Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
After hesitating for a moment, she said, “If you were to return her dowry in full, wouldn’t people think you’re being unfair?”
Blake was surprised. “What do you mean?”
Freya turned away, her voice slightly muffled as she added, “I just feel that returning part of the dowry would already demonstrate your righteousness.”
Blake was stunned. “But how can I keep her dowry? As a fourth-ranking general and a man, how can I take the dowry of a discarded wife?”
Freya thought for a moment, then turned to him with a gentle gaze.
“Your mother will keep needing expensive medicine for a long time. Considering our recent efforts and the edict for our marriage, we won’t have any other rewards.
“Though we’re both fourth-ranking generals, our annual salaries are limited. Even if they all go towards the family fund, it may not be enough. And besides…”
She found it embarrassing to say this but hurriedly continued, “Even if we continue to accumulate military achievements in the future, it won’t happen overnight. Military officials. always face challenges. We can’t let your mother’s condition worsen. So, either we return Sophie’s dowry in full or bear the shame of being neglectful towards your mother.”
Blake hadn’t expected Freya to say this. He couldn’t quite tell if he felt disappointed or Tesigned.
But upon closer consideration, Freya had a point. She was also worried about him being burdened with the label of being neglectful towards his mother, which could hinder their future. Thinking of this, he felt a slight warmth in his heart.
“Freya, don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
Freya was wholeheartedly supportive of him. He couldn’t let her bear the blame with him.
Upon hearing his words, Freya didn’t know how to respond further and simply said,” Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
Those words gave Blake great strength.
Unable to contain his emotions, he embraced his lover. “Freya, I promise you won’t suffer because of me.”
Freya rested her head on his shoulder, her soft sigh barely audible. Judging by what he said, it seemed like he agreed to keep Sophie’s dowry
Keeping the dowry wasn’t out of greed. Sophie’s deceitful tactics, especially her threat to a sick old woman by withholding her medicine, demanded some form of retribution. There was an unspoken rule in the world-both kindness and enmity must be repaid.
Sophie’s actions warranted teaching her a lesson. After all, those who suffered losses would remember it for a long time.
Early the next morning, the people of Valor Estate began handling the divorce proceedings.
Both the Jaffe and Devin families were well-respected, so the divorce couldn’t be settled with the mere signing of a piece of paper. Witnesses were required, and the wrongdoing of the person being divorced had to be confirmed according to the criteria listed.
Given the stature of both the Jaffe and Devin families, an event as significant as at divorce couldn’t be handled casually.
There e were no longer any male descendants on Hector’s side of the Devin family. Over the past few decades, many from his side of the family had either died in battle or passed away young.
Hector’s father had three sons, all of whom had died in war, while Hector himself had fathered six sons and one daughter. Though Hector and his sons were all generals who had fallen in the battle to reclaim the Southern Frontier, five of those young generals had already married and had children.
Sadly, all of them fell victim to an assassination half a year ago. So now, only Sophie remained of this lineage.
On the other hand, it was a man from the branch descended from Hector’s great-grandfather who now oversaw the affairs of the Devin family. Though he was not the family head, he still held a high rank. His name was Theodore, and he was Sophie’s great-granduncle. She respectfully referred to him as Granduncle Theodore. Theodore and his entire family resided in the capital, where. they engaged in trade and managed reasonably successful businesses.
When the people at Northwatch Estate were wiped out, it was Theodore who had brought his family members to help settle matters. Since Sophie was being divorced today, the Jaffe family had invited him over.
Already ninety years old, Theodore was accompanied by his grandson, Solomon, who was in his fifties.
When news of the king bestowing a marriage edict for Blake and Freya reached the ears of the Devin family, some people were angry and felt it was unfair to Sophie. But there were some who found it amusing. After all, the Marquis of Northwatch’s family had been illustrious once upon a time, which made many jealous of its success.
When Theodore arrived with Solomon by his side, the old man was practically trembling with anger.
Disregarding Blake’s newfound status as one of the court’s new favorite generals, he coldly declared, “Such incidents of men taking in concubines are not uncommon throughout history. But marrying a new wife and divorcing the old one is rarely seen.
“If the Jaffe family doesn’t give us a proper explanation today, I will take this matter to the king. I may be nearly at death’s door, but I fear nothing. As long as I am alive, no one is allowed to mistreat our family members like this!”
Knowing Theodore had a fiery temper, Jonathan didn’t dare offend him.
“Don’t worry, sir. We’ve invited you today to sort out the situation between the two children. Please, be patient,” Jonathan said, trying to calm the old man. Solomon, who was standing next to Theodore, added, “When Sophie comes out, let’s ask her what happened. We can’t let the Jaffe family dictate everything.
“No matter the issue, Sophie stayed loyal to Blake for a whole year while he was away at war. She served his parents, treated his relatives well, and managed the household. He shouldn’t be treating her like this. It’s too much!’ Theodore snapped, fuming:
“Please calm down, sir. We’ll talk once everyone is here,” Blake said calmly.
Blake hadn’t dared invite the neighbors since Valor Estate was surrounded by the residences of other officials. Inviting them to witness the divorce could damage his future prospects.
Blake had considered inviting an official from the Household Registry Department to stamp the divorce papers. But in the end, he decided to deliver the papers to the office himself. That way, he could avoid too many witnesses.
The Jaffe family’s elders were also invited. Blake’s grandmother had already passed away, but Beatrice, his grandfather’s second wife, was still around.
Her branch of the family hadn’t produced any capable individuals in recent years. One member had entered the civil service but only obtained a minor position, similar to Jonathan and Benjamin. The two families had long lived their lives separately within Valor Estate, meeting only during festivals or significant events.
When Beatrice arrived, she was surprised to learn that Blake intended to divorce Sophie. Doing so at this crucial time seemed like a career-ending move, but she quickly understood the reason for it. Sophie’s family was in decline. Despite the Marquis of Northwatch’s past glory, the current household lacked a successor.
The marquis’ family was now history, while Freya was the kingdom’s first female general. She was favored by the queen dowager and the king, who was a wise and respectable ruler. Even without making more military achievements, she was bound to rise further. The queen dowager would want her to set an example for other women.
With Freya’s support, Blake’s career would surely advance. Compared to this, Sophie’s position held no future benefits for him. After all, the marquis’ family couldn’t support Blake’s ambitions anymore. However, that still didn’t explain the need to divorce Sophie unless Freya refused to share the position of Blake’s wife with her. In such a case, a choice had to be made.
Beatrice had heard of Sophie’s jealousy and lack of respect before arriving. Based on these grounds, it was indeed possible to divorce her.
However, everyone had seen how well Sophie treated Rebecca over the past year. She was truly devoted.
As for being jealous, which woman in her position wouldn’t be? If every jealous woman was divorced, wouldn’t the streets be full of abandoned wives?
Sophie’s recent temper tantrums were likely her way of trying to assert herself and gain some respect in front of Freya. If Blake had understood her intentions, a bit of pacifying would have been enough. They wouldn’t have needed to resort to divorce.
Beatrice was certain that Freya couldn’t tolerate Sophie. Freya likely wanted Sophie out before she entered the household herself, and aimed to become Blake’s legal wife. After all, a woman of Freya’s caliber wouldn’t settle for sharing a man with another woman.
So, Beatrice chose to stay silent. It was better to avoid trouble with both sides.
“Why isn’t she here yet? Send someone to hurry her up!” Rebecca, who was getting impatient, ordered a servant to fetch Sophie.
The servant hurried off but soon returned with a letter for Blake, saying it was from Freya. Blake thought Freya might be pleading for him not to divorce Sophie. He sighed. Freya always tried to protect other women, but Sophie didn’t appreciate her efforts.
He stepped out into the corridor, opened the letter, and read it. Stunned by its contents, he carefully re-read it and noted that it was indeed written in Freya’s handwriting.
So, the letter really was from his beloved. But hadn’t they agreed not to take Sophie’s dowry? Why was Freya insisting on withholding half of it, citing legal reasons and claiming it would look bad for the Jaffe family otherwise?