Viscount Stratford's tone grew sterner, like an unquestionable command.
"His Majesty Murad V must immediately cease all actions that could provoke war and be held accountable for his conduct. Otherwise, we will provide no substantive assistance to the Ottoman Empire."
Faced with Viscount Stratford's near-commanding demand, Shevkyevza, who had been at a loss moments ago, gradually lost the panic from her face.
"Viscount Stratford, I fully understand your government's position. But I believe you should be aware that it was not the Ottoman Empire that launched aggression, but Russia.
"Your country hopes that ours will be the perfect victim—knowing only how to take a beating, never how to strike back. But let me tell you this: when a man is driven to the brink, he will not wait for his enemy's final blow before retaliating.
"Even a trapped beast will fight, let alone a great empire such as the Ottoman Empire.
"My son's actions were not reckless folly. They were the choice he made to defend the Ottoman Empire's dignity in the face of an aggression that could not be avoided.
"The Ottoman Empire will never sit still and await death. You should understand that it was Russia that provoked us first, and our country merely responded reasonably.
"What Britain should do now is defend the rights of the victim and intervene in time to prevent the conflict."
To be honest, Empress Dowager Shevkyevza's words did make some sense. She could even be said to be arguing her case with reason on her side.
Under normal circumstances, Viscount Stratford would not have minded debating her. But at this moment, he had neither the time nor the mood.
In Viscount Stratford's eyes, the Ottoman Empire had no right to argue its case at all. At that moment, he suddenly recalled one