Daniel Steiner's Abnormal Desires
Daniel Steiner's Abnormal Desires
'The Red-eyed Killer? Could Selvia have realized Lucy's true identity?'
If that were true, Daniel would be placed in an extremely awkward position.
Selvia was the Emperor of the Empire, and Lucy was a living weapon of the Allied Nations.
It was obvious that no matter which side he took, he would not be able to avoid a terrible future.
Just as Daniel broke out in a cold sweat, realizing his survival was under threat, Lucy casually opened her mouth.
"Your Majesty. You are not wrong, but killing is an unavoidable necessity in times of war. A soldier's mission is, after all, to kill the enemy."
It was a sound argument.
However, to Selvia, Lucy's words sounded like nothing more than a pathetic excuse.
"Are you suggesting that you are no different from any other ordinary soldier right now?"
"I apologize, but yes, that is correct."
"That's preposterous. As far as I'm aware, you are...!"
Selvia stopped mid-sentence and shut her mouth.
It was because she noticed Daniel standing beside her.
'Daniel probably doesn't know that woman is a spy for the Allied Nations.'
Because if he had known, there was no way he would have kept her around as his adjutant all this time.
She could not imagine that Daniel Steiner, who had shown more dedication to the Empire than anyone else, would be harboring a spy.
'I don't want to put him in a difficult position.'
Not wanting to argue in front of Daniel Steiner, Selvia composed her voice.
"Colonel Daniel?"
When Selvia called his name, Daniel, who finally snapped to attention, bowed his head deeply.
"Your Majesty. I am truly sorry. Allow me to apologize on behalf of my adjutant for her insolent behavior. I will make sure this never happens again by giving her a stern warning, so please, I beg you to quell your anger."
Seeing Daniel so visibly flustered made her feel guilty, but Selvia had no intention of stopping.
"I'm not angry. I simply have urgent matters to discuss with your adjutant and wish to ask you to leave the room."
"With my adjutant?"
A vague sense of unease crept over him, but he could not dare refuse the Emperor's request.
"...Understood. Just in case, I will be waiting outside."
Raising his head, Daniel glanced at Lucy with worried eyes before turning and walking away.
Walking to the entrance of the Grand Conference Hall, Daniel stepped outside and carefully closed the door.
As a result, a light silence settled over the Grand Conference Hall now occupied only by the two women.
As their gazes crossed, sending sparks flying, Selvia quietly opened her mouth.
"It must have been difficult for you. Hiding your identity in front of Colonel Daniel."
"I'm not sure what you mean. Hiding my identity...-"
"Codename Hongsa."
Lucy's pupils trembled once.
Believing she had struck a nerve, Selvia wore a faint smile.
"Or you go by the epithet, the Red-eyed Reaper, yes? I hear you are specialized in assassinating key figures, and your primary duty is to find and execute those who betrayed the Allied Nations. Tsk, tsk. You must have had a hard time."
"Your Majesty. I know nothing of the sort."
"Of course. You'd want to keep playing innocent like that. But pretending not to know won't make this go away. Unlike before, I have now gathered evidence that you are a spy for the Allied Nations."
A disturbance surfaced on Lucy's face, which had been maintaining a mask of impassivity.
Selvia slowly approached Lucy.
"Since I have the evidence, there is no problem in punishing you now. However, considering that you have diligently performed your duties as an adjutant at Colonel Daniel's side, I will give you one chance."
Ttoggak─
The sound of her shoes echoed emptily inside the vast Grand Conference Hall.
Selvia stopped a few steps away from Lucy and spoke.
"Leave the Empire quietly, without a trace. And never come back."
This was the gentle dismissal order Selvia was issuing to the spy from the enemy nation.
However, Lucy was no fool.
Because she knew Selvia would have no reason to show her such goodwill.
"Understood. It seems there is no need for me to leave the Empire."
"...Are you deaf? I have obtained evidence that you are a spy for the Allied Nations. If you don't believe it, I can show you."
"It must be true that Your Majesty has collected evidence. If so, why offer me a chance? What need would there be for that?"
The situation was reversed.
Just as Selvia swallowed dryly, Lucy continued in a flat tone.
"Your Majesty is aware. The moment you point me out as a spy, Colonel Daniel Steiner's position will be seriously shaken."
If it came to light that Daniel Steiner's adjutant was actually a spy for the Allied Nations, it would cause considerable repercussions.
No matter how much the Imperial Daily defended him, the independent newspapers thirsting for a hot topic would print the story one after another, and the public would consume it.
Rumors would spread in the blink of an eye, and if that happened, not only the Imperial Household but also the military would have no choice but to hold Daniel Steiner accountable.
In that process, all sorts of groundless rumors would also spread here and there, and Daniel Steiner would become completely isolated, literally.
Even if the situation played out in the best possible way, the label of 'a soldier who didn't even know his adjutant was an Allied spy' would follow him to his death.
"Once everything is over, Colonel Daniel will resent Your Majesty. He gave everything he had to save you, yet Your Majesty ended up putting Colonel Daniel in a difficult position."
Selvia's blue eyes, which resembled a clear sea, trembled faintly.
It was only natural for her to be flustered now that her intentions had been seen through.
She wanted to make any kind of rebuttal, but her lips would not part.
Because there was nothing incorrect in Lucy's words.
'In the worst-case scenario...'
Daniel Steiner might have to take off his uniform and return to being a civilian.
'For Daniel, who considers serving the Empire the highest honor, that would be a terrible thing that must never happen.'
It was a choice Selvia could never make, since she did not want to see the man she loved in pain.
After clenching her fist in vain and wavering back and forth, Selvia collected herself and glared at Lucy.
"If you refuse to back down, I also have the option of eliminating you myself."
"...You mean personally?"
"Yes. Though you are performing your role as an adjutant well now, there's no telling what harm you might cause Daniel in the future."
It was a kind of assassination warning, but Lucy remained utterly composed.
Though she had not done it out of desire, Lucy had killed hundreds of people before, so Selvia's threat seemed like nothing more than a child's tantrum to her.
However, the position of Emperor was one where even a child's tantrum could take someone's life.
After a brief moment of deliberation about what to do, Lucy decided to reveal her true feelings.
"I have no intention of causing harm to Colonel Daniel Steiner in the future."
"Are you telling me to believe that?"
"I will not force you to believe it. However, to be honest with you, my relationship with the Allied Nations is not very good at the moment. Because I raised questions with them."
Selvia furrowed one eyebrow.
Because this was the first she had heard of it.
"After I raised those questions, the Allied Nations have made no contact with me whatsoever. Perhaps they now consider me a traitor."
"That means..."
"It means that even if the Allied Nations ordered me to kill Colonel Daniel, I would not follow it. So I hope you will set your worries aside."
Listening to the story made her head spin with confusion.
Still doubtful, Selvia spoke up.
"You sound as if you are concerned for Colonel Daniel."
"That is correct. Perhaps I care more for him than Your Majesty does."
"...Excuse me?"
Thanks to Lucy discussing the size of her affection, veins bulged in a cross pattern on Selvia's forehead.
"What do you know about Colonel Daniel to be so proud in that manner?"
"Colonel Daniel and I have spent over a year in close proximity. Do you think no secrets would have accumulated during that time?"
"Ha? I have secrets as well. About Kelly, for instance..."
Hearing the name Kelly, Lucy wore a rare expression of solemnity.
"I know about Kelly as well."
Because she was the woman Daniel Steiner had not been able to forget.
Recalling Daniel, who used to take out her photo and become lost in sentiment, Lucy placed a hand over her chest and spoke.
"I am prepared to take Kelly's place for Colonel Daniel's sake. Are you prepared to do the same, Your Majesty?"
At Lucy's words, Selvia felt her confusion intensify.
'Did I hear that correctly? That she'll become his dog for Daniel's sake?'
The shock from the information gap made Selvia's body stiffen.
After blankly blinking for a while, Selvia parted her lips with difficulty.
"...Wait a moment. Does Colonel Daniel also want that?"
Recalling when Daniel had previously told her, 'You are more precious to me than Kelly,' Lucy nodded.
"I believe so."
At Lucy's definitive answer, Selvia broke out in a cold sweat without realizing it.
Her face began to flush of its own accord, and the fine hairs all over her body stood on end.
Utterly at a loss, Selvia suddenly shuddered.
'I didn't know...'
Folding her arms for no reason and lowering her gaze, Selvia's shoulders hunched inward.
'That Daniel had such tastes...'
Her burning face showed no sign of cooling down.