Catherine and the Black Emperor

051. The End of Blumer

6 month.

"Peter Romanov, effective immediately, is officially Grand Duke of Holstein, and has full decision-making power over the affairs of the principality!"

After reading the letter of appointment, Sergei handed it to Peter.

Peter was extremely excited.

He preferred the small German principality to Russia, even though it held many unpleasant memories for him; it was far better than Russia.

"Your Highness, you have so many things to do. Don't you know which ones to do first?" Sergei asked.

Peter was taken aback: "Too many things?"

"Of course, for example, managing your army, enacting laws, or dealing with people you don't like."

Peter's eyes lit up: "Your words have given me an idea! The most important thing I need to do is get rid of that Brummer guy!"

He gets furious whenever he thinks about that guy.

Although the other party followed him to the Russian court and held an important position, the highest rank was still Grand Marshal Holstein, who was under his command.

"I'm going to go and humiliate him properly!" Peter left the room excitedly.

Sergei smiled.

Blumer's doom is finally coming.

The office door was kicked open with a bang, and Brummer saw Peter walking towards him. As soon as he stood up, Peter pointed his finger at him and arrogantly announced his fate.

"My wish is finally about to come true! You've been interfering with me for far too long, even after I came to Russia. I will take measures to send you back to Holstein as soon as possible!"

"Your Majesty, I don't know where I offended you. I did all this to take care of you..."

Brummer hurriedly tried to explain, but Peter didn't care. He interrupted Brummer, mocked and humiliated him again, and left without a care in the world.

"It's you!"

Blumer looked at Sergei standing in the doorway, his face contorted with anger.

"I don't know what the Marshal is talking about, but it seems that life would be more comfortable for him if he returned to Holstein," Sergei said with a smile.

"you!"

Brummer was furious, but Sergei had already turned and left.

Brummer tried to calm himself down, suppressing his anger.

"Damn it, I completely forgot that Peter is getting his commission today! Saltykov must be whispering in his ear! Only the Empress can stop this..."

The problem is, he no longer even has the right to meet Elizabeth.

During this time, he couldn't find any dirt on Sergei, while Sergei kept downplaying him to Elizabeth, to the point that Elizabeth now didn't care about him at all.

Soon, Brummer realized that there were only two people in the entire Winter Palace who could help him see Elizabeth.

He approached Shuvalov, but Shuvalov refused him.

"I recently offended the Grand Duke, who complained about me to the Empress. I could tell the Empress was very unhappy, but she just didn't get angry at me. How could I possibly provoke Her Majesty now?"

As Brummer left the secret council, he knew very well that only one person remained who could help him.

He arrived at Catherine's room, and Matryona led him to the outer room, where he was reading a philosophy book by the window. She put down the book and invited him to sit down at the table.

After hearing the other party's purpose, Ekaterina smiled slightly.

"Does the Marshal mean I should visit Her Majesty the Empress more often to keep an eye on things and maintain my current status?"

Brummer nodded repeatedly: "That's what I mean. To be honest, I have no other choice but Your Highness. We are all from Germany, and we should stick together for mutual support, but the Grand Duke doesn't understand this principle."

"I know my request is a bit excessive, and I know it would be good for me, but for Your Highness, it would not only be of no benefit, but would also make the Empress suspect that you are interfering in politics."

"I assure Your Highness that as long as Your Highness allows me to remain in Russia and maintain my current position and rank, I, Brummer, will stand utterly loyal to Your Highness from now on!"

Ekaterina raised her hand.

"Marshal, none of that matters. What I care about is not whether it will benefit me or not. Even if the Empress has some doubts about me, I would still be willing to help you if it could."

"The you from before?" Brummer sensed the polite refusal in the other person's words.

Catherine didn't keep him in suspense: "Yes, because I won't help you now. You should even pray that I haven't taken advantage of your misfortune at this time; that would already be merciful to you, Marshal."

"Your Highness, I don't understand what you're saying?"

"Do I need to be more direct? Because you're targeting Prince Saltykov at every turn!" Ekaterina's voice was forceful.

"But... he is... the Grand Duke's friend, you and the Grand Duke..."

"He is Peter's friend, but more importantly, he is my confidant. Our relationship is far closer than yours. If the Duke hadn't said he didn't need my intervention, what you did to him would have been enough for me to join forces with Peter to deal with you!"

Ekaterina had already stood up, her beautiful face bearing an undisguised coldness.

"Now, please leave my room! Immediately!"

Matreena opened the door.

Brummer hadn't expected this outcome. He silently got up, wanting to say something but realizing it was pointless, and could only leave in silence.

After closing the door, Matrena couldn't help but remind Ekaterina, "Your Highness, what you just said was too dangerous. I know you are grateful to Prince Saltykov; he has helped you a great deal. I also sincerely hope that you two are the couple who will walk down the aisle, but that cannot be the case."

Ekaterina waved her hand.

She understood what Matrena meant; she only needed to reject Brummer, there was no need to say so much, and even less need to tell him about her close relationship with Sergei.

If this gets back to Elizabeth, it will surely put her in a dangerous situation.

But that's what she wanted to say.

Compared to what Sergei had done for her, she hadn't helped him at all. Now that she finally had this opportunity, she didn't want him to be unaware of her feelings.

Peter's slap completely woke her up.

Her angry words to her mother came from the bottom of her heart; she wanted to find her own love. But that slap made her truly see her own heart—it had never been Peter's.

Ekaterina went to the window, placed her hands on the windowsill, and closed her eyes.

Sergei Saltykov.

This is all I can do for you.

"Matrena".

"I am here, Your Highness."

"My relationship with Saltykov is enough for Her Majesty the Empress to imprison me in a monastery. Why don't you expose me? That would ensure you a life of comfort."

Matreena knelt on the ground: "Your Highness, I will forever remember your kindness and care, and I will never betray you in this lifetime!"

"I am currently short of an attendant. From today onwards, you will serve as my personal attendant."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

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