In the Name of Empress-Chapter 426 - 298: Just a Wedding Gift?

"Mr. Molotov, the diplomatic document protesting against the Sussex people is ready. Please have a look."

The muscular diplomatic attaché stood in front of Envoy Molotov, holding the prepared document up with both hands.

The man referred to as Molotov was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Vladimir Empire. For years, he had been shuttling between the countries of the Rodinia Continent, making major autonomous decisions within the framework outlined by the Empress before her disappearance.

His diplomatic style was both as fearless as a bear and as cunning as a fox.

He rarely used protests as a way to vent emotions.

However, Roland’s actions were intolerable to him.

Expelling the garrison from Val City and detaining Angelina was considered normal conflict between two countries, something he wouldn’t be too outraged about, and he was even considering ways to redeem Angelina.

But Roland took the Empress’s ring as a trophy, which was akin to dancing on the Empire’s face.

Moreover, he openly used Her Majesty Sofia’s wedding ring as a token to propose marriage.

Roland’s actions ignited the fury of the hardliners within the Vladimir Empire, who clamored to teach Roland a lesson through war.

Waving the young diplomat away, Molotov could only feel a headache.

The rational voices drowned in the overwhelming public sentiment, and anyone opposing the war risked being labeled a traitor.

But he understood this was precisely the result Roland wanted.

The Empress was the soul of the Empire. With her, the Empire was invincible; without her, the Empire was just a stronger country.

That sly Roland wanted to strike while the Empress was absent and didn’t want to give up the advantage of fighting on his own turf.

Although Molotov was a diplomat, he knew enough about military affairs not to engage in such a losing deal.

He planned to formally protest to Roland, then privately negotiate to redeem Angelina.

Though Angelina wasn’t too bright, she was the second-ranked member of the Shadow Sanctuary. Beautiful and tutored by the Empress, she was considered a little Sofia in their homeland and was very popular.

Her prolonged detention by the enemy was a significant blow to domestic morale.

Molotov had been angrily berated by young people several times.

He didn’t care about these curses, but he had to consider public morale.

Angelina must be redeemed, and they must not appear weak publicly. Although difficult, the seasoned diplomat was confident.

He knew Roland well; as long as enough was paid, there was little that couldn’t be negotiated.

Thinking of the price to be paid, Molotov snorted lightly, unable to conceal his anger.

Let’s just keep it in the little fox’s vault for now.

Once the Empress returns, what was swallowed will be spat out.

Just as Molotov was preparing to have a reliable agent deliver the protest document to Hansa City, urgent footsteps echoed from the corridor.

He furrowed his brow slightly, a bit displeased.

Diplomacy was an art, and great diplomats were artists; how could they be so flustered?

He disliked any breaches of etiquette by diplomatic staff while working.

He decided to give his young staff a Molotov-style warning.

A knock on the door sounded, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs did not respond immediately.

He elegantly sipped from the freshly brewed coffee, waited a minute, then coldly said:

"Come in."

The young diplomat standing at the door hurriedly pushed the door open, didn’t even have time to salute Molotov, and eagerly held up the envelope and box in his hands.

"It—it’s Her Majesty the Empress’s personal letter!"

"What?!" The coffee cup in Molotov’s hand slipped to the floor, shattering.

He couldn’t care less about elegance, swooping down to the young diplomat’s side like a gust of wind.

"Are you sure?" He could hardly believe it.

After Her Majesty left nearly two years ago, she hadn’t reappeared. Malicious people even spread rumors that the Empress had disappeared.

The rumor-mongers were naturally sent to Jidong to plant potatoes, never to return, but the fact such rumors existed showed how many were anxious about her absence.

After confirmation, Molotov trembled with excitement.

The past year, he’d been excessively stifled in diplomacy. If the Empress were here, why should he suffer Roland’s wrath?

Holding the personal letter, not yet opened, his tone was already particularly firm.

"Ivan, draft a new diplomatic document demanding the Sussex Empire immediately release our illegally detained official Angelina and publicly apologize."

"Remember, the wording must be stern, reminding them Her Majesty the Empress is watching this matter."

The young diplomat called Ivan promptly stood at attention and saluted Molotov.

Seeing Molotov didn’t intend for him to leave immediately, he respectfully stood by, curiosity itching like a cat’s scratch.

What on earth did Her Majesty write?

Molotov opened the letter, felt reassured by the familiar handwriting.

This was indeed the Empress’s handwriting and tone.

The Empress’s letter got straight to the point, first affirming Molotov’s work over the years, then immediately addressing the issue of Angelina’s detention.

Her Majesty noticed this matter; she must be very angry.

Roland the little fox is in trouble this time!

Molotov thought with a pleased smile.

With anticipation and curiosity, the Foreign Minister turned to the second page of the letter, his pupils seemingly shaken as if by an earthquake.

"Lord Molotov, the box contains the wedding gift I prepared for Sylph and Roland. Please hand it over."

Wait, what does Her Majesty mean by this? Could she be conceding to Roland?

Molotov was stunned.

He even suspected that the letter was a forgery, but after repeatedly checking the paper, handwriting, and seal, he was very sure of its authenticity.

The Empress specifically reminded that the box must not be opened without permission, so he naturally dared not open it.

However, this letter was merely an order and did not explain the reason, leaving him holding his breath in frustration.

Although feeling depressed, Molotov quickly adjusted his mood and stopped dwelling on it.

Unless necessary, the Empress rarely explains the reasons for her orders.

She can always make the wisest decisions, and no one dares to doubt her decisions.

Since this is the Empress’s order, what else can he say?

He turned his head to look at the eager young diplomat waiting.

"Ivan, draft a diplomatic document to congratulate the Empress of the Sussex Empire and Caesar on their upcoming wedding. Make sure the tone is sincere."

"Huh?!"

The young diplomat’s brain almost short-circuited.

Wait, isn’t this completely different from the order given a few minutes ago?

He mumbled and asked, "What about the previous diplomatic document?"

"Get out!"

Molotov could no longer hold back, angrily growling.

Ivan, knowing he had misspoken while not clear-headed just now, quickly scampered away.

No more nonsense, how can we still speak of threats when we’re sending a congratulatory gift?

After Ivan rolled out, Molotov saw the coffee cup on the floor shattered into several pieces, thinking about how this thing was a jade piece bought from thousands of kilometers away in Nubia, he felt heartache.

He squatted down, reached out to touch the largest shard, and sighed sorrowfully.

The sigh had just sounded when he became dazed.

What am I doing?

The old diplomat’s fingertips were trembling.

Serving as a diplomat for over thirty years, what storms hasn’t he weathered? How could he be heartbroken and trembling over a delicate coffee cup?

Molotov, oh Molotov, have you truly lived for nothing! Don’t weep for a shattered coffee cup!

He laughed heartily, grabbed the largest piece, and smashed it down forcefully.

As the crisp sound of shattering rang out, he stroked his bushy beard, laughing especially joyfully.

How could Her Majesty the Empress bow her head? She is truly an invincible existence.

Whether in terms of personal combat strength or state governance, she is invincible.

If the Empress acts this way, she surely has her reasons. Not understanding it is where he falls short. What he should do is enhance his learning, not question the Empress.

Molotov picked up the handwritten letter and the exquisite little box and headed to the Prime Minister’s office.

The Prime Minister takes charge when the Empress is absent, and such a significant matter must be discussed with him.

It both clarifies responsibility and avoids offending anyone.

...

"Sif, can you guess what Sofia will send us as a gift?" Roland, looking at the exquisite box on the table, was amazed.

Sif, who was flipping through diplomatic letters, had a somewhat peculiar expression and said nothing.

She was a bit confused.

This diplomatic letter was written politely but coldly, using standard diplomatic verbiage.

It simply congratulated her and Roland while subtly expressing hope for Angelina’s return home.

Her and Roland’s relationship had already been announced, so naturally, other countries would send gifts. Even though the Vladimir Empire and Sussex did not have good relations, they haven’t gone to war.

It was normal for Saint Rurik Palace to send gifts.

After all, Angelina was a high-ranking official, and staying abroad for an extended time was not ideal. Wanting her to return home was also normal.

But putting these two matters together with Sofia’s gift seemed bizarre no matter how it was viewed.

Faced with Roland’s question, Sif shook her head blankly.

"Alright, stop guessing, let’s open it and see."

Given Sofia’s status, any gift she sent would not be ordinary and likely carries deep meaning.

What exactly it was, Roland was also very curious.

Sif looked at the keyhole on the box, astonishingly discovering that a ring could be embedded, and she tentatively placed the Ice Crystal Blue Ring in it, finding it a perfect fit.

With a "click," the box was opened.

A ring encrusted with a purple gem lay there quietly, and just by looking at the gem’s texture, one could tell it was no ordinary item.

Beside the ring, there was also a letter, and judging by the seal on the envelope’s surface, it was Sofia’s own handwriting.

"Huh?"

Sif could never have imagined it would be a ring.

She had thought of many possibilities but had never imagined it would be just a simple gift.