Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 54
Seduction Is Never Easy

『 Translator – Divinity 』

The next day.

Daniel arrived at the General Staff Headquarters and went to the staff office to report on the operational support mission to Ernst, the Chief of Operations Staff.

After the formal report was over, Ernst, with a satisfied smile, told Daniel that he could work from his private office from now on.

The reason was that a talented individual like him didn’t need to be crammed in the staff office with everyone else.

Daniel vehemently refused, but Ernst remained firm, adding that it was an “order,” as if the matter had already been decided by the higher-ups.

As a result, even though it was already afternoon, Daniel was working in his private office.

Lucy was also nearby, reviewing documents.

Watching Lucy diligently working at her desk, Daniel leaned back in his chair, feeling tired.

‘I’m back in the capital, but…’

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the situation he had hoped for.

Because he had accumulated a burdensome amount of military achievements on the battlefield, the risk of being caught in the succession struggle between the prince and princess had increased.

He had managed to deflect their advances for now with temporary measures, but there was no telling when their influence would reach him here.

‘Moreover, it seems like His Majesty doesn’t trust me either…’

To Daniel, the Emperor’s attitude yesterday felt like he was trying to gauge his intentions.

He wasn’t sure what kind of judgment the Emperor had reached, but it probably wasn’t anything good.

‘Even the people at the General Staff Headquarters seem to be subtly avoiding me.’

When Daniel entered the staff office to report today, he couldn’t help but be taken aback by the awkward silence.

He had expected them to welcome him back, but the staff members seemed strangely subdued and were busy trying to read his mood.

A few people approached him and greeted him, but even they seemed stiff.

—M-Major Daniel! It’s a relief that you returned safely!

—Please let us know if you have any tasks for us!

—The Golden Cross Medal…! I-Is it true that His Majesty awarded it to you personally?

The fear in their voices and expressions was still vivid in his mind.

‘The rumors must have spread. That I ruthlessly threatened the enemy’s Foreign Minister to conclude the negotiations…’

It was a clear misunderstanding, but he couldn’t explain himself, which was frustrating.

He had struggled to untie a knot, only to create several more in the process.

Sighing inwardly, Daniel looked at Lucy with a desperate hope.

“Adjutant, do you also find me intimidating?”

Lucy looked up, blinked a few times, and then answered,

“I don’t quite understand your question, but in my opinion, you’re not a scary person, Major.”

Wouldn’t you mind being a little scared of me?

Daniel desperately tried to hide his inner thoughts, nodded casually and pretending to work.

Seeing this, Lucy also turned her attention back to the documents.

Daniel glanced at Lucy, shuffled some papers on his desk, and then put them down.

He couldn’t concentrate on his work today.

“I should go to the officers’ club after work… It’s been a while.”

Lucy’s ears perked up at Daniel’s mumbling.

‘…Officers’ club?’

As far as Lucy knew, the officers’ club at the General Staff Headquarters was a bar-style social gathering where they served drinks and cocktails.

Thinking this was her chance, Lucy glanced at Daniel and slowly formulated a plan.

***

After work, Daniel headed straight to the officers’ club without hesitation.

Lucy, who had witnessed this, lingered nearby for about an hour before entering the club.

She waited an hour to give the impression that she had run into him by chance.

‘Alright, let’s begin.’

Lucy entered the officers’ club and looked around.

Elegant lighting illuminated the interior, and the wood paneling and velvet sofas added to the classic atmosphere.

Seeing company-grade and field officers mingling and sharing drinks, it was indeed a place for socializing.

‘But where’s Daniel Steiner?’

Scanning the room to find her target, Lucy spotted Daniel sitting alone at the bar.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she sat down next to him.

“Major? Here you are.”

She spoke casually, but there was no response from Daniel.

Glancing at him, she saw that he had one hand on a glass on the table and the other on his forehead, his eyes closed.

He seemed to be lost in thought.

Not wanting to disturb him, Lucy looked up at the bartender.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes? Ah, miss. What can I get for you?”

At the bartender’s friendly voice, Lucy hesitated for a moment, then said,

“I’d like the same as Major Daniel.”

“You like Scotch whisky? Johnnie Walker, no less. It’s an excellent choice, with a light yet sophisticated flavor.”

The bartender took out a clean glass, added a large ice cube, and poured Johnnie Walker into it.

“Here you go.”

Lucy nodded and took the glass from the bartender.

The amber hue of the whiskey, reminiscent of the sunset, blended well with the soft lighting, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Lucy gently swirled the glass, her face reflected in the amber liquid.

‘Alcohol…’

It was something she had avoided so far, as it didn’t help with her intelligence work.

However, to build rapport with Daniel and ultimately ‘seduce’ him, it was an essential step.

Lucy lifted the glass, closed her eyes tightly, and took a sip of the whiskey.

She couldn’t help but frown.

‘Ugh…’

It felt like a fireball was going down her throat.

Moreover, the lingering taste of alcohol in her mouth was unpleasant.

Why did Daniel even drink this? Unable to understand, Lucy turned to look at him and was surprised to see that he hadn’t moved an inch.

‘Don’t tell me…’

Was he sleeping? Lucy blinked her eyes in confusion and looked at the bartender.

“Excuse me, but I have a question.”

“…What is it, miss?”

“Did the Major drink a lot?”

The bartender glanced at Daniel and shrugged with a smile.

“Yes, he had seven glasses in a row as if he had a rough day. What was it he said? Something like ‘life is a series of suffering’? He muttered some philosophical words, closed his eyes, and has been like this ever since.”

Lucy was dumbfounded.

“…”

She had planned to seduce Daniel by pretending to be drunk, but he had already passed out.

Letting out a soft sigh, Lucy stood up and bowed her head to the bartender.

“I apologize on behalf of the Major for any inconvenience he may have caused.”

“Ma’am? Oh, no, not at all. Major Daniel is quite well-mannered, even when drunk. I wish all my customers were like him.”

“Thank you for saying so. Major Daniel is…”

Lucy looked down at Daniel and continued with a resigned tone,

“I’ll take him back to his quarters.”

She ended up having to take care of her drunken superior, something she hadn’t planned on.

***

Arriving at Daniel’s quarters, Lucy unlocked the door, entered, and laid him on the bed.

Daniel tossed and turned in bed, then murmured quietly,

“Water…”

Lucy, who had struggled to bring Daniel back to his quarters, felt her temples throb.

‘Should I kill him?’

If she had received an assassination order at this moment, she might have pulled out her gun and fired without hesitation.

Glaring at Daniel with annoyance, Lucy went to the kitchen and filled a glass with water.

She figured she could at least give him some water.

Returning with the glass of water, she knelt on the bed and gently shook Daniel’s shoulder.

“Major, I brought you some water.”

She meant for him to wake up and drink, as drinking while lying down could cause him to choke.

However, Daniel, already completely drunk, showed no signs of waking up.

Frustrated, Lucy shook his shoulder a bit harder, and suddenly,

Daniel grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him.

“…!?”

Pulled off balance without a chance to resist, Lucy dropped the glass of water.

She reflexively closed her eyes tightly, then slowly opened them to see Daniel’s chest right in front of her face.

As she processed the situation in a daze, Lucy realized that she was now embraced in Daniel’s arms.

“…!”

Her eyes widened like a startled cat.

As she was frozen in shock, Daniel gently wrapped his arms around her, holding the back of her head.

“Don’t go…”

His deep voice tickled her ears.

Then, Lucy remembered what Frienne had said.

—Men are basically wolves, you know.

Indeed, even the cold-hearted Daniel Steiner was still a man in his prime.

‘But even so…’

She didn’t expect to be suddenly embraced by Daniel like this.

She wanted to push him away, but she couldn’t because of her mission.

Just as she was filled with tension, Daniel murmured again,

“You’re in the mud… the head priest will scold you…”

Head Priest? Lucy blinked a few times, then let out a soft sigh.

‘He’s sleep-talking.’

Understanding the situation, Lucy felt relieved and unwrapped Daniel’s arms from around her, sitting up.

She looked down at Daniel, who was sleeping soundly, with a strange expression, then quickly got off the bed and left the room as if fleeing.

Thud.

Hurriedly closing the door behind her, Lucy exhaled as if she had lost all her strength.

Lucy, gathering her confused thoughts, leaned against the door and clenched her fists.

‘That was dangerous…’

While thinking that it was dangerous, Lucy couldn’t pinpoint exactly what or how it was dangerous.

She fidgeted with the hem of her innocent uniform skirt and blushed.

Then, she narrowed her eyes and bit her lower lip.

For some reason, her heart wouldn’t stop pounding.