Chapter 100 - The Approaching Christmas
『 TL – Divinity 』
『 PR – Vein 』
The next morning, early.
The indoor garden of the Imperial Palace.
"Hmm..."
Sylvia, her red cape fluttering as she paced back and forth, turned to the side and asked,
"What do you think, Chief of the Imperial Household? Do I look alright?"
The Chief of the Imperial Household gave an awkward smile at Sylvia's anxious behavior.
"Your Highness, you've already asked me three times."
"I can't help it. It's been a while since I last saw him... So, what do you think?"
Sylvia was asking about her makeup.
She had woken up early this morning and asked the members of the Imperial Household to do her makeup. It seemed like it wasn't a common request, as they put their hearts and souls into it.
Of course, even though they put in a lot of effort, it wasn't a particularly noticeable makeup style.
They had only used a light foundation and powder to create an elegant and understated look.
The lipstick on her lips was also a nude shade, close to her natural skin tone.
Therefore, from afar, it was barely noticeable that she was even wearing makeup.
This also meant that the makeup was applied naturally and flawlessly.
"In my opinion, you look beautiful, Your Highness. I believe even Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner would naturally praise your beauty if he saw you now."
Daniel praising her beauty?
Sylvia giggled softly as she imagined Daniel complimenting her appearance.
It didn't fit his usual image.
"I doubt that, but I hope so. More importantly, are the preparations for the Christmas banquet going well?"
The Christmas banquet was an important event hosted by the Imperial family every year.
Although its scale had been significantly reduced since the Empire entered the war, it was still a prestigious banquet attended by the Imperial family, nobles, and the upper class.
Originally, the banquet was hosted by the Emperor, but this time, it was under Sylvia's jurisdiction as she was acting as regent.
Although Sylvia wasn't fond of spending money on banquets, she didn't hesitate to open the national treasury this time.
This was because the protagonist of this banquet was none other than Daniel Steiner.
She was planning to celebrate the war hero's return under the guise of the Christmas banquet.
Since the justification was clear, no one objected, and Sylvia was able to smoothly prepare for the Christmas banquet.
The Chief of the Imperial Household, looking at the excited Sylvia, smiled gently and nodded.
"As you instructed, we've prepared the dinner according to Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's preferences. We've also procured ingredients from all over the world for the dessert. And the top-quality whiskey you're planning to gift him will also be arriving soon, so you don't have to worry."
Sylvia nodded at the Chief of the Imperial Household's words.
Satisfied with the flawless preparations for the banquet, Sylvia listened as the Chief of the Imperial Household cautiously spoke.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress asked me to deliver a gift to you. May I present it to you now?"
"Mother? What did she send?"
"Well..."
The Chief of the Imperial Household, watching Sylvia's reaction, bowed his head apologetically.
"Her Majesty personally chose some undergarments for you. She said to tell you to 'wear them for an important occasion' and asked me to deliver them."
One of the maids next to him stepped forward and slowly opened the box containing the undergarments.
Sylvia, glancing at them involuntarily, froze upon seeing the design.
"What is this nonsense..."
Not only was the fabric minimal, but the design was also outlandish.
It was the kind of design that someone consumed by lust would wear, and she found it repulsive.
If it weren't for the fact that it was a gift from her mother, she would have been furious.
Sylvia, her face flushed, waved her hand dismissively.
"Take it away."
"As you wish. However, Her Majesty said to tell you that she 'prepared another gift, as she was sure you would refuse the first one.'"
"...What is it?"
In most cases, curiosity trumped displeasure.
As Sylvia asked, another maid stepped forward and opened a box.
Inside the box was a luxurious crystal bottle containing an unknown liquid.
'Judging from the pink color, don't tell me...'
Sylvia's temples throbbed as she glared at the suspicious liquid.
"Take it away, now."
The maids closed the box and retreated.
The Chief of the Imperial Household wasn't surprised, as he knew she wouldn't accept them.
He was simply following the Empress' orders.
"Tell Mother that if she sends me this kind of gift again, I won't be paying her respects for at least half a year."
Seeing Sylvia's anger, the Chief of the Imperial Household bowed deeply.
"I'll convey your message to Her Majesty."
Sylvia was about to say something, but then she closed her mouth and shook her head.
'The Imperial Household staff couldn't refuse Mother's orders.'
It wasn't their fault.
Just as Sylvia sighed in resignation,
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner has arrived!"
An Imperial Guard announced loudly from the entrance of the indoor garden.
Sylvia, startled, hurriedly sat down at the table.
She picked up her cup of tea, as if to hide the fact that she had been waiting for Daniel.
Then, Daniel Steiner walked in with a confident stride.
There was a hint of fatigue on his face, dressed in his Imperial uniform, but even that seemed attractive to Sylvia.
'He's become even more handsome.’
Her eyes glued to him, forgetting to even pretend to sip her tea.
In reality, his appearance hadn't changed much since before he left for Bellanos.
"Your Highness."
Daniel approached and bowed his head, following Imperial etiquette.
Since this was a personal summons, he judged that a bow was more appropriate than a salute.
Sylvia, staring at him intently, cleared her throat and put down her cup.
"This isn't something to discuss standing up, so please have a seat."
Daniel nodded and sat across from her.
Sylvia was overjoyed to see him alive after thinking he was dead, but she had to maintain her composure as the future Empress, so she spoke with restraint.
"Congratulations on your safe return."
"Thank you. It's all thanks to Your Majesty and Your Highness."
Daniel replied formally, and then an awkward silence fell between them.
Sylvia, unsure how to continue the conversation, spoke in a slightly flustered tone.
"Why do you think I summoned you, Lieutenant Colonel?"
Is she testing me? Daniel, feeling a bit nervous, replied as calmly as possible.
"I assume it's to hear a detailed report on the results of the negotiations."
"I've already heard enough about that from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I summoned you today for personal reasons."
"Personal reasons, Your Highness?"
Sylvia fidgeted with her teacup, stalling for time.
Inviting him to the banquet felt like asking him out on a date.
As she struggled to find the right words to convince Daniel, she finally spoke,
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, are you aware that a grand banquet will be held at the palace for Christmas?"
"Ah, yes, I've heard about it. I was told that preparations are already underway."
"Then we're on the same page. I'd like to formally invite you to the banquet."
It was time for Daniel to express his gratitude and accept.
Sylvia waited, but he didn't answer readily.
He seemed troubled, choosing his words carefully, then gave an awkward smile.
"I do have a prior engagement, but I believe I can adjust my schedule to attend the banquet."
At the mention of a "prior engagement," Sylvia's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"A prior engagement? With whom?"
"Ah, that is..."
Daniel paused for a moment, then said,
"I have an adjutant named Lucy Emilia, and we decided to spend Christmas together since neither of us had any plans."
Sylvia vaguely knew of Lucy Emilia.
She was the woman who contributed to stabilizing the occupied territory of Nordia.
But she didn't know that she was trying to seduce Daniel.
"Hmm..."
Sylvia gave a thin smile as if she didn't mind.
"That's good. I'll invite your adjutant to the Christmas banquet as well. Then you won't have to adjust your schedule, will you?"
Although the atmosphere became somewhat awkward, Daniel, oblivious, simply nodded.
"My adjutant would be honored. I'll let her know."
"Good. Then you may leave."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Daniel stood up and bowed his head politely.
As he turned and left, Sylvia stared at his retreating figure.
The excitement that had been in her eyes was gone.
Lucy Emilia.
Sylvia repeated the name of the woman Daniel had mentioned and took a sip of her tea.
Clink—
She put down her cup and spoke,
"Chief of the Imperial Household."
The Chief of the Imperial Household, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, hurriedly approached and bowed his head.
"Listen carefully. I'll say this only once."
At her icy tone, the maids standing behind her also tensed up and listened attentively.
"Contact the intelligence agency and order them to thoroughly investigate Lucy Emilia's background. Her education, date of birth, political affiliation, hometown, interpersonal relationships, and even her family background."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Sylvia's blue eyes narrowed as she listened to the Chief of the Imperial Household's reply.
'I need to know.'
Who this woman trying to seduce Daniel Steiner was.
'If she has an ulterior motive, and it's not just a simple crush...'
...she would use all her power to stop it.