Chapter 23

The heart started pounding wildly, and breathing became erratic.

Although he was trying hard to maintain a calm expression, the corners of his mouth were trembling slightly.

'Calm down! Think of an excuse!'

If he failed to answer now, Daniel's suspicion might turn into certainty.

After running countless simulations in his mind within the blink of an eye, Alistair barely managed to open his mouth.

"…Ah, is that so? I didn't know about that incident since they were selling it just fine when I visited."

This was the response Alistair had arrived at after much deliberation.

Given that Daniel had started working directly at the General Staff Office after graduating from the academy, it was safe to assume that he hadn't visited Jack's restaurant last year.

It was essentially a form of deception, exploiting gaps in information.

"Hmm. So you didn't know such an incident occurred…"

Daniel lightly tapped the banquet table with his fingers.

That small gesture and faint sound only deepened the unease Alistair was feeling in his tense state.

Alistair could physically feel Daniel's suspicion aimed at him.

On the other hand, Daniel wasn't thinking much about it.

'…Did they start selling it again last year?'

It was a delicious dessert, so perhaps the owner hadn't given up. After all, the incident wasn't really the restaurant's fault—it was due to a guest with allergies mistakenly ordering it.

With that thought, Daniel nodded to himself and looked at Alistair.

"It seems like they've resumed selling apple strudel. Though to be sure, I'd have to ask at Jack's restaurant. Oh, and one more thing…"

Just as Daniel was about to ask his next question, classical music performed by the orchestra filled the banquet hall.

At the same time, applause erupted from the attendees, naturally diverting both their gazes.

From the third floor of the hall, members of the royal family were descending the staircase, holding onto the railing.

This indicated that the main event, as Philip had mentioned, was about to begin.

As an officer of the Empire, Daniel was obligated to show courtesy to the royal family, leaving no room to continue the conversation.

"Well, time's up. It seems our conversation will have to end here."

Smiling, Daniel picked up the ceremonial hat he had placed on the table and stood.

"Enjoy the rest of your evening."

After nodding briefly, Daniel tucked the hat under his arm and walked towards the crowd.

Thanks to this, Alistair felt a sense of relief.

'Thank goodness. If I had been subjected to any more leading questions, I might have been caught…'

Just as he was feeling reassured, Alistair glanced back at Daniel and froze.

Daniel was talking to someone who appeared to be the Chief of the Operations Staff and occasionally looking back at him.

'Damn it…!'

Daniel hadn't let go of his suspicions after all. He was likely telling the Chief of Operations Staff, "That man is suspicious."

With a grim expression, Alistair quickly rose from his seat and headed toward the restroom.

Inside, he checked to ensure no one else was present, then lifted his wristwatch, which concealed a tiny transmitter, and pressed the send button.

"Speaker, respond! This is the Photo Studio!"

After a brief pause, a response came through the device.

─ What's the matter? Is it time to report the list?

Alistair shook his head.

"No! I'm under suspicion right now! They've likely increased security as well. Cancel Operation Mad Dog immediately! Disperse the agents into the Old Town! Switch to Plan B!"

─ Under suspicion? But your forged identity was flawless. Even your disguise should be undetectable to the Empire's forces.

"The situation turned bad. The one who's suspicious of me is none other than Daniel Steiner."

The weight of the name Daniel Steiner was considerable.

After a pause, the transmitter crackled back to life.

─ Understood. The current operation will be canceled, and we'll switch to Plan B. I'll relay this to all agents. Good luck.

The transmission cut off abruptly.

Staring silently at the watch, Alistair pressed a hand to his forehead.

'Damn it. We have no choice but to switch to Plan B…'

Unlike the original operation, Plan B carried exponentially higher risks of failure.

Even if the operation succeeded, it would likely lead to the annihilation of the agents and, worse, give the Empire justification to launch an expansion war.

But there was no other option.

With Daniel Steiner on his trail, the original plan was no longer viable.

Running a hand over his face, Alistair clasped his hands together and murmured solemnly.

"God… please protect us."

"He's heading to the restroom. Your new friend, I mean."

"Hmm. He must have been in a hurry."

Watching Alistair disappear into the restroom, I shrugged my shoulders.

Ernst chuckled at my response.

"Let's set aside talk of your compatriot for now and focus on the ball."

"…The ball, you say?"

"Oh, that's right. This must be your first imperial banquet. When the banquet reaches its peak, the royal family comes out to dance. It's a tradition carried on from the past."

I didn't quite understand how dancing was related to tradition, but I didn't feel like questioning royal customs.

Nodding half-heartedly, I turned my gaze toward the central hall where the royals were preparing for their dance.

The first person I noticed was Selvia in a deep purple evening gown.

The dress, daringly low-cut in the back, was paired with jewelry that gleamed with a bluish hue, giving her a sophisticated rather than provocative appearance.

To be honest, her atmosphere was completely different from when I had met her in the North.

Perhaps it was the light makeup she wore, but as I observed her closely, I quickly realized the difference in her demeanor.

'She dislikes this situation.'

Selvia wasn't smiling.

The mischievous or confident smile she had often displayed in the North was absent.

Well, it wasn't hard to understand her feelings if I put myself in her shoes.

Being dressed up and forced to dance in front of unwilling spectators for the sake of royal tradition wouldn't be pleasant for anyone.

Regardless of her feelings, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed, and music announcing the dance began to play.

As the music began, the royals, each wearing their best smiles, started dancing with their partners.

Selvia was no exception. The only difference was that, unlike the other royals, she remained expressionless throughout.

That expressionless face, however, was incredibly captivating to me.

I liked to think of myself as a rational person, but it seemed my rationality wasn't strong enough to overcome the allure of beauty.

If anyone else had made such a sullen expression, I might have told them to lighten up, but when someone as beautiful as Selvia did it, even that seemed like a work of art.

Such was the power of beauty-centric thinking. It was something to be wary of.

So I crossed my arms and continued watching as calmly as possible. Before I knew it, the dance ended, and the lights brightened.

The attendees began applauding in unison.

Selvia, receiving the applause of the banquet's elite, glanced around indifferently before her eyes met mine.

Her eyes widened slightly, and just as I raised my hands to clap—

─ Don't clap.

Selvia's mouthed words stopped me in my tracks.

Frozen mid-action, I watched as the high-ranking officials approached the royals, engaging them in conversation.

Selvia was no exception.

I stared blankly at her as she conversed with the officials, then tilted my head in confusion.

'Did I do something wrong?'

Was clapping when our eyes met a breach of royal etiquette or something?

While puzzling over this, I noticed Selvia politely excusing herself from the officials and walking through the crowd.

She was heading in my direction.

Thinking she might need space, I stepped aside.

But Selvia continued toward me.

Finally reaching me, she looked up and smiled faintly.

"It's been a while, Daniel… or should I call you Captain?"

It was clear she had come to me. Surprised for a moment, I nodded.

"Yes, I've been promoted to Captain."

"I see. Well, with all the accomplishments you've achieved, it's only natural. By the way, you've changed your hairstyle."

"Yes, though not by choice—my superior insisted on it…"

Selvia let out a soft laugh.

"I should thank that persistent superior of yours. It suits you. You look more mature."

"I've always been mature…"

"Age alone doesn't make one an adult, you know? Especially when you look at people like them."

Selvia glanced at the men who had approached her earlier.

"They all believe the Empire should launch expansion wars. They haven't even considered the ripple effects it would have on the international community."

Well, to be fair, such thinking was common for this era.

People often viewed colonizing less developed nations as a business or even a form of salvation.

Selvia was the exception; her perspective was far more enlightened.

"It's inevitable. With the Empire gaining the upper hand, advocating for war is a natural outcome."

"It's not natural. They're just drunk on victory…"

Selvia frowned slightly.

After sighing softly, she shook her head.

"Sorry. I shouldn't be saying this to you. Let's change the subject."

"Right. What brings you here?"

"You, of course."

"Me?"

"Your absence is glaring. Come with me to the balcony. It's quieter there."

I was still puzzled by her sudden approach but nodded.

With a faint smile, Selvia led the way to the balcony.