The half-opened door of the lounge slowly swung open, and standing at the entrance was Angelina.
She looked at Roland with a smiling face and said, "Honored Duke, the welcoming banquet is ready, the Empress is waiting for you in the dining room."
She wanted to find so awkwardness or embarrassnt on Roland’s face.
Unfortunately, she failed.
Roland seed as if nothing ever happened earlier, and even had the mind to invite Sahalin along.
In the dining room.
A long dining table was set up.
Sofia sat at the head of the long dining table, with Roland’s seat arranged opposite her, and Angelina and Sahalin sat nearby on the side.
The distance was indeed a bit far, even sowhat rejecting, but Roland and the others weren’t surprised.
Sofia had always been like this.
It would be difficult for everyone to accept if she suddenly beca enthusiastic.
Roland wasn’t dissatisfied with Sofia’s cold attitude.
In fact, Sofia’s attitude was far better than he imagined. She could have sent everyone away with one astonishing sword stroke, enjoying the spoils alone, but she didn’t.
She could have also broken the agreent and forced Roland to beg for rcy under the pressure of the sword, but she didn’t.
She fulfilled her promise by inviting Roland to serve as Cardinal Minister, giving him a wealthy territory and the title of Duke. Instead, Roland was busy with family matters at ho, delaying his appointnt.
Fortunately, after breaking through to Tier Five, his gunmanship improved rapidly, finally sowing precious seeds of life in Sif’s fertile garden.
The Elf Race’s gestation period is a bit longer, roughly twelve months.
Thinking about becoming a father early next year, Roland’s mood naturally changed.
His manner of speaking was gentler than before, and his smiles were noticeably more frequent.
Actually, working for Sofia wasn’t bad.
The boss was capable, the company’s foundation was strong, and although colleagues weren’t entirely amicable, the boss’s support made interaction feasible.
The only problem was the distance from ho, taking a trip ho was over two thousand kiloters.
Thinking about this, Roland suddenly found the tender shark fins he was about to eat less appealing.
Sofia, who was tasting caviar, caught a glimpse of Roland’s forlorn expression and gently said:
"Cardinal, if you have worries, feel free to express them."
Roland made no attempt to conceal his thoughts, only speaking softly: "I miss my wife."
Angelina kept giving Roland aningful glances, but it didn’t stop the words.
One could say missing ho, or being unaccustod to the food, but saying directly that one misses their wife seed impolite.
ntioning these things in front of a woman who had never been loved by her husband and even turned against him rcilessly—does he even know how to talk?
Sahalin kept his head down, not daring to speak.
The Empress’s temper was generally bad, but she treated ministers fairly, usually not losing her temper.
Unless soone poked at her sore spot.
Sofia, just about to scoop up a spoonful of caviar, paused in mid-air.
The room’s temperature seed to drop, yet it might have just been an illusion.
Roland vaguely felt Sofia seed upset, but then again, she might not be.
As he pondered what Sofia was thinking, a calm and indifferent voice floated over.
"That’s simple, why not start a family here too? Angelina, privately ask which girl Roland fancies, and help him with the proposal. Since she’s the Cardinal’s new wife, you must choose wisely."
Roland: "..."
Wait, what’s Sofia’s logic here? When a staff mber complains about being far from ho and missing their wife, any normal boss would promise more vacation ti—who arranges for another wife?
Although he internally ranted, it did indeed seem like Sofia’s way of handling things.
Helpless, he raised his glass, smiled, and shook his head, "Thank you for the Empress’s grace, but my requirents for a wife are high; she must be powerful, exceedingly beautiful, and able to share my journey. Forgive my frankness..."
"I understand, you’re talking about Angelina, right?" Sofia straightforwardly asked.
"This child I’ve raised since childhood, she’s outstanding, no less than your wife, lover, or sister. What do you think?"
Sofia’s eyes were clear, like the azure sky; she was serious.
Sahalin, like a bear, lowered his head and gnawed angrily at the pork, pretending to be deaf and mute.
Angelina was stunned by Sofia’s sudden suggestion.
It took a while before she jumped up as if burned.
"Empress, what are you talking about? I’ve never thought of marriage; I want to stay beside you forever."
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Roland quickly stood up to state his position.
"Empress, marriage should be based on feelings. A marriage without feelings is destined for tragedy. Miss Angelina has her own life, you..."
Midway through his sentence, Roland regretted it.
He wished he could give himself two hard slaps.
Misdirected topics again, speaking of a marriage without feelings in front of Sofia was asking for trouble.
Angelina was also petrified.
Roland had already touched Sofia’s sore spot more than once today. Was he here for work or a duel?
She even forgot she was supposed to be part of the bargaining chip.
The atmosphere on-site was beyond tense; just when everyone thought Sofia was about to explode, she slowly set down her cutlery, showing a hint of a smile.
"You’re right, a marriage without feelings is unfortunate; I feel it deeply."
She smiled with genuine ease because she had truly let go.
Compared to her glorious past and the fierce battles she faced in the future, her apathetic ex-husband was as insignificant as a buzzing mosquito.
It once bothered her, but it was over.
After the Battle of White Mountain, how could such a minor issue disturb her?
Sofia could laugh, but Roland and the others dared not echo her. Her self-deprecation was magnanimous, but them joining would an risking their lives.
"Cardinal, I was just joking earlier. I know your feelings for Sif, and I have sent you gifts. When are you planning to hold the formal wedding?"
"Wait for the peace negotiations to end; work cos first." Roland wiped his sweat and replied with a smile.
"Then let’s set it for late March, and hold it here. You are the Duke of Kazan and the Cardinal Minister, the Empire’s foremost minister, and as your sovereign, I am obliged to prepare a grand wedding for you."
Seeing Roland’s hesitant expression, Sofia asked with a smile, "Cardinal, if you have any requests, feel free to make them."
Roland wanted to say he wished to hold the wedding in the Flower Sea of White Mountain, but he could only swallow the words.
"No, I’m just wondering where the wedding chamber will be, and if there’s a wedding leave?"
"Of course there’s wedding leave. According to Imperial law, civil servants can take a week’s wedding leave. Cardinal, as the foremost minister of the Empire, you should set an example."
Sofia’s words were gentle, yet left no room for negotiation.
A week it shall be, it’s enough.
A poet from his hotown once said that if affection can last long, there’s no need to embrace every night.
Even though the wedding can’t be held in the Flower Sea, one can still enjoy the honeymoon there.
Seeing Roland accept the arrangent, Sofia nodded with satisfaction.
She pointed to the imposing building outside the window, smiling as she said, "This was once my residence and the sleeping quarters of past Emperors, isn’t it grand?"
"It’s the perfect blend of elegant artistic vibe and the bold charm of the Northern Territory. Sotis I also wished to own a palace like this."
Pleasant words are easy to say; Roland wasn’t troubled by this.
However, Sofia’s next sentence once again rendered Roland speechless.
"Since you like it, it’s yours."
Sofia raised her glass, smiling as she concluded the matter, "Angelina, you’ll handle the transfer formalities. For Roland’s wedding, make extra efforts. Let them prepare according to imperial wedding standards. After all, the Cardinal’s wife is a nation’s Empress, it cannot be disrespectful."
Angelina hurriedly agreed.
Though it sounded absurd, it was reasonable when considering Sofia sending people to prepare Roland’s wedding.
Roland had no parents or family, and a sovereign caring for a minister’s life seed rational.
The banquet ended in an atmosphere of "joy" and "harmony"; everyone was quite satisfied.
Roland, who unexplainably acquired the Winter Palace, watched Sofia and the others leave in their carriage, and barely had ti to relax when a sudden thought struck him.
Wait, the Winter Palace is now mine, those parasites embezzled from my stuff!
That’s my money! My artwork!
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