I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

The atmosphere shifted abruptly.

Having spent many years as a spy, Lucy instinctively realized it.

While Celvia wore a playful smile, her true intentions were cold and ruthless.

‘Dangerous.’

A sense of peril pervaded, as if a single misstep could cost her life.

Prompting Lucy’s tension, Celvia slowly rose from her seat.

“Allow me to be frank. I had the Intelligence Agency conduct a brief investigation into your background. Certain discrepancies were uncovered.”

Dropping her smile, Celvia feigned puzzlement.

“Why did you not interact with the residents of the neighboring village, Lieutenant Lucy? Oddly enough, they seem entirely unaware of your existence.”

“That is…”

Remain calm.

If she explained as she had been taught, there would be no grounds for accusation.

“In my childhood, I feared people. Having been abandoned by my parents and raised by my grandfather. Furthermore, my grandfather constantly advised me against leaving the cabin.”
“Why?”
“Not only were there wild animals outside, but my grandfather did not have a favorable relationship with the villagers. He worried they might harm me as well.”

Lucy provided a natural explanation, avoiding Celvia’s trap.

However, Celvia was not one to let it pass so easily.

“Is that so? How peculiar. Why does your account contradict what I have been told? Why are you…”

Celvia’s eyes narrowed sharply as she gazed down at Lucy.

“…attempting to conceal the truth from me?”

Lucy’s hand trembled involuntarily.

Her heart raced, fearing she had been exposed.

Yet Celvia held the cards, leaving Lucy unable to reveal her hand at this juncture.

Thus, Lucy feigned composure.

“I apologize, but I fail to comprehend your meaning. What truth am I supposedly concealing?”

As Lucy played dumb, Celvia paused briefly before speaking.

“You would know that better than I. I am not interrogating you; I am offering you an opportunity. Bear in mind, this is your first and last chance.”

In essence, she was demanding a confession, implying possession of evidence.

While Celvia’s words carried a threatening undertone, Lucy found solace in them.

‘She has no evidence.’

If evidence existed, there would be no need for such coaxing toward confession.

The lack of evidence compelled Celvia to seek admission.

Lucy was well-versed in this common interrogation tactic employed by the International Alliance.

‘Of course…’

She doubted Celvia’s understanding of Alliance interrogation methods had prompted this threat.

From Lucy’s perspective, Celvia seemed guided by instinct, unwittingly utilizing interrogation techniques.

Regardless, having discerned Celvia’s lack of evidence, Lucy need not feel intimidated.

Placing her hand over her chest, Lucy bowed in accordance with etiquette.

“Your Highness. I was born in the Empire and have dedicated myself to serving it. I do not understand why you harbor such suspicions, but I have never done anything to harm the Empire.”

Celvia’s eyebrow twitched subtly, sensing her hand had been called.

“…So you refuse to confess until the end. Let me add that the Intelligence Agency is currently investigating you. This may be your only opportunity.”
“I apologize, but…”

Raising her head, Lucy met Celvia’s gaze unflinchingly.

“I cannot comprehend your meaning.”

If you can find evidence of my allegiance to the enemy, then by all means, seek it.

Perceiving Lucy’s defiance, Celvia clenched her teeth.

She longed to dishonorably discharge Lucy and banish her from the Empire.

Even without evidence, few would object to the expulsion of a mere lieutenant.

However, the issue was Daniel.

Would he truly view favorably a princess who banished his adjutant based solely on suspicion, without evidence?

Clearly, he would regard such actions negatively.

For Celvia, who desired Daniel’s affection, it would be self-defeating.

‘Hence…’

She could not restrain Lucy’s brazen demeanor.

Recognizing Celvia’s predicament, Lucy could afford to act boldly.

It was truly a clash of sword and shield.

After glaring at Lucy for a while, Celvia eventually relented.

“Is that so? Listening to you, Lieutenant Lucy, I may have been overly sensitive. Allow me to make amends by sharing a meal with you. Would you be amenable?”
“If granted the opportunity to dine together, I shall gladly accept.”

Though the two exchanged smiles, their inner thoughts differed.

‘Do not think you can continue evading me. I will uncover your true identity.’
‘It would be wise to desist. I have no intention of surrendering.’

Yet neither intended to reveal their underlying motives behind the facade.

Meanwhile, Daniel engaged in various conversations with Cedric.

Initially discussing their favorite foods, the topic eventually shifted to the war’s status, prompting Daniel to cautiously broach a subject.

“Your Excellency. As you mentioned, while the Empire’s situation may appear favorable on the surface, from a broader perspective, we remain at a disadvantage.”
“Indeed. Once winter passes and spring arrives, the great powers will make preparations to strike at the Empire in earnest.”
“Yes. Which leads me to propose, would it not be advisable to grant me an opportunity to contribute on the battlefield?”

Cedric regarded Daniel with surprise.

“You wish to go to the battlefield? You? But why? Her Highness the Princess would disapprove, and the high command has no intention of deploying you to the frontlines.”

The military leadership likely deemed it more beneficial for the Empire to have Daniel Steiner serve as a propaganda hero behind the lines.

However, from Daniel’s perspective, such a role held little appeal.

For the Emperor sought to keep him in check.

‘While I have issued a warning that any attack on me will be reciprocated, it would be unwise to feel complacent.’

Ironically, the pinnacle of human ambition often manifests in one’s twilight years.

Those in power most fear witnessing the erosion of their life’s work, like sand castles before the tide.

Daniel could scarcely fathom what the Emperor might attempt before his demise.

Hence, he intended to evade the Emperor’s reach on the frontlines until Celvia succeeded him, inheriting his full authority.

For he deemed it more conducive to his survival.

Unable to voice his true reasoning, Daniel adopted a solemn expression as he spoke.

“Even now, our soldiers perish on the battlefield. Yet, because I am hailed as a war hero, must I lead a comfortable life behind the lines? If I truly wish to serve the Empire, I believe I should contribute on the battlefield while still in my prime.”

Daniel’s plausible justification inwardly impressed Cedric.

‘Indeed. Does he truly consider his own life expendable for the Empire’s sake?’

It was the epitome of a soldier’s virtue.

For Daniel looked beyond the present, toward the future.

Ashamed of himself, Cedric nodded in acquiescence.

“Very well. I shall convey your sentiments to the high command. The Chief of Staff favors courageous youth and will undoubtedly heed your request.”
“I am grateful for your kindness.”
“Yes, well…”

Cedric’s gaze shifted toward the gala table where Lucy had been seated.

He noticed Celvia had joined Lucy at that table, seemingly engaged in a meal.

Assuming their discussion had concluded, Cedric continued.

“We have been away for quite some time. Let us return to our seats.”
“Understood.”

Heeding Cedric’s words, Daniel made his way back to the gala table.

There, he observed Celvia and Lucy exchanging faint smiles as they conversed.

‘Have they become acquainted?’

Puzzled, Daniel approached as Celvia turned to regard him.

“Ah, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel! You’re just in time. I was sharing a meal with your adjutant. Would you care to join us?”

Having no reason to refuse, Daniel nodded.

“It would be an honor to dine with Your Highness.”

As Daniel pulled out a chair and took a seat, a waiter nearby attentively set the table.

Observing this, Celvia made a casual remark.

“Come to think of it, the Imperial household still utilizes silver tableware. Do you know the reason?”

Her comment seemed aimed at Lucy, possessing silver hair.

Unaware of the implication, Daniel calmly responded.

“Silver is a metal prone to oxidation. In the Middle Ages, nobles believed using silver tableware could detect poisons in their food. Perhaps it has become a tradition stemming from that belief.”
“Precisely. But did you know?”

Celvia’s gaze shifted to Lucy as she continued.

“Silver tableware was ineffective in detecting poisons. In fact, there were frequent instances of people consuming poisoned food from silver plates and meeting their demise.”

Perceiving Celvia’s veiled accusation, Lucy’s eyes narrowed slightly.

After a momentary pause, Lucy countered.

“I see. However, the fact that they did not abandon silver tableware in favor of gold, despite the frequent deaths, suggests it was not entirely ineffective.”

Caught off guard by Lucy’s natural retort, Celvia’s brow furrowed in displeasure.

“……”
“……”

An inexplicable silence descended upon them.

Sensing the strange undercurrent of tension between the two women, Daniel thought to himself.

‘I wish to go home…’

He longed to escape this gala immediately.