In the Name of Empress-Chapter 503 - 325: The Empress’s Concerns (Part 4)
But Angelina was different.
She had been manic, foolish, and frustrated, but she never gave up easily.
Even when confined by Roland, even when gagged by her, she still quietly explored her path forward.
Sofia smiled with satisfaction.
Although still a half-finished product, she finally saw the embryo capable of independent thought.
Sofia did not comment on Angelina’s answer. Instead, she softly asked:
"Angelina, I intend to have you succeed Marshal Suvorov and make him your deputy. How are you going to fight this battle?"
Sahalin’s face changed slightly; he never imagined that the marginalized Angelina would suddenly make a comeback.
Could the rumors be true, that Angelina is indeed the Empress’s sister?
Thinking of this rumor, his suffocating chest felt a bit more relieved.
Even if Angelina really rose above him, it wasn’t due to ability, but due to those damned familial connections.
Sahalin clenched his hand tightly, then slowly loosened it.
He tried to maintain a calm expression, unaware that every move was being watched by the Empress.
Sofia was not surprised by his reaction.
Yet she still felt a trace of regret for the lack of surprise.
There was never any surprise with Sahalin, whether a flash of genius or a foolish act—nothing at all.
He was like a precision machine, operating accurately.
You couldn’t expect a machine to think like a human, at least not yet.
Sofia certainly wouldn’t abandon Sahalin; precision instruments have their use, and as a leader, one must let everyone fulfill their potential.
Faced with the Empress’s inquiry, Angelina was flattered and was about to speak when she suddenly remembered the military theory books and war histories she had read.
Changing generals at the eleventh hour was a major taboo in warfare.
Especially replacing a decorated veteran with a recently defeated, sidelined general—it’s sheer folly.
If this near-farcical suggestion hadn’t come from Sofia, Angelina would have opposed it without hesitation.
Since it was the Empress who said it...
Even if it was the Empress, a wrong is still a wrong!
Beads of sweat rolled down Angelina’s forehead, dripping onto the ground and gradually spreading into a small puddle.
Drenched in sweat, Angelina had to face the harsh reality.
If what the Empress said went against common sense, and if it clashed with her understanding, should she point it out?
In a flash, she thought of Roland.
If Sif misspoke, Roland would point it out; if Roland made a misjudgment, Sif would also point it out.
Angelina suddenly raised her head, not having time to wipe the sweat-soaked clothes, and murmured with all her might: "Your Majesty, please do not change generals at the last minute. I cannot replace the Marshal."
After saying this, her body was nearly exhausted, and she almost couldn’t stand upright.
Sofia was silent for a moment before bursting into clear, hearty laughter.
Accompanying her laughter, snowflakes appeared out of thin air, swirling in the Summer Palace during the summer.
Although the Summer Palace never truly had summer, the current temperature was around 15°C, making snowfall impossible.
These snowflakes clearly arose from the Empress’s summoning.
No, not summoning, but the temperature disorder caused by her unstable emotions.
Sahalin’s face changed drastically; this was a prelude to the Empress’s impending outburst.
This is bad, what is Angelina thinking? The Empress asked for an answer, not for you to oppose her arrangements!
He glared fiercely at Angelina and rushed over to grab her shoulders, forcing her to kneel before the Empress.
"Angelina, how dare you! Apologize to Her Majesty immediately!"
He looked at Angelina anxiously.
Although somewhat envious of Angelina’s favor, they had been comrades in arms for many years, and he certainly didn’t want to see Angelina executed on the spot by the Empress.
Angelina certainly understood Sahalin’s goodwill.
He was protecting her, just as he had protected her, the last-seat member of the Shadow Sanctuary, before.
At another time, she would certainly have gratefully accepted his goodwill, but today, she was inexplicably stubborn.
"Your Majesty, please do not change generals at the last minute!"
Sahalin almost fainted from Angelina’s stubbornness.
He always knew that the fifth’s mind wasn’t the best and was exceedingly stubborn, but he never expected her to be this stubborn.
Thinking of the tragic outcome of Angelina being frozen into an ice sculpture, his sight went dark, nearly fainting.
Sofia’s carefree laughter gradually subsided. With a light wave of her right hand, Sahalin’s massive bear-like body staggered and fell aside.
The other ministers did not dare to face the Empress’s wrath and quickly stepped aside, hiding to the sides.
In the center of the hall, only Angelina remained.
She lifted her head, stood up, her tone as cold and stubborn as ever.
"Please reconsider, Your Majesty."
Sofia’s voice, although cold, had a touch more softness.
"Angelina, you did well."
Angelina’s body trembled slightly, a sigh escaping her heart as her gaze drifted out the window, toward the distant sky.
Ha, it turns out to be a sunny day; dying on such a bright day isn’t too bad.
If the Empress said, "you did well," it surely wasn’t praise but immense anger.
The Empress’s fury must be cooled by blood; today would be her end.
Angelina maintained a composed demeanor, only wanting to see the scenery one last time.
Sofia stood up, gently clapping her hands, walking towards Angelina.
The ministers closed their eyes.
It had been a long time since they had seen the Empress kill in a fit of rage, but that didn’t mean she had no temper.
Angelina, ah, this child was indeed too stubborn.
For the Empress to step down from the throne, even dying peacefully was a luxury desire.
In the nervous glances of the ministers, Sofia approached Angelina.
She gently patted Angelina’s shoulder and said warmly, "Angelina, from today onward, you will serve as my personal assistant. In my absence, you may give orders on my behalf."
