Arkaim.
Spring Palace.
As soon as Sofia entered her bedroom, she flung her high heels away and then flopped onto the bed.
Tired, so tired.
For the first time, she realized how many tedious tasks being an Empress entailed.
Today, she inspected the palace guard, standing stiffly on stage for over two hours watching their various strange drills and performances. Then, she attended the opening ceremony of a Quidditch match, and finally, she awarded medals to twenty Shamans who had just graduated from the Ancestral Crypts...
She found herself missing her uncle, Grand Duke Ivan, who was always more than willing to take on these crowd-pleasing tasks.
If this was the price of power, suddenly the throne didn't seem so appealing.
Just endure a little longer, endure another month, until she could stabilize the work and influence that once belonged to Ivan...
She comforted herself, unknowingly drifting off to sleep on the bed...
"Your Majesty, Lady Yaga wishes to see you," suddenly, the voice of a maid from outside the door woke her up.
Sofia jerked her head up from the pillow, and after a moment of disorientation, she managed to suppress the urge to fall back asleep. Struggling up, she tidied her appearance, "Let her in."
"Lady Yaga, what brings you here?"
The stooped old lady slowly walked in, "A court official told me that you almost fell asleep at the Quidditch opening ceremony?"
"Who?" Sofia asked, somewhat angrily, "Was it Igor?"
"Spare that poor child. He was just fulfilling his duty," Lady Yaga shook her head, "You should be thankful no one captured that moment, and thankful that no one dares to report on the Empress's lapse."
"I didn't become the Empress to perform grace and poise for them," Sofia retorted, not very pleased.
"Fortunately not, otherwise your performance wouldn't have been very impressive," the old lady didn't mince her words.
Sofia glared at Lady Yaga for a good while before finally sighing, "Alright, next time I'll make sure not to be lulled to sleep by a boring match."
Lady Yaga shook her head, "The people of this country love you and your family, and although their expectations might be heavy, responding to them is the Emperor's duty. You live in this splendid palace, enjoy fine food, and meticulous care, surely not because you love to sleep?"
Sofia blushed, "I'm sorry, Lady Yaga. It's just that sometimes I feel these affairs are too tedious, as if I'm repeating meaningless tasks every day."
"Your presence soothes the people's unease. After the turmoil, what they need is a signal of a safe return to normal life. This task is not as meaningless as you think, and only you can do it," Lady Yaga said.
"Now, the major families have also basically accepted the situation, and no troubles have arisen. This is all thanks to your previous work."
"Although it seems like boring banquets and speeches to you, it's also a form of communication and interaction."
"I thought being an Empress would be more interesting, requiring solving many problems and difficulties, not just socializing..." Sofia complained.
"Arkaim has existed for hundreds to thousands of years and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future without much change. In such a stable environment, you don't need to conquer new territories or defend against foreign enemies. All you need to do is maintain an established order."
"Though it might not be as thrilling, it's not a bad thing for the people."
"But... Murphy said the Muggles would bring change..." the Empress said.
"Oh, I thought we wouldn't talk about him anymore," Lady Yaga smiled, "Since you rejected my suggestion last time, we haven't discussed Mr. Darkholme for a long time. I thought you weren't interested in his rhetoric."
"I really, don't quite believe it," Sofia thought for a moment, "Have there been any changes with the Muggle government recently?"
"Darkholme's people have basically taken control of the Muggle government, which is somewhat unexpected. I originally thought they would fail, given the many entrenched problems in that country... Surprisingly, he really revitalized it."
"Besides, he seems to be planning to build a magic research laboratory... This is a military secret on the Muggle side, leaked to us by Murphy's people, as it involves magic, they needed to inform us per the agreement."
"A magic research laboratory?" Sofia was puzzled, "What for?"
"To study magic, I suppose. Murphy seems to place great importance on this matter; this might be the direct reason he wants to control the Soviet Muggle government. He wants to mobilize the entire Muggle nation to help him build this laboratory."
"What do you think we should do?" Sofia asked.
"According to the agreement, we cannot interfere," Lady Yaga said, "But not interfering doesn't mean we can't understand and help. You can look into this matter. I have a feeling it will bring significant change to our world... If possible, I suggest you provide some assistance."
"Assistance?" Sofia was puzzled, "Aren't you afraid we'll be tied to him? You said before, his actions might alarm all wizards, didn't you want to avoid getting too involved with him?"
"Yes, we can be tactful," Lady Yaga said, "Of course, we cannot help in the name of Arkaim. But providing some private assistance is possible."
Sofia was silent for a while, "You're still planning on a marriage alliance..."
Lady Yaga did not deny, instead, she said, "Mr. Darkholme is a suitable candidate, especially with his recent moves in the British Ministry of Magic. He has enough strength, and now, his status would not disgrace you."
Sofia was uncertain. After Lady Yaga left, she lay back on the bed, but this time she couldn't sleep at all.
After a while, she called a wizard responsible for external communication to the parlor and listened to him describe recent events in the Soviet Muggle society.
Finally, she inquired about the magic research laboratory, but he knew little, "British wizards only told us they would build a laboratory, but didn't share more details."
After sending him away, Sofia paced back and forth in the parlor, her mind occupied with thoughts of the magic laboratory.
She was curious about what it was and wanted to know what Murphy was planning.
Compared to her own monotonous and boring daily social life, Murphy seemed to be doing something impressive.
However, this seemed to be a confidential matter, and not many in Arkaim were privy to the details.
"Wait, I can write to him!"
Suddenly, she had an idea.
The agreement with Murphy stipulated that Arkaim wouldn't interfere with his dealings with the Muggles within Soviet territory, but anything involving magic had to be notified to Arkaim to prevent misunderstandings.
As the Empress of Arkaim, she had the right to know about Murphy's plans to build a magic laboratory in the Soviet Union. Writing to inquire was perfectly reasonable.
Sofia was thrilled with her good idea and was about to write the letter when a maid came in, presenting her with a letter.
"Your Majesty,a letter from Lord Protector Murphy Darkholme."
Sofia's heart skipped a beat with anticipation. Quickly, she broke the seal and unfolded the letter, scanning the content eagerly. Murphy's letter outlined his recent undertakings in the Muggle world and hinted at his ambitious project—the construction of a magic research laboratory within Soviet territory. He assured her of his intentions to advance the understanding of magic for the betterment of both worlds, seeking a balance between the arcane and the modern. He also expressed his desire for Arkaim's tacit approval or at least, its non-interference, emphasizing the potential benefits for the wizarding world.
After reading the letter, Sofia sat in deep thought. Murphy's proposal was bold, potentially revolutionary. It promised to bridge the gap between the magical and non-magical worlds in a way that had never been attempted. Yet, it also posed risks. The exposure of magic to the broader Muggle population, even if initially controlled within a scientific context, could lead to unforeseen consequences. There was also the matter of Arkaim's own security and the traditional secrecy that had long protected the wizarding community.
The idea of assisting Murphy directly conflicted with her initial reservations about entangling Arkaim too closely with his ventures. Still, Lady Yaga's earlier words echoed in her mind, suggesting a private form of support that wouldn't publicly bind Arkaim to Murphy's actions. It was a delicate line to walk, but if navigated correctly, it could usher in a new era of prosperity and understanding between the magical and non-magical worlds.
Resolute, Sofia decided to draft a response. She would express a cautious interest in Murphy's project, seeking further details and assurances about its execution and oversight. She would also hint at the possibility of discreet support from Arkaim, contingent on strict confidentiality and mutual benefit. Most importantly, she sought to establish a direct line of communication with Murphy, to better understand his vision and ensure Arkaim's interests were protected.
As she penned her response, Sofia felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. She was about to step into uncharted territory, potentially shaping the future of the wizarding world. The weight of her decision wasn't lost on her, but the opportunity to be part of something truly transformative was too compelling to ignore.
Sealing the letter, Sofia summoned a trusted courier, instructing him to deliver her response to Murphy with utmost haste and discretion. As the courier disappeared into the night, Sofia couldn't help but wonder about the future. She was playing a part in a story much bigger than herself, one that could redefine the boundaries between magic and the mundane.
In the quiet of her chamber, the Empress of Arkaim felt a rare thrill of anticipation for the days ahead. The path was fraught with uncertainties, but it promised a journey unlike any other. And for the first time in a long while, Sofia felt genuinely excited about the challenges and possibilities that lay on the horizon.
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