Chapter 30

Hearing the dreadful news that he'd gained the attention of higher-ups, Daniel decided that, today of all days, he had to visit a dessert shop for some much-needed healing.

"Prioritizing mental health in a high-stress job is a responsible thing to do."

With that noble thought in mind, Daniel took a shortcut after work and arrived at the Golden Rose Bakery—a newly opened shop on the outskirts of the capital.

The warm, buttery scent of pastries and fresh bread wafting out was enough to confirm that yes, this was definitely a proper dessert place.

Daniel was satisfied.

Or at least he would've been—if not for the strange woman standing beside him.

"This is the place, isn't it? The one you mentioned, Captain."

As Lucy glanced up at the bakery's sign, Daniel sighed internally.

'Why the hell is she here?'

Looking back, it had started when he was leaving General Staff Headquarters. Lucy had casually approached him, and somehow, the topic of desserts had come up.

Out of basic courtesy, Daniel had said, "Feel free to tag along, if you'd like."

Naturally, he assumed she'd decline.

But Lucy, ever the obedient subordinate, had replied that she wouldn't refuse a superior's offer.

Now, here they were.

'She's definitely watching me.'

It was obvious she had an ulterior motive. But Daniel didn't let it show.

"Let's head in."

He pushed open the bakery door. Lucy followed him in.

An employee at the counter jumped to attention the moment they walked in, a bright smile plastered on her face.

"Welcome to the Golden Rose Bakery, where we bring you happiness! How many in your—"

She stopped mid-sentence.

Two officers in uniform. Cold, sharp gazes. The air felt like it had dropped a few degrees.

In truth, they were simply expressionless.

But the poor employee didn't know that.

'Terrifying…!'

Swallowing her fear, she forced a smile.

"T-Two guests. Do you already know what you'd like?"

"Yes."

Daniel removed his cap, tucked it under his arm, and offered a faint smile.

"I've heard this place is famous for the Dream Parfait. Impressive how many people are already visiting despite it being new. We'll take two."

"Ah…"

Expressionless was scary. But a smiling Daniel, speaking gently? That was unexpectedly charming.

Momentarily stunned, the employee snapped back to reality.

"I-I'll get those ready! Please have a seat by the window!"

Daniel nodded and walked over to a window-side table. Lucy sat across from him, placing her briefcase on the empty seat beside her.

Her gaze lingered on Daniel.

He seemed completely at ease, calmly looking around like someone who frequented dessert shops.

'So… he really wasn't lying about yesterday?'

If that had been a cover story, it would've meant Daniel had recognized her back then, suspected her identity, and fabricated a dessert-hobby alibi.

But his demeanor felt too natural.

Too genuine.

'Was that encounter… really a coincidence?'

Deep in thought, Lucy didn't realize she was staring until—

"Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"

Damn. She'd been so lost in thought she hadn't masked her expression.

Lucy coughed softly, ready to come up with an excuse—

"Here are your Dream Parfaits!"

A cheerful voice cut in as the employee returned with two tall glasses.

"Enjoy your desserts, and have a wonderful day!"

With a polite bow, she retreated.

Daniel casually reached for his spoon—but paused when he saw Lucy glaring at her parfait like it had insulted her ancestors.

Which made sense.

She had never seen anything like it before.

Lucy had grown up eating nothing but bland, military-issued rations. Daniel still remembered the time she tried a fresh croissant for the first time and stared at it like it was sorcery.

If even a croissant had stunned her, a full-blown parfait was probably blowing her mind.

Layered ice cream, biscuits, fruit, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle—grandiose was an understatement.

'How the hell are you supposed to eat this?'

Behind her usual poker face, Lucy was panicking.

Daniel suppressed a smirk.

"Let's dig in."

Speaking more to himself, he scooped up a bit of ice cream, strawberry, and cream in one smooth motion and popped it into his mouth.

Sweet, creamy, tangy.

Satisfied, he set his spoon down.

Lucy hesitated... then followed suit.

She had low expectations.

After all, how good could an Imperial dessert really be?

But the moment the spoon touched her tongue—

"Hhnnngh…!"

A strange, almost indecent gasp slipped out.

Eyes wide, Lucy set her spoon down, blinking blankly.

It was divine. Silky. Sweet. An explosion of flavor unlike anything she'd ever tasted.

Nothing like the chalky protein bricks she'd survived on.

Daniel watched her reaction with satisfaction.

'And she called it junk food yesterday. Hah. She's never even had dessert before.'

With a smug tone, he asked,

"So? Does it suit your tastes?"

Lucy blinked, then narrowed her eyes.

She was mortified.

Letting one dessert crack her iron composure?

Unforgivable.

Worse still—it was an Imperial dessert.

Her cheeks flushed faintly.

"…It's edible."

But the slight tremble in her voice betrayed her.

"Edible, huh? Duly noted."

Daniel picked one of the biscuits from his parfait and bit into it. The crunch paired perfectly with the soft sweetness.

As he quietly enjoyed the dessert, his eyes wandered to the window.

'My adjutant is a spy. I've been neck-deep in strange incidents lately…'

And yet…

Maybe he should be grateful to be in a rear-line position.

The front was a hellscape.

No one was eating parfaits in the trenches.

'I'd like to stay here as long as possible.'

Dying in battle wasn't high on his to-do list.

Meanwhile, at General Staff Headquarters…

Inside the office of the Deputy Chief of Operations.

Rustle—

Surrounded by stacks of classified files, Brigadier General Cedric Bendel calmly flipped through a newspaper.

His pale eyes scanned the article with speed and precision.

Less than thirty seconds later, he set it down.

'Took out an entire mafia group, huh…'

The report praised how Captain Daniel Steiner had single-handedly dismantled a major crime syndicate.

'Why?'

Cedric frowned slightly.

Daniel already had more than enough commendations. He was guaranteed a promotion to major within the next two years if he stayed the course.

So why risk everything now?

Cedric thought it over.

And the answer came to him swiftly.

'He can't afford to wait.'

In this war, even a year could make or break a strategy.

Daniel wasn't the type to sit still when he could be making a difference.

And as brilliant as he was, the influence of a mere captain was limited.

Taking down the mafia? That wasn't just public service—it was a message.

A signal to the higher-ups:

"I'm ready for the front."

Once promoted, Daniel's authority would increase exponentially.

Cedric could already picture him commanding at the front lines, reshaping battle plans in real time.

'A young flame burning bright.'

In a time when the Empire was bleeding both internally and externally, talents like Daniel were invaluable.

Cedric nodded to himself.

'I was just about to send reinforcements to the Northern Front anyway…'

Giving Daniel a chance to shine would benefit everyone.

'Very well. Captain Daniel Steiner—I'll place my faith in you.'

'Now go prove yourself on the battlefield.'