Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
For instance, she couldn’t wear clothes with peony patterns because only the empress dowager and the queen were permitted such decorations. So, she filled her garden with peonies to feel that same sense of honor and status.
“Princess Kiera will likely be coming to the residence with Lady Helen, Luke said. “Should we consider bringing in additional maidservants and servants to attend to them?”
“No need,” Rafael replied. “They aren’t accustomed to outsiders. The current staff know their temperaments and will assist them well.”
Those who had served them for a long time had been thoroughly tested. Randomly selecting new maidservants would not suffice to meet their standards.
“Have preparations been made for Kiera’s residence?” Rafael inquired.
“Yes, it has been arranged. It’s the adjacent Inkwood Hall, and it cost twenty thousand silver coins to decorate.’
At the mention of such substantial amounts, Rafael’s head ached. He had no desire to see it, and replied, ‘Retur to the study. When Jacob returns, have him come find me there.”
“Won’t you rest for a while? You’ve just returned from the battlefield, and you haven’t slept much,” Luke urged.
“I won’t be sleeping,” Rafael said flatly.
He couldn’t rest. His mind was too troubled.
Two days later, Dylan and Rafael’s strategist, Jacob York, returned.
It was raining heavily earlier, so Jacob had changed into a fresh set of clothes before he hurried to the study to see Rafael.
Jacob was direct and to the point..
“The king’s intention is to strip you of your military command. Since you’re willing to relinquish it, then let it go. However, you mustn’t allow your marriage to be used as leverage.
“The king knows you once sought to marry Lady Devin. He wants. to use her as compensation, to ease his own conscience. However, I b?lieve it is unnecessary. Once you surrender your command, request him to retract his edict. Whether or not you marry Lady Devin should be a matter between you and her, not tainted by the royal family’s interference.
“If the king inserts himself into the matter, it will complicate things and turn it into something more than just a marriage. Both you and Lady Devin will be put in a very awkward position.”
Marriage should be purely about affection, not a matter of profits and interests. To marry for gain would be to betray the true feelings. involved.
Rafael’s brows furrowed deeply. “That was my thought as well. However, the Hell Monarch Army’s medal of command was given to me by the late king. He declared the Hell Monarch Army would forever be under my command to protect the realm. The entire court was aware of this.
“If I now relinquish the Hell Monarch Army’s medal, the king will surely feel the need to reward me handsomely to account for the late king’s wishes and the court’s expectations. At the very least, he needs to maintain his image. I worry he might grant a marriage as a form of reward. To make it clear that it is a reward, he will likely Inform the officials that I sought to marry Sophie before my campaign.”
Jacob frowned in concern. “In that case, people might speculate Madam Devin would rather marry her daughter to General Jaffe. than wait for you to reclaim the Southern Frontier. Or they might think that Madam Jaffe doubted your ability to reclaim it. All sorts of speculation could arise.”
“That is precisely what troubles me the most,” Rafael said, pushing aside a paperweight on the desk. “The king’s actions hav caused me significant distress.”
Jacob pondered for a moment, then a new thought occurred to him.” Your Highness, is it possible that the king is not necessarily forcing. you to surrender your command… What I mean is, perhaps he might be willing to accommodate whatever choice you make.”
II
Rafael’s expression grew somber, “Are you suggesting that the king. genuinely wants to make Sophie a consort?”
“It could be he wants both-your military command and Lady. Devin. If you insist on having him retract the edict, he might still seek to have both. As for rewarding you, it could be in other forms- gold, silver, treasures, or even the return of the Mystic Army to you,” Jacob replied.
Rafael had never considered this before. He had never heard of Salvador showing any interest in Sophie. If he had, he would have asked Victoria to intervene when Melanie arranged Sophie’s marriage to Blake.
But perhaps Salvador hadn’t been interested before, only to change. his mind after the Southern Frontier battle?
His harem included all kinds of women, but none like Sophie, who was both capable in both literature and martial arts, and dignified.
enough to be a matriarch.
Moreover, Sophie had proven her ability to lead the Hell Monarch Army. If Sophie became Salvador’s concubine, his troubles would be greatly eased. Also, Sophie had proven her worth before the soldiers who had followed Hector before this. The generals who used to serve under Hector would also follow her commands.
The king’s few simple words must have hidden intentions.
With this thought in mind, Rafael’s eyes grew colder. “So, at this point, I must surrender the medal of command and formally propose to Sophie. There are no other options.”
Jacob sighed. “It seems so. It’s up to you to find a suitable reason for the proposal, whether as a strategic move or a heartfelt declaration. Either way, you have to settle this marriage. The three-month deadline is likely troubling for Lady Devin, but no one would dare propose without the king’s approval. The choice of a suitable candidate for the title is not something to be taken lightly.” Rafael’s gaze deepened. “I understand.”
Jacob thought for a moment, and added, “I fear that Lady Helen might not favor Lady Devin.
In Helen’s eyes, her son deserved the best. No noblewoman, especially one who had been married before, could be deemed worthy.
Given Helen’s penchant for creating difficulties, it was likely Sophie wouldn’t have a peaceful life after the marriage.
Rafael was known for his decisive actions. Since he had already decided, he resolved to act quickly.
“Send a notice to Northwatch Estate. I will visit tomorrow.”
Jacob sent Dylan to deliver the letter in person.
Dylan was puzzled, and secretly asked Jacob, “Mr. York, His
Highness could ask for Lady Devin’s hand without surrendering his military command, couldn’t he?”
Jacob gave him a light tap on the head. “Are you an idiot? If His Highness doesn’t surrender his medal of command, the king will immediately have Lady Helen intervene to stop the marriage.”
Dylan thought the choice of words was apt, but he still didn’t fully grasp the situation.
“But won’t Lady Helen try to stop it now?” Dylan argued. Everyone knew how Helen was.
“Even if she does it now, no one would have instructed her to do so..
It would be her own decision, and the situation would be different because of it,” Jacob explained tersely. “Just go and deliver the letter. Don’t say anything else.”
Watching Dylan lead his horse away, Jacob sighed slightly. Although Rafael was dutiful to his mother, without Salvador’s support, he would still face opposition from Helen in marrying Sophie.
At Northwatch Estate, Sophie was somewhat surprised to receive a letter from Rafael.
If Rafael had military matters to discuss with her, he would have sent someone to summon her directly.
Why the personal visit and a notification in advance?
Clearly, it wasn’t about military affairs.
Sophie suspected it was because Rafael had asked her whether she wanted to take up a formal post. She instructed Frederick to prepare for Rafael’s visit the following day, but her thoughts drifted to Sebastian and her aunt Avis’s health.