The moment she agreed to Murphy's request, Sofia regretted it.
With that invitation, he had snatched the initiative from her. But under those circumstances, it indeed provided a smooth step down, so seamless that she didn't realize she had fallen into a trap of attack and defense.
By the time she noticed, she was already accompanying him on a walk.
Accompanying a guest to enjoy the scenery was a treatment for honored guests and friends. In such a situation, it was impossible to continue pressing charges.
Sofia was somewhat resentful, but if she reneged now, she would appear capricious and unreasonable. So, she gracefully followed Murphy's steps, maintaining her royal demeanor as they strolled.
Of course, a walk wasn't just about walking. The two chatted briefly about the scenery, then began probing each other for information.
"I heard you run a potion business?" Empress Sofia asked.
"I have a few small shops, nothing significant," Murphy replied.
"But they say you sell potions among Muggles and that's how you gained your wealth," Sofia pressed.
"I'm sure those are just rumors," Murphy said. "By the way, I heard you are descended from the Romanov family?"
Sofia frowned slightly. "If you mean my great-great-grandmother was a Romanov orphan, then yes. Her name was Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Nicholas II."
"A wizard who was responsible for protecting them helped her escape the massacre. She later married the heir to the Arkaim magical empire, and their son was my grandfather."
"I have a question, Your Majesty," Murphy said. "Why did your grandfather choose your mother instead of your uncle as the heir? I heard that even in Arkaim, empresses are rare."
"My grandfather didn't like my grandmother; their marriage was a political necessity. The condition for her allowing him to have affairs was to make my mother the heir. My uncle was born to another Arkaim noblewoman."
Murphy understood; no wonder the uncle was hesitant to seize power directly – he was a bastard.
"Ivan the Grand Duke has three sons?" Murphy asked.
Sofia thought for a moment, realizing that inviting Murphy was mainly to seek his help, so these matters were not a secret to him. "Yes, Ras, George, and Alexander."
She felt she couldn't keep being questioned. She asked back, "What exactly do you want to do with the Soviet Muggles?"
"Nothing much, just trying to make their lives a bit better," Murphy vaguely replied, then asked, "How strong is Ivan the Grand Duke's influence in Arkaim?"
Sofia suddenly stopped.
Her feet hurt.
Murphy was tall, and next to him, Sofia appeared much smaller, like a daughter next to her father, strangely harmonious. But Murphy's long strides didn't consider her pace; she had to almost run to keep up. At first, she tried to match him stubbornly, but after a few hundred meters, her feet couldn't take it anymore.
She wore black deer leather boots, matching her military uniform, but the boots had four to five-centimeter heels. They looked sharp when she stood still, and walking in them exuded authority. But they were not meant for fast walking.
"Your Majesty?" Murphy noticed Sofia's tense expression. "Are you unwell?"
Sofia was irritated, not having encountered such an ungentlemanly man. "I think this walk can end here, Mr. Darkholm!"
Murphy seemed puzzled but, seeing the fine sweat on the young girl's forehead and her boots, he immediately understood. "Sorry, Your Majesty, I was inconsiderate."
Sofia wasn't just upset about this, but felt Murphy kept probing her without sincerity. She felt she was acting unilaterally, treated as a naive child by him.
Perhaps Azir was right; relying on such a person might end up worse than surrendering to Ivan.
After all, it just meant marrying a man she disliked.
"Ras is weak but at least controllable. Once Ivan ages, I can still regain power…"
"I thought we could have an open and honest conversation, but all I see from you is deception and mockery. If this is your attitude, I think we have nothing more to discuss."
Sofia turned to leave, but after taking one step, she stopped.
"Your Majesty?"
They were on a gravel path, somewhat uneven. Sofia had stepped awkwardly, feeling a piercing pain, even suspecting she might have broken a bone.
"My foot, I think I sprained it."
The Empress dared not move, cold sweat forming on her forehead.
The situation was both serious and somewhat funny. Murphy, hesitating for a moment, helped her to her arm and conjured a bench from a vine.
"Please sit here." He helped her sit down, then crouched and asked, "Your right foot?"
Holding Sofia's leg, he lifted her right foot.
"What, what are you doing?" Sofia was startled.
"Your foot seems dislocated, it'll swell if not treated soon." As he spoke, a bat flew away with her boot, revealing a beautiful bare foot.
Her toes were tensed up, either from pain or nervousness, looking somewhat playful and cute.
"Whoosh!" At the same moment, a branch behind him turned into a spear, aiming at his head.
But Murphy seemed unaware, even pinching Sofia's ankle, "Does it hurt?"
He, he actually…
Shocked, Sofia watched his serious expression, unsure what to say, and nodded, "A little."
Murphy pinched a few other spots, assessing the situation. "A slight misalignment of the ankle, no bone fracture, not a big problem. Bear with me."
He held her foot, lifted her leg flat, and then suddenly pushed and pulled.
"Ah!" Sofia screamed, but saw Murphy already holding her foot, twisting it twice, "Better now?"
"Better, I think... it doesn't hurt much?" Sofia said uncertainly.
Murphy nodded, took out a spray from his pocket, and sprayed her ankle a few times.
"This is a healing spray, for bruises and sprains," Murphy explained. "Made with white fragrance essence, it repairs ligaments and muscle damage quickly. It sells very well among Muggles."
Standing up, he added, "You were right, Your Majesty, I do sell potions to Muggles."
"As for what I want to do with Soviet Muggles…" he paused, "that's a long story."
"But since your foot needs to rest…"
"Would you give me some more time to explain my intentions to you?"
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