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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Coming Christmas
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The next day, early morning.
The Imperial Palace's indoor garden.
"Hmm…"
Selvia, her red cloak fluttering, paced back and forth before turning to her side.
"Chief Chambermaid, how do I look? Is it alright?"
At Selvia's restless demeanor, the Chief Chambermaid offered an awkward smile.
"Your Highness. You've already asked three times."
"I can't calm down. It's been a long time since I've seen him… So, how do I look?"
Selvia was asking if her makeup was done well.
Selvia, who had woken up at dawn today, had requested the royal physicians to do her makeup, and as this was a rare occurrence, the physicians had put their heart and soul into their skill.
Of course, despite their meticulous effort, the makeup wasn't particularly striking.
They had only used light foundation and powder to give her an elegant yet restrained beauty.
The lipstick on her lips was also a nude shade, close to her skin tone.
So, from a distance, it was so subtle that one couldn't tell if she was wearing makeup at all.
This also meant the makeup had settled naturally and beautifully.
"In my humble opinion, Your Highness is exceedingly beautiful. I imagine Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner would naturally praise your beauty should he see you now."
Daniel praising her beauty?
Selvia, imagining Daniel complimenting her appearance, suddenly let out a small giggle.
It was because it didn't fit Daniel's usual image.
"I doubt it, but I wish he would. More importantly, are the preparations for the Christmas banquet going well?"
The Christmas banquet was an important annual event hosted by the Imperial Family.
Although its scale had been significantly reduced since the Empire entered a state of war, it held a high reputation as an authoritative banquet, as it was attended by not only the Imperial Family but also nobles and the upper class.
Originally, this banquet was presided over by the Emperor, but this time it was under Selvia's jurisdiction, as she was acting as regent.
Selvia wasn't particularly fond of spending money on banquets, but this time she didn't hesitate to open the national coffers.
This was because the main guest of honor for this banquet was none other than Daniel Steiner.
She intended to use the Christmas banquet as an excuse to celebrate the return of a war hero.
Since the justification was clear, no one raised any objections, and thanks to this, Selvia could smoothly prepare the Christmas banquet.
The Chief Chambermaid, looking at Selvia's excited expression, nodded with a benevolent smile.
"As Your Highness commanded, the banquet has been prepared to Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's preferences. Ingredients for the post-dinner desserts have also been sourced from various nations. The finest whiskey to be presented to Lieutenant Colonel Daniel is also expected to arrive soon, so there is no need for Your Highness to worry."
Selvia nodded upon hearing the Chief Chambermaid's words.
As Selvia was satisfied that the banquet preparations were perfectly underway, the Chief Chambermaid cautiously began to speak.
"Your Highness. Her Imperial Majesty the Empress instructed the Chief Chambermaid's office to deliver a gift to Your Highness. May I present it now?"
"Mother? What did she send?"
"Well…"
The Chief Chambermaid, gauging Selvia's reaction, bowed her head as if apologetic.
"Her Imperial Majesty the Empress personally selected a few pieces of undergarments for Your Imperial Highness. Her Majesty instructed me to deliver these undergarments to Your Highness with the message, 'Wear them for an important occasion.'"
A lady-in-waiting standing beside the Chief Chambermaid stepped forward and slowly opened the lid of an undergarment box.
Selvia, who had unconsciously turned her gaze, froze the moment she saw the shape of the undergarments.
"What in the world…"
Not only was there scant fabric, but the design was utterly bizarre.
The design, fit for someone consumed by lust, struck her as unpleasant.
If the one who gifted this hadn't been her mother, she would have lashed out in anger.
Selvia, her face flushed for no reason, waved her hand dismissively.
"Take it away."
"Understood. However, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress also instructed me to convey, 'My daughter will surely refuse the first gift, so I have prepared another.'"
"...What is it?"
In most cases, curiosity tends to overcome discomfort.
As Selvia expressed her question, another lady-in-waiting stepped forward and opened the lid of a box.
Inside the box was an elegant crystal bottle containing an unknown liquid.
'Given the pink color, could it be…?'
As Selvia stared at the suspicious liquid with a chilling gaze, a network of veins appeared on her forehead.
"Get rid of it immediately."
The ladies-in-waiting, hearing her command, closed the box and retreated.
The Chief Chambermaid wasn't particularly surprised, as she had known Selvia wouldn't accept it.
She had merely followed the Empress's orders.
"Tell Mother this: if she sends such gifts again, I will not pay my respects for at least half a year."
Seeing Selvia's clearly angered expression, the Chief Chambermaid bowed deeply.
"I will convey that to Her Imperial Majesty the Empress."
Selvia, about to say more, stopped herself and shook her head.
'The Chief Chambermaid's office simply couldn't refuse Mother's words.'
What fault could they possibly have?
It was the moment Selvia, resigned, let out a low sigh.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner has arrived!"
A guard from the Imperial Guard shouted loudly from the entrance of the indoor garden.
Selvia, startled, quickly went and sat at the table.
Picking up a teacup filled with black tea was an added measure, so as not to reveal she had been waiting for Daniel.
Just then, Daniel Steiner walked confidently from the other side.
Daniel, walking in his Imperial Army uniform, showed a hint of fatigue on his face, but even that seemed attractive to Selvia.
'He seems to have gotten even more handsome since I last saw him.'
His face was one she stared at intently, even forgetting to pretend to drink her tea.
In reality, his appearance hadn't changed much since before he went to Bellanos.
"Your Imperial Highness."
Daniel, having approached, bowed his head in accordance with Imperial etiquette.
He had judged that this, rather than a salute, was more appropriate for a private summons.
Selvia, who had been gazing at Daniel, cleared her throat and set down her cup.
"This isn't a conversation to be had standing. Please, sit."
Daniel nodded and took a seat opposite Selvia.
Selvia was overjoyed that Daniel, whom she had thought dead, had returned alive, but as she could not compromise the Imperial family's dignity, she spoke with utmost restraint.
"Congratulations on your return."
"Thank you. All of it is due to the grace of His Imperial Majesty and Your Imperial Highness."
After Daniel's polite reply, an awkward silence fell between them.
Selvia, unsure of how to continue the conversation, nervously broke the silence.
"What do you think was my purpose in calling for you, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel?"
Was she probing him? Daniel, who had unconsciously tensed up, answered as naturally as possible.
"I presumed you summoned me to hear the detailed results of the conference."
"I've already heard all about that from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the point where my ears hurt. I summoned you today for a private reason."
"A private reason?"
Selvia unnecessarily fiddled with her teacup, stalling for time.
Inviting him to the banquet felt somewhat like asking him on a date.
Selvia, pondering how to word her invitation so Daniel would accept, finally spoke with difficulty.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, are you aware? That a grand banquet is being held at the Imperial Palace for Christmas?"
"Ah, yes. I've heard. That preparations for the banquet are already underway."
"Then we're on the same page. I intend to formally invite you, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, to the banquet."
Now it was Daniel's turn to say he would be honored.
So Selvia waited, but Daniel did not answer easily.
Daniel, seemingly troubled, chose his words carefully and offered an awkward smile.
"I do have a prior engagement, but I believe it wouldn't be difficult to adjust my schedule and attend the banquet."
At the mention of a 'prior engagement,' a question mark appeared above Selvia's head.
"A prior engagement? With whom?"
"Ah, well…"
Daniel hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"I have a subordinate named Lucy Emilia, and we had planned to spend Christmas together this year. It's because neither my subordinate nor I had any particular plans for Christmas."
Lucy Emilia was someone Selvia had vaguely heard of.
She was the woman who had earned merit in stabilizing Nordia, the occupied territory.
But she hadn't known that woman would be making advances on Daniel.
"Hmph…"
Selvia offered a faint smile, as if unconcerned.
"That's good then. I'll invite Lieutenant Colonel Daniel's subordinate to this year's Christmas banquet as well. Then there'll be no need to adjust any schedules, will there?"
The atmosphere subtly soured, but Daniel, failing to notice, nodded.
"If Your Highness does so, my subordinate will also consider it an honor. I will convey your words."
"Very well. You may be dismissed now."
"Understood."
Daniel, rising from his seat, bowed his head in accordance with etiquette.
As Daniel turned and walked away, Selvia quietly watched his retreating back.
In her half-closed eyes, all traces of her earlier excitement had vanished without a trace.
Lucy Emilia.
Selvia, repeating the name of the woman Daniel had mentioned, picked up her cup and took a sip of black tea.
Clink─
As soon as she set down the cup, Selvia's delicate lips parted.
"Chief Chambermaid."
The Chief Chambermaid, sensing the unusual atmosphere, quickly approached and bowed her head.
"Listen carefully. I will only say this once."
At her frost-laden voice, the ladies-in-waiting standing behind her stiffened and listened intently.
"Contact the Intelligence Bureau and order them to thoroughly investigate Lucy Emilia's identity. Her education, date of birth, political leanings, hometown, personal relationships, and even her background—everything."
"Yes, Your Highness. Understood."
Upon hearing the Chief Chambermaid's reply, Selvia's blue eyes narrowed sharply.
'I need to know.'
About who this woman making advances on Daniel Steiner truly is.
'If it's not pure affection, but some ulterior motive…'
She would stop her, even if it meant mobilizing all her power.