But that wasn’t the case. Lucy was rather preoccupied with how best to assist Daniel and was contemplating on becoming someone valuable to him.
Unaware of Lucy’s thoughts, Daniel grew uneasy.
‘Of all people, Lucy Emilia.’
Given her ability to potentially handle an entire battalion alone, her presence by his side was naturally nerve-wracking.
Cold sweat started forming in Daniel’s hands as his uneasiness grew while descending the stairs. Realizing he needed to cheer her up for his own survival, Daniel cleared his throat.
“Aide-de-Camp, how about we have a little chat?”
Their steps paused on the landing.
Gathering his composure after observing Lucy’s back, Daniel asked, “You seem different today. Is there something troubling you, something you’d like to share?”
Lucy’s hand twitched slightly as she took a deep breath. Turning to face Daniel, her silvery-white hair shimmered under the landing lights, her crimson eyes gleaming.
“…I apologize, Colonel. I didn’t realize I was causing you concern. However, it’s a personal matter and I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“Don’t be insolent.”
Daniel chuckled.
“Supervising and managing my aide is part of a superior officer’s responsibility. If I’m unaware of my aide’s worries or burdens, can I truly call myself a competent superior?”
“But…”
“It’s settled then. Speak your mind. You and I have a long road ahead. Wouldn’t it be better to open our hearts to each other?”
Surprised by this, Lucy’s eyes widened.
‘He said we should spend a long time together…’
Misinterpretations aside, these were words Lucy wanted to hear.
Looking at Daniel directly, she answered softly, “Does the beet soup taste alright?”
Redirecting the conversation due to embarrassment.
Even though Daniel thought this question came out of nowhere, he still answered earnestly.
“Beet soup? Ah. It was good. The dessert you made earlier was also excellent. You seem to have a talent for cooking.”
“That’s good then.”
Lucy offered a mysterious smile before bowing slightly and turned around to descend the stairs.
Staring at her retreating back, Daniel scratched his cheek in mild confusion.
‘Is she upset because I didn’t properly compliment her cooking?’
Though unclear, Daniel decided Lucy was feeling better, and that was reassuring.
*
Elsewhere, at Duke Belvar’s manor.
“Your Grace, the head of the Security Bureau met with Daniel Steiner.”
Felisstion, the deputy director of the empire’s intelligence bureau, relayed the information while the duke sipped wine.
“Bats…”
Disgust laced Belvar’s response. Otto, the head of the Security Bureau, was a typical opportunist who feigned neutrality while aligning with the group most likely to succeed.
‘But the man has a keen eye for people.’
The fact Otto chose to meet Daniel wasn’t trivial; it likely meant Otto viewed him as a worthy contender and was hedging his bets.
‘I can’t afford delay.’
With resolve, Belvar addressed Felisstion.
“How’s Berthelm doing?”
“He won’t see the end of this month, according to his physician.”
“Good. Prepare all necessary contingencies. The opportune time will be when Berthelm and Daniel Steiner are away from the capital.”
Felisstion hesitated before cautiously questioning.
“Your Grace, isn’t the timing a bit premature? As dangerous as Daniel Steiner is, do we really need to rush?”
Belvar chuckled dryly.
“You underestimate Daniel Steiner.”
Belvar remembered the time Daniel confronted him with threats, leaving such a terrifying impression that even now his hand trembled slightly at the thought.
The sharp, piercing gaze of the younger man was unforgettable.
“Do you know whose descendant our current emperor Selvia is?”
“The great-great-grandfather of His Majesty the Emperor…”
Barthgof von Amberger, the Eternal Emperor.
Once a king of a mere kingdom, Barthgof deposed the former king and ascended the throne himself. He later transformed the monarchy into an empire, greatly enhancing its status.
Belvar, having served alongside Barthgof during his youth, could see similarities in Daniel Steiner’s resolve.
Recalling that day vividly, Belvar wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
“He’s no different from Barthgof. His eyes…”
They unmistakably belonged to a usurper who would overpower the empire.
