In the Name of Empress-Chapter 516 - 328: Hey, It’s a Catfight! (Part 3)
Sif, who had remained silent, couldn’t help but interrupt: "Sofia, are you letting me grow only so I can become your stepping stone in the end?"
She had held this question in for a long time.
Since her ascension to the throne, Teacher Wald and Roland had repeatedly instilled this notion in her—that Sofia needed to step on her to smoothly break through Tier Six.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Sif regretted it.
She didn’t even know what answer she wanted. Was she truly considering making her a stepping stone, or treating her as air?
As Sif’s face twisted in inner conflict, Sofia did not answer the question but softly asked:
"I heard you have a Magic Mirror. Can you summon it?"
Sif hung her head slightly, not daring to meet Sofia’s gaze, and softly said, "I didn’t bring it with me."
Sofia smiled teasingly: "If you had brought it, perhaps the number one spot on the world’s list of women’s allure would change hands."
Sif abruptly stepped back half a step, her face pale as though drained of life, collapsing instantly.
Her eyes were unfocused, her body trembling, lips bloodless, shaking her head forcefully in disbelief, "No, this absolutely cannot be!"
Lisa tenderly held Sif’s hand, intending to retort, but quivered under Sofia’s indifferent and sharp gaze, unwilling to speak.
Alina, however, could meet Sofia’s gaze but found no reason to argue.
The allure of women encompasses but is not limited to appearance, figure, temperament, and the confidence radiating from within.
A confident woman always possesses an indescribable charm.
Her fiancé was snatched away openly, trying to defend but falling short, unable to confront directly, all severely impacting Sif’s self-confidence.
The loss of confidence sent her back to the bewildered state when she was brought into the Imperial Palace, even earlier.
At that time, she had nothing treasured to lose, but now she did.
Filled with self-doubt, she lacked any bit of confidence.
Seeing Sif’s dejected demeanor, Alina’s heart sank.
Just a few words paired with the pressure of presence could push Sif to such a state—how much chance would she stand on the battlefield?
She wouldn’t mock Sif for failing under pressure, as she’d likewise feel suffocated.
Thinking about how Sif had to battle this deadly pressure daily over the past few years, Alina gained a bit more admiration.
Facing Sofia head-on was indeed not something people should do.
Roland cleared his throat, preparing to defend his wife.
Although every word spoken for Sif would raise Sofia’s killing intent, he couldn’t remain silent when his wife was bullied; such a man was worthless.
"I..." Roland’s words were cut off mid-sentence.
"Nonsense!" The interrupter was Christine.
The Holy Daughter of Light shot a cold glance at Sofia, her voice filled with hostility.
"It’s truly laughable, the most beautiful girl in the world, a young maiden embraced by her lover, would lose to an abandoned old virgin?"
"Even at her worst, Miss Sif surpasses you at your peak. If you don’t believe it, let’s go to Hansa now and hear what the Magic Mirror has to say?"
Christine mercilessly mocked Sofia.
Sif turned to look at her, eyes brimming with gratitude.
Exactly, Miss Saintess, you’re right; I may lose to Sofia in any aspect, but I won’t and can’t lose in this!
As she turned back again, that unparalleled beautiful Elf Empress returned.
Upon hearing Christine’s words, Roland sighed, feeling doomed.
The negotiation was over.
Sofia’s temper wasn’t the best, but most of the time, it was normal.
Yet everyone has some unbearable past, an old scar not to be touched or spoken about.
An honest man in the village marries a pretty girl; neighbors pretend to bless but actually envy.
If the pretty girl doesn’t get pregnant within a year or two, gossip follows.
Sofia was neglected by her husband; the blame lay entirely on her bizarre husband. Yet, those spreading rumors didn’t care.
They just wanted to smear Sofia.
Christine brought up this past purely to inflict harm on Sofia, and it was real damage.
If Christine had just mentioned the matter, Sofia would be furious but would have heard it enough to be immune; negotiations, though difficult, might still continue.
However, Christine killed the negotiation with a single word.
Old virgin.
No other word in the world could cause such vicious harm to Sofia.
The second most alluring woman in the world, neglected by her husband, even now still a virgin; even an ordinary person couldn’t tolerate such shame, let alone an invincible Transcendent.
If this could be tolerated, would she still be the Empress of the Frosty Winter?
Roland and Christine exchanged a glance, perceiving apology in her eyes.
At this point, what more could he say? Blame the appointed Grand Marshal for disrupting his capitulationist negotiation, shattering his fantasy of serving the Three Kingdoms?
Roland swiftly returned to Sif’s side, raising the Golden Shield of Light.
Negotiations broke down; prepare for battle!
Sofia took several deep breaths, finally calming down, then slowly said: "Roland, kill her yourself, and I can let it go; otherwise..."
"Sofia, I’m sorry."
Roland placed his hand on his chest and spoke solemnly: "Although you won’t accept it, I must apologize for my subordinate’s rude actions. I cannot raise my knife against a loyal subordinate."
"As recompense, I will give up the initiative and take your first attack head-on, hoping this might somewhat soothe your anger."
