Catherine and the Black Emperor

015. Audience with the Queen

The Winter Palace, Throne Room.

The 800-square-meter palace features white marble columns adorned with gilded bronze decorations, geometric gilded parquet floors made of precious wood, and gilded stucco reliefs on the ceiling.

"In Her Majesty the Queen's name, I would like to invite Sofia Augustus Frederica, Princess Anhart-Zebuster, and her mother, Princess Johanna!"

The palace gates slowly opened, and Johanna and Sophia stepped onto the red carpet and entered the hall.

The enormous crystal chandelier, suspended in the air, gleamed brilliantly in the light streaming through the tall, arched windows.

Queen Elizabeth and Grand Duke Peter sit on their thrones, with the imperial coat of arms embroidered on the back of their chairs. Behind them hangs an oil painting titled "Peter the Great and Minerva," with the Battle of Poltava as the background.

Court officials, dressed in proper official robes, generals in crisp military uniforms, and foreign envoys in bright and gorgeous formal attire, lined up on both sides of the red carpet, their expressions dignified and solemn.

The interplay of human gaze with the light and shadow outside the window imbues the entire hall with an atmosphere of grandeur, luxury, and solemnity.

However, when the courtiers saw that Sophia was wearing an old white dress that was only barely clean, they immediately began to whisper among themselves.

"Look at her, this princess is wearing an old dress." A noblewoman couldn't help but whisper a sarcastic remark.

"Does she have no clothes left?" The foreign princess, who was not chosen, was even more envious because she could only watch from the sidelines.

"Look, even her mother is dressed so brightly and beautifully," a minister remarked, noticing Johanna standing next to Sophia.

There were over a hundred people, including court officials and foreign envoys, and they were all discussing the matter, creating quite a stir.

As the Empress's personal guard, Sergei stood on one side of the throne.

Seeing Johanna's clothes, he knew that this mother completely disregarded her daughter's feelings and had forgotten all the instructions he had given her yesterday. The other woman was wearing a very bright dress, making her daughter stand out so much.

At this moment, this woman should dress plainly, trying her best to avoid drawing as many strange glances as possible for her daughter!

Sergei noticed Sofia's nervousness and could only offer her encouragement with his eyes.

Meeting Sergei's gaze, Sofia's incredibly tense heart calmed down slightly.

Sofia, you can do it! You have to show the Queen!

Sofia cheered herself up in her heart.

She and her mother walked slowly toward Elizabeth, who was seated high above.

"Where did they find a princess like this?"

"I almost burst out laughing, look how nervous she is."

Several foreign princesses standing together deliberately raised their voices as Sofia walked past them.

But then, a cold gaze fell upon them. Seeing that it was one of the Queen's attendants responsible for maintaining order, the princesses immediately shut their mouths, and Sergei then withdrew his gaze.

Amidst the loud and uplifting music, Sofia and her mother approached the Queen and bowed.

Queen Elizabeth rose from her throne.

Today, the Russian Empress wore a magnificent silver gown, the skirt trimmed with gold-threaded lace, the crinoline supporting the wide hem, her hair, neck and full breasts all submerged in jewels.

Elizabeth walked slowly to Johanna and said sincerely, "Your Highness, you look like Charles (Elizabeth's deceased fiancé)."

Johanna was flattered and bowed again: "Thank you, Your Majesty. Many people say that my brother and I look alike."

Elizabeth said, as if recalling a memory, "Poor Charlie, he was handsome and intelligent."

But an empress is an empress; after only a moment of sadness, she regained her composure and looked at Johanna.

"We could have been family, Princess, if Charlie hadn't died on the eve of the wedding."

After saying this, Elizabeth didn't give Johanna a chance to speak. She came up to Sophia, carefully examining the beautiful young woman. Then she slowly extended her hand, revealing an agate ring on her finger that symbolized her status as an empress.

Sofia stepped forward and gently kissed the Queen's hand.

"Greetings to you, Your Majesty the Empress. (Russian)"

Elizabeth looked surprised: "You speak Russian."

Sofia looked intently into the Russian mother's eyes: "Without Russian, the world would stop turning."

In an instant, the scene fell completely silent.

Even Johanna, who was standing next to her, was dumbfounded.

Because of this one sentence in Russian, which was spoken very poorly!

Queen Elizabeth remained expressionless, while many ministers gloated. Johanna cursed her daughter in her heart, and in the end, she even closed her eyes in despair.

Elizabeth stared intently at Sophia, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Wonderful! Hahaha, this is the most unique Russian I've ever heard!"

All the courtiers were momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter and applauded enthusiastically.

Only Grand Duke Peter, sitting on the throne, remained indifferent.

Standing next to Lestoc in the courtiers' procession was the Marquis de Laschetadi, the French ambassador to Russia.

At this moment, a smile graced his face, but he said in a low voice, "This German princess must fall seriously ill, or die or disappear. This marriage absolutely cannot go through!" (in French)

Lestoc, also smiling, clapped: "Don't rush, the real show is just beginning. And keep your voice down, we're not the only ones who understand French here."

The laughter and applause stopped.

Sofia and her mother were both awarded the Order of St. Catherine by Queen Elizabeth (an award established specifically for women at the wedding of Peter the Great and Catherine I).

The audience ceremony has concluded.

The Queen hosted a grand welcome banquet for her guests that evening, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere.

This time, Johanna and Sophia were no longer confined to their rooms; they could attend any banquet, party, or ball, and they had free access to most parts of the Winter Palace.

They are free.

Sofia, holding a wine glass, approached Sergei: "I'm so happy, Your Highness. I've realized that I can't share my joy with anyone but you; they don't seem to like me much."

Sergei smiled and clinked glasses with him.

"They're just jealous that God gave the princess such a beautiful face and such wonderful dancing skills. You danced very well just now."

"I still need to learn; I don't know a single Russian dance yet," Sofia said, shaking her head.

Excuse me.

After Sergei finished his drink, he placed the glass on the servant's tray, nodded slightly, and left.

Watching Sergei's retreating figure, Sofia was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting him to abandon her like that. At that moment, her heart felt empty, and most of her joy disappeared.

"What are you still standing here for? Those counts are very hospitable, let's go and have a few more drinks with them," Johanna said, coming over to her daughter.

Sofia was led by her mother, turning back every few steps, until she watched the young, tall figure disappear outside the door.

On his way home, Sergei sat in the carriage, gazing at the brightly lit palace complex outside.

"I can't believe I lost my composure," he muttered to himself.

Yes, he suddenly felt inexplicably irritable just now. No, not irritable, but disappointed and upset.

Clearly, he was always careful, constantly reminding himself to remain rational and absolutely reasonable.

In the end, however, he was still swayed by his emotions.

"Sergei, you're far from being a true schemer!"