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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Two Women Meet
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Christmas Day.
Golden Rose Bakery.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner and Lieutenant Lucy Emilia, I presume? It is a great honor to have you visit our establishment. Could you please wait a moment while I confirm your reservation?"
Daniel nodded, and the attendant picked up a folder to check the list.
Meanwhile, Daniel looked at Lucy, who was standing beside him.
'It seems this is the first time I've seen her in civilian clothes...'
Lucy was currently wearing a pristine white blouse with a coat draped over her shoulders.
Below, she wore a black pencil skirt, subtly revealing the lines of her figure.
Her stylish yet elegant attire immediately brought to mind the image of a modern woman of this era.
'However...'
It seemed these weren't clothes she wore often, as Lucy appeared subtly nervous.
'I understand. I know that feeling.'
It's probably that phenomenon where you dress up in the latest fashion to look your best, but once you step outside, you can't help but feel subtly conscious of other people's gazes.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. Lieutenant Lucy Emilia."
The attendant's call broke his train of thought.
Daniel turned his gaze, and the attendant responded with a professional smile.
"Your reservation has been confirmed. I will escort you to your table."
The attendant stepped out from behind the counter, gesturing for them to follow.
Lucy and Daniel followed without a word, and the attendant led them to a window table.
"Please take a seat here and wait; your food and coffee will be brought out shortly."
The attendant bowed and left, and Lucy and Daniel took their seats.
Seated across a single table, the two naturally faced each other.
As Lucy blinked her eyes with an impassive expression, Daniel let out a small chuckle.
Puzzled, Lucy was the first to speak.
"...Lieutenant Colonel? Why are you laughing?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just that I'm used to seeing you in your stiff uniform, so seeing you in civilian clothes makes you look different. How should I put it? You could easily pass for a popular actress."
At the sudden compliment, Lucy was speechless, her lips parting slightly.
While it was true she had dressed up hoping for a compliment, now that her imagination had become reality, she was at a loss for how to respond.
When dealing with Daniel as a spy, there had been no hesitation, but trying to deal with him as a woman, her mind felt confused.
Daniel, who had been gazing steadily at Lucy, raised his hand and removed his leather gloves.
"More importantly, you know we have to stop by the Imperial Palace this evening, right?"
"Ah. The banquet, yes, I'm aware."
Daniel had informed her by phone a few days prior, so she couldn't not know even if she wanted to.
'I'm not sure why I was invited as well...'
The Imperial Princess herself had summoned them, so refusing was out of the question.
"There's no need to be nervous."
Daniel took off all his gloves, placed them beside the table, and spoke.
"While an imperial banquet might sound grand, it's ultimately just a social gathering. If you're careful with your words, mindful of your drinking, and simply enjoy the dinner..."
Daniel stopped mid-sentence and closed his mouth.
The attendant was approaching, carrying a stollen.
"Here's our special Christmas menu item, stollen! Please enjoy!"
The attendant, speaking brightly, placed the stollen in the center of the table.
Next, they placed two cups of steaming coffee in front of Lucy and Daniel, then stepped back.
"This is..."
Lucy, looking down at the stollen in the center of the table, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"It truly looks as if snow has settled on the bread. It's beautiful."
"It tastes as good as it looks. I'll slice it for you in a moment, just wait."
Daniel, holding a bread knife, smoothly pushed and cut into the stollen.
Only after slicing a few pieces did he put down the bread knife.
"Go ahead and try some first."
Daniel, wanting to hear Lucy's thoughts, offered her to eat.
Lucy nodded slightly, picked up a fork, speared a piece of stollen, and brought it to her mouth.
As Lucy parted her delicate lips and put the stollen in her mouth, her eyes widened.
'It's delicious...'
As soon as the stollen entered her mouth, it showcased its sweet flavor.
Then, as she chewed the moist and soft texture of the bread, a savory taste spread.
The raisins she bit into along the way added a refreshing tartness.
Lucy savored the taste, swallowed the stollen, and then hesitated just as she was about to give her honest opinion.
It was because Daniel, looking at her with a smug smile, was somehow annoying her.
It was as if he was saying, 'How is it? Delicious, right? I recommended it, so of course it's good!'
Feeling playfully contrary, Lucy hid her true feelings, picked up a napkin, and wiped her mouth.
"...It's edible."
Of course, that didn't work on Daniel.
'She liked it, but she's playing innocent again.'
The expression she made when she first took a bite of the stollen said it all.
Thinking it was a cute act of defiance, Daniel maintained his smile and raised his hand.
"Glad to hear it's edible. Then I'll have a taste..."
Daniel's hand, searching for a fork, floated aimlessly in the air.
There was clearly no fork.
"Hm? It seems the attendant forgot my fork."
He considered just picking it up with his hand, but the thought of getting sugar on his fingers was off-putting.
It was the moment he decided he should call the attendant.
"If that's the case, I'll feed you."
Lucy lifted the fork with the stollen on it and leaned forward.
"...You'll feed me?"
He wondered if it was a joke, but Lucy's red eyes were simply blinking, innocent of any hidden meaning.
'What is this? Is it part of a honey trap?'
Though he wasn't sure, Daniel, thinking it best not to refuse, took the stollen.
Daniel, savoring the sweet yet savory taste of the stollen, glanced around and spoke.
"Adjutant. I appreciate your kindness, but I think it would be better to order another fork."
"...Why is that?"
"Aren't there many eyes watching? It would be problematic if they misunderstood us as a couple, wouldn't it?"
Lucy, who had offered Daniel the stollen with no particular intent, belatedly blushed.
"Ah."
Thinking she had unintentionally acted like a lover, she felt a sudden rush of embarrassment.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel. I absolutely did not mean to..."
She tried to explain herself belatedly, but the atmosphere had already become awkward.
After a brief silence, Lucy spoke in a barely audible voice.
"...I apologize."
Her ears, burning bright red, were an added bonus.
*
After finishing their meal, Lucy and Daniel headed to the Imperial Palace as evening fell.
Guided by the palace staff who had come to greet them, Lucy and Daniel soon arrived at the annex palace where the banquet was being held.
It was a place where all sorts of lights were brightly lit, as if advertising that a banquet was being held, and prominent political and business figures were already chatting in the parking lot.
As they looked around at them and entered the annex palace, the impressive Great Hall, with its colossal chandelier, unfolded before them.
Inside the hall, numerous dishes were laid out on tables, and in the center, a gigantic Christmas tree displayed its splendor.
Furthermore, the Imperial Orchestra was playing classical music, creating a truly grand atmosphere.
'I had heard that the Christmas banquet was different from ordinary banquets...'
Daniel, secretly impressed, entered with Lucy and took a seat at a table along the edge.
He had decided there was no benefit in needlessly drawing others' attention.
However, for someone as famous as Daniel, people naturally gravitated towards him, even if he tried to stay in a corner.
"Isn't that Lieutenant Colonel Daniel?"
They had barely been seated at the table when a familiar voice reached them.
Daniel turned his head and saw Cedric, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, dressed in a suit.
Since Selvia was also beside him, Daniel quickly rose from his seat.
Lucy did the same.
"Deputy Chief of Staff. And Your Imperial Highness."
Daniel bowed according to proper etiquette.
Selvia glanced at Lucy once, then turned her head towards Daniel.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel. Thank you for accepting the invitation."
"The honor is all mine, Your Highness. Thank you for inviting me."
"There's no honor to speak of; only those worthy of an invitation receive one. More importantly, the Deputy Chief of Staff mentioned he had something to discuss with you, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel."
Cedric, with a puzzled expression, looked back at Selvia.
He had no particular conversation he needed to have with Lieutenant Colonel Daniel.
However, Cedric soon understood Selvia's intention and nodded.
"As Her Imperial Highness said. Let's go over there to talk."
"Yes. Understood."
Upon hearing his reply, Cedric took Daniel and walked to another area.
Selvia, who had been watching their retreating figures, turned back to Lucy.
"Lieutenant Lucy? I believe you are Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's adjutant. Am I correct?"
Selvia's lips were smiling, but her eyes were not.
In the strange atmosphere, Lucy nodded.
"That is correct, Your Imperial Highness."
"Good. Then, I'm going to ask you a few questions, Lieutenant Lucy... Ah, please sit down first."
"Please withdraw your command. I cannot sit while Your Highness is standing."
The smile on Selvia's lips deepened.
"I told you to sit."
Only then did Lucy realize that the words were not a courtesy, but a command.
"...Understood."
As Lucy took her seat, Selvia calmly began to speak.
"You see, I've taken an interest in Lieutenant Lucy lately. If you don't mind, could you tell me about the environment you grew up in? Your hometown, or your relationship with your family, for instance."
The intention behind the question was unclear.
However, being in a position where she couldn't refuse, Lucy spoke as she had been taught.
"...I was born in a village called Müllendorf, located in the southwest of the Empire. More precisely, in a small cabin in the forest near Müllendorf."
"Hmm. And then?"
"There, I was raised by my grandfather. He doted on me and cared for me until I could become independent. Afterwards, I entered the military academy, completed all courses, and was assigned to the General Staff Headquarters, where I now assist Lieutenant Colonel Daniel."
It was a clean, concise explanation, without any superfluous details.
Thanks to this, Selvia also seemed satisfied.
"I see. You must have had quite a difficult life. Being raised by your grandfather in a cabin without parents certainly wouldn't have been easy. Perhaps Lieutenant Lucy's past can be summarized in one word."
"...In one word?"
"Are you curious? Then I'll tell you."
Selvia placed her hands on the table and leaned forward.
Her lustrous platinum blonde hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders.
As the tension tightened, her blue eyes, like lapis lazuli, softly narrowed.
The moment Lucy instinctively flinched, Selvia smiled and parted her lips.
"A lie."