Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Rebecca was taken aback. How did Eleanor know about her health issues? However, it was not entirely surprising, as Amelia had once gone to the physician’s office to plead for Snowdrop Pills.
Feeling surprised and flattered, Rebecca responded, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am much better now.”
Lounging comfortably in her chair, Eleanor smiled at Rebecca. “You’re about my age. How could your health be so poor? I’ve heard that your former daughter-in-law cared for you day and night. She must be quite a devoted person.
Upon hearing Eleanor mention Sophie, Rebecca’s heart was thrown into turmoil. She was unaware of the past between Eleanor and Melanie, and assumed that Sophie’s recent achievements had made her valued by the royal family.
Did this mean Eleanor was now favoring Sophie? Et the gentle expression on Eleanor’s face suggested otherwise.
At a loss, Rebecca heard Isabella Miller, who was seated nearby, speak up.
“Your Highness, all this talk of devotion is just for show. After the divorce, Sophie ignored her former mother-in-law’s wellbeing. Where is the so-called devotion in that? Anyone can put on a show. Rebecca made such a scene at Northwatch Estate. If she weren’t forced into a corner, who would want to be embarrassed like that?” she said.
Isabella was the queen’s sister-in-law, and her husband held a third- rank official position, making him a key figure in court.
As soon as Isabella spoke, others began to murmur in agreement.
“Isn’t it just that she’s flaunting her military achievements and looking down on everyone else? She’s such an ungrateful person. Of course she’s despised by all.” “Rebecca, I heard that when her family was killed, you took meticulous care of her, even staying by her side at night to prevent her from doing anything rash. You cherished your former daughter-in-law, yet she doesn’t appreciate it.”
Rebecca was initially stunned by these remarks but quickly realized their implication. The ladies seemed to be contradicting Eleanor, but the grand princess remained unperturbed. There was even a vaguely amused smile on her lips.
Clearly, the ladies were echoing Eleanor’s sentiments.
Rebecca understood now that Sophie would indeed be attending the banquet, and that Eleanor held a grudge against her. Eleanor had not invited Rebecca out of respect for Blake’s achievements, but because she could use her to criticize Sophie.
Realizing that Eleanor shared her disdain for Sophie, Rebecca felt a surge of excitement, as if she had discovered a kindred spirit.
Putting on an act-wasn’t that Rebecca’s forte?
With a sigh and a tearful look, she said, “Your Highness, you’re too kind. Sometimes, genuine intentions do not always beget genuine responses. I’ve done my part with a clear conscience-that is enough for me.”
Eleanor sighed sympathetically, wiping the corner of her eye. Rebecca, it must be tough for you. It’s commonplace for men to take concubines, but the problem is that a certain someone couldn’t accept a concubine despite coming from a noble family.
“Compared to her, you ladies here are in a different position. If your own husbands had taken a concubine, you might have just sought a divorce quietly. You wouldn’t have made a fuss in front of the king and asked for a divorce edict. To put it bluntly, Sophie considers herself above all others and thinks everyone is inferior to her. She doesn’t even care about the Jaffe family.”
Eleanor’s cryptic and sarcastic remarks made her attitude towards Sophie abundantly clear.
Some of the ladies present had visited Northwatch Estate and considered acting as matchmakers to persuade a man to marry Sophie, hoping to gain some favor and a title in return. However, now that Eleanor had spoken, these ladies no longer dared to take on the role of matchmaker.
Even some of the counts, who were feeling their influence wane, had initially entertained the idea of getting their sons to marry Sophie to gain a title. But now, they quickly abandoned that thought. Regardless of Sophie’s true nature, the fact remained that she was not someone who would tolerate concubines. None of the present ladies would genuinely accept a concubine, but they didn’t want their sons to be denied the right to take one if desired.
After all, if Sophie failed to bear a son, wildn’t that mean the potential end of their line?
Rebecca seized the opportunity to voice her grievances, painting Sophie as arrogant, jealous, and disrespectful. She argued that if Sophie hadn’t returned with military achievements, she would have been universally condemned as a jealous, discarded woman.
Rebecca, Eleanor, and Isabella were relentless, with the grand princess taking the lead in slandering Sophie. In less than an hour, Sophie quickly became a figure of universal scorn among most ladies. Some knew that Sophie was not truly like that, but remained silent to avoid being targeted by the collective disapproval.
Although Sophie had not yet arrived, Dakota, Helen, Josephine, and the other concubines of the late king had already arrived. After all, Eleanor was their sister-in-law. Victoria held the most authoritative power in the palace, and she had permitted them to attend Eleanor’s birthday banquet.
With the presence of all the senior concubines, it was customary for the other ladies to rise and pay their respects.
Helen had been reluctant to attend. She and Eleanor had never been on good terms, and she had suffered quite a few grievances at the grand princess’ hands.
However, Helen had been invited, Although she didn’t want to come, she couldn’t bear the thought of what stories might be spun about her if she stayed away.
So, she gritted her teeth and showed up.
When she heard the gossip out Sophie, she was enraged.
Fortunately, no one knew that this woman was about to marry Rafael.
If they did, and if Eleanor herself were to lead in making fun of her, Helen would have felt utterly humiliated.
Helen sat to one side, deliberately ignored by Eleanor. Helen had no mind for conversation.
It was Eleanor’s daughter, Jessica, who saw Helen and smiled. “Oh, you’ve come too, Aunt Helen? What gift did you bring for my mother?
Jessica’s question, directed only at Helen, clearly aimed to make her uncomfortable.
Helen had expected to be challenged over this gift. Reluctantly, she said, “I heard you’re a devout Christian, Your Highness, so I brought a finely crafted gold cross as a gift. Please accept it.”
She signaled Gillian to present the gift to Eleanor. Eleanor took one glance, and said indifferently, “Though I already have several of these gold crosses, I appreciate your kind gesture. I will accept it.” Helen was nearly driven to rage by Eleanor’s haughty attitude. She rolled her eyes, thinking that if Eleanor looked down on the gift, she shouldn’t have accepted it.
Yet, Helen dared not speak her mind. When it came to insul was no match for Eleanor. In terms of status, after the late king’s passing, Helen-once favored was how insignificant.
Her most outstanding son had returned triumphantly. While she could boast in the palace, she felt constrained outside, fully aware of her son’s indifference towards her. It it weren’t for Salvador’s intervention allowing her to leave the palace and stay with Rafael, Rafael likely wouldn’t have agreed.
Rafael’s lack of respect toward Helen was her greatest sorrow. Despite his great accomplishments, son had never sought to improve her status. Even though Helen’s sister was the queen dowager, she was still only an honored concubine, which was below the rank of noble concubines like Dakota and Josephine. So, Helen had to swallow her anger
Eleanor said slowly, “I’ve heard that the king has shown mercy and allowed you to leave the palace to live with Rafael, Helen. It must be a touching reunion of mother and son. I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you.”
Hearing this, Helen realized that even the imperious grand princess had to acknowledge Rafael’s achievements and, by extension, Helen could also share in the benefits as his mother. Helen allowed a smug smile to cross her face.
“Rafael is respectful, and insisted on living with me. I thought it best to help manage the household. After all, with the lands, estates, and shops we have, it would be difficult without a lady of the house to oversee them,” Helen said, her voice betraying a hint of satisfaction.
Eleanor let out a soft laugh and smoothed the crimson skirt she wore, her eyes narrowing as she smiled slyly
“Ah, such a wonderful son. But if he’s so devoted, why hasn’t he asked the king to promote your rank? After all, you bore the late
He king’s son and come from a distinguished family. Also, your elder sister is the queen dowager. Now that Rafael has achieved such a remarkable feat by reclaiming the Southern Frontier, wouldn’t it be easy for him to speak a word in the king’s and the queen dowager’s presence to elevate your rank to that of a noble concubine?”
Helen’s smile froze instantly. She could tell that this old woman was clearly up to no good-the remark was a direct jab at her pride!
“You must be quite the failure as a mother if ev your own son doesn’t hold you in high regard,” Eleanor said with a smile.
The onlookers dared not openly criticize Helen, but stifled their laughter behind their hands.
It fueled Helen’s fury.
She struggled to control her temper. Even though she knew she would be at a disadvantage, she was about to explode.
Just as she was about to erupt, someone announced, “Lady Devin has arrived!”