Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“I returned to the estate today to visit my family’s memorial plaques. Seeing how the estate has fallen into disrepair made me want to live there again. I’ll adopt a son for my father’s sake, so there will still be someone to honor his memory,” Sophie explained.
Salvador had thought she was being impulsive; he hadn’t expected her to be so considerate.
“You’re Blake’s legal wife. Freya can’t undermine your position. You really don’t need a divorce.”
Sophie looked up with tear-filled eyes that were firm with resolve. “Your Majesty, that’s meaningless. I don’t want to waste my life like this. I’m the only one left from the Marquis of Northwatch’s’ family. My father and brothers lived honorably and bravely throughout their lives. I don’t want to settle for a life of mediocrity.”
“I know you have feelings for Blake. Are you willing to let go?” Salvador asked.
Feelings? Not really.
Sophie simply admired military men, and her mother had wanted her to marry and lead a stable life. That was why she had agreed to the marriage. Sophie smiled. At this moment, she looked like a strong woman who would be able to flourish even in the most challenging circumstances.
“If he can let go of me, then I can let go of him,” she declared.
Beneath her delicate appearance, she possessed an unyielding backbone.
This stunned Salvador. He had never seen such a woman before.
He felt a pang of confusion, remembering the carefree little girl who used to smile all day long. Now, she was married and soon to be abandoned. To the world, divorce still meant abandonment. This was especially true in Sophie’s situation, as Blake had publicly sought the marriage edict. Being a woman was already difficult, and she would have it even harder.
How would she negotiate future marriages? There was no one left in her family to do it for her.
Thinking of this, Salvador recalled Hector’s merits, especially how they had saved each other on the battlefield, and his heart softened towards Sophie.
“Alright, I agree. You may leave now. In a few days, the edict of divorce will be sent to the general’s residence,” Salvador said.
Sophie breathed a sigh of relief and bowed her head. “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!”
As Salvador watched her, he was suddenly reminded of when she was a little girl, and his heart softened further.
“Sophie, if anyone mistreats you in the future, come to the palace and see me.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Sophie bowed once again.
After Sophie left, Derek hurried into the study and announced, “Your Majesty, the queen dowager sent someone over. She requests your presence when you’re available.”
Salvador sighed. “Mother is probably worried and anxious because of Sophie’s situation. Alright, prepare the carriage.”
Peonies were in full bloom at Serenity Palace, the queen dowager’s residence. They exuded an air of opulence and regal beauty, their fragrance surpassing all others. The roses climbing the palace walls had also blossomed, showcasing a stunning and exquisite charm.
Wearing a crimson-purple robe and a white jade hairpin adorning her hair, the queen dowager sat on a chair in the main hall. Her face looked weary.
“Blessings upon you, Mother.” Salvador bowed as he approached the woman.
The queen dowager, Victoria Lancaster, looked at him and dismissed the attendants before sighing.
“The marriage edict you issued was extremely unwise. Your actions not only disrespected the Marquis of Northwatch but also set a bad example for the people of the kingdom.”
Her tone grew stern as she continued, “In our kingdom, Starhaven, there are laws. Officials of the court are not allowed to take concubines within five years of marriage. Five years is already a short time.
“In my opinion, a man should only be allowed to bypass this criterion if he reaches the age of forty and is without a male heir. Only then can he take a concubine without waiting for the time limit to be up. “Now, by publicly bestowing a marriage edict upon Freya to become Blake’s legal wife, you’ve set a precedent. Do you think there’s any hope left for women in this kingdom?
“On Blake’s wedding day, he went to battle. He hasn’t even consummated his marriage with taking another wife. Are you trying to drive her to her death?
Sophie yet, and now,
As Victoria finished speaking, tears streamed down her face. “The poor girl. She’s the only one left alive in her family, and now she’s being bullied like this.”
The reason Victoria was so distressed was that she and Sophie’s mother, Melanie Devin, formerly Melanie Sullivan, had been close friends. Victoria had watched Sophie grow up from a young age.
Seeing his mother in tears, Salvador felt guilty and knelt before her.
Mother, I didn’t think my decision through. At the city gates, Blake requested the marriage edict in front of everyone, as a reward for repelling the enemy. I knew it was inappropriate, but he said he desired nothing else and needed no rewards. If I didn’t grant his request, he wouldn’t have backed down.”
“So, just because he wouldn’t have backed down, Sophie has to suffer? Hasn’t the marquis family sacrificed enough people? Do you have any idea how difficult her life has been this past year?” Victoria said angrily.
Salvador also felt sorry for Sophie, but had to say, “Mother, Blake has had a change of heart. Even if he can’t marry Freya officially, he won’t treat Sophie well anymore. Just now, Sophie came to me and begged for a divorce. I granted it.”
Victoria frowned deeply. “What? That foolish child! Why did she beg for a divorce? Where will she go after that?”
“She said she would return to Northwatch Estate and adopt a son to honor her father’s memory.”
Victoria sighed repeatedly. “Can she really go back to the estate? She has seen the corpses of her relatives scattered all over that place. Isn’t she afraid she’ll have nightmares every night if she stays there?” Victoria’s heart ached beyond measure.
“Since she came to the palace, why didn’t she come to me? I could have intervened and taught her how to control Freya.
“There was no need for a divorce. Blake has already achieved military merits. If she had sought a different royal edict, she could have lived a luxurious life forever. Why did she choose such a difficult path?” Salvador replied, “Mother, her mind is made up. She said she didn’t want to waste her life with them. Think about it. If she has to watch Blake being affectionate with another woman every day, how could she bear it?”
Those words struck a chord with Victoria, making her face turn pale.
She had loved the late king, but he was different. The one he had loved most was a concubine, followed by many others.
“A woman’s life is so difficult. Freya is a female general, and I once admired her. I thought she could elevate the status of women. But little did I know that as soon as she gained power, she would turn against her own kind. I am very disappointed in her,” said Victoria.
Salvador’s expression was also unpleasant. He was deeply disappointed in Blake and Freya. But considering that they had just quelled the discord at the border city, he couldn’t criticize them too harshly. All he could do was summon Blake to the palade to reprimand him.
The next day, Blake was summoned to the palace. He expected to be received with honor, considering his current status as a prominent figure in the court. He didn’t expect to be left waiting outside the palace’s study for a whole hour.
Finally, Derek emerged and said, “General Jaffe, His Majesty is busy at the moment. He asks you to return home and says he will summon you again another day. Blake looked puzzled.
He had waited outside the study for so long but hadn’t seen any ministers entering or leaving. This indicated that Salvador wasn’t discussing state affairs with the court officials.
“Mr. Walker, why did His Majesty summon me in the first place?” asked Blake.
Derek smiled and replied, “I’m unsure of the reason, General Jaffe.”
Blake felt perplexed but didn’t dare to barge in and ask the king directly.
“Could you kindly give me a hint? Did I do something wrong?”
“You’ve just returned victorious, General Jaffe. You’ve earned only merits thanks to your contributions,” said Derek, the smile never leaving his face. “Then, His Majesty…”