I heard an indirect death threat through the CCTV, so I returned to my office and ordered Lucy to stop working.

    Afterward, I took her out for lunch and showed her the facilities available to officers at the General Staff Headquarters before heading back to the office.

    I handled most of the afternoon tasks myself.

    The reason was simple.

    If I dumped more work on Lucy, I might actually end up dead.

    Of course, that was unlikely, but what if Lucy, pushed to the edge by overwork, suddenly drew the revolver at her hip and fired? That would be a disaster.

    So, from now on, I decided to proceed with tasks in a way that wouldn’t provoke Lucy as much as possible.

    “Captain.”

    Just as I finished all the afternoon tasks, Lucy organized the documents and looked at me.

    “It’s time to leave work.”

    Was it already that late?

    I looked up at the wall clock, and sure enough, the hour hand pointed to 6 PM.

    As much as I wanted to hum a tune and walk out of the General Staff Headquarters, leaving work with Lucy was out of the question. Who knew what might happen?

    “You go on ahead. I need to stay behind and review some—”

    “In that case, I’ll stay and assist you, Captain.”

    “—or maybe not. Leaving sounds like a better idea. Let’s go.”

    I cleared my throat and stood up, draping my officer’s coat over my arm and grabbing my document bag.

    Lucy also finished preparing to leave and stood up.

    As I stepped out into the hallway after opening the office door, Lucy naturally fell into step beside me.@@@@

    Carrying her own document bag, Lucy tilted her head curiously as she glanced at me.

    “Captain? You don’t look well. Is something wrong?”

    It’s because of you, you crazy woman!

    ...That thought almost escaped my lips, but I swallowed it with superhuman patience.

    “It’s nothing. My stomach just feels a little off. Don’t worry about it.”

    I kept my mouth shut after that and walked out of the General Staff Headquarters.

    We made it to the eaves when I slowed my pace.

    It was raining. Not a downpour, but a light drizzle.

    Thanks to that, Lucy, who had stepped closer to me, spoke with slight concern.

    “It’s raining. The weather service said it would be clear all day...”

    “Pathetic.”

    Even the weather services of the distant future sometimes got forecasts wrong. Relying on today’s predictions without bringing an umbrella was just foolish.

    “An Imperial officer must always be prepared for adverse weather conditions.”

    I pulled a collapsible umbrella from my document bag.

    After hesitating for a moment, I handed it to Lucy.

    “Take this. I wouldn’t want my direct subordinate to look like an idiot getting drenched on her way home.”

    “Pardon? But...”

    “Don’t make me say it twice.”

    Maintaining a professional relationship while showing just enough kindness was the key to survival.

    Lucy looked at me with surprise, then raised her hands and accepted the umbrella.

    “Thank you. I’ll make good use of it. But are you sure this is all right? If I take this, you’ll have to walk home in the rain, Captain.”

    “Captain Daniel.”

    “Yes, sir?”

    “Please don’t spout nonsense.”

    “...Yes, sir.”

    Judging by the grim atmosphere, there was no way I could push the matter any further.

    Unfortunately, that meant my attendance at the banquet was now confirmed.

    *****

    Meanwhile, at the Imperial Eisenkrone Palace—Second Floor of the Royal Library.

    “Your Highness.”

    Selvia, who was seated at a desk surrounded by numerous open books and ancient manuscripts, raised her head.

    Standing there was Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann Edelstein, an elderly man dressed in a uniform adorned with golden-wing insignias, the chief bodyguard assigned to the princess.

    Upon confirming the identity of the person who called her, Selvia lowered her head and turned the page of the manuscript.

    “What is it?”

    Her tone was cold—clearly signaling that she was engrossed in deciphering the ancient text and did not wish to be disturbed.

    However, this time, Hartmann couldn’t simply let it go.

    “The head maid, who is in charge of overseeing attire, has asked me to speak with you. She’s struggling to prepare for tomorrow’s banquet because Your Highness has shown no interest in dressing up and has been staying in the library.”

    Selvia let out a low sigh.

    “Then tell her that spending time studying tactics and strategies would be far more beneficial than dressing up.”

    “Your Highness.”

    “Hartmann, I have no intention of being a spectacle for those attending the banquet. Honestly, celebrating a victory just because we managed to push back the Allied Forces in the north...?”

    Trailing off, Selvia shook her head in disapproval.

    “If it were up to me, I would have used the banquet’s budget to strengthen national defense. I can’t imagine what Father is thinking.”

    A faint smile appeared on Hartmann’s lips.

    It was a remarkably humble statement—one hardly expected from someone born to lead.

    However, her distaste for social gatherings could lead to disadvantages in the long run.

    “Your Highness, banquets are the foundation of diplomacy, and diplomacy is politics. A nation, at its core, is a collection of groups. Excessive diplomacy may alienate the common people, but a complete lack of it may turn the nobility into enemies.”

    Historically, those admired by only one side never lasted long.

    “To rule over both factions and keep them beneath your feet—that is what it means to be Emperor, the sole leader who commands the world’s most powerful military. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

    While his words weren’t wrong, Selvia still wasn’t convinced.

    Seeing her silent defiance, Hartmann suddenly spoke as if something had just come to mind.

    “Ah, come to think of it, Captain Daniel Steiner will also be attending the banquet. Isn’t he someone Your Highness is acquainted with?”

    At the mention of Daniel Steiner, Selvia’s shoulders flinched.

    —‘If my death allows you to live, that’s enough for me. After all, a soldier exists to protect the people of their nation.’

    She still couldn’t forget those words he had said to her.

    He was someone it wouldn’t hurt to keep close. If possible, she wanted to have him on her side.

    Letting out a small cough, Selvia closed the manuscript.

    “...Very well. Summon the head maid. I suppose a bit of embellishment won’t hurt.”

    Though she spoke in a nonchalant tone, Hartmann noticed the faint blush creeping up Selvia’s ears.

    ‘It seems Your Highness isn’t particularly skilled at hiding your emotions.’

    Was Daniel Steiner such an impressive figure in her eyes?

    With an amused smile, Hartmann gave a small nod.