Daniel left the General Staff Headquarters and headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

    Thanks to obtaining prior approval from Princess Selvia, he passed through security with just a quick identity check.

    Guided by one of the palace attendants, Daniel soon arrived at the princess’s office. He knocked firmly.

    “Your Highness! It’s Major Daniel Steiner!”

    At his loud declaration, the door opened.

    Standing at the entrance was Colonel Hartmann, the Princess’s chief bodyguard.

    “Major Daniel. We’ve been expecting you.”

    Acknowledging him with a nod, Daniel stepped into the office and saluted.

    Selvia, seated behind her desk, immediately brightened at the sight of him.

    “Major Daniel! I was beginning to wonder when—!”

    Her voice rose in excitement before she quickly caught herself, clearing her throat.

    Even in her happiness, Selvia reminded herself to maintain the dignity of her royal status.

    “What brings you here today?”

    Her now-calm voice filled the room, and Daniel lowered his hand, shifting into a formal at-ease stance.

    “I’ve come with an urgent matter, Your Highness.”

    As Daniel spoke, Hartmann closed the door and took his position beside the Princess.

    With both of their eyes on him, Daniel began.

    “Before I explain the situation, I need to clarify something. I was not the one who led the attack to dismantle the Crown Prince’s organization, Dawn’s Light. I believe this point must be made clear.”

    Selvia and Hartmann exchanged glances, blinking for a moment before nodding as if they understood.

    “I see. If anyone asks, we’ll make sure to frame it that way.”

    “I’ll keep that in mind as well. I have no intention of letting you take the blame, Major.”

    Their responses didn’t feel genuine.@@@@

    Daniel resisted the urge to plead his case further—he doubted they’d believe him even if he did. Besides, there wasn’t time for that now.

    He decided to cut straight to the point.

    “Your Highness, I’ll explain the circumstances leading to my visit. First, are you aware that Security Bureau agents are currently roaming the General Staff Headquarters?”

    The air in the room instantly grew heavy.

    Selvia narrowed her eyes sharply.

    “Duke Belvar’s doing. That old man’s always had strong ties with the Security Bureau director. But for him to send agents into the General Staff...”

    She caught on quickly.

    Daniel nodded in confirmation.

    “Duke Belvar plans to frame me for colluding with spies.”

    “...Why?”

    “He’s trying to reverse public opinion. After all, it was I, Daniel Steiner, who uncovered the Crown Prince’s treasonous organization. But if word spreads that I’ve been colluding with spies, what do you think will happen?”

    Hartmann exhaled sharply.

    “They’ll paint you as the real traitor orchestrating everything from within the Princess’s faction. It wouldn’t even matter if it’s true or not—they could publicly condemn you, and few would question it.”

    Despite his irritation at Duke Belvar’s cunning, Hartmann looked at Daniel with newfound respect.

    “I can see why you’re worried. The Security Bureau can fabricate evidence out of thin air. One wrong move, and you’ll be dragged down.”

    The truth was even messier—Daniel knew his adjutant Lucy was tied to espionage, but he couldn’t reveal that.

    Instead, he nodded grimly.

    “It’s only a matter of time. If the Security Bureau manages to secure a surveillance warrant, I’ll be detained immediately.”

    Selvia shot up from her seat, slamming her hands on the desk.

    “No! I won’t allow it! I’ll stop them myself if I have to!”

    Daniel gave her a faint smile.

    “Well, that’s true... Need me to do anything?”

    “Nothing. Just stay back and keep in rhythm with whatever I say.”

    Hartmann nodded, thinking that wouldn’t be too difficult.

    Creak—

    The door opened, and Duke Belvar entered with an attendant.

    Wearing an expensive suit and a monocle, Belvar’s thick eyebrows and tightly pursed lips radiated stubbornness.

    Daniel stood and offered a slight bow, but Belvar didn’t respond.

    Instead, he clicked his tongue audibly and strode over to sit on the opposite sofa.

    Daniel returned to his seat, and Belvar finally spoke.

    “So, you’re the one who wanted to see me?”

    The Duke’s condescending tone didn’t faze Daniel, who kept his polite, practiced smile.

    “Yes. As you’re aware, Your Grace, the Crown Prince’s secret organization, Dawn’s Light, has been completely dismantled. I’ve come with a proposal regarding this matter.”

    “A proposal? Ha! I don’t even need to hear it! You want me to betray the Crown Prince, don’t you?”

    Belvar jabbed a finger at Daniel.

    “I also know your methods—pressuring people into submission at the negotiation table. Don’t think for a second that I’ll fall for your schemes like the others!”

    Despite Belvar’s outburst, Daniel maintained his composure, the smile never leaving his lips.

    “Your Grace, I believe there’s a misunderstanding. I’m only here to discuss terms. If you’ll listen—”

    “I won’t!”

    Belvar cut him off with a roar.

    “Do you think I’d be swayed by the lies spilling from your filthy mouth?!”

    “Then are you saying you’ll walk out of this negotiation without even hearing what I have to say?”

    “I only agreed to this meeting because of the Princess’s request. No matter what happens, I will never betray the Crown Prince—not even if it costs me my life!”

    As expected, Belvar had taken a hardline stance.

    Seeing no alternative, Daniel abandoned diplomacy and prepared to switch to the role he’d rehearsed—an act designed to unnerve his opponent.

    “I understand your loyalty, Your Grace. But if you break off these negotiations now, the lives you’ll sacrifice won’t be limited to just your own.”

    Belvar’s brow twitched.

    “...What are you implying?”

    “Exactly what I said. Think carefully.”

    Leaning back into the sofa, Daniel kept his smile steady while Belvar nervously swallowed, his fingers trembling.

    Belvar’s voice dropped, and he muttered, “My acquaintances and family are innocent. Even if I lose the succession battle, you have no authority to touch them.”

    At this, Daniel’s lips twitched before he let out a low, humorless laugh.

    The sound reverberated through the reception room, sending chills down Belvar’s spine.

    Even Hartmann, who had agreed to support Daniel’s performance, felt a faint sense of unease watching him.

    After laughing for a moment, Daniel waved a hand as if apologizing.

    “My apologies, Your Grace. That was rude of me. But...”

    Abruptly, the laughter vanished.

    Daniel locked eyes with Belvar, his sharp, predatory gaze sending a shiver down the older man’s spine.

    “Let me ask you this, Duke Belvar.”

    His voice dropped into a cold, cutting tone that held Belvar captive.

    “Among the people I’ve ruined and brought to their knees... do you honestly believe there weren’t any ‘innocents’ among them?”

    Silence filled the room.

    Daniel leaned forward slightly, never breaking eye contact.

    And in that moment, Duke Belvar felt something primal—an overwhelming wave of terror crawling up his spine.