Chapter 117 |
A week later, at the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Bertram's bedroom.
"What do you think of His Majesty's condition?"
In response to Imperial Guard Captain Johannes Kuntz's question, the personal physician put away his medical equipment and said:
"I've done my best, but currently, His Majesty is experiencing circulatory decline along with organ dysfunction. We're taking medical measures to minimize the pain His Majesty is experiencing, but beyond that, we don't see any promising solutions."
Johannes sighed and clenched his fist as he looked down at the physician.
"How can there be no way? His Majesty is still..."
"That's enough."
It was Bertram, lying on the bed, who spoke.
"Physician, you may go now. You've done your best."
The physician closed his medical bag, stood up, and bowed his head to Bertram.
"I will pray to God for Your Majesty's recovery."
The physician expressed his regret and turned to walk out.
Johannes, who had been staring blankly at the physician's retreating figure, sighed and sat down next to Bertram.
"Your Majesty. At times like this, you shouldn't give up and should take care of your health."
At Johannes's words, Bertram let out a dry laugh.
"Stop with the lip service. Didn't you hear what the physician just said? Didn't he say he would pray to God? It's the same as saying that only God can cure my illness."
"Your Majesty..."
"Stop with the clumsy consolation. Death is natural, so I don't understand why everyone makes a fuss and puts on a sad face. It's just irritating."
After a brief silence, Johannes opened his mouth.
"...Wouldn't it be more bizarre and irritating if we smiled instead of putting on a sad face? I think everyone is pretending to cry, lest Your Majesty gets angry and orders an execution."
Bertram's lips twitched as he glanced at Johannes with just his eyes.
Then, as if he couldn't hold it in, he burst into laughter.
He quite liked Johannes's joke.
"You're not wrong. If they don't want to die, it's right to at least pretend to cry. Of course, there would be one exception."
"When you say exception?"
"Isn't there a wolf at the General Staff Headquarters who's growing his own power?"
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner.
Mentioning the young officer, Bertram turned his gaze to the ceiling.
"Since we're on the topic, let's put aside the gloomy talk and discuss that guy. I heard that it was revealed that the leader of the Liberal Social Party was acting as a collaborator. Is what I know correct?"
Johannes nodded.
"That's right. So they're currently investigating the related parties, but Daniel Steiner is not disclosing to the public the information obtained during the investigation process."
"Is that all?"
"No. Recently, some media outlets have been publishing speculative articles suggesting that Baron Hendliem is closely related to the Liberal Social Party leader."
As far as Johannes knew, the newspaper that first published the article was Melbarton.
"As the speculative articles spread rapidly, Daniel Steiner held a press conference to clear up misunderstandings. At the press conference, Daniel Steiner earnestly appealed to stop the one-sided criticism against Baron Hendliem."
Bertram blinked as if surprised.
"Daniel Steiner defended a nobleman? Why?"
"I don't know the exact circumstances, but he said to stop false reports until proper investigation results come out. I also heard that he made several statements defending Baron Hendliem."
"Daniel Steiner took the lead in blocking criticism directed at Baron Hendliem. What do you think his intentions are, Captain of the Imperial Guard?"
"I don't know much about politics, but isn't it that Daniel, thinking he's cornered, is trying to make peace with the nobles?"
Bertram, who had been deep in thought with his eyes half-open, soon shook his head.
"In my view, Daniel Steiner is trying to dismantle the nobility. He's spreading seeds of doubt everywhere. That damn guy..."
Contrary to his words, Bertram let out a laugh as if he found it amusing.
"The more I see him, the more I want him. If I were ten years younger, I would have made him an ally loyal to the Imperial Family..."
He met that guy too late.
Now Daniel Steiner had grown to the point where he could easily tear apart an old and sick lion.
All Bertram could do now was hope that Daniel hadn't harbored ill intentions towards the Imperial Family.
At the same time, Daniel, who had come to work at the General Staff Headquarters, was sipping coffee by the window in the break room.
'I might really die at this rate...'
For a week after arresting Campbell, the leader of the Liberal Social Party, as a collaborator, Daniel had literally been moving without rest.
Except for a few hours of napping, he had devoted all his time to work.
This wasn't because Daniel was a workaholic, but because of the anxiety that he might become prey for the media if he rested even for a moment.
As Daniel had predicted, the Imperial Daily was publishing a series of articles saying "Daniel Steiner has started his political moves."
'It's fortunate that I widely reported through the Melbarton newspaper that the Liberal Social Party leader was a collaborator...'
If he hadn't made the first move, the Imperial Daily would have tried to distort the truth by framing the search and seizure as simple party support logic.
'That part is fortunate, but...'
One way or another, he couldn't shake off the feeling of stepping into a swamp he couldn't easily escape from.
His mind was becoming so desolate that he was reminded of the cigarettes he had quit during his cadet days.
'If only this were a game.'
If it were, he could delete his character now and be reborn in some neutral country to enjoy pastoral peace.
But since this wasn't a game but reality, the only option was to resolve the current situation as wisely as possible.
'For now...'
Since he had made statements defending Baron Hendliem through the press conference, there would likely be a reaction from that side soon.
It was uncertain whether things would go according to plan, but in Daniel's opinion, this choice had the highest winning percentage at the moment.
"..."
Through the window, he could see reporters swarming like ants at the entrance of the General Staff Headquarters.
Daniel, who had been staring at them silently, lifted the paper cup and took a sip of coffee.
Enjoying the quietness of the empty break room, Daniel suddenly reached into his coat and pulled out a photograph.
It was a picture of a Golden Retriever with a bright smile.
Looking at this seemed to melt away his anxiety and worries about the future.
As Daniel was reminiscing about the past and finding comfort, Lucie entered the break room.
It was the moment Lucie approached to deliver a message to Daniel.
"Kelly. I want to hold you."
Daniel's voice, wet with emotion, made Lucie stop in her tracks.
Daniel, not realizing Lucie had entered the break room, continued to mutter to himself.
"I miss your embrace. Hugging you tightly and rolling around was the joy of my life."
Lucie's eyes widened like a surprised cat's.
Her face turning subtly red was a bonus.
From Lucie's perspective, Daniel's words seemed to imply sexual relations no matter how she looked at it.
Lucie quickly looked around and, realizing no one else was around, inwardly felt relieved.
It wouldn't be good if others found out that Daniel was longing for his relationship with a deceased woman.
Judging that she should stop Daniel before he made a mistake, Lucie deliberately cleared her throat.
Only then did Daniel sense someone's presence. He quickly wiped his eyes and put the photo back in his chest.
After composing himself, Daniel turned around and found Lucie looking at him with a somewhat flushed face.
"Adjutant?"
To the question asking why she was here, Lucie opened her mouth as calmly as possible.
"...I came to inform you that the Imperial Family has summoned Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. It's an order from Her Highness the Imperial Princess to stop by the Imperial Palace after work to discuss the inspection results."
So it's today. He had been wondering when they would call.
Daniel nodded calmly.
"Thank you for letting me know. I'll stop by the Imperial Palace right after work."
Although Daniel expressed his agreement, Lucie didn't leave.
She seemed to be hesitating as if she had something to say, which felt strange.
Daniel, who had been wondering why she was acting like that, soon had a shallow realization.
'She must be extremely tired after working all day following me.'
Thinking it was natural for complaints to have built up, Daniel calmly opened his mouth.
"I fully understand your dissatisfaction. You must have a lot piled up against me lately. It'll be tough today because work is busy, but soon it might be good to talk while taking a walk together."
At the mention of a walk, Lucie's red eyes trembled once.
To Lucie, who had some kind of misunderstanding, Daniel's words didn't sound ordinary.
Thinking she shouldn't let this slide, Lucie barely held onto her reason.
"...I'm fine."
"Why? Taking a walk and talking-"
"Didn't I say I'm fine...!"
Thanks to Lucie's unusually repeated refusal, Daniel was taken aback.
Lucie, unable to face Daniel properly, half-opened her eyes and turned her gaze away.
With a reddened face, Lucie exhaled softly, bowed her head to Daniel, and hurriedly turned around.
Daniel could only watch Lucie's retreating figure as she left the break room with a somewhat dazed mind.
'What on earth did I do wrong?'
He couldn't understand her reaction at all.