Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Yuvan’s estate was located a hundred miles from the capital in Valken. Avis had acted as the intermediary for Sophie’s marriage to
Blake.
When Sophie divorced, Avis didn’t send any letters. She was likely unaware of the situation.
Sebastian’s female apprentice, Jasmine, had been in Valken taking care of Avis. Sebastian would likely be informed about Avis’s condition.
Sebastian had probably informed Jasmine about what happened with Sophie, but Jasmine didn’t inform Avis about it. Sophie was worried that her aunt’s illness had worsened.
She sent Lulu to the physician’s office. At this critical juncture, with her constantly surrounded and pursued whenever she went out, the title of being a hero had indeed become a significant burden. Added. to that, the commotion caused by the Jaffes had only given idle. talkers more to gossip about.
Lulu returned after more than two hours, carrying a large bundle of items. She chattered nonstop as she unpacked.
“Sebastian said the medicine he gave you before must be used up. On the battlefield, it’s impossible not to get injured. When injured, you must take proper care. He prepared a bunch of pills and herbs, all personally mixed by him. He said you must take them for a month to replenish your energy and blood, to avoid any lingering ailments that might cause pain in your later years.”
Sophie glanced over the items: Snowdrop Pills, Heart-Guarding
Pills, Heartshield Pills, Bloodbliss Pill, Purity Pill, Radiance Pill, and so on. There was also a jar of skin whitening and nourishing honey ointment, and several packages of medicinal herbs for brewing. “That must have cost a fortune,” Sophie said with a smile, shaking her head. “He’s so eager to give me the best medicine. Lulu, please send some of the Heartshield Pills and Snowdrop Pills over to Granduncle Theodore.”
“When I arrived, Mr. Carter had already taken some to Lord Devin,” Lulu said with a smile.
Sophie nodded slightly. Frederick was thorough in his duties, and she didn’t need to worry about these details.
“What’s in this large bundle?” Sophie asked, noticing a sack of herbs at the doorway. “Is this for brewing as well?”
“No, this is for soaking in water,” Lulu explained. “It’s said to dispel cold and protect the muscles and bones. Sebastian mentioned that the cold weather on the battlefield could have left you with a coldness that seeped into your bones, so you need to soak in a medicinal bath to dispel it.”
Sebastian truly treated Sophie like his own daughter. He really pampered her a lot.
With remedies for dispelling cold and for beautification, it seemed he wanted to restore her to her original, radiant beauty immediately.
“Alright then, I’ll take a medicinal bath tonight.”
Sophie naturally wouldn’t disappoint her elder’s kind intentions!
After soaking in the medicinal bath, Sophie felt a warm flush spread through her body. Just before bed, Pearl brought a basin of medicinal foot soak and said she had to soak her feet every night. Sophie complied dutifully, soaking her feet for a while before drinking a cup of calming tea, a remedy formulated by Sebastian to aid sleep.
Aside from the first two days after returning from the battlefield, when she slept deeply, the past few nights had been plagued by insomnia. Even when she managed to fall asleep, nightmares haunted her. Her father, her brothers, her family-once vibrant and full of life-
now appeared before her, drenched in blood. She would wake up, unable to return to sleep.
After dealing with her family’s massacre and returning to Valor Estate, she had needed to drink calming medicine every night to sleep. Sebastian had always kept her troubles close to his heart.
After finishing the tea, Pearl added a candy to her cup and smiled. Lulu said that since you dislike the bitterness of the medicine, you must have a candy afterward.”
Sophie took the candy, savoring its sweet and sour taste in her mouth.
In truth, she had long since overcome her fear of bitter medicine.
As a child, she had indeed dreaded the taste of medicine. Her small face would be scrunched up in distaste as she clung to her mother. Her parents and brothers all feel pained for her. But now, who was there for her to show her displeasure to? Whom could she cling to?
In a moment of melancholy, the sweetness in her mouth faded, leaving only the bitterness of the medicine and the sour taste-much like the unexpected emotions that occasionally surged within her.
Yet she had learned to suppress these emotions and to hide them from view. Those around her were keenly observant, and if they noticed even a hint of unhappiness or a flicker of sadness in her eyes, their concern would be evident.
Frederick returned with the medicine, and also brought back a painting by Theodore.
Theodore had spent decades perfecting his art, and had achieved great skill.
Every year, the Devin family contributed a significant amount of silver coins for public use, supporting the impoverished so they could excel in their own ways. Theodore spearheaded these donations, and the funds were earned through selling Hector’s paintings.
Naturally, when Melanie was still alive, she had made the most. generous contributions. However, Theodore’s branch of the Devin family had few scholars, with many opting for trade instead. While merchants were regarded as lower in status, their ability to earn money raised their standard of living significantly.
Therefore, neither the late king nor the current one had any reason. to be wary of Theodore’s side of the family, as they were but a single tree that couldn’t support the whole forest. Sophie instructed the painting to be framed and hung in the main. hall. It was a grand landscape painting, majestic and imposing-it was perfectly suited for the main hall.
The following day, Rafael arrived at Northwatch Estate with Dylan just before nine in the morning.
Sophie had just finished breakfast, and had expected him to arrive later in the afternoon. She had even prepared a chilled dessert for the occasion.
She and her maids, Lulu and Pearl, hurried out to greet him. By the time they reached the front courtyard, Rafael was already seated in the main hall, and Frederick had served tea.
Sophie was accustomed to Rafael in his battle-worn attire, so she was momentarily taken aback when she saw him.
Today, he was dressed in an elegant green robe with cloud patterns. He also wore a crown, had a sash around his waist, and black shoes on his feet. His attire was dignified, and his demeanor was calm and composed. This noble outfit made him look even more distinguished and refined.
His regal appearance only accentuated his striking features and exceptional demeanor.
Surprised by his formal attire, Sophie felt her own outfit to be rather casual in comparison.
Rafael’s gaze shifted to Sophie. She wore a delicate white blouse with a sheer pink shawl, paired with a black skirt intricately embroidered with gold thread. Her hair was styled in an elegant bun, adorned with sapphire ornaments. Her attire gave her a distinct air of nobility.
Rafael rarely saw her in such attire. Previously, whenever he visited Meadow Ridge, she would always be wearing vibrant red garments with her hair tied high in a ponytail and red ribbons. Her black ponytail would sway with the fluttering ribbons, giving her a lively and captivating presence.
Sophie performed a military salute. “Marshal!”
Rafael turned away, and nodded slightly. “General Devin, please clear the room so we can speak privately.”Leaving an unmarried man and woman alone in a room was inappropriate. Frederick would normally insist on having several attendants present for propriety’s sake.
However, with Rafael being addressed as Marshal and Sophie as General Devin, Frederick assumed their discussion would revolve around military matters, which weren’t for his ears. After serving a pot of tea, Frederick promptly cleared the room and closed the door, instructing that no one should approach.
Rafael held his cup, his long fingers traci the floral design on its surface, his expression solemn.
After a moment of silence, seeing he had not yet spoken, Sophie looked up at him, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Marshal, is this about the Southern Frontier battlefield…?”
“Not at all,” Rafael interrupted, taking a sip of tea before setting the cup down. “I’m here today for personal matters, not military ones.”
Sophie’s eyebrows lifted in surprise.
Personal matters? What could there be to discuss between her and Rafael if not military matters?
Rafael looked at her, and asked, “The king has given you a three-month deadline to marry. Otherwise, you will have to enter the palace as a concubine. Correct?”
Sophie wasn’t surprised that he knew about this, so she simply nodded in acknowledgment.