One Week Later, Imperial Palace
Emperor Berthram’s Bedchamber
“How do you assess His Majesty’s condition?”
At the question from Commander of the Imperial Guard Johannes Kuntz, the attending physician placed his medical equipment back into his bag and replied.
“I have done my utmost, but at present, His Majesty is experiencing a decline in circulatory function along with organ failure. We are taking medical measures to minimize his suffering, but beyond that, I see no viable options.”
Johannes let out a quiet sigh, clenching his fist as he looked down at the physician.
“There must be some way… His Majesty still—”
“That’s enough.”
It was Berthram, lying in his bed.
As the two men fell silent, Berthram raised a hand in dismissal.
“Doctor, you may go. You have done all you could.”
The physician closed his medical bag and rose from his seat, bowing his head toward the emperor.
“I will pray to the gods for Your Majesty’s recovery.”
With a look of regret, the physician turned and walked away.
Johannes watched him leave with a somber expression before sighing and sitting beside the emperor.
“Your Majesty, now more than ever, you must not give up on your health.”
At Johannes’s words, Berthram let out a dry chuckle.
“Spare me the empty pleasantries. Didn’t you hear what the doctor just said? He said he would pray to the gods. That means only divine intervention could cure me now.”
“…Your Majesty…”
“Enough with the feeble comforts. Death is a natural thing—so why does everyone act like it's some great tragedy? All the hand-wringing and miserable faces only irritate me.”
After a brief silence, Johannes finally spoke.
“…Would it not be more disturbing if everyone simply smiled and laughed? If His Majesty were to lash out in anger and order someone’s execution, they would have no choice but to at least pretend to mourn.”
Berthram’s eyes flicked toward Johannes, his lips twitching.
Then, unable to hold back, he burst into laughter.
The joke had struck his sense of humor.
“You’re not wrong. If they don’t want to die, it’s better for them to put on a show. Though, of course, there’s always one exception.”
“An exception, Your Majesty?”
“There’s a certain wolf growing fat within the General Staff, is there not?”
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.
At the mention of the young officer, Berthram turned his gaze toward the ceiling.
“Since we’re on the topic, let’s set aside all this gloomy talk and discuss him instead. I hear it’s been revealed that the leader of the Free Society Party was a collaborator. Is that correct?”
Johannes nodded.
“Yes. As a result, an investigation into related individuals is currently underway, but Daniel Steiner has chosen not to disclose any information obtained during the process to the public.”
“That’s it?”
“No, Your Majesty. Recently, certain newspapers have begun publishing speculative articles suggesting that Baron Hendliem is closely tied to the leader of the Free Society Party.”
The first paper to report the story, as Johannes recalled, had been Melverton Newspaper.
“As the rumors spread like wildfire, Daniel Steiner held a press conference to clear up any misunderstandings. At the conference, he earnestly pleaded for people to stop making unfounded accusations against Baron Hendliem.”
Berthram blinked, as if the revelation was unexpected.
“Daniel Steiner defended a noble? Why?”
“I do not know the full details, but he insisted that until a proper investigation is concluded, false reports should be avoided. He even went so far as to make several statements in support of Baron Hendliem.”
“Daniel Steiner, personally shielding Baron Hendliem from criticism… What do you make of it, Commander?”
“I am not well-versed in politics, but… perhaps Daniel believes he has been cornered and is trying to make peace with the nobility.”
Berthram, eyes half-lidded in thought, soon shook his head.
“No… From my perspective, Daniel Steiner is trying to dismantle the aristocracy. He’s planting seeds of suspicion everywhere.”
That conniving bastard…
Yet, despite his words, a small, amused chuckle escaped Berthram’s lips.
“The more I observe him, the more I want him for myself. If only I were ten years younger… I could have made him a loyal ally of the Imperial Family.”
But it was too late.
Daniel Steiner had already grown powerful enough to tear apart an old, dying lion with ease.
All Berthram could do now was hope…
That Daniel Steiner harbored no ambitions toward the throne.
****
At the Same Time – General Staff Headquarters
Daniel took a sip of coffee as he stood by the window in the break room.
At this rate, I might actually die…
For the past week, ever since arresting Campbell, the leader of the Free Society Party, as a collaborator, Daniel had been moving without a single moment’s rest.
Aside from the few hours he stole for brief naps, every waking moment had been dedicated to work.
It wasn’t out of some compulsive workaholism—no, the real reason was far simpler:
The moment he let his guard down, the press would pounce on him like vultures, tearing him apart.
And just as he expected, The Imperial Daily had already begun running consecutive articles with the same narrative:
“Daniel Steiner is making his political debut.”
If I hadn’t taken the lead and pushed the Free Society Party leader’s treason through Melverton Newspaper…
Had he hesitated even slightly, The Imperial Daily would have twisted the entire operation into a petty partisan crackdown instead of revealing the truth.
That much, at least, is a relief…
Still, no matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had stepped into a swamp with no easy way out.
His mind was fraying to the point where even the cigarettes he had quit back in his academy days were starting to sound tempting again.
If only this were a game…
If it were, he could just delete his character, respawn in some neutral country, and enjoy a peaceful, pastoral life.
But reality didn’t work that way.
So, for now…
Since he had publicly defended Baron Hendliem during the press conference, it was only a matter of time before the other side made their move.
Whether things would go according to plan was uncertain, but this was the best play he had—the one with the highest chance of success.
“……”
Beyond the window, a swarm of reporters had gathered like ants at the entrance of the General Staff Headquarters.
Daniel watched them in silence, then lifted his cup and took another sip of coffee.
For now, he was enjoying the rare stillness of the break room, a brief moment of peace.
Then, on a whim, he reached inside his coat and pulled out a small photograph.
It was a picture of a Golden Retriever, grinning with pure, untainted happiness.
Just looking at it made all the anxiety and stress about the future seem to melt away.
As he lost himself in nostalgia, finding a small bit of solace in the past, the break room door opened.
Lucy entered.
Just as she stepped closer to relay a message, she heard it.
“Kelly… I want to hold you.”
Daniel’s voice, damp with longing, made her freeze mid-step.
Unaware of her presence, he continued speaking to himself.
“I miss your warmth. Rolling around with you in my arms was the greatest joy of my life…”
Lucy’s crimson eyes widened into perfect circles, like a startled cat.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks.
Because from her perspective…
There was no doubt in her mind—Daniel was reminiscing about his past sexual encounters.
A quick glance confirmed that no one else was around.
Lucy sighed in relief.
If anyone overheard Daniel openly yearning for a woman he had lost, it would cause a scandal.
She had to stop him before he made an irreparable mistake.
With deliberate force, Lucy cleared her throat.
Finally, Daniel sensed another presence.
He quickly wiped his eyes, tucking the photograph back into his coat.
Taking a deep breath, he turned around—
—only to find Lucy staring at him, her expression oddly flustered.
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“…Lieutenant?”
At his questioning gaze, Lucy struggled to regain her composure.
“……I came to inform you that the Imperial Family has summoned you, Colonel Daniel Steiner.”
She steadied her voice.
“Her Highness requests your presence after work at the palace to discuss the results of the investigation.”
So it’s today.
Daniel nodded without hesitation.
“Understood. I’ll head to the palace after I finish work.”
Though he accepted the order without issue, Lucy did not leave.
She hesitated, as if there was something more she wanted to say.
Daniel found her hesitation odd.
Then, after a brief moment of observation, it clicked.
She’s exhausted.
After all, she had been working tirelessly alongside him this entire time.
It was only natural that some resentment would have built up.
Daniel, completely misreading the situation, responded with calm understanding.
“I get it. You’re frustrated. You’ve had to put up with a lot from me lately.”
Lucy flinched.
“It’s been a busy time, but once things settle down, we should go for a walk and talk things through.”
At the word “walk,” Lucy’s red eyes quivered violently.
To Lucy, Daniel’s words did NOT sound innocent.
She was still operating under her earlier misunderstanding.
She desperately clung to her last thread of rationality.
“……I’m fine.”
“Why? A walk and some conversation could—”
“I SAID I’M FINE…!”
It was rare for Lucy to outright refuse him—twice, in succession.
Daniel was genuinely taken aback.
Unable to maintain eye contact, Lucy half-closed her eyes and averted her gaze.
With her face burning red, she took a deep breath, then gave a quick, polite bow before swiftly exiting.
Daniel could only watch her retreating figure in complete bewilderment.
What the hell did I do wrong?
No matter how he thought about it…
He couldn’t make sense of her reaction at all.