novelSusiti Chapter 220 The Crown Princess's "Cup of Coffee"
Chapter 220 The Crown Princess's "Cup of Coffee"
The heavy door to the conference room was gently pushed open, and a bright yet gentle figure appeared in the doorway.
Crown Princess Sofia walked in slowly, carrying an exquisite silver tray.
She wore a well-fitting light-colored long dress, her long golden hair styled in an elegant updo at the back of her head. Her face was unadorned, exuding only an innate nobility and serenity. Her steps were steady, without the slightest disturbance despite the somber atmosphere in the room.
She seemed not to have stepped into the center of a political storm, but rather into her own afternoon tea room.
All eyes were on her. Some were curious, some scrutinizing, and some puzzled.
Baron von Schneider adjusted his bow tie, a polite but distant smile on his face. In his view, this princess had come to bring his "victory" to a perfect close.
Sofia didn't look at anyone.
She walked directly to the head of the conference table, stood before King George I, and refilled his empty coffee cup with steaming coffee. Her movements were graceful and silent.
Then, carrying the tray, she did not go to the ministers, but went to her husband, Constantine.
Constantine watched her quietly.
Sofia placed the tray on a small table to the side, but did not immediately pour him coffee.
Instead, she extended her fair hands in front of everyone.
She straightened Constantine's uniform collar, which was slightly wrinkled from standing and debating for so long.
Her movements were light and natural, full of a wife's care for her husband. But everyone present read a completely different meaning into this simple gesture.
That was a silent declaration.
A declaration of the firmest stance that transcends blood ties and nationality.
My husband and I are standing together.
After doing all this, Sofia turned around as if she had just seen the German ambassador.
She faced the bewildered Baron von Schneider, bowed slightly, and spoke softly in fluent, pure German, as melodious as the finest German in a Berlin aristocratic salon.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into a still lake; every word clearly rippled in everyone's heart.
"Your Excellency, please convey my sincerest greetings to my brother, His Majesty Emperor William."
Baron Schneider bowed slightly: "Of course, Your Highness, it is my honor."
"Please tell him," Sofia continued, "that I am doing well here. My husband loves me, my father-in-law dotes on me, and the people of Greece respect me. It's just..."
She lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting a captivating shadow in the light of the crystal chandelier.
"However, I've been feeling a bit uneasy lately."
Baron Schneider's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
Sofia's voice carried a perfectly fitting hint of grievance and sorrow, befitting a princess married off to a foreign land.
"Nothing makes me, as a wife, feel more uneasy and aggrieved than watching my new citizens being harmed by drugs dumped from neighboring countries, and watching the territory and sovereignty of this country being wantonly ignored and violated by those former defeated enemies."
Upon hearing this, Baron Schneider's expression changed for the first time. He had anticipated that Sophia would try to dissuade him, agree with him, or even remain silent, but he never expected her to say something like this!
She did not discuss politics, nor did she refute the Kaiser's warnings.
She was just "complaining" and "lamenting".
She cleverly transformed an impending international war into the "grievances" suffered by a Prussian princess in her husband's family after her marriage!
Baron Schneider's brow furrowed as he rapidly considered the devastating impact this statement would have on His Majesty the Emperor's international image should it reach Berlin. Wilhelm II valued his family's honor and the "glory of Germany" above all else; Sofia's move was a direct attack on his very foundation.
Sofia raised her head, and the fragility in her beautiful blue eyes was gone, replaced by an undeniable clarity and determination.
Her gaze swept over every Greek minister present, and finally landed on her father-in-law, King George I.
"I believe that my husband, His Highness Crown Prince Constantine, and my esteemed King, will make the decision that best serves the honor of the Greek nation."
She stepped forward and stood beside Constantine, side by side with him.
"As the daughter of the Hohenzollern family, I am proud of my lineage. But from the moment I married Constantine, I became the Crown Princess of Greece, the future Queen of this country."
"I will always stand with my country, my people, and my husband!"
These words resonated deeply!
Using minimal force to achieve maximum effect!
Instead of criticizing the Kaiser's interference, she used a "family-like" approach to throw a more difficult problem back at him.
Your Majesty, your sister has suffered immense injustice in her husband's family. Her new country is being bullied by drugs and tyranny. As her brother, shouldn't you stand up for her? Can you really stand by and watch the princess of the Hohenzollern family be a submissive queen in a weak country that cannot protect its honor?
King George I, looking at his son and daughter-in-law standing side by side, at their upright figures like two drawn swords, felt his last trace of hesitation vanish.
His daughter-in-law untangled the political deadlock in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee.
He now has the best reason.
For the glory of Greece, and for... the glory of the Hohenzollern family!
He shifted his gaze from Sophia's face to Baron Schneider, whose face was alternating between pale and flushed.
King George I picked up the cup of coffee that Sophia had just poured for him and took a small sip.
He spoke slowly, his voice no longer showing any struggle, but only the decisiveness of a king.
"Your Excellency, please also convey this to Emperor William. I fully understand his concerns."
"But Greece is not a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. My son, my crown prince, has shown us the way."
The king set down his coffee cup with a crisp sound.
"The meeting will now continue."