Each One's Choice
Each One's Choice
The sight of the two women staring each other down was alien, almost unbearably uncomfortable.
It felt exactly like sitting on a bed of thorns.
'I'm not exactly sure why they're fighting....'
Daniel, deciding he should mediate, smiled and broke the silence.
"Whether you use silverware or goldware, aren't they essentially the same when it comes to eating? Which tableware one uses ultimately comes down to personal preference, so there seems to be no need for dispute."
Both women turned their gazes toward Daniel.
Their looks were anything but favorable, and Daniel broke out in a cold sweat before he knew it.
"You say it depends on personal preference?"
Selvia was the first to speak in the silence.
"Then, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, would you choose goldware or silverware?"
The blatantly leading question sent a chill down his spine.
Just as he began to regret butting in, the imperial orchestra's performance changed.
If the tune had been leisurely a moment ago, it now continued at a slightly faster tempo.
Judging by how the piece's mood had also brightened, it was music heralding the ballroom dance, the flower of the banquet.
Daniel, thinking this was his chance to change the subject, hastily redirected the conversation.
"Ah, time has flown. Would it be possible to behold Your Highness the Imperial Princess's dancing?"
Selvia was displeased with Daniel dodging the question like a slippery snake, but she decided to let it slide just this once and nodded.
"There is nothing to stop us if you'll be my partner. Shall we dance together?"
"If Your Highness wishes it, I would be glad to."
As Daniel rose from his seat, Selvia also stood.
Glaring sideways at Lucy once, Selvia took Daniel and headed for the center of the hall.
Near the Christmas tree, couples were already enjoying the dance in pairs.
"Daniel."
Selvia's lips moved as she walked while watching them.
Selvia, who had intended to tell him that his adjutant seemed suspicious, soon shook her head.
She had judged that there was nothing to be gained by running her mouth about uncertain matters.
So she simply decided to ask another question.
"Do you have any intention of joining the Imperial Guard?"
Her voice was trembling, uncharacteristic of her.
Daniel, who had taken Selvia's hand to dance the waltz, replied.
"I received the same offer from Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann once before. I'm afraid I can only give you the same answer I gave then."
Hearing the answer, Selvia bit her lower lip softly.
Though she respected Daniel's opinion, she could not hide the fact that her feelings were bruised.
Daniel, finding that odd, spoke again.
"......Your Highness. Has something happened, by any chance?"
There was no way something hadn't.
Selvia was currently absorbing all power as the next Empress of the Empire.
Power, by definition, was the business of receiving sworn loyalty from those who belonged to the head of a group.
Selvia had felt emptiness in that process.
It was because she had a vague awareness that the nobles bearing the state's responsibilities were not genuinely following her.
Her power was becoming increasingly concentrated, but Selvia found it difficult to distinguish whether this was truly her own strength.
She could not even fathom the true intentions of those currently claiming to be her allies.
And so, Selvia wanted to keep someone she could trust by her side.
A figure who had saved her life twice and had not hesitated to fight against the prince.
'But....'
Spilling out this anxious heart felt no different from throwing a childish tantrum.
It was a disgrace that a person destined to become Emperor must not display.
An Emperor was an existence meant to govern and lead all people.
Selvia, believing she could not show weakness, gave a bitter smile.
"It's nothing."
As the orchestra's performance began to reach a crescendo, the feet of the two moved.
Now, Selvia displayed dance steps so practiced they seemed almost wearisome to her.
Compared to Selvia, Daniel's gestures were a bit clumsy, but outwardly they looked quite decent.
"You dance rather well."
"Did Your Highness not tell me long ago? That one must be able to dance at least this well to avoid being scorned wherever they go."
Selvia, recalling the memories of the past, nodded.
She would never be able to forget, even if she wanted to, the ball they had enjoyed alone, with the moonlight for illumination.
"A student who remembers his lessons well deserves a reward. Tell me. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. Is there something you desire?"
There was one thing he wanted.
"Since you speak of a reward, I shall make a bold request. Your Highness the Imperial Princess. If possible, could you issue an order allowing me to demonstrate my ability on the battlefield?"
Selvia's feet, which had been moving dazzlingly, halted.
Because of that, Daniel's feet tangled and he nearly fell, but he regained his balance in the end.
"......Your Highness?"
Turmoil swirled in Selvia's blue eyes.
Having composed her breath, which had grown rough from dancing, Selvia looked up at Daniel.
"I don't understand why. You say you want to go to the battlefield. Have you not yet had your fill, after what you suffered in the territorial waters of Belanos?"
He understood what Selvia meant.
The problem was that if he made a mistake, he might suffer in the capital the same hell he had endured in the territorial waters of Belanos.
Even so, he could not very well say 'Your father is tormenting me' in front of the Imperial Princess, so Daniel put on an awkward smile and offered an excuse.
"Your Highness. You have ascended to the position of successor, but public opinion within the nation is not entirely favorable. Some are even spouting the absurd rumor that Daniel Steiner is manipulating the Imperial Household."
"What of such base nonsense from the marketplace?"
"It is indeed nonsense. But when one dog barks, other dogs inevitably bark as well. Once the dogs start barking, their owners will also seek to investigate the cause."
Daniel gently clasped Selvia's hand.
"Therefore, I believe it is best for Your Highness the Imperial Princess and I to maintain a distance that is neither too close nor too far. By sending me out to the battlefield, show everyone that 'Daniel Steiner is merely a single soldier.'"
It was a sound proposal, but Selvia could not help feeling guilty.
"......Are you telling me to drive you into a death trap with my own hands?"
In Selvia's eyes, it looked as though Daniel was displaying a terrible spirit of self-sacrifice for her sake.
In truth, he was merely struggling for his own survival, but Daniel, who had no need to reveal his innermost thoughts, spoke with a tone of having no choice.
"This is the only way for both Your Highness and me to survive."
This was sincere.
Selvia, having received Daniel's gaze, spoke after a short silence.
"Then promise me just one thing."
"What would that be?"
"That you absolutely will not die. And that you will certainly come to see me on the day of the coronation ceremony."
Daniel, who had not the slightest intention of dying, smiled and nodded.
"I shall engrave it in my heart. Your Highness."
*
Lucy had been watching Selvia and Daniel's private conversation from a distance.
She didn't quite know what they were talking about, but she could tell that it was quite a serious exchange.
Because Selvia had suddenly stopped dancing and was speaking earnestly with Daniel.
It was a moment when she wondered what on earth they were discussing.
"Lucy Emilia."
A familiar voice sounded from behind her.
Lucy could tell who the owner of that voice was without turning around.
Theobald Berno.
He was the Chief of the Palentia Branch under the Allied Nations Intelligence Department.
"This is a recall order. Pack your belongings and return within the near future."
Lucy's shoulders flinched.
After a deep breath, Lucy chose her words and answered.
"I will refuse."
Those were words that should never come from a spy's mouth, but Theobald did not scold her or become angry.
He merely gazed at Lucy's back for a moment before furrowing his brow.
"Is it because of Daniel Steiner? Has that man bewitched you?"
"......No."
"Then what in the world is the reason? If you were in your right mind, you would be incapable of making the choice to betray the Allied Nations."
At Theobald's brazenness, Lucy bit her lip hard.
"The Lucy Project."
"......."
"You aren't going to pretend you don't know about this, are you? Until everything is made clear, I have no intention of being loyal to the Allied Nations."
No answer came back.
Taken aback, Theobald hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"You will surely regret the choice you are making now."
Having said that, Theobald slowly retreated.
Only then did Lucy relax, look ahead, and blink vacantly.
Because Daniel, having finished the dance, was walking over alone.
Finding that odd, Lucy spoke.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? What about Her Highness the Imperial Princess?"
"Ah. Her Highness has many dignitaries to meet after the banquet, so I couldn't keep her. But......."
Daniel asked with a puzzled look.
"Weren't you just talking to some man?"
Lucy, who had been pondering whether to answer truthfully, shook her head.
She did not want to drag Daniel into her personal affairs.
"He wanted to dance together. I refused."
"......Was that necessary? You've come to the banquet hall on a rare occasion; you could have enjoyed yourself."
"I've never learned to dance for its own sake, so I wouldn't find any enjoyment in it."
"Is that so."
Feeling that it was somewhat regrettable, Daniel extended his hand toward Lucy.
"Then allow me to teach you. There's still a bit of time before the banquet ends, after all."
Lucy, who had never expected to be asked to dance, looked up at Daniel in surprise.
After hesitating for a moment, Lucy took Daniel's hand.
As she felt the warmth of his hand against hers, Lucy looked at Daniel and smiled shyly.
"If you wish it, I shall gladly follow."
In the moonlight seeping through the window, Lucy was certain.
That she would never regret the choice she was making now.