Marry the Empress?
Glancing at the young girl with white hair on the throne, Murphy furrowed his brow. In the past, he might have thought, "What a great opportunity." But now, he found it troublesome.
Beautiful girls were everywhere, but this one was like a rose with thorns.
She bore the fate of thousands of Arkaim's wizards on her shoulders, and her stance was naturally different from Murphy's. While she sought Arkaim's safety, Murphy intended to use Arkaim as both shield and spear. Even in an alliance, the fundamental divergence in their positions would inevitably lead to discord.
Without such relationships, Murphy could act freely, without considering anything. However, if they became husband and wife or lovers, handling such differences would inevitably lead to many restraints and compromises, making things much more complicated.
On the other side, Sofia was also shocked by Lady Yaga's suggestion.
She looked at Lady Yaga, not quite understanding the old woman's intention. Lady Yaga gave her a reassuring look, and the Empress held back her questions, looking at Murphy again.
Huh? Why is he frowning?
"Is marrying me so unacceptable?" she thought.
"The Empress is still young," Murphy said. "This might not be appropriate."
"The Empress is about to come of age. You can make a marriage contract now and marry later," Lady Yaga suggested.
Murphy pondered for a moment, then looked up at Sofia. "What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Sofia, who had been watching him, was caught off guard by his direct gaze.
While Murphy was undoubtedly charming and attractive, she felt she couldn't control him. Her confidence in "winning him over with her charm" had dwindled through their interactions. She felt that no matter what, he always seemed to be one step ahead.
Moreover, he seemed so reluctant. Should she really throw herself at him?
Sofia straightened up, "As Mr. Darkholme said, I am still young and ignorant of matters of marriage. As the Empress, responsible for the fate of countless wizards of Arkaim, such a significant decision would be too hasty."
Looking at Lady Yaga, she added, "I am not yet ready to discuss marriage."
Murphy nodded, slightly relieved. His focus was still on his ventures; suddenly being given a wife would divide his attention. This was for the best.
Lady Yaga sighed, "Then we cannot take such risks for an outsider."
Murphy thought for a moment and proposed, "How about I become the Empress's sworn brother instead?"
...
When Murphy left the Spring Palace, he had become Sofia's sworn brother and "The Shaman Protector of the Nation."
The Empress agreed to his request and established diplomatic relations with the British Ministry of Magic. Murphy's goals for the visit were fully achieved.
Once Murphy left the hall, Sofia turned to Lady Yaga, puzzled. "Why did you insist on that kind of proposal?"
Lady Yaga slowly approached the Empress. "Your Majesty, how old do you think I am?"
Sofia was stunned. Lady Yaga had looked the same since she was born, and even Ivan had mentioned that she looked the same when he was a child.
"I was born before this century began, and now it's almost over," Lady Yaga said. "I have served several generations in this palace. They trusted me because I was once the bodyguard of Tsar Nicholas II, and your great-grandmother was someone I saved."
Sofia nodded, aware of this.
Lady Yaga, in her eyes, was no different from a grandmother. Hence, she had the right to make such a proposal.
"But I am old now," Lady Yaga continued. "During the fight with Felipe Carlos, I felt my strength waning, and he cursed me before dying. I might have only a year or two left before I join the ancestors."
"Your..."
Lady Yaga shook her head, stopping Sofia's comforting words. "I know my condition. You're still too young, and some might try to challenge your authority. After I'm gone, you'll need a strong figure to suppress those ambitions."
"Murphy Darkholme is an excellent choice."
"He's a foreigner, unlikely to usurp power. His ambitions require your help to achieve, and he has the ability to manage Arkaim well."
"And you like him, don't you?"
"But aren't you worried he might lead Arkaim into danger? Even Azir said he's a fearsome person," the Empress questioned.
"Ah, Azir... what a pity," Lady Yaga shook her head. "Worrying is useless. From the moment you started interacting with him, there was no turning back. No, perhaps even earlier, when he set his sights on Suvia, he was destined to influence Arkaim."
"He says a tide is coming, but he's the one stirring the waves. Such a person, unless we kill him, will always stir up turmoil."
"It's good that you're unwilling to marry him; it doesn't completely bind you to him, giving us a chance to escape if he fails."
Sofia furrowed her brow, realizing a perspective she hadn't considered before.
As an Empress, she still had much to learn.
...
The next day, the news of Duke Ivan's treason and his sons' filial piety in executing him spread throughout Arkaim. Some believed it, some didn't, but regardless, Ivan was dead, his second son George inherited the title but was demoted from Duke to Earl due to his crimes.
It was said that Felipe Carlos, the Grand Shaman, left the Ancestor's Tomb to wander the world, but few ordinary wizards cared much about this.
Moreover, what excited Arkaim's wizards the most was the "Shaman Protector of the Nation." Reportedly, he was a wizard from the British magical community who came to propose to the Empress. It was he who discovered Duke Ivan's treason at the banquet and assisted Earl George in killing Ivan.
To commend his merits, the Empress made him her sworn brother and granted him the title of "Shaman Protector of the Nation," equivalent to a Duke.
There were rumors that the Empress had chosen the Shaman Protector as her husband-to-be, to co-rule the holy city with her. But due to the affairs of the state and her young age, the marriage was postponed.
The rites of kinship and conferment required Murphy to stay in Arkaim for some time.
During these days, he first rescued the werewolf mercenaries and wizards captured by Ivan's estate, sending them back to the lab to recover. Then he dispatched more wizards to Suvia on the muggle side. With the Empress's consent, he no longer needed to be secretive and was ready to boldly advance his plans in Suvia.
By the time the ceremonies were completed in June, Murphy was ready to return to Hogwarts.
His year-long Philosopher's Stone plan was nearing completion, and he needed to be there to oversee it.
Before leaving, Murphy offered Lady Yaga an anti-aging potion, but she declined, leaving him regretful.
"Aging and death are natural processes," Lady Yaga said. She seemed at peace with it. "Moreover, after death, I will join the ancestors and continue to protect this place from another world, a journey broader
and more enduring than life. I've been looking forward to it for a long time."
Murphy couldn't understand this perspective.
Unlike these centuries-old people, he wasn't ready to die. He wanted to continue living, as long as possible, ideally to the end of time.
___________________
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