In the Name of Empress-Chapter 423 - 295: Which Empress? (Part 2)

Angelina will be stargazing tonight, and Hansa City is set to hold a grand welcome ceremony for the Empress.

Some are excited, eager to witness something even more spectacular.

Rupert, the newly appointed Chief of Military Intelligence, is also part of the Empress’s entourage.

The Empress setting sail is not merely visiting familiar grounds. Sif doesn’t plan to return so soon this time.

She has outlined a development blueprint and handed local governance back to the Cabinet.

It seems as if it’s back to the beginning, yet it’s completely different from when Edward was in office.

During Edward’s reign, imperial authority and ministerial power fiercely clashed, constantly pulling against each other.

With Sif’s accession, the Cabinet is no longer a political faction vying for power with her but has turned into her administrative body for handling domestic and foreign affairs.

She holds absolute power.

Only Roland can share core power with her; everyone else is merely a worker.

Rupert didn’t want to stay in the mainland. He volunteered, requesting to accompany them.

His reason was simple: he wanted to be closer to the enemy, which would enhance the accuracy and timeliness of intelligence gathering.

Such a reasonable reason, Sif naturally couldn’t refuse.

Actually, even if Rupert didn’t mention it, she would have requested him to accompany her.

As war is imminent, logistics and intelligence must be prioritized.

If Rupert didn’t proactively ask to accompany her, then either his loyalty or ability would likely be flawed.

Yet Sif didn’t notice Rupert’s eyes burning with the soul of gossip.

His intelligence updates swiftly.

He knew Roland captured Angelina, driving out the Vladimir Empire’s troops.

These pieces of intelligence are nothing; a keen expert can always uncover terrifying truths from details.

He noticed that Roland’s left-hand middle finger sported a new ring.

The Ice Crystal Blue Ring.

Seven years ago, the wedding ring from when Empress Sofia married the former Emperor of the Vladimir Empire.

At that time, she was still very young, gracefully beautiful, with a gentle smile, pure as water.

It was after she personally killed her husband, who subjected her to emotional abuse, that she ceased to smile.

That wedding ring is a magic ring passed down through generations of the Sofia Clan.

Named the Ice Crystal Blue Ring.

Now it rests on Roland’s left-hand middle finger.

Noticing this detail, Rupert’s whole body trembled with excitement.

Just based on this ring, The Sun could release several special issues, potentially breaking sales records!

"Unspoken stories between the Empress’s loyal subject and an enemy nation’s Empress."

"The lover of my lover is not my lover."

"Details exposed, she finally notices the origin of that ring."

"Shocking, the outbreak of a world war actually caused by a ring."

...

Rupert’s mind trembles.

After the ultimate trembling, he is immediately seized by endless torment.

The Sun cannot write.

Previously, he was just a carefree aristocrat, a reckless noble scion, a media tycoon, free to gossip.

But not anymore.

Now, he is a key minister of the Empire, the Chief of Intelligence.

An official with cabinet-level rank letting his own tabloid report the Empress’s scandals? Is this right? This is not right.

Now he is a dignified person and must be dignified.

Thinking that he can’t expose this shocking discovery, Rupert feels so sad he wants to cry, yet he still came.

Even if he can’t expose it, he must at least watch the show from the front row on site.

How will the Empress treat Roland? Will she be suspicious? Will she be angry?

He is very curious.

He has already provided Her Majesty the Empress with the most detailed intelligence, and she can understand.

Dominated by the soul of the gossip-seeker, Rupert walks somewhat stealthily.

Throughout the banquet, he is the most absent-minded.

He keeps waiting for the Empress to question, but regrettably, she does not.

Just when he thought this moment wouldn’t come, that they would resolve it privately, the clear voice of the Empress rings out.

"Lord Roland, you defeated Angelina; have you seized any special trophies?"

Sif’s expression is calm, her tone unwavering.

Her glance sweeps across the entire room, watching everyone’s expressions.

Most people are hoping for promotion and wealth, but only Rupert is anxious like a monkey.

She felt like laughing.

This guy may understand intelligence, but he doesn’t understand hearts at all.

There is only one person in this world worthy of her complete trust, and that is Roland.

He is her world.

Isn’t it just a wedding ring? Even if Roland asked her on the spot to help propose to Sofia...

She wouldn’t blame Roland; she would accompany him to the New World.

For instance, a romantic Nether River trip.

How could Roland betray?

Facing Sif’s calm "casual" inquiry, Roland strode to the center of the banquet hall, took off the ring from his left hand, raised it high, letting everyone present see it.

"The trophy is here, the Ice Crystal Blue Ring, Empress Sofia’s wedding ring."

The room fell silent.

Is this something you can just talk about?

No one knew what Roland intended, including Sif.

She knew Roland surely had his reasons for doing this; she was waiting.

Some were silent, some frowned.

In Rurik customs, wearing a wedding ring on the left middle finger signifies soon leaving singlehood.

Roland’s action was truly outrageous.

Bordeaux couldn’t help but tease, "Governor, do you intend to marry that woman?"

Of course, he wasn’t trying to undermine Roland, just reminding Roland to quickly clarify his stance to avoid misunderstandings.

Most people present understood his meaning and laughed aloud.

Sif joined in the jest, "Lord Roland, although your status is extraordinary and your strength is notable, wanting to marry Sofia is almost impossible; you might have to become a consort to have a chance."

Under everyone’s gaze, Roland walked forward step by step, his expression calm.

"Your Majesty, I’ve achieved countless merits for the Empire. I wish for you to prepare a grand wedding worthy of my status. I want to propose to that distinguished lady far away in the sky, whose outstanding temperament, beauty, and surpassing status I’ve admired."

Wait, what nonsense is he talking?

The whole room was bewildered; the guests at the banquet were dumbfounded.

If it was about the adjectives, it could be Sif, it could be Sofia, but what does far away in the sky mean?

Empress Sif is right here.

Everyone was just joking, are you serious?

Sif’s slightly blushing cheeks turned pale in an instant.

The blood in her body almost froze, leaving her completely stunned.

There’s only one person who matches all those descriptors—Sofia.

Her lips trembled, desperately searching for reasons to comfort herself.

Roland surely hasn’t fallen for the enemy; he could never like the cold woman who murdered her husband; he must be sacrificing himself for her survival.

It must be that!

Her mind went blank, subconsciously responding numbly:

"As you wish, is the person you wish to propose to Sofia?"

The room fell silent.

You could hear a pin drop.

Just when the atmosphere was close to suffocating, Roland couldn’t help but burst out in hearty laughter.

Hearing Sif’s heartbroken voice, he felt a bit pained, also a bit angry.

You idiot, how could I possibly be associated with such a woman?

Forget it, forget it; he couldn’t figure out a girl’s mind; it’s normal for a girl not to understand his mind.

Might as well be honest and say it straight.

Roland moved forward slowly, his steps steady, his voice firm.

"I once encountered the most beautiful girl in the world."

"I initially thought it was a dream."

"Yet she appeared before me."

"When her bright eyes struck the chords of my heart, I finally realized I was long trapped."

"Beautiful Miss Sylph, would you descend from the clouds and walk beside this ordinary man through life’s journey with me?"

Sif was stunned.

Far away in the sky was merely an adjective?

She was so silly to forget Roland was the champion of the essay contest.

"Oh my, the Empress is pregnant, who did it?" It’s not fiction, but the truth.

Everyone suddenly realized.

Hey, Roland this guy, proposing, he had to take such a detour.

Indeed, a cultured man, even nonsense must take a turn.

Sif stood up, walked to the center of the banquet hall.

Her eyelashes trembled, tears had unknowingly moistened the corners of her eyes.

Her pace matched Roland’s perfectly.

Their strides were steady as they advanced towards each other.

The speed of meeting each other is countless times greater than carrying on alone.

Because some paths can’t be completed alone.

For instance, love.

Sif raised her slender fingers to meet him.

The Ice Crystal Blue Ring fit precisely on her slender ring finger, automatically adjusting to size, gently wrapping her fair fingers.

She choked as she nodded, closed her eyes, gently responding, "I do."

Under everyone’s gaze, Roland embraced her warm soft waist and bent over for a kiss.