Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Rafael’s gaze briefly swept over his mother. It was rare to see her smiling so broadly.
“Alright. Get in the carriage quickly. Don’t catch a cold, Rafael said.
“Okay, I’ll get in now,” Helen said, genuinely pleased that her son was finally showing concern for her.
The dim lighting made it hard for her to see exactly whom Rafael was looking at, or to whom he was speaking.
But as long as the person speaking and the one listening understood, that was enough.
Rafael and Dylan led the way on horseback, while the carriage followed slowly behind.
Helen grasped Sophie’s hand, her excitement almost impossible to contain. “I truly didn’t expect you to successfully get all the money back. Others may not be aware, but I know Grand Princess Eleanor very well. She may appear amiable to everyone, but in reality, she’s quite domineering.”
Sophie gently pulled her hand away. “Now that you know what kind of person she is, it’s best to keep interactions with her to a minimum in the future.”
Helen nodded, but her expression grew worried. “I’m just concerned that if we fall out with her, she might speak ill of us in front of other ladies and tarnish our reputation.”
“What’s there to worry about?” Sophie said dismissively.
“Of course, you’re not concerned. Your reputation is already in tatters, but I’ve just left the palace and can’t afford to gain a bad name.”
Sophie gave her mother-in-law a sidelong glance. Helen was really harsh with words, especially when speaking to those she considered her own.
Helen quickly realized her mistake and tried to clarify, “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that Kiera is currently looking for a husband. Eleanor has connections with many prominent families, so I’m worried she might spread rumors that could harm Kiera’s reputation.”
“Kiera is a high princess, and she’s protected by the king and queen. She also has the backing of the Hell Monarch’s household. Who would dare gossip about her? They’d be courting disaster,” Sophie responded.
She recalled her conversation with the queen, who seemed keen on having Logan marry Kiera. Sophie planned to first learn about Logan’s character. If he was trustworthy, she would then discuss her thoughts with Kiera.
Naturally, she would also need to ask Logan about his intentions. After her failed marriage with Blake, Sophie felt that simply following parental orders and the advice of matchmakers was no longer sufficient -mutual agreement between the two people involved in the marriage was crucial.
“Are you upset?” Helen asked after Sophie had been silent for a while.
“I’m not upset,” Sophie said, pushing those thoughts to the side. “I was just thinking about a few things.”
Helen generously said, “You don’t need to worry about it. I said I would give you half if you got the money back for me. I promise I won’t go back on my word.”
Sophie chuckled softly. “Please keep your money, Mother. I can’t accept it from you.”
“You don’t want it?” Helen was puzzled. “If you don’t want it, why did you go to such lengths to confront Grand Princess Eleanor for me?”
“You’re my mother-in-law. If Aunt Eleanor and Jessica deceived you and took your money, isn’t it only right for me to stand up for you and recover it?” Sophie replied.
Helen glanced at her daughter-in-law’s calm profile, recalling the time at Harmony Palace when they had been reviewing the accounts. When Helen felt extremely cold, Sophie had instinctively wrapped her in a cloak to keep her warm. The memory brought a fleeting warmth to Helen’s heart.
“You’ve been kind to me. I’ll remember that. I’m not like those ungrateful people.”
Helen was, of course, referring to the Jaffe family.
Sophie smiled but remained silent.
Helen observed her closely, thinking that her daughter-in-law was not as insufferable as others had claimed In fact, she was quite the opposite. It was clear that the former accusations by Eleanor about the Duke of Northwatch’s family were nothing but lies meant to deceive and stir trouble.
Reflecting on it now, Helen realized she couldn’t just blame others—she had been the one to look down on Sophie because of her past. Thinking of how Sophie had helped her twice now, shame and fear crept in.
If Sophie were like other noblewomen and had made a fuss upon discovering that her mother-in-law had stolen her dowry, would Helen’s reputation still be intact?
But it wasn’t just about reputation.
Helen wouldn’t have been able to assert any authority over Sophie. her daughter-in-law had turned. things around on her, there would have been nothing Helen could do to stop her.
After all, who ever heard of a mother-in-law stealing the bride’s dowry on her wedding day? Even common folk wouldn’t stoop so low.
Helen’s anger flared as she thought about Eleanor’s cruelty and her own foolishness.
How could Helen have been so easily provoked by a few words, all for the sake of a little pride?
With so many thoughts swirling through her head, coupled with the chill she had endured, Helen’s mind became muddled and her body ached slightly.
When they returned to Hell Monarch Estate, Sophie helped her out of the carriage and immediately instructed the servants, “Prepare a pot of chicken soup. Everyone has been out in the cold for a while. They need something to ward off the lingering chill.”
Helen felt even more ashamed after hearing that.
Sophie was truly considerate, remembering that her mother-in-law had suffered at Harmony Palace. Who could match such devotion and attentiveness?
Little did she know, Sophie’s concern was not for her but for Rafael, who had been outside in the cold and wind.
The kitchen chefs soon brought up the chicken soup, and each person was served a bowl. Sophie watched Rafael drink two bowls before she was satisfied. Turning around, she noticed her mother-in-law sipping her soup slowly and said, “Mother, drink a full bowl first, and have some hot food later as well.” They had left in the late afternoon, and ever since the accounting began at Harmony Palace, they hadn’t been offered even a sip of water, let alone any food. “Okay,” Helen replied, her voice heavy with emotion, deeply moved. “I will finish it.”
“Alright then, I’ll go soak myself in a hot bath. You should have someone bring you hot water later to warm yourself up as well.”
After saying that, Sophie didn’t wait for Helen to respond and took her disgruntled husband back to their room.
Rafael was simmering with anger. The things his mother had done were truly shocking.
Helen had survived the cutthroat harem. Yet, she had handed over money to Jessica without asking further questions. Then, when Jessica asked for more, Helen had given it to her without even a second thought.
Sophie had only been married to Rafael for a few days. And already, she had had to run around twice because of his mother.
Rafael had waited outside Harmony Palace tonight, not because he doubted Sophie’s ability to handle the matter, but because felt uneasy letting his wife run around for his mother’s sake while he stayed home doing nothing.
Since it was a matter involving the women of the inner household, it wasn’t his place to intervene-at least not until Sophie asked for help. There was a private grudge between her and Eleanor, and
Sophie would prefer to handle it herself.
As they returned to Orchid Hall, Sophie’s hand in his was no longer cold. Holding the warm bowl while she drank two bowls of chicken soup had finally made her feel warm throughout.
“Don’t be angry,” Sophie said softly. “Everyone has their weaknesses. Mother’s just happens to be that she easily trusts others and naturally fears Eleanor.”
“As her son, it’s hard for me to criticize her, but this… Anyone with a bit of common sense wouldn’t do something like this.”
Rafael’s tone was still harsh, but vas after being comforted by his wife, he managed to swallow his anger, albeit with difficulty. Sophie wanted to nodin agreement, but doing so would feel like kicking someone when they’re down.