In the Name of Empress-Chapter 615 - 357: Sincerity Breaks the Routine (Part 2)
"So she chose to be your mistress?"
Sif was stunned for a few seconds, vaguely understanding Alina’s thoughts.
She wasn’t unwilling to be bound by marriage; she just didn’t want to be second.
Beyond that, there were political considerations.
Sif smiled and shook her head, "Roland, you don’t understand women. In name, she’s a mistress, but in reality, she’s still your wife. She can be willful; I mustn’t be rude."
Roland never understood women, and this time was no exception.
He tactfully did not continue the topic.
Sif was no longer the simple and easily angered noble girl she was back then; she had her own sense of propriety.
Roland quickly used Meinette as a shield.
"My dear, I want to infiltrate Tirol to probe the truth about the Dark Race."
"I’ll go with you!" Sif said without hesitation.
"The time we disappear together will be suspicious to everyone," Roland shook his head, refusing.
Though rejected by Roland, Sif was not angry; she knew Roland was right.
Their disappearance had been too long, and with Queen Sisi’s entire family dying mysteriously, the forces behind it would surely be alert.
The number of people going had to be limited, and it couldn’t be her.
Sif felt uneasy; after much consideration, she said solemnly, "Let Christine accompany you. She is blessed with the Power of the Goddess, her strength is not inferior to yours, and with the Light’s restraint over the Dark, her combat power can be fully unleashed. Moreover, she is even less likely to compromise with the Dark Race."
"If you don’t accept, then don’t go." This was Sif’s bottom line.
Roland exaggeratedly saluted Sif, "As you command!"
"You go find Christine, I won’t go." Christine had a close relationship with Roland, but was indifferent with others, so Sif naturally wouldn’t invite humiliation upon herself.
Shortly after Roland left the residence, Sif also left the mansion, crossing Friendship Street, heading towards a mansion in the East City District.
The person she was looking for was Sofia.
When the maid informed Sofia, Sofia was stunned for a few seconds before responding.
She thought for a moment and chose to meet Sif in the small study in the backyard.
The front yard of the noble mansion was for external affairs, where friends were received and business was conducted. Most of the servants lived in the front yard as well.
The backyard was generally where the nobility themselves and family members lived.
The servants who could serve in the backyard were often loyal servants who had been with the family for several generations.
Receiving someone in the front yard meant they were an outsider, no matter how good the relationship was.
Receiving someone in the backyard meant they were family, no matter how bad the relationship was.
Considering Roland had been working diligently these days, Sofia couldn’t bear to place Sif in the front yard.
But meeting in the small dining room in the backyard felt a bit awkward, after all, just a few months ago, they were enemies.
So she chose the small study.
The study had a front door connected to the front yard and a back door linked to the backyard, so it could be seen as part of the front yard or as part of the family’s living area in the backyard.
She had received an elite noble education from a young age and was familiar with social etiquette and interpersonal relations.
Although she cared less about these things after becoming overwhelmingly powerful, some things engraved in her bones couldn’t be forgotten.
Sif naturally understood Sofia’s choice.
She was somewhat surprised.
It wasn’t that she was surprised by Sofia’s choice, but that Sofia actually took the time to seriously consider the details.
Being cold and choosing the front yard, or being completely indifferent and choosing the backyard, both fit Sofia’s domineering style; it was unique for her to seriously think about reception etiquette.
Without showing her emotions, Sif quietly sat down at the desk in the small study.
Her gaze landed on a book placed on the desk.
"On Light."
"Is this the last work of the Goddess of Light before she left?" Sif tentatively asked.
"Yes, it was written by Tiya."
Sofia smiled as she sat down, about to summon the servant, but then suddenly realized that for such a private discussion, it was unnecessary to have servants nearby. She then casually took out a bottle of wine from the desk and placed it down carelessly.
"Help yourself if you want a drink." Her expression resumed its coldness, but the frostiness between her brows had diminished. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Sif wouldn’t stand on ceremony with her, she deftly removed the cork, poured herself a glass of wine, and swirled the glass, appreciating the action of swirling the wine.
Crude people drink wine in one gulp; elegant people pay attention to pouring, decanting, and tasting.
Sif was once the last Empress of the Elf Race and was the most beautiful woman of her time, so naturally, her demeanor was of utmost grace.
Originally, it was just a polite remark, but unexpectedly, Sif began to leisurely savor the wine, causing Sofia to slightly furrow her brows.
But she didn’t interrupt.
This wasn’t a battlefield, and battlefield rules could be set aside for a moment.
Sofia seriously pondered the part about imperial etiquette in her mind, and softly said:
"Should I address you as Lady Sylph or Lady Roland?"
Sif corrected her earnestly, "The correct address is Lady York, but of course, you can choose as you please."
"Alright, Lady York, I know your time is extremely valuable, and so is mine. Feel free to speak directly. But let me say upfront, Roland can offer services in Val City for half a year each year, but the other half he must spend with me, this is my greatest concession."
Sofia stared at Sif alertly.
Originally, Roland was only allowed half a month’s leave each year based on the agreement, and now it’s almost half a year; she’s already made a significant concession.
Sif smiled and said, "Miss Sofia, thank you for your generosity. Rest assured, I’m not a fool who doesn’t know when to stop."
"What I want to say is, the guide of the Dark Race has defected."
She then explained the entire incident about Meinette’s defection in detail.
Sofia’s expression turned slightly stern; she roughly knew what Sif intended to convey.
She hesitated slightly.
It was a crucial moment for her to re-plan her stardom path, and she didn’t intend to act rashly, but Sif had already spoken, so outright refusal seemed unreasonable.
