Teasing Steps and Midnight Summons
Ring-a-ding-ding! Ding! Dong!
Thank goodness the orchestra's music finally wrapped up, and she released the hand I'd been trapped holding.
"You look tired, Your Highness. How about stepping out for some fresh air?"
"I'm fine. You must have suffered through that unwanted dance."
"Pardon...? No, it was the Oclo family's greatest honor to be the princess's first partner tonight. Everyone's probably envying me right now."
"Envy...? I'm the one who's most envious of you, Major. I'm so jealous I feel like stepping on your feet."
As she said that, the princess glanced down at the new dress shoes I'd worn for the first time today.
This woman—what the hell is her problem?
I couldn't count how many times that maddening thought had crossed my mind in this brief exchange.
"Ha... haha, please hold off on that just a bit longer."
"Let's see each other often. This is so much fun."
Suddenly, she dropped a bombshell of a statement.
No. No way. Why the hell would I see you often?
That could never happen. Absolutely not.
"If Your Highness summons me, I'll come running."
Hiding behind the mask of a lie, I bowed my head in response.
"I hope those words are sincere."
With that murderously ominous remark, the princess left.
Yeah, best to steer clear of anyone from the imperial family. Especially the princess—no falling for that pretty face.
Drained to the bone, I slipped away to a quiet corner to kill time before escaping the banquet hall.
"Are you hurt somewhere? You look exhausted."
Louis asked as Rene returned to her room after the banquet schedule ended.
"Nah, just a bit tired."
"More importantly, do you know how awkward it was for me when you suddenly said you wanted to dance with Major Palan?"
"What's awkward about it? Mother seemed thrilled."
Louis shook his head at Rene's innocent what’s-the-problem tone.
"What whim is this? That's not like you at all. You couldn't have fallen for him at first sight."
"Just curious. What makes someone that young stand out so much?"
"Hmm."
Louis leaned against the wall, picturing Palan Oclo's face.
"He's a scary guy. Even at his young age, he never dropped the mask—not once from start to finish."
"Mask...? Tell me more."
Rene showed interest in Louis's words.
"What, did you actually fall for him?"
"No energy for jokes. Just spill it."
Louis shook his head at Rene's endless iciness toward him and continued.
"On the surface, he's utterly ordinary. Just the right amount of flattery, lazy habits. Hard to spot anything setting him apart from a typical officer."
"And?"
"You think someone that ordinary racks up those achievements? It's all a thorough mask. And I never glimpsed even a second of what's behind Major Palan's facade."
Rene replayed their recent encounter at Louis's words.
That awkward act is a mask?
A flicker of doubt.
But Rene shook her head.
Something's misunderstood here.
Humans are emotional creatures; no matter the training, no one maintains a perfect mask. Especially Rene, who had a knack—bordering on extraordinary—for spotting lies after dealing with countless people.
Palan was the type where it clearly showed when he was lying versus not.
No need to correct it...
His misunderstanding wouldn't harm Palan.
"Sounds about right."
"He's a monster your uncle dotes on and raised with care."
"Even to you, they seem close...?"
Louis pondered Rene's question before speaking.
"They look incredibly close. Uncle seeks out Major Palan whenever he has time, chats with him, always eats together."
Grip!
Out of Louis's sight, Rene clenched her skirt tightly.
"At least Uncle looks healthy. Glad he's doing well."
"You... Never mind. I need to change out of this dress, so leave."
"Yeah, good work today."
Louis gave a brief farewell and left the room.
Alone now, Rene scowled up at the ceiling.
"Why am I like this?"
She knew Palan had done nothing wrong, yet she'd been irritated throughout the dance.
Emotional behavior unlike her usual self.
Regret hit late, but the banquet hall was already behind her.
As long as Uncle's doing well, that's enough. Who am I to interfere?
That was the right mindset.
Yet the suffocating imperial palace kept her from letting go of Eden.
"Haa."
Had there ever been a day in Rene's life filled with nothing but regret like this?
She closed her eyes and sighed.
"Yaaawn, I'm dying of exhaustion. Bedtime."
Even tucked in a corner, people kept coming over—two hours of pure hell.
They say it goes till 3 a.m. How do they survive?
For the record, I'd bolted the second the emperor and empress left around 11 p.m.
"This tea's good for fatigue—drink up."
"Thanks.
The tea Aurora brought eased the winter chill a bit.
"Can you draw a bath?"
"Yes, I already did. Ready in about five minutes."
Aurora was reliable as ever.
Her instincts were spot-on.
Bath, then straight sleep till tomorrow afternoon.
No leaving the bed even if I woke midway.
"Young master, the bath is ready."
"Okay."
Perfect timing.
I headed straight to the bathroom and sank into the water.
"Ahh, bliss."
The winter's traces melted away.
Pure ecstasy.
What a day.
Medal from the emperor, unexpected banquet invite, dancing with the princess—all in one day. Who'd believe it?
"Not bad, though."
Especially the triumphant parade cheers today—unforgettable for life.
A view I risked my life to protect.
Honestly, plenty I wouldn't mind letting die.
While I'm out fighting my ass off, jealous noble brats who lounged around now envy my success.
It pisses me off thinking about it, but hey, I'm not doing it for free.
If they treated me like trash like back in Korea, I'd never endure it.
"Thinking about it again gets me heated. You bastards aren't getting off easy."
For the record, I'd memorized faces, tracked families, and noted them down.
"Ahh, good job anyway."
Tough assignments ahead, but tonight was for rest...
"Young master, a guest outside wants to see you. What should I do?"
Damn it.
Just as I was basking blissfully, Aurora's unexpected words came from beyond the bathroom door.
"Who?"
"Said his name's Jeffrey—you'd know. Claims he's a work colleague."
Shit.
A name that screamed curses.
Eden's alias during the recon op.
"Bring him to the drawing room."
"I told him, but he said he'd wait outside."
"Haa... Got it, I'll be right out."
Sighing deeply, I scrapped my 20-minute soak plan and finished up quickly.
"He wouldn't send me straight to the west tonight... right?"
Unsettling thought, but if he had any conscience, no.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
Dressed simply, I stepped out of the mansion to find Eden—as Aurora said—leaning against the wall, waiting.
Please, let it be nothing serious.
Desperate prayer.
Heaven must've heard, because Eden's words were a spectacle.
"Just felt lonely in the capital, so I called. Figured a captain like you wouldn't linger at the banquet."
"Ha... haha, is that so?"
Lonely, my ass.
What kind of bullshit was this?
It's 11:30 p.m.—isn't this workplace harassment?
I was dying to report him to labor board.
"Let's grab a drink."
Eden assumed I'd follow like it was natural.
Couldn't fight this flow.
"I overdid it at the banquet—sorry, but tonight's no good."
Polite refusal.
Sweet words should beget sweet replies, but not from him.
"Can't be helped then. I'll decide your posting myself."
"Ha... haha, what do you mean by that?"
Why was he picking my assignment?
"Candidates for your posting are out. I'll choose, so rest easy."
Smirking as he spoke—pure devil.
This trash.
Dragging me out past 11 for threats—what madness?
"Sigh, fine, let's go. Was planning some long-overdue rest."
"Would've been easier if you'd said that sooner."
"You're too much."
"Too much is a captain thinking of sleep while his lonely senior waits."
Eden spouted nonsense and hailed a carriage on the street.
To the tavern.
The sign made me grimace instantly.
Arvion
"Why here?"
"Bad? Food's the best value around."
"Not that... Isn't this your agency's branch?"
Vessinia branch.
Hadn't set foot near here since learning the truth.
"What's the problem?"
"Well..."
"A restaurant just needs good food. You're overthinking, captain. Come in."
Eden breezed through the door.
Am I the weird one?
Wanted to ask a passerby, but not a topic for that.
"This is ridiculous."
Sighing, I followed Eden inside.
"Steak, decent red wine, and sides to go with..."
Eden already seated and ordering.
The server taking the order? The staffer who'd guided me last transaction.
"Thank you for your order. It'll take a bit, so we'll start with some complimentary appetizers."
"Won't say no to freebies."
"Haha, please wait a moment."
Server headed to the kitchen; I checked the bill on the table.
"Why order so much?"
Steak, salad, pizza, french fries...
Hold up, french fries here?
My invention, clear as day on the order sheet.
"Something wrong?"
"No...? Nothing."
Set the sheet down, mind racing.
Call it out? Nah, too risky.
I developed it, but too busy for patents.
Plus, Vessinia branch.
Nitpick this, and I vanish on the way home—no one'd bat an eye.
"First up, your french fries and complimentary fried squid as appetizers."
Two golden-fried dishes hit the table.
But what's that?
White powder sprinkled on the fries.
Odd at first sniff, but the aroma dilated my pupils.
No way—this is...