sovbooks 028. All we need to do is look up.
028. All we need to do is look up.
"Have you heard? This little princess from Germany is so passionate about Russian!"
"I heard! In her quest to learn Russian as quickly as possible, the princess gets up in the middle of the night every day, which has made her sick, and she's still struggling to survive!"
"This is a stark contrast to Grand Duke Peter's indifference and passivity towards Russia!"
As Sergei, dressed in civilian clothes, walked through the market, a slight smile appeared on his face as he listened to the people's discussions about Sofia.
He returned to his residence, changed into his courtier's uniform, went to the Winter Palace, and headed toward Sophia's room.
Sofia's fever had subsided, and she was much more alert than before, which delighted Elizabeth but also left her feeling extremely tired.
These days she has been personally taking care of Sofia, which is no ordinary pain for a high-ranking, pampered empress.
"Now that you're almost fully recovered, I should head back," Elizabeth said, stroking Sophia's cheek.
"Your Majesty, I believe it is necessary to invite a Lutheran pastor to comfort her."
Johanna's sudden suggestion made Elizabeth frown.
The Russian court is preparing for Sofia's conversion to Orthodox Christianity. If she cannot forget Lutheranism, it will give Besdov and Aprakshin an opportunity to cause trouble, and the upcoming wedding will be full of uncertainty.
Even though she was still feeling unwell, Sofia struggled to softly refuse.
"Why send a Lutheran priest? Your Majesty, please send Simon Todolsky (Father, Bishop of Pskov Diocese). I'd much rather talk to him."
Upon hearing these words, Elizabeth couldn't help but tear up.
This is the second time in so many days that Elizabeth has lost her composure. The first time was after seeing Sofia, when she shouted at Besdov and Shuvalov.
Sofia saw Sergei standing to the side, and he gave her an encouraging and admiring look.
The first time she lost her composure was when Elizabeth, a woman without children, was filled with maternal love for a girl from a foreign land.
But this second time was entirely due to Sofia's enthusiasm for Russia, which far exceeded the Russian empress's expectations.
Father Simon arrived, made the sign of the cross, and began to pray for Sophia.
"Miracle Maker Saint Panthemon, holy martyr and merciful healer, have mercy on this maid of God... Almighty Lord, grant her the power to dispel her illness..."
Sergei followed Elizabeth to the outer room, where she ordered him and several courtiers to remain and ensure the princess's safety during this time.
After Elizabeth left, he met Gemma.
"You did a good job before. Today, the princess refused the Lutheran pastor and accepted the prayer of the Orthodox priest. This should be spread among the servants in the next few days."
The rumors circulating among the people about Sofia learning Russian and loving Russia were spread by him through Gemma to other servants, and then to outside the palace.
If this proactive "embrace" of the Orthodox Church is added to the mix, Sofia will be able to gain the complete approval of the Russian people.
At any time, the support of the people is the greatest asset an emperor can rely on in governing.
Gemma nodded.
Although she didn't understand why Sergei would do this, it was because of him that she and her father were able to escape with their lives from Shuvalov, and now she trusted him completely.
"Be careful, Matrena must be involved in this kind of topic, otherwise you'll be suspected," Sergei warned her.
Gemma has been performing exceptionally well lately. In addition to keeping quiet in the secret committee and spreading the news that Sofia loves Russia, she has also successfully reduced Shuvalov's hostility towards her—Shuvalov knows that the Empress's dissatisfaction with him also stems from a major mistake at the Moscow monastery.
This was indeed an oversight on Shuvalov's part.
He believed that all that was needed was to keep Ivan VI's parents and siblings locked up there and let them die of old age or illness. He overlooked Elizabeth's suspicious nature in the face of conspiracies.
To be precise, this was something every emperor possessed.
After Gemma left, the priest didn't come out until dusk. Sergei saw her off and then returned to Sofia's room.
"How long has the Queen been taking care of me?" Sophia asked.
"Four weeks." Sergei sat down in the chair in front of her.
Sofia was deeply moved.
She vaguely remembered that when she had a poor appetite, the Queen would have someone boil hot sugar water for her, and the Queen would stay by her side every time the doctor bled her.
"When the scalpel cut through the veins in my arms and legs, I felt as if I could hear the Queen crying," Sofia recalled.
Sergei nodded: "The Empress did cry. In 27 days, you underwent 16 bloodletting treatments. You are only 15 years old. It's unimaginable. Princess, you are very strong."
"Your Highness, you remember so clearly, which makes me feel incredibly guilty. I have seen all that you have done for me, and I can feel your sincerity. If I were not a princess of Germany, I would definitely be the happiest person in the world." Sophia's words were filled with sorrow and self-reproach.
Sergei smiled slightly and comforted her.
"There's no need for that. You're still weak. Go and rest. Even if our identities are an insurmountable mountain, the sun will rise every day. All we need to do is look up."
With Sergei's help, Sofia went from leaning against the headboard back to lying down. Looking at the bright flowers on the table, her cheeks regained some color, and a genuine smile appeared on her face.
"Your Highness, you have given me the best medicine; it can cure me better than any doctor."
……
Night falls, on the banks of the Fontanka River, at Lestoc's mansion.
"Gemma, darling, you must poison Frederica again!"
"No, I don't want the princess to die, nor do I want you, the advisor, to face death. Please stop pressuring me."
"If you don't continue to poison her, Frederica will be persecuted by other means, and she will suffer even more. You are just helping her to fall into a deep sleep forever."
"I will not do that. By the Virgin Mary, I would rather drink the poison myself!"
"Gemma, think of your father. He is your only solace in this world. We will end all of this and leave together. I want to leave this hateful country just like you."
Lestoc kissed Gemma forcefully despite her struggles.
Soon after, Gemma left Lestoker's mansion and walked into the shade of the distant woods, where a carriage awaited her. She boarded the carriage, inside which sat Alexander Shuvalov, who was in charge of the secret council.
"Just as you guessed, the counselor came to me to ask me to poison the princess." Gemma handed a small glass bottle to Shuvalov from her dress pocket.
"What else did he say?" Shuvalov asked, looking at the poison in his hand.
"He offered my father and me a generous sum of money and said he would arrange for us to leave Russia."
Shuvalov nodded, then asked about something else: "Were the flowers in Frederica's bedroom taken by Matreena?"
"Yes."
"Did Saltykov deliver it personally?"
"Yes."
"Was it a gift from Saltykov himself, or on behalf of Grand Duke Peter?"
"Grand Duke Peter, there are also words written by Grand Duke Peter to the princess on the flower, but I don't recognize Grand Duke Peter's handwriting."
After a brief silence, Shuvalov gave the order: "Besides Lestok, you also need to confirm two things for me: whether Matrena is Saltykov's person, and whether there is any ambiguous relationship between Saltykov and Frederica."
"Yes."
Shuvalov waved his hand, and Gemma got off the carriage.