Chapter 23

My heart pounded wildly, and my breathing turned shallow.

I tried to keep my face calm, but the corners of my lips quivered slightly.

'Stay calm. Think. Come up with something—anything.'

If I didn't respond now, Daniel's suspicions might become irreversible.

After running through dozens of scenarios in my head in the span of a heartbeat, I finally managed to speak.

"…Ah. I see. I wasn't aware. They were still serving it when I last went, so I didn't know about any incident."

It was the best lie I could muster under pressure.

Judging from Daniel's career path, he'd likely gone straight to the General Staff Headquarters after graduating from the academy. That made it unlikely he had personally visited Jack's Restaurant last year.

I was gambling on a blind spot in his knowledge.

"Hmm. So you weren't aware of the incident…" Daniel muttered, lightly tapping the table with his fingers.

A small sound, yet it echoed like thunder in my ears.

His gaze remained calm, but I could feel the weight of suspicion pressing on me like a physical force.

And yet… Daniel himself wasn't thinking too deeply about it.

'Maybe they started serving it again?' he wondered.

It was a popular dessert, and the owner might've brought it back. After all, the incident was caused by a customer with an allergy—it wasn't the restaurant's fault.

Convinced by this reasoning, Daniel nodded slightly.

"I suppose they brought the apple strudel back. I'll have to check with Jack's sometime to confirm. Oh, and one last thing—"

Before he could finish, the orchestra began playing a stately classical piece.

Polite applause rippled through the hall as all heads turned toward the grand staircase.

The Imperial Family had begun their descent from the third floor, slowly making their entrance.

This was the main event Philip had warned me about.

As an officer, Daniel was required to show proper respect. The interrogation had to end here.

"Well, seems we're out of time," he said, smiling as he picked up his cap. "I'll leave it at that. Enjoy the rest of the evening."

He gave me a polite nod, tucked the cap under his arm, and disappeared into the crowd.

Relief surged through me.

'Thank God… Just a bit more pressure and I would've cracked.'

But as I let my guard down and glanced toward him again—

I froze.

Daniel was speaking to what looked like the Head of Operations… and occasionally glancing back at me.

Damn it.

He hadn't let go of his suspicions.

He was probably telling his superior that something about me didn't add up.

Swallowing a curse, I stood abruptly and made my way to the restroom.

Once inside, I made sure it was empty before lifting my wrist and pressing a concealed button on the watch.

"This is Camera Shop calling. Come in, Speaker."

A moment later, static buzzed in my ear.

—"What's wrong? Are you reporting the guest list already?"

"No! I've been compromised. Security is probably on high alert. Abort Operation Mad Dog immediately. Spread all agents to the old city district. We're switching to Plan B."

—"Compromised? But your identity papers were flawless. Even an Imperial officer shouldn't have—"

"The one who noticed me… is Daniel Steiner."

A heavy silence followed.

Even through the radio, the name seemed to carry weight.

—"…Understood. Switching to Plan B. We'll alert the agents. Good luck."

The line went dead.

I stared at the watch for a long moment, then slowly lowered my arm and rubbed my forehead.

"Damn it. Plan B…"

It was a high-risk alternative.

Even if it succeeded, casualties would be massive. And the Empire would have all the justification it needed to wage another expansion war.

But I had no choice.

If Daniel Steiner was already on my trail, the original plan was as good as dead.

Sighing, I pressed my palms together in a quiet, desperate prayer.

Please… God, protect us all.

Alistair's hurried steps as he left the hall didn't escape my notice.

"Off to the restroom, is he?" Ernst asked with a smirk. "That friend of yours?"

"Seems urgent," I replied with a shrug.

Ernst chuckled and changed the subject. "Let's stop talking about hometown acquaintances for now. Focus on the ball."

"…The ball?"

"Right. You've never been to a royal banquet before, have you? When the banquet reaches its peak, the royals open the dance floor. It's part of tradition—some kind of symbolic continuity."

I still didn't understand how dancing preserved legacy, but I wasn't about to argue with imperial customs.

As the music shifted to a grand waltz, the lights dimmed and the Imperial Family took their places on the dance floor.

The first person I noticed was Selvia.

She wore a deep amethyst gown with a daringly low-cut back, but elegant jewelry drew attention to her face instead, giving her a regal rather than provocative look.

She seemed like a completely different person from the woman I met in the North.

Then I saw it—why she looked so unfamiliar.

She hates this.

Her expression was blank. No teasing smirks, no confident energy. Just… emptiness.

If I were being forced to parade around in a ballroom like a showpiece, I'd probably look the same.

Still, the music began, and the dance commenced.

Selvia moved flawlessly, but there was no joy in her face.

Yet somehow, even that cold expression made her look all the more captivating.

I considered myself a rational man, but beauty like hers was dangerous. It warped perception. Made indifference seem like charm.

As the music ended and applause broke out, Selvia's gaze swept across the room—and landed on me.

Just as I raised my hands to clap—

Don't.

She mouthed the word. I froze.

Confused, I awkwardly lowered my hands while everyone else continued clapping.

Before I could process what just happened, Selvia excused herself from the nobles and began walking directly toward me.

I stepped aside, but she stopped in front of me with a small smile.

"It's been a while, Daniel… Or should I say Captain now?"

She came to see me?

Still recovering from surprise, I nodded. "Yes. I've been promoted to Captain."

"Of course. With all the merit you've racked up, it's only natural. And… did you change your hairstyle?"

"I didn't want to, but my superior insisted."

Selvia let out a soft chuckle.

"Thank him. It suits you. You look more mature."

"I am mature."

"Age alone doesn't make someone an adult. Especially compared to them." She glanced at the nobles nearby.

"They're all pushing for another expansion war. None of them have thought about the consequences for the rest of the world."

In fairness, that mindset wasn't uncommon in this era. Imperialism was still dressed up as 'civilizing the lesser nations.'

But Selvia was ahead of her time.

"It's expected. With the Empire rising, it's natural to seek more territory. Not everyone can be as wise as—"

I stopped.

Alistair was running toward us, eyes wide, face pale.

Before I could react, he reached inside his coat.

I pulled my revolver in an instant.

He hurled something toward us—and I fired.

Bang!

His head exploded.

But the object was still mid-air.

"Your Highness!"

I grabbed Selvia, shielding her in my arms.

A flash.

And then—

Darkness.