First Meeting
First Meeting
The reason for Daniel's anger was simple.
Ref had inserted herself into his already complicated romantic entanglements, making the situation even more tangled.
He couldn't know what Selvia would think of this, and Lucy and Frien were hardly going to welcome Ref's entry either.
It was no different from a stone named Ref dropping into the calm waters that had been maintaining a surface equilibrium.
Daniel had absolutely no idea how he was supposed to handle the ripples Ref had caused.
Ref was aware of her own fault, but she frowned at Daniel's violent reaction.
"......Kill you? Isn't that a bit of an extreme leap?"
Daniel suppressed his anger as much as possible and spoke.
"A leap? What do you think will happen if Her Majesty the Empress takes offense at your impertinent remarks? Not only you, but I will never be able to live an ordinary life either."
"I think you can rest easy on that count. Because it didn't seem like Her Majesty the Empress was angry."
"......How am I supposed to believe that?"
Ref's eyes half-opened.
"Whether you believe me or not is your freedom, but I am merely stating the facts. Why do you think I told the Empress I loved you in the first place? Because I judged that making that excuse was more advantageous for me. Contrary to what you think, Her Majesty the Empress had a tolerant side regarding love."
"Had a tolerant side regarding love?"
"It's hard to explain. Should I say she had prepared her heart? Perhaps because she already knew that there were women around you who loved you, her attitude was quite detached. Though of course, it wasn't an attitude that she was willing to happily accept that fact."
Recalling her conversation with Selvia, Ref continued speaking.
"She seemed to understand to some extent that she couldn't monopolize you. So when I confessed my love, she didn't seem particularly surprised. And Daniel, you might actually need to thank me."
Daniel felt puzzled at the sudden remark.
"And what kind of bizarre nonsense is that?"
"It's not bizarre nonsense, you know? On your behalf, I told the Empress about a way Daniel could practice polygamy. She didn't seem to accept it willingly, but anyway, she said she would consider it."
Ref, whose expression had become triumphant at some point, folded her arms.
"How about it? Doesn't this pretty much count as helping you out?"
Daniel, who had been staring blankly at Ref, slowly raised his hand.
"Hmm. Are you trying to pat my head or something? Sorry, but I don't really like that sort of thing. It feels like you're treating me like a child, you know? So put your hand away......."
Daniel grabbed Ref's cheeks and pulled them.
"Hmmyeuk!?"
A startled Ref let out a strange sound, but Daniel paid no attention.
"I could have told Her Majesty myself at any time that polygamy was possible. I simply thought it would be a shameless thing to say with my own mouth."
"Ath uth thoo thalk abouth uth......!"
"Right. I cannot say that what you said on my behalf was bad. But did I ever ask you to do it? And even if you explained that to Her Majesty the Empress, does that make your sin disappear?"
Daniel, who had let out a sigh, released the hand that was pulling Ref's cheeks.
"Augh......!"
Frowning, Ref rubbed her own cheeks.
Perhaps because her skin was sensitive, her cheeks were already flushed red.
Shedding a few tears, Ref spoke in a slightly aggrieved tone.
"I'm sorry! I said I'm sorry......! But you can't undo what's already done, can you! As I told you, I thought the moment I admitted it was all a joke back there, I'd vanish as the Dew of the Execution Grounds?"
"Then you should have watched your mouth in the first place...... forget it. As you say, we can't undo what's already done."
There was nothing as foolish as trying to gather up spilled water.
So if water had already been spilled, it was only normal to pick up a towel and clean up the mess.
"First, you return to Belanos."
"Huh? To Belanos?"
"Yes. There's nothing to be gained by staying here. If bizarre rumors spread like when we met at the cafe before, wouldn't that be dangerous? In fact, you coming here alone was a dangerous act in itself."
"......I understand for now. But until when?"
"It would be best if you do not return until the war is over. Not just for me, but ending the war is Her Majesty the Empress's top priority as well, so as long as you do not stand out, you will be safe for the time being."
Having organized his thoughts, Daniel went to his office desk and sat in the chair.
His hand moved with a nonchalance as he took out documents.
"I will summon you when the war is completely over. When you face Her Majesty the Empress then and clear up the misunderstanding, that will be the end of it, so until then, spend your time in your homeland."
"......Do you think we can clear up the misunderstanding?"
"It won't be easy, but we'll have to try. Even if we can't clear up the misunderstanding, no harm will come to you, so don't worry."
The hand that had been rubbing her cheeks quietly stopped.
"When you say no harm will come to me, don't tell me......."
"Yes. It means I will take responsibility and protect you. Though the misunderstanding began with your sense of mischief, the root of the fault lies with me after all."
Ref's eyes widened.
Because she had never imagined such words coming out of Daniel's mouth.
Conscious of Ref's gaze, Daniel slowly raised his head.
"......What? Are you hoping for an escort?"
"Huh? Ah."
Only then did Ref, coming to her senses, shake her head.
"There's no need for that. I came with a servant. Anyway, I understand what you said. Then, see you next time."
Ref turned, left the office, and closed the door.
Daniel, thinking the commotion was over, was about to return to reviewing documents.
The closed door gently opened, and Ref poked her face out.
"Ah. I'm just saying this in case, but I recommend not eating the green candy."
Having said that, Ref closed the door before even hearing an answer.
Daniel, who had been blankly wondering what she meant, turned his gaze toward the box containing the candy.
'...Green candy?'
People tend to want to do something more when they're told not to do it.
Ref probably knew that too, but the fact that she deliberately said it made her intentions transparently obvious.
In the end, unable to suppress his curiosity, Daniel found the green candy and took it out of the box.
In appearance, it was so ordinary that one couldn't tell what was different from the other candies.
Unable to resist his curiosity, Daniel placed the candy in his mouth.
"......!"
Simultaneously, he shuddered at the intensely sour and bitter taste.
Hastily taking out a handkerchief from his chest and spitting out the candy, Daniel shuddered in disgust.
'Ref......!'
She had played a prank right up to the end, showing no sign of reflection.
It was absurd, but Daniel took deep breaths, calming his mind and body as much as possible.
Because right now, preparing for negotiations with Count Kaledra was a higher priority than getting angry at Ref's prank.
*
Ten days later.
An annex located near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"5 minutes until the Allied Nations delegation arrives!"
"Re-inspect the entry route! Today is a historic day! There must not be a single mistake!"
"Once the refreshment service preparations are complete, fall back! We must not create a chaotic atmosphere!"
Unlike usual, the annex, which had been built as a reception hall for honored guests visiting the Empire, was bustling with countless people coming and going.
It was because this was the day Count Kaledra, the leader of the Allied Nations, was visiting.
"Lieutenant Daniel. Do you think the negotiations will go well?"
In the conference room, which was comparatively quiet compared to the noisy hallway, the Director-General of Political Affairs from the Foreign Ministry asked.
He was one of the Empire's negotiation team members who had gathered to persuade Count Kaledra.
Hearing a voice thick with tension, Daniel answered calmly.
"We have prepared as much as possible, but I cannot be certain. Because Count Kaledra is an unpredictable character. We cannot assume he will come with an unconditionally submissive attitude just because the Empire has developed nuclear weapons."
"It will be as you say, I suppose? Still, as the person leading the alliance, I do not think he is completely devoid of a realistic sense. Even if surrender is too much, wouldn't a conditional ceasefire be possible?"
"I also wish to believe so, however......."
In the middle of Daniel's words, one of the Foreign Ministry personnel called out softly.
"The Allied Nations delegation has entered the main entrance! 3 minutes until they arrive at the conference room!"
At the word '3 minutes', everyone in the conference room steadied their breathing and straightened their posture.
While Daniel was organizing the negotiation documents, the protocol officer quietly spoke.
"Please rise. They will be arriving shortly."
Daniel nodded, and the entire negotiation team rose from their seats.
Before long, the sound of footsteps could be heard from beyond the conference room door.
As they waited listening to the clock ticking, the conference room door soon opened, and Count Kaledra and his entourage strode in.
Leaning on an elegant cane, Count Kaledra surveyed the conference room with his pale, narrow eyes.
The negotiation team lightly bowed their heads when they met Count Kaledra's eyes as a courtesy, but Daniel did not.
After a brief silence, Kaledra, who had been staring intently at Daniel, opened his mouth.
"Daniel Steiner......."
In the increasingly heavy atmosphere, Kaledra quietly narrowed his eyes.
"I finally get to see the war maniac called the Devil of the Empire."