Catherine and the Black Emperor

Second ear

During the days that Sophia was in audience with the Queen, the entire palace was filled with the fragrance and romance of spring. Everyone could see that Elizabeth was in a good mood, and everyone else seemed so relaxed and at ease.

Besides the matter of the Grand Duke's fiancée being chosen, Sergei, as the Empress's courtier, also knew that this was due to the victory in the south.

The Russian Cossack cavalry avenged the Croatians for the murder of their merchants and the looting of their ships.

As he knew from history, the Cossack cavalry destroyed the Yeni-Kalle fortress and burned it to the ground.

In Elizabeth's words: The Russians have shown the world that an apology is not enough.

"I think I can guess that we in the south have won a victory, and with Your Majesty's wise decision, the southern borders will surely be consolidated, because Austria, France, Britain, Prussia and Turkey all have the potential to expand their influence into Eastern Europe."

Razumovsky, who was talking to Sergei again, was greatly shocked by what the other said.

Sergei's words were exactly the same as the Empress's analysis!

"I want to know why," Razumovsky said, maintaining a facade of composure.

Sergei stated bluntly: "Although some countries do not border Russia, Russia will face unprecedented pressure due to their collective eastward advance. From the Baltic Sea to the Caucasus Mountains, the entire border is threatened."

As expected, it won't be long before Elizabeth's smile disappears.

Sure enough, just three days after her conversation with Razumovsky, Elizabeth's smile was stolen by a thief, and Peter was severely reprimanded by the Queen for bringing his dog into the palace, mistaken for a thief.

That day, Sofia met Sergei again and enthusiastically shared with him how she had spent the past few days.

"The Empress assigned me a Russian language tutor and a learned priest, Simon Todorsky, to guide me in mastering the doctrines and liturgical rituals of the Orthodox Church."

"It's him? He's the bishop of Pskov (region), and he studied at Halle University (German University). He has the ability to help you overcome your inner fears," Sergei explained the man's background.

Sofia nodded vigorously: "He speaks fluent German, is cultured, and has an open mind."

Not long after arriving in Russia, she realized that in addition to pleasing Queen Elizabeth, she had two more important things to do: to quickly become proficient in Russian and to embrace Russian religious beliefs.

"Conversion to Orthodox Christianity (the religion practiced in Russia) is a prerequisite for becoming a Grand Duchess." Sergei seemed to have guessed what she was thinking.

Sofia nodded again, her attitude positive: "I'm mentally prepared! I'll be fine!"

Sergei couldn't help but exclaim, "Look how wonderful our princess is!"

Sofia was even happier.

But soon, she ran into trouble.

The bishop told Sophia that there was not much difference between the two (i.e., Eastern Orthodoxy and Lutheranism) in terms of doctrine.

Sofia's father had always opposed her conversion to Orthodox Christianity, so upon hearing this, Sofia immediately wrote to her father.

Fearing that Sophia's faith in Lutheranism (the religion of Germany) would quickly fade, her father, Christian Augustus, Prince of Anhalt-Zebst of the German Duchy, wrote a stern and warning letter to his daughter.

"Reflect carefully on yourself... Did the Queen's favors influence your choices...? God examines our hearts with His infinite justice, our hidden motives, and thereby bestows His mercy upon us..."

Seeing this outcome, Sofia poured out her heart to Sergei in anguish.

"I struggled with how to reconcile the completely contradictory beliefs of two respected elders."

"Then why don't we focus our energy on learning Russian first?" Sergei advised.

So Sophia adjusted her focus, and her psychological burden lessened considerably. Naturally, her Orthodox etiquette studies gradually got on track.

Whenever Sofia encountered minor troubles like these, she would seek Sergei's help.

Sergei will do his best.

Soon, Sofia realized that her dependence on Sergei was not just a simple matter of confiding in him.

That day, Razumovsky found Sergei.

"His Majesty has ordered you to find a skilled painter from among the common people. Remember, this is not a matter for court painters. This is a rare opportunity, and you must seize it."

"I am willing to serve Your Majesty and the Count." Sergei bowed.

After leaving the Winter Palace, he went straight to the Cittadella marketplace.

After Razumovsky revealed his purpose for seeking him out, he had someone in mind: a skilled but impoverished painter who made a living in this narrow alley.

He remembered them because he had sponsored them financially.

At first, he was only moved by the other party's perseverance in pursuing art, so he gave him a few rubles. Unexpectedly, the other party came to his door the next day, not because he urgently needed money, but because he gave him a painting.

A lifelike version of myself stepped onto the carriage.

"Hofmall, you now have two paths before you. One is to continue your current life of begging, for painting cannot fill your stomach. The other is to come with me to the court. But I must first warn you that what you do may endanger your life, or it may allow you to realize your ambitions."

Sergei was crouching in a man huddled inside a tattered box, next to a more intact box containing the man's paintings and painting tools.

Even though they had to endure hardship and exposure to the elements, the other party still gave their best to art.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I am willing to give my life to achieve my ambitions."

Sergei nodded.

"Then come with me. Before meeting Her Majesty the Queen, you need to wash and dress up. I don't want my image with the Queen to be damaged because of you."

The man thought he had misheard: "Who did you say you wanted to see? The Queen... Her Majesty the Queen?"

Sergei did not respond to him again, stood up and walked out of the alley. Soon the other man got into the carriage with him.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, I've soiled your carriage."

"No, from now on, this will be your carriage."

The man was taken aback: "My...carriage?"

Sergei nodded and said, "I will get you a brand new set of painting tools, even better than those used by ordinary court painters. You don't need to say thank you yet, because I want to keep your current painting tools. To me, these are true art, representing your growth in painting."

The man wept with tears welling in his eyes, filled with gratitude.

Sergei looked out the window, thinking that starting tomorrow, he would probably have a second ear in the palace.

He soon learned what Hofmall had been summoned to do—paint a portrait of Ivan VI, who was imprisoned at the Peter and Paul Fortress!

The fact that Hofmal dared to tell him this meant that the other party truly valued Sergei above his own life.

"The moment you finish the painting, Hofmahl, your fate will truly be set. Before that, no one can help you, including me. I'm sorry."

"There's no need for that, Your Highness. Your deeds far outweigh my life. I would die without regret serving you."