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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Different Dreams
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A week later, the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Berthram's bedchamber.
"What do you make of His Majesty's condition?"
At Imperial Guard Captain Johannes Kuntz's words, the chief physician put away his medical equipment and spoke.
"I have done my utmost, but His Majesty is currently experiencing a decline in his circulatory system, along with organ failure. While medical measures are being taken to minimize His Majesty's suffering, beyond that, no clear course of action presents itself."
Johannes, letting out a groan, looked down at the chief physician and clenched his fist tightly.
"Is there truly no way? His Majesty is still…"
"That's enough."
It was Berthram, lying in bed, who spoke.
As the two men fell silent, Berthram raised a hand and waved it dismissively.
"Physician, you may leave now. You have done your best."
The chief physician closed his medical bag, rose from his seat, and bowed deeply towards Berthram.
"I shall pray to God for His Majesty's swift recovery."
The chief physician, expressing his regret, turned and walked out.
Johannes, gazing wistfully at his retreating back, sighed and sat down beside Berthram.
"Your Majesty. Especially at a time like this, you must not give up and must take care of your health."
At Johannes's words, Berthram let out a dry laugh.
"Enough with the empty platitudes. Did you not hear what the physician just said? He said he would pray to God. It's as good as saying only God can cure my illness."
"Your Majesty…"
"Stop with your clumsy attempts at comfort. Death is a natural thing, so I don't understand why everyone makes such a fuss and pulls long faces. It's simply irritating."
After a brief silence, Johannes spoke.
"...Wouldn't it be even more bizarre and irritating if we were to laugh instead of pulling long faces? I imagine everyone is merely pretending to weep, lest Your Majesty, in your anger, order their execution."
Berthram, merely rolling his eyes to glance at Johannes, felt the corner of his mouth twitch.
Then, as if he could no longer hold it in, he burst into laughter.
Johannes's jest had clearly pleased him.
"You're not wrong. If they don't wish to die by my hand, pretending to weep is the right course of action. Though, there is one exception, of course."
"An exception, Your Majesty?"
"Is there not a wolf in the Chief of Staff's office, growing ever larger?"
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.
Berthram, having mentioned the young officer, turned his gaze to the ceiling.
"Now that it's come up, let's set aside the gloomy talk and speak of that fellow. I heard that the leader of the Free Society Party was revealed to be a collaborator – is that correct?"
Johannes nodded.
"That is correct, Your Majesty. We are currently investigating those involved, but Daniel Steiner has not disclosed the information obtained during the investigation to the public."
"Is that all?"
"No, Your Majesty. Recently, some media outlets have published speculative articles suggesting that Baron Hendleiem is closely connected to the leader of the Free Society Party."
To Johannes's knowledge, the first newspaper to publish such an article was Melbaroton.
"As the speculative articles spread like wildfire, Daniel Steiner reportedly held a press conference to clear up any misunderstandings. During that conference, Daniel Steiner earnestly appealed for an end to the one-sided accusations against Baron Hendleiem."
Berthram blinked, as if surprised.
"Daniel Steiner defended a noble? Why?"
"I do not know the exact circumstances, but he reportedly requested a halt to false reports until proper investigation results were released. Furthermore, I heard he made several statements in support of Baron Hendleiem."
"Daniel Steiner took the lead in shielding Baron Hendleiem from accusations. What do you, as the Imperial Guard Captain, think his true intentions are?"
"I am not well-versed in politics, Your Majesty, but might it not be that Daniel, believing himself cornered, is attempting to forge an alliance with the nobles?"
Berthram, who had been lost in thought with his eyes half-closed, soon shook his head.
"From my perspective, Daniel Steiner is trying to dismantle the nobility. He's sowing seeds of doubt everywhere. That damned fellow…"
Contrary to his words, Berthram let out a hollow laugh, as if amused.
"The more I see of him, the more I covet him. If only I were ten years younger, I would have made him a loyal ally to the Imperial Family…"
He had met the man too late.
For Daniel Steiner had grown powerful enough to easily tear apart an old, sick lion.
All Berthram could do now was hope that Daniel harbored no ill will towards the Imperial Family.
*
At the same time, Daniel, who had reported to the Chief of Staff's office, was sipping coffee by the window in the lounge.
'At this rate, I might actually die…'
For a week after arresting Kembell, the leader of the Free Society Party, as a collaborator, Daniel had literally worked without rest.
This meant he had dedicated himself entirely to work, save for a few hours of catnaps.
This wasn't because Daniel was a workaholic, but due to the anxiety that the moment he rested even a little, he could become fodder for the media and be torn apart.
Just as Daniel had predicted, articles titled 'Daniel Steiner Begins Political Maneuvers' were being published one after another in the Imperial Daily.
'It's a good thing I had Melbaroton Newspaper extensively report the fact that the Free Society Party leader was a collaborator…'
If he hadn't made the first move, the Imperial Daily would have tried to twist the truth by framing the search and seizure as a simple matter of party affiliation.
'While that much is fortunate…'
Nevertheless, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had stepped into a swamp from which he could not easily escape.
His mind was becoming so exhausted that he found himself craving cigarettes, a habit he had quit during his cadet days.
'If only this were a game.'
If so, he could simply delete his character, be reborn in some neutral country, and enjoy a pastoral peace.
But since this was reality and not a game, he had no choice but to navigate the current situation as wisely as possible.
'For now…'
Since he had made statements defending Baron Hendleiem at the press conference, he expected a reaction from that side soon.
Whether things would go according to plan was uncertain, but Daniel believed this choice was the hand with the highest winning percentage.
"…"
Beyond the window, he could see reporters swarming like ants at the entrance to the Chief of Staff's office.
Daniel, who had been quietly observing them, lifted his paper cup and took a sip of coffee.
Daniel, enjoying the quiet solitude of the empty lounge, suddenly reached inside his coat and pulled out a photograph.
It was a picture of a Golden Retriever with a bright smile.
Looking at it, he felt as though his anxieties and worries about the future melted away.
As Daniel found solace in recalling past memories, Lucy entered the lounge.
It was the moment Lucy approached him to deliver a message.
"Kelly. I want to hold you."
Daniel's voice, wet with emotion, made Lucy halt.
Daniel, unaware that Lucy had entered the lounge, continued to murmur to himself.
"I miss your embrace. Rolling around, holding you tight, was the joy of my life."
Lucy's eyes widened, round like a startled cat's.
Her face subtly reddening was an added bonus.
From Lucy's perspective, Daniel's words, no matter how she looked at them, clearly implied sexual relations.
Lucy quickly glanced around, noticed no one else was present, and felt a quiet sense of relief.
After all, it wouldn't be good if others found out Daniel was longing for a relationship with a deceased woman.
Deciding she had to stop Daniel before he made a mistake, Lucy cleared her throat conspicuously.
Only then did Daniel sense someone nearby; he quickly wiped his eyes and tucked the photograph away.
Daniel composed himself, turned around, and saw Lucy looking at him with a somehow flushed face.
"Adjutant?"
In response to his unspoken question of why she was there, Lucy began to speak as calmly as possible.
"...I came to inform you that the Imperial Family has summoned Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. It is Her Imperial Highness the Princess's command that you visit the Imperial Palace after you leave work to discuss the inspection results."
He had wondered when they would call; so it was today.
Daniel nodded nonchalantly.
"Thank you for informing me. I will go directly to the Imperial Palace after work."
Daniel had assented, but Lucy did not leave.
She seemed to be hesitating, as if she had something more to say, which struck him as odd.
Daniel, wondering why she was behaving that way, soon had a faint realization.
'She's been working all day, following me around, so she must be utterly exhausted.'
Daniel, assuming she must have accumulated grievances, spoke casually.
"I fully understand your grievances. You must have accumulated a lot of frustrations with me lately. Today will be difficult due to work, but I think it would be good if we could take a walk together soon and talk."
At the mention of a walk, Lucy's red eyes trembled for a moment.
To Lucy, who was operating under a certain misunderstanding, Daniel's words did not sound ordinary at all.
Thinking she couldn't let it pass, Lucy barely managed to hold onto the thread of her reason.
"...I'm fine."
"Why? Taking a walk and talking would be—"
"I said I'm fine…!"
Thanks to Lucy's uncharacteristically repeated rejections, Daniel was taken aback.
Unable to properly face Daniel, Lucy half-closed her eyes and looked away.
Her face flushed, Lucy let out a quiet breath, bowed her head to Daniel, and quickly turned to leave.
Daniel could only watch Lucy's retreating figure as she left the lounge, his mind somewhat dazed.
'What on earth did I do wrong?'
Because he simply couldn't comprehend her reaction.