Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
In the end, it was a complaint about Harvey.
Leona frowned, feeling that things were more complicated than they appeared. She went out to find a maid who had accompanied them, and inquired further,
She learned that not only had her mother failed to speak up for her cousin, but she had even nodded in agreement with those who criticized Sophie. And now she was resentful that Sophie hadn’t sent her a painting from the exhibition at Northwatch Estate.
Heather’s thoughts were never well hidden-her resentment was likely evident to everyone, including
Sophie.
Leona sighed. Although she was a newlywed and still learning about the intricacies of social etiquette, she knew that this was not the way to handle such matters-especially considering how much Melanie had cared for and favored Heather in the past.
The next day, Leona felt compelled to visit Northwatch Estate to apologize on behalf of her mother. She really didn’t want to lose the relationship she had with her cousin. Despite feeling an overwhelming sense of grievance, Leona found solace in visiting Sophie, Here, her heart found a moment of peace, a reprieve from her inner turmoil.
Sophie was speaking with Kyle when she heard that Leona had arrived.
5 1/2
“Kyle, you should go and look around. I’ll have a chat with Leona,” she said.
“Go ahead,” Kyle replied with a smile. “I promised to paint for Ryan today. You’ve already interrupted me quite a bit this morning.”
Sophie chuckled. “I’ve been counting money all morning. Just focus on painting for Ryan, and please don’t try to make me pose for you.”
Kyle rarely painted people. He had once witnessed Sophie kicking an apple tree, causing a flurry of light and dark pink petals to fall. He had captured her rough actions and grimaces in a painting, which had become quite popular at the Pathfinders Guild.
Thinking of this, Kyle couldn’t help but smile indulgently. “Go on and do what you need to do.”
“Okay!” Sophie replied, turning to leave. Her steps, once so lively in Meadow Ridge, now seemed subdued.
Watching her retreating figure, Kyle thought of how carefree Sophie had been in Meadow Ridge. It seemed those days were behind her, and he couldn’t help but sigh.
Sophie couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Leona was here to apologize, and she didn’t continue that line of topic.
However, she noticed Leona’s deep frown and couldn’t help but ask, “Is your husband treating you poorly? Leona paused for a moment before forcing a smile. “He treats me well, Sophie. Please don’t worry.” “You’ve lost quite a bit of weight,” Sophie remarked.
“It’s cold, and I don’t have much of an appetite,” Leona replied with a smile. “Isn’t it better to be a bit slimmer? My husband says I look better this way, with a waist so slender that it’s barely more than a clasp. It makes people feel enchanted and mesmerized.”
Sophie frowned. Was Leona trying to emulate the delicate ladies from romance novels?
Yet, she kept her thoughts to herself.
After chatting idly for a while and sharing a cup of coffee, Leona grew anxious to leave. She explained that her mother-in-law was unwell, and she needed to return to attend to her..
As Sophie escorted Leona to the door, she couldn’t help but say, “Don’t always sacrifice yourself and try to please others. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll value you more.” Leona looked at Sophie, then shook her head and said firmly, “That’s not true, Sophie. People’s hearts are made from flesh, not stone. I can always warm theirs.”
With that, she was helped into the carriage by her maid.
Watching Leona’s departing figure, Sophie felt an inexplicable chill. It was as if an ominous premonition had settled over her.
Returning inside, Sophie still felt cold and asked Lulu to bring her a hot water bottle.
Lily noticed this, and asked, “My lady, are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I just suddenly feel very cold,” Sophie replied.
Lily was puzzled since Sophie was wearing a fur cloak, and there was a fire going in the room. How could she be cold?
After feeling Sophie’s forehead and finding it unusually cool, Lily summoned Rowan from Ryan’s quarters to check her.
Sophie said it wasn’t necessary, but Lily insisted
Carrying his medical kit, Rowan came over and checked on her.
Smiling, he reassured, “Don’t worry, my lady. You’re in good health. The bruising from the battle is nearly healed. Continue taking the supplements to help with your blood circulation.” ‘She says she feels cold,” Lily said anxiously.
“It’s probably because she was outside in the wind. Don’t worry, Lady Devin is a trained fighter and has al stronger constitution than most people,” Rowan comforted.
Lily nodded, though she was still concerned. Despite knowing that Sophie’s constitution was better than most, she was surprised that Sophie felt cold when even she, an old woman, didn’t. The room was heated, but Sophie still needed a hot water bottle. It was indeed worrying.
“Thank you, Rowan,” Lily said,
Rowan smiled, and shook his head. “I was just finishing up with Lord Ryan’s acupuncture. I’ll be heading back now.”
Sophie called out to him, “Rowan, I know that Sebastian has sent someone to check on my aunt’s condition. How is she doing?”
Previously, she had inquired with Sebastian, who assured her that everything was fine. However, if everything was indeed fine, why had Sophie not received even a letter from Avis? She had sent two Jetters already.
As Rowan was packing up his things, he lowered his head and said, “I’m not sure about that. It was Ivy who went. I only heard from my mentor that Lady Avis’s illness requires a gradual recovery and won’t be resolved in just one or two months. According to Ivy, Lady Avis has now gone to Verdant Monastery to recup?rate.
Sophie was momentarily taken aback. “Why go to a monastery for recovery? Can’t the people in Prince Yuvan’s estate take care of her?”
“It was Lady Avis’s own choice. She said that the monastery is peaceful, and she can feel the Lord’s grace there. Since the sacrifice of your father and brothers, she has been a vegetarian and praying for everything to go smoothly. She believed the massacre of the Duke of Northwatch’s family happened due to her insincerity in her prayers. So, she specifically moved to Verdant Monastery.”
Sophie knew that Avis had always been devoted to religion. When her engagement was announced, Avis had come to the capital to accompany Melanie and also to recuperate.
Avis had been the one to recommend Blake, and it was because she had some connections with Rebecca. When Avis was in the capital, they had socialized frequently, and so she knew both branches of the Jaffe family fairly well. Though Rebecca was in poor health, she was reasonable and easy to get along with.
On the surface, it was indeed so.
Avis had a soft heart, and wasn’t skilled in scheming. Otherwise, the situation in Yuvan’s estate wouldn’t have been so chaotic, with a secondary concubine in charge and the princess consort abandoned by
Yuvan.
In other words, Avis was somewhat naive. Such a person, after marrying into a prominent family, often ended up suffering. That was why Avis had recommended Blake to Melanie, to avoid such troubles for Sophie.
But why go to Verdant Monastery? It was far from Yuvan’s fief. If something happened, how would Yuvan be informed?
Sophie resolved that she would visit Verdant Monastery after her wedding.
Not seeing Avis with her own eyes made her uneasy.
After Rowan returned to the physician’s office, he reported to Sebastian about Sophie’s Inquiry regarding Avis.