Chapter 103 - Their Choices
『 TL – Divinity 』
『 PR – Vein 』
The two women staring at each other felt awkward and uncomfortable.
It was like sitting on pins and needles.
'I'm not sure why they're fighting, but...'
Daniel, thinking that he should mediate, said with a smile,
"Whether it's silverware or goldware, they both serve the same purpose during meals. I don't think there's any need to argue, as it ultimately comes down to personal preference."
The two women turned their gazes to Daniel.
Their gazes weren't exactly friendly, and Daniel couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
"Personal preference, you say?"
Sylvia was the first to break the silence.
"Then which would you choose, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, silverware or goldware?"
Her pointed question made his heart sink.
Just as he was wondering if he shouldn't have intervened, the music played by the Imperial orchestra changed.
The music, which had been leisurely until now, picked up the tempo.
The cheerful atmosphere indicated that it was the music signaling the start of the dance, the highlight of the banquet.
Daniel, seeing this as an opportunity to change the subject, quickly said,
"My, how time flies. If it's alright, could I perhaps witness Your Highness's dance?"
Sylvia wasn't pleased with Daniel dodging the question like a snake, but she decided to let it slide this time and nodded.
"I wouldn't mind if you would be my partner. Shall we dance?"
"If that's what Your Highness wishes."
Daniel stood up, and Sylvia followed suit.
After glaring at Lucy, she led Daniel to the center of the hall.
Many couples were already dancing near the Christmas tree.
"Daniel," Sylvia said.
She was about to tell him that she was suspicious of his adjutant, but then she shook her head.
She decided it wasn't a good idea to spread unconfirmed rumors.
So she decided to ask a different question instead.
"Have you ever considered joining the Imperial Guard?"
Her voice trembled slightly, unlike usual.
Daniel, holding Sylvia's hand to waltz, answered,
"Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann made me the same offer before. I'm afraid I have to give you the same answer."
Sylvia bit her lower lip at his response.
Although she respected his decision, she couldn't hide her disappointment.
Seeing her disappointment, Daniel spoke again,
"...Your Highness, is something wrong?"
There was no way nothing was wrong.
Sylvia was currently absorbing all the power as the next in line for the Imperial throne.
Power meant receiving pledges of loyalty from those at the heads of various factions.
But in the process, Sylvia felt a sense of emptiness.
She vaguely knew that the nobles, who were responsible for the core of the nation, weren't truly following her.
Although her power was growing, she could barely tell if it was truly hers.
She couldn't even understand the true intentions of those who claimed to be her allies.
So, Sylvia wanted to have someone she could trust by her side.
Someone who had saved her life twice and didn't hesitate to fight against the prince.
'But...'
Revealing her anxiety felt like acting spoiled.
It was unbecoming of the future Empress.
An Emperor was someone who had to rule and lead the people.
Thinking that she couldn't show weakness, Sylvia gave a bitter smile.
"It's nothing."
Then, as the orchestra's music reached a crescendo, their feet started moving.
Sylvia danced with practiced ease, as if she was tired of it.
Compared to her, Daniel's movements were a bit clumsy, but they didn't look bad outwardly.
"You're quite good."
"Didn't you say that I should at least know how to dance this much so I wouldn't be looked down upon?"
Sylvia nodded, recalling their past encounter.
She wouldn't be able to forget the night they danced under the moonlight, enjoying a private ball.
"A student who remembers their lessons well deserves a reward. Tell me, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner, is there anything you desires?"
Actually, there was one thing he wanted.
"Since you mention a reward, I dare make a request. Your Highness, if possible, could you give me an order to be deployed to the battlefield?"
Sylvia's feet, moving gracefully, stopped.
Daniel almost tripped and fell but managed to regain his balance.
"...Your Highness?"
Sylvia's blue eyes were filled with confusion.
Catching her breath, she looked up at Daniel.
"I don't understand why you want to go to the battlefield. Weren't you satisfied with what happened in Bellanos' territorial waters?"
He understood what she meant.
However, the problem was that if he wasn't careful, what happened in Bellanos' waters could happen again in the capital.
But he couldn't tell the princess, "Your father is harassing me," so he gave an awkward smile and made an excuse.
"Your Highness, although you've become the successor, public opinion isn't entirely favorable. Some are even spouting the absurd rumor that I, Daniel Steiner, am manipulating the Imperial family."
"What does the nonsense of those rabble even matter?"
"It is nonsense. However, if one dog barks, other dogs will bark along. And when the dogs start barking, their owner will also try to find out the cause."
Daniel gently held Sylvia's hand.
"Therefore, I believe it's best for Your Highness and me to maintain a distance that is neither too close nor too far. Please let everyone know that 'Daniel Steiner is just a soldier' by sending me to the battlefield."
He was saying that by sending Daniel, who had barely survived in Bellanos, back to the battlefield, they could dispel the nobles' suspicions.
It was a logical suggestion, but Sylvia couldn't help but feel guilty.
"...Are you saying that I should send you to the jaws of death with my own hands?"
To Sylvia, it seemed like Daniel was making a great sacrifice for her.
Although he was simply struggling to survive, there was no need to reveal his true intentions, so he said with a helpless tone,
"This is the only way for both of us to survive."
He meant it.
Sylvia, looking at Daniel, remained silent for a moment, then spoke,
"Then promise me one thing."
"What is it, Your Highness?"
"Promise me that you won't die. And that you'll come to see me on the day of my coronation."
Daniel, who had no intention of dying, smiled and nodded.
"I'll keep that in mind, Your Highness."
═ ⋆★⋆ ═
Lucy was watching Sylvia and Daniel's private conversation from afar.
She wasn't sure what they were talking about, but she could tell that it was a serious conversation.
Sylvia had abruptly stopped dancing and was talking to Daniel with a grave expression.
Just as she was wondering what they were discussing,
"Lucy Emilia."
A familiar voice called out from behind her.
Lucy didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
Theobald Verno.
He was the head of the Palentia branch of the Allied Intelligence Agency.
"It's a recall order. Pack your belongings and return as soon as possible."
Lucy's shoulders trembled slightly.
After a moment of hesitation, she answered,
"I refuse."
It was something a spy should never say, but Theobald didn't scold or get angry.
He simply stared at her back and frowned.
"Is it because of Daniel Steiner? Did that man bewitch you or something?"
"...No, sir."
"Then what's the reason? If you're sane, you wouldn't choose to betray the Allied Nations."
Lucy gritted her teeth at his audacity.
"The Lucy Project."
"........"
"You're not going to pretend you don't know about it, are you? I won't be loyal to the Allied Nations until everything is clear."
There was no response.
Theobald, seemingly flustered, paused for a moment, then said,
"You'll regret your decision."
With those words, he slowly stepped back.
Lucy, finally relaxing, looked ahead and blinked her eyes in surprise.
Daniel was walking towards her, having finished his dance.
Puzzled, she asked,
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? Where's Her Highness?"
"Ah, she has many people to meet after the banquet, so I couldn't keep her. But..."
Daniel asked with a curious expression,
"Weren't you talking with someone just now?"
Lucy hesitated, wondering if she should tell him the truth, then shook her head.
She didn't want to involve Daniel in her personal affairs.
"He asked me to dance. I declined."
"...Was that necessary? You could have enjoyed yourself, since you're already here at the banquet."
"I've never learned how to dance, so I wouldn't enjoy it."
"I see."
Daniel, feeling a pang of sympathy, extended his hand towards her.
"Then let me teach you. We still have some time before the banquet ends."
Lucy, surprised by the unexpected invitation, looked up at Daniel.
After a moment of hesitation, she took his hand.
Feeling the warmth of his hand in hers, she looked at Daniel and smiled faintly.
"If that's what you wish, I'll gladly accept."
Bathed in the moonlight streaming through the window, Lucy was certain.
That she would never regret this decision.