Early Morning, the Next Day.
The Imperial Palace’s Indoor Garden.
"Hmm..."
Selvia wandered around, her crimson cloak fluttering behind her, before turning to the Chief of the Inner Palace.
"What do you think? Do I look alright?"
Seeing the Crown Princess fidgeting restlessly, the Chief of the Inner Palace offered a somewhat awkward smile.
"Your Highness, this is the third time you’ve asked."
"I just can’t calm down. It’s been a long time since we last met... So, how does it look?"
Selvia was asking about her makeup.
That morning, she had requested the court attendants from the Inner Medical Office to do her makeup—an unusual request, which led them to put in extra effort.
Of course, despite their efforts, the result was far from extravagant.
They had merely applied a light foundation and powder to maintain an elegant yet understated beauty.
Even the lipstick on her lips was a nude shade close to her natural skin tone.
From a distance, it was hard to tell whether she was wearing any makeup at all.
One could say the makeup had blended in so seamlessly that it enhanced her natural beauty.
"In my humble opinion, Your Highness looks exceptionally radiant. I believe that if Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner were to see you now, he would naturally offer words of admiration for your beauty."
Daniel, offering words of admiration?
Picturing Daniel complimenting someone’s appearance, Selvia let out a quiet chuckle.
It didn’t suit his usual demeanor at all.
"I doubt that, but I wouldn’t mind if he did. More importantly, how are the preparations for the Christmas banquet coming along?"
The Christmas banquet was an annual grand event hosted by the Imperial Family.
Although its scale had been significantly reduced since the Empire entered wartime, it remained a highly prestigious gathering, attended by the royal family, nobles, and the upper echelons of society.
Normally, the banquet was overseen by the Emperor, but this year, as the acting regent, Selvia was in charge.
She wasn’t particularly fond of spending excessive funds on banquets, but this time, she had no reservations about opening the treasury.
Because the true guest of honor at this year’s banquet was none other than Daniel Steiner.
Using the Christmas banquet as a pretext, she intended to host a celebration in honor of the war hero’s miraculous return.
With such a solid justification, no one had raised any objections. Thanks to that, the preparations for the banquet had proceeded smoothly.
Watching the excited expression on Selvia’s face, the Chief of the Inner Palace smiled kindly and nodded.
"As per your instructions, the banquet menu has been tailored to Lieutenant Colonel Daniel’s preferences. Additionally, we have imported ingredients from all over the world for the post-dinner desserts. The finest whiskey selected for him as a gift is also set to arrive soon, so there is no need for concern."
Hearing the report, Selvia gave a satisfied nod.
Knowing that everything was progressing perfectly put her at ease. Then, the Chief of the Inner Palace hesitated slightly before speaking carefully.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress has sent a gift for you through the Inner Palace. Would you like to see it now?"
"My mother? What did she send?"
"That is..."
The Chief of the Inner Palace lowered her head apologetically, sensing Selvia’s growing curiosity.
"Her Majesty personally selected some undergarments for you, Your Highness. She asked us to deliver them to you with the message, ‘Wear these when it matters most.’"
One of the maids standing beside the Chief stepped forward and slowly opened the box.
Instinctively, Selvia glanced inside—and immediately froze.
"What kind of nonsense is this...?"
Not only was the fabric minimal, but the design was outright outrageous.
It looked like something meant for someone entirely ruled by carnal desires—a design so vulgar it was downright offensive.
Had it not come from her mother, she would have lashed out in anger.
Her face burned with embarrassment as she waved her hand dismissively.
"Get rid of it."
"As you wish, Your Highness. However, Her Majesty also said, ‘I knew my daughter would reject the first gift, so I prepared another.’"
"...And what would that be?"
In most cases, curiosity outweighed discomfort.
As Selvia frowned in suspicion, another maid stepped forward and opened a second box.
Inside was a luxurious crystal bottle filled with an unknown liquid.
That pinkish color... Don’t tell me...
Staring coldly at the suspicious contents, veins pulsed visibly across Selvia’s forehead.
"Take it away. Immediately."
At her command, the maids swiftly closed the box and retreated.
The Chief of the Inner Palace wasn’t particularly surprised—she had anticipated that Selvia would reject the gifts.
She was simply fulfilling the Empress’s orders.
"Tell my mother this—if she ever sends me something like this again, I won’t be paying her a visit for at least six months."
Clearly irritated, Selvia’s expression darkened. The Chief of the Inner Palace respectfully bowed her head.
"I shall convey your message to Her Majesty."
Selvia had more she wanted to say, but she ultimately sighed and shook her head.
The Inner Palace was merely following my mother’s orders.
It wasn’t their fault.
Just as Selvia was about to resign herself to the absurdity of the situation—
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner has arrived!"
A voice rang out from the entrance of the indoor garden.
A palace guard had announced his arrival in a loud and formal tone.
Startled, Princess Selvia hurried to the table and sat down.
She pretended not to have been waiting for Daniel by casually lifting a cup of tea—an added touch.
Meanwhile, Daniel Steiner approached confidently from the distance.
Wearing the uniform of the Imperial Army, a slight fatigue was visible on his face, but even that seemed charming to Selvia.
"He seems even more handsome than before."
She stared at him, forgetting even to sip her tea.
In reality, his appearance hadn't changed much since before his departure to Vellanos.
"Your Highness."
Approaching closer, Daniel bowed his head in accordance with imperial etiquette, deciding it more appropriate than a salute in this private setting.
Princess Selvia, who had been watching him intently, cleared her throat and set down her cup.
"There's no need to stand; please, have a seat."
Daniel nodded and sat opposite her.
Although Selvia was overjoyed at Daniel's return from the dead, she spoke with restrained jubilation, mindful of maintaining royal dignity.
"I congratulate you on your return."
"Thank you. I owe it all to His Majesty the Emperor and your Highness's grace."
After Daniel's formal reply, an awkward silence ensued.
Unsure where to begin, Selvia broke the tension with a tentative query.
"What do you think is the purpose of calling you here, Lieutenant Colonel?"
Was this a test? Daniel responded as naturally as he could, despite his nervousness.
"Perhaps you wish to discuss the details of the negotiations?"
"I've already heard enough about that from the Foreign Ministry to tire my ears. Today, I called for you for a personal reason."
"A personal reason?"
Selvia fiddled with her teacup, delaying her next words as if inviting him to a ball felt somewhat like asking for a date.
Struggling with how best to phrase it, Selvia finally spoke.
"Do you know, Lieutenant Colonel? A grand ball is being held at the palace for Christmas."
"Ah, I've heard. They are already preparing for it."
"Then you'll understand. I formally invite you to the ball."
Now was Daniel's turn to respond with honor, but Selvia waited, and he hesitated, choosing his words with a forced smile.
"I do have a prior engagement, but I should be able to rearrange my schedule to attend."
"A prior engagement? With whom?"
"Ah, that is...," Daniel hesitated, then revealed, "I have made plans to spend Christmas with my aide, Lucy Emilia. Neither of us had other plans for the holiday."
Selvia vaguely knew of Lucy Emilia, a woman who had contributed to stabilizing the occupied city of Nordia.
Yet, she hadn't realized this woman was courting Daniel.
"Hmm..."
Displaying an indifferent smile, Selvia responded.
"That's fortunate. I will extend an invitation to your aide for the Christmas ball as well. Then, there will be no need to adjust your plans, right?"
The atmosphere subtly shifted, but Daniel, oblivious, nodded.
"That would be an honor for her as well. I will convey your invitation."
"Good. You may leave now."
"Understood."
As Daniel rose and bowed out of respect, Selvia watched his retreating figure.
Her eyes, once bright with excitement, now showed no trace of such emotions.
Lucy Emilia.
Mulling over the name of the woman mentioned by Daniel, Selvia took a sip of her tea.
Clack—
As she set down her cup, her lips twitched slightly.
"Imperial Secretary."
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Sensing the serious mood, the Imperial Secretary quickly approached and bowed.
"Listen well. I will say this only once."
Even the maids standing behind stiffened, listening intently.
"Contact the Intelligence Bureau and order a thorough background check on Lucy Emilia. I want everything: education, date of birth, political leanings, hometown, social relationships, and even her family background."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As the Imperial Secretary responded, Selvia's blue eyes narrowed sharply.
'I need to know.'
Who exactly is this woman tailing Daniel Steiner?
'If it's not just a simple crush but she has some ulterior motive...'
She would use all her power to stop it.