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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Their Own Choices
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The sight of the two women staring at each other was so unusual it became unsettling.
Was this what it felt like to be sitting on pins and needles?
'I'm not sure why they're fighting, but...'
Daniel, thinking he should mediate, opened his mouth with a smile.
"Whether it's silver or gold cutlery, aren't they both used for eating? Which one a person uses is ultimately a matter of personal preference, so there seems to be no need to argue."
The two women's gazes turned to Daniel.
Their gazes were by no means friendly, causing Daniel to break out in a cold sweat without realizing it.
"A matter of personal preference, you say?"
It was Sylvia who broke the silence first.
"Then, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, which will you choose between gold and silver cutlery?"
The question, with its clear intent, sent a chill down his spine.
Just as he wondered if he had unnecessarily interfered, the Imperial Orchestra's performance changed.
If the previous performance had been leisurely, now a slightly faster tempo followed.
The atmosphere of the song had also brightened, indicating it was the music for the ball, the highlight of the banquet.
Daniel, seeing this as an opportunity to change the subject, quickly redirected the conversation.
"Time has passed already. If it's possible, might I have the honor of seeing Her Royal Highness the Princess dance?"
Sylvia didn't like Daniel skillfully evading the question like an old fox, but she decided to let it pass this one time and nodded.
"If you would be my partner, there's no reason not to. Shall we dance?"
"If Your Royal Highness wishes it, I would be delighted."
As Daniel rose from his seat, Sylvia also stood.
Sylvia shot a sidelong glare at Lucy once, then took Daniel and headed towards the center of the hall.
Near the Christmas tree, men and women were already paired up, enjoying the dance.
"Daniel."
Sylvia, walking while looking at them, parted her lips.
Sylvia, who was about to say that his aide was suspicious, soon shook her head.
She decided there was nothing good to come from spreading unconfirmed rumors.
So, she decided to ask a different question instead.
"Have you ever considered joining the Imperial Guard?"
Her voice was trembling, uncharacteristic of her.
Daniel, who had taken Sylvia's hand to begin the waltz, replied.
"I received the same offer from Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann before. I'm afraid I can only give you the same answer as I did then."
Upon hearing his answer, Sylvia gently bit her lower lip.
Though she respected Daniel's opinion, she couldn't hide her displeasure.
Daniel, finding it curious, spoke to her again.
"...Your Royal Highness. Is something the matter?"
Of course there was.
Sylvia was currently absorbing all power as the Empire's next emperor.
Power, by its very nature, is about receiving oaths of loyalty from those belonging to the head of a group.
In that process, Sylvia felt a sense of emptiness.
This was because she vaguely knew that the nobles, who were responsible for the nation's core, weren't truly loyal to her.
Power was increasingly centralized, but Sylvia found it difficult to discern whether it was truly her own strength.
Moreover, she couldn't know the true intentions of those who now claimed to be her allies.
Therefore, Sylvia wanted to keep someone she could trust by her side.
Someone who had saved her life twice and hadn't hesitated to fight against the Prince.
'But...'
To express this uneasy feeling was not much different from throwing a tantrum.
It was tantamount to an unseemly display that a future emperor should not show.
An emperor is a being who must govern and lead all people.
Thinking she couldn't show weakness, Sylvia offered a bitter smile.
"It's nothing."
Following that, as the orchestra's performance began to crescendo, their feet moved.
Now, Sylvia's practiced dance steps were evident, as if she were tired of them.
Compared to Sylvia, Daniel's movements were somewhat clumsy, but outwardly, they weren't bad at all.
"You dance quite well."
"Didn't Your Royal Highness say before that one should be able to dance at least this well to avoid being looked down upon anywhere?"
Sylvia, recalling a past memory, nodded.
The private ball they had enjoyed with the moonlight as their only light would be impossible to forget, even if she wished to.
"A student who remembers their lessons well deserves a reward. Tell me, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. Is there anything you wish for?"
There was indeed one thing he desired.
"Since you speak of a reward, I humbly request this. Your Royal Highness. If possible, would you issue an order for me to be active on the battlefield?"
Sylvia's feet, which had been moving dazzlingly, stopped.
As a result, Daniel nearly tripped over his feet but ultimately regained his balance.
"...Your Royal Highness?"
Confusion swirled in Sylvia's blue eyes.
Sylvia, who had been breathing heavily from dancing, composed herself and looked up at Daniel.
"I don't quite understand why. You want to go to the battlefield? Are you not satisfied after what you endured in Bellanos territory?"
It wasn't that he didn't understand Sylvia's words.
However, the problem was that if he made a wrong move, he could suffer the same fate in the capital as he did in Bellanos territory.
But he couldn't very well tell the Princess, 'Your father is tormenting me,' so Daniel offered an awkward smile and an excuse.
"Your Royal Highness. While you have ascended to the position of successor, public opinion within the country is not entirely favorable. There are even absurd rumors circulating in some corners that Daniel Steiner is manipulating the Imperial Family."
"What do those barking dogs of commoners matter?"
"They are indeed barking. However, when one dog barks, others are bound to bark along. And when dogs start barking, their owners will naturally try to find the cause."
Daniel gently clasped Sylvia's hand.
"Therefore, I believe it is best for Your Royal Highness and me to maintain a distance that is neither too close nor too far. By sending me to the battlefield, please let everyone know that 'Daniel Steiner is merely a soldier.'"
His suggestion was to extinguish the nobles' suspicions by sending Daniel, who had barely survived Bellanos, back to the battlefield once more.
It was indeed a reasonable proposal, but Sylvia couldn't help but be overcome with guilt.
"...Are you telling me to send you to your death with my own hands?"
In Sylvia's eyes, Daniel appeared to be displaying an extreme spirit of self-sacrifice for her sake.
In reality, he was merely struggling for survival, but Daniel, who had no need to reveal his true thoughts, spoke in an unavoidable tone.
"This is the only way for both Your Royal Highness and me to survive."
This was sincere.
Sylvia, met with Daniel's gaze, broke her short silence.
"Then promise me just one thing."
"What is it?"
"That you will never die. And that you will surely come to see me on the day of the coronation."
Daniel, who had not the slightest intention of dying, smiled and nodded.
"I will keep that in mind, Your Royal Highness."
*
Lucy was watching Sylvia and Daniel's private conversation from a distance.
She wasn't sure what they were talking about, but she could tell it was quite a serious discussion.
After all, Sylvia had suddenly stopped dancing and was speaking earnestly with Daniel.
It was a moment when she wondered what on earth they could be discussing.
"Lucy Emilia."
A familiar voice came from behind her.
Lucy knew who the owner of that voice was without needing to turn around.
Theobald Berno.
He was the head of the Palentia branch of the Allied Nations' Intelligence Department.
"This is a recall order. Pack your bags and return in the near future."
Lucy's shoulders trembled slightly.
Lucy, choosing her words, took a deep breath before replying.
"I refuse."
It was a statement that should never come from a spy, but Theobald didn't scold or get angry.
He merely stared silently at Lucy's back, then furrowed his brows.
"Is this because of Daniel Steiner? Has that man bewitched you or something?"
"...No."
"Then what exactly is the reason? If you were in your right mind, you wouldn't choose to betray the Allied Nations."
Lucy bit her teeth together at Theobald's shamelessness.
"The Lucy Project."
"..."
"You won't claim ignorance of this, will you? Until everything becomes clear, I will not pledge loyalty to the Allied Nations."
There was no reply.
As if flustered, Theobald paused for a moment before speaking.
"You will surely regret your current choice."
Having said that, Theobald slowly retreated.
Only then did Lucy relax. She looked forward, blinking blankly.
Because Daniel, having finished his dance, was walking towards her alone.
Lucy, finding it strange, opened her mouth.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? Where is Her Royal Highness the Princess?"
"Ah. Her Royal Highness has many people to meet after the banquet, so I couldn't keep her. But..."
Daniel asked, puzzled.
"Weren't you just talking to some man?"
Lucy, contemplating whether to answer Daniel's question truthfully, shook her head.
She didn't want to involve Daniel in her personal affairs.
"He wanted to dance with me. I refused."
"...Was there a need for that? Since you've come all this way to the banquet, you might as well enjoy yourself."
"I've never learned to dance properly, so I wouldn't find it enjoyable."
"Is that so?"
Daniel, feeling a pang of regret, extended his hand towards Lucy.
"Then I'll teach you. There's still a little time left before the banquet ends."
Lucy, surprised to be invited to dance, looked up at Daniel.
After a brief hesitation, Lucy soon took Daniel's hand.
Feeling the warmth of their touching hands, Lucy looked at Daniel and smiled faintly.
"If you wish it, I would be delighted to."
In the moonlight streaming through the window, Lucy felt certain.
That she would never regret this choice she was making now.