Chapter 77

The faint breath that escaped her slightly parted lips dissipated into the cold air.

In her confused mind, memories of Daniel treating her kindly kept surfacing unbidden.

They had spent two seasons together.

Lucy, recalling these now cherished memories, suddenly shook her head.

‘The essence hasn’t changed.’

Lucy was a spy for the United Nations.

No matter how kindly Daniel treated her, the fact that he’s the ‘enemy’ doesn’t change.

Spy activities during war aren’t a game.

She mustn’t get entangled by emotions.

There can be no gentle wars where you spare good people.

‘But…’

At this moment, with doubts clouding her heart, she couldn’t bring herself to harm Daniel.

‘What if the contents written on the paper are true?’

If it wasn’t the Empire but the United Nations conducting human experiments, then Count Kaledra has essentially been lying to Lucy all along.

Though Lucy wanted to believe that Kaledra, who was like a father to her, wouldn’t lie, the content of the paper continued to raise suspicions.

‘So until it’s confirmed that the contents of this document are false…’

It was right to put the assassination of Daniel on hold.

Having made her decision, Lucy holstered her pistol.

Lucy slid the gun into her holster at her waist and returned the documents and photos in her hand back into the inner pocket of her officer’s coat.

A moment later, Lucy took a step back, half-opened her eyes under the moonlight streaming through the window, and gazed at Daniel amidst swirling emotions.

After a while, Lucy turned away.

Having erased any signs of intrusion, Lucy walked toward the entrance door and glanced back at Daniel one last time.

While lost in thought, watching Daniel’s retreating figure, Lucy activated her optical camouflage and opened the door.

Exiting into the corridor, Lucy closed the door behind her.

Thanks to this, Daniel, now alone, slowly opened his eyes as he leaned against the sofa.

‘…Is she gone?’

With half-open eyes, he scanned the surroundings, but Lucy was nowhere to be seen.

Convinced she was gone, Daniel let out a sigh of relief after checking the entrance.

As survival became certain, the tension eased, leaving him feeling drained.

‘Yesterday, Lucy’s attitude seemed off somehow…’

Back in the office when changing insignias, Daniel had noticed Lucy showing a brief moment of guilt.

Why guilt instead of anger? Pondering this while working, Daniel concluded he might be targeted for assassination.

It’s natural to develop affection for a pet after half a year, let alone a person. In such a state, even a ruthless spy would likely feel guilt being human.

Thinking Lucy was no different, Daniel stayed awake on the couch after reaching his quarters.

He placed his officer’s coat over the back of the sofa, ensuring the ‘Lucy Project’ document peeked out from the inner pocket.

If Lucy came to assassinate him, she’d inevitably investigate the coat.

While idly waiting on the sofa, he heard someone picking the lock at the entrance.

Believing Lucy had arrived, Daniel pretended to sleep leaning against the sofa.

Had he been awake to hand her the paper directly, Lucy might have judged Daniel as forging it to survive.

‘Since she’s an experiment subject loyal to the UN, she’s probably been brainwashed unknowingly.’

Thus, Daniel feigned sleep so Lucy would “accidentally” discover the document.

Only then would Lucy trust its contents more.

If Lucy doubted its authenticity, her chances of survival would skyrocket.

After all, Lucy’s loyalty to the UN stemmed from believing they weren’t involved in biological experiments.

Even a small crack in that belief would make Lucy question her judgment.

Fortunately, Lucy acted exactly as Daniel expected.

From a broader perspective, it was also correct that Daniel protected Lucy from the Security Bureau and tolerated knowing she was a spy.

Moreover, since Lucy wasn’t fanatically loyal to the UN without discernment, the tactic worked.

‘But…’

Honestly, it was uncertain if Lucy would continue hesitating to assassinate him.

This meant similar life-threatening situations could arise anytime.

‘And I can’t request an investigation from the Security Bureau either…’

Currently, Daniel was already on bad terms with the Security Bureau due to pressuring their inspector at General Staff Headquarters.

Additionally, a single unverifiable document held no evidentiary value, and revealing his aide-de-camp was a spy would amount to suicide.

If it were discovered he knowingly concealed Lucy’s identity, things would get very complicated.

‘Then…’

The only option left for Daniel was to gather evidence proving the UN conducted biological experiments on Lucy.

‘If I can secure proof verifying the Lucy Project…’

Lucy wouldn’t follow UN orders anymore, freeing him from assassination threats.

Not just that—he might gain a superhuman weapon capable of taking on an entire battalion.

‘But how…’

Daniel shook his head while contemplating ways to turn Lucy.

Worrying wouldn’t magically produce solutions.

Suddenly, an old spy movie he once saw popped into his mind.

It was about a spy falling in love with their assassination target and ultimately defying their country’s orders.

Recalling the movie, Daniel chuckled at the absurdity.

‘That heartless woman will never fall in love with me.’

Subduing Lucy by force would be faster.

Deeming it ridiculous, Daniel dismissed the thought and stood up.

Since he survived, he planned to celebrate with a glass of whiskey.

*

Meanwhile, at the Eisenkrone Palace of the Empire.

Princess Selvia’s bedroom.

“Let’s see. The budget proposal for next year’s National Propaganda Department…”

Selvia, clad in luxurious silk pajamas, was reviewing various documents.

Recently appointed as regent, she received the same reports as the current Emperor, leaving no time for sleep.

While reading through them, a knock sounded.

Turning to see who it was, the door opened without permission.

On the other side stood Lady Mariant von Amberg, a noblewoman with golden hair and blue eyes, smiling.

Mariant, Selvia’s mother and Empress of the Empire, approached.

“You’re working hard till dawn. You still rely on your father, you know.”

Shaking her head, Selvia replied,

“I can’t become Emperor solely on reliance. If I don’t get used to this now, I won’t be able to handle governance properly later. It’s better to work hard.”

“Well done, my daughter.”

Mariant sat beside Selvia with a soft laugh.

Noticing her presence, Selvia gathered the documents and looked at Mariant.

“…Mother, is there something you want to say?”

“Yes. Actually, I came to give you advice after hearing about your conversation with him.”

“Advice?”

Nodding at Selvia’s question, Mariant continued,

“Yes. Captain Daniel Steiner, isn’t it? The young officer who successfully led the recent speech. From what I’ve learned, he seems ambitious and capable, likely to rise high in rank.”

Mariant lightly grasped Selvia’s hand.

“Daughter, though you said he should be guarded against and treated as an adversary, I think differently. If you truly wish to control Captain Daniel Steiner, there’s a more humane method.”

“…A humane method?”

“There’s a principle you know well: the more a man has to lose and values honor, the less he can escape responsibility. So if Daniel becomes a senior official of the Empire and disobeys, use the weapon only women possess.”

“What kind of weapon does only women have? That doesn’t exist.”

“It does. I used it to capture your father and gave birth to you.”

“What…?”

Trailing off, Selvia widened her eyes in shock.

Staring silently at the stunned Selvia, Mariant withdrew her hand.

“I may not know much about politics, but I do know that merely guarding against and opposing isn’t always the solution. Of course, you mustn’t rush. I’m simply suggesting one of many methods.”

Still frozen, Selvia remained rigid.

Watching her shocked daughter fondly, Mariant stood up.

“Remember this, Selvia. Even the most brilliant men become fools in the face of lust.”

With these meaningful words, Mariant left the bedroom.

Only then did Selvia emit an incomprehensible groan and blush.

She couldn’t understand her mother.

‘Why does she suddenly come here and spout such indecent talk…’

Shaking her head vigorously, Selvia picked up the documents.

Trying to refocus on official duties, she couldn’t concentrate because of Mariant’s lingering words.

Unknowingly, she started having strange thoughts, covering her face with both hands.

Her trembling hands betrayed her willpower.

‘Pull yourself together, Selvia. Please…’

Frankly speaking, she felt like dying of embarrassment.