It doesn't really cheer her up, but it serves as a distraction, which is as good as anything else at this point.

As it is, Liz doesn't really know much about the Emporor, save for what she's heard other people talk about over the network. Which... has never been much, really.

"Apparently she has specific days when she holds an audience with the public. Might be wiser if we try to talk to her then. And maybe less bloody."