Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Opal recognized her, and asked, “Does your mistress have something to discuss?”
“She said she just wants to catch up with Madam Alice,” Mia replied.
Opal looked at Alice. “Aunt Alice, do you wish to go?”
Knowing Zoey’s nature to be kind and sincere, Alice agreed, “Let’s go and have a chat.”
She released Sophie’s hand, and said softly, “Your Grace, I have taken your words to heart. Don’t worry about me.”
Sophie saw her out, and the loud drumming of the play made their conversation inaudible to everyone except those nearby. Sophie had ensured that Opal and Mary were seated on either side of her to prevent their conversations from being overheard.
After Alice and Opal left, Mary turned to Sophie with a smile and said, “Your Grace, your compassion will surely bring you future blessings.”
Sophie gave a modest smile in return. “I only seek peace of mind. It pales in comparison to your great benevolence.”
Mary shook her head. “With your
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current abilities, no one can deceive you, and you need not concern yourself with others. Even if you were to deal harshly with those who have wronged you, it would only bring you satisfaction and not criticism. And even if there were criticism, I believe you would not need to worry about it. Yet, you have chosen not to act in such a manner.”
“Madam Clayton, I’m just an ordinary person. Life is like a play, but life itself is not a play. There’s no need for constant strife. If someone wrongs me, I certainly won’t tolerate it, Sophie said.
Ordinary people didn’t deal with constant battles. Her focus was always on real enemies, those who harmed the kingdom. That was the fate of a military family.
If Sophie wasn’t being mistreated, she would prefer a peaceful life. Only those who have fought in wars truly appreciated peace.
Alice was guided to a secluded part of the garden, away from the other ladies who were enjoying the flowers.
Inviting Alice was Zoey’s own idea. Neither Evelyn nor Opal knew of this plan, and Viola was also unaware.
The Earl of Silverstone’s family and the Farrell family had not been in touch for a long time. However, Zoey knew of the Farrell family’s reputation for kindness. Seeing Alice looking distressed in front of Viola, she felt great sympathy.
So, she invited Alice to talk, hoping to ease her worries about the former daughter-in-law who had been released from her obligation.
Hearing Zoey’s words, Alice sighed deeply. “I understand there’s no need to worry, but receiving this news so suddenly is rather shocking. If it were someone else, it would be one thing, but it’s…”
“Mrs. Murray arranged the match, and the king supported it. Most importantly, Viola agreed to it herself,” Zoey explained.
Alice asked, “Was she coerced into agreeing, or did she truly consent?”
Zoey was straightforward. “Mrs. Murray proposed it, and Viola agreed immediately. If she had not, we would have fought for her. But as for her feelings towards Mr. Jaffe…”
Zoey had intended to explain all at once, but seeing the anxiety on Alice’s face, she took a breath before continuing.
“She genuinely admires Mr. Jaffe. She believes the rumors about him are not true and thinks that his previous divorce was Lady Sophie’s fault, not Mr. Jaffe’s.”
Alice’s face showed signs of disappointment. “How could she think that?”
Zoey sighed.
“Viola wasn’t invited to this banquet. She insisted on coming along. When she married into the Farrell family, after your son died in battle, you returned all the dowry and even gave her Thomas’ pension. You even gave her two more shops. Now, everything has been moved to the Jaffe family. On her wedding day, she even compared her dowry to Lady Sophie’s.
“This isn’t something I should be telling you, but I couldn’t bear to see you worrying about her. You shouldn’t concern yourself with her matters. It’s more important to take care of your own health. If Thomas’ spirit sees you constantly unhappy, he might not rest in peace.”
Alice was shocked beyond measure upon hearing this.
Viola wasn’t someone Alice would have imagined being like this. She understood propriety and respected her elders, but how had she become this way?
Had Viola always been hypocritical, or had she changed?
Zoey looked at Alice, a phrase stuck in her throat but left unsaid.
“Thank you for informing me, Zoey,” Alice said, her voice tinged with bitterness. “I once considered her like a daughter, and wasn’t willing to let her live as a widow in my family. Actually, she hasn’t visited me even once over the past few years. I should have known then. Well, since she has made her choice, whether it’s fortune or misfortune, it’s for her to bear.”
Zoey bowed. “Please take care, Madam Alice.”
There was nothing more to say. If she continued, she might end up revealing things that were meant to be kept hidden.
Alice was too distressed!
Opal, who had been accompanying Alice, remained silent throughout. She sensed Zoey was hiding something, but felt it inappropriate to press further since the matter concerned Viola herself. What good would it do to ask more?
Alice said to Opal, “Go accompany them for the flower viewing. I want to stay here alone for a while. The bougainvillea here is truly beautiful.”
The bougainvillea in the corner was blooming vibrantly, contrasting with the pallor in her heart.
Alice needed some time to calm down. With the banquet still to begin, leaving the scene would seem like a slight to Helen and Sophie. However, it was hard for her to compose herself quickly.
She understood Zoey’s intentions and Sophie’s kindness. She accepted them all, and realized that Viola had no connection to the Farrell family anymore. Now that
Viola had a husband, any fur hate net conversation with her might lead to r?proach from her husband’s family if others saw.
After calming down for a while, as Alice was about to return to the theater area, she saw Viola approaching her alone. Viola moved quickly and then swiftly hid behind a tree, as if afraid of being seen. Viola hesitantly called out, her voice barely above a whisper, “Mother.”
Alice said quietly, “At this point, calling me ‘madam’ would be more appropriate. It’s not right to call me that anymore.”
Viola had just seen Zoey talking to Alice and was concerned about what might have been said, so she came over. Seeing Alice’s attitude so aloof and distant, she felt a pang of anxiety and asked, “What did my sister-in-law say to you?”
“Nothing much. She just advised me not to worry about you anymore,” Alice said, her heart aching as she looked at Viola’s face.
It felt like her heart was breaking inside her. In the letters Thomas had written from the battlefield, he had always reminded Alice to take good care of Viola and not to make things difficult for her.
Knowing her son’s deep affection for
Viola, Alice had never imposed the strict rules that other mothers-in-law might. She had always considered Viola like a daughter, but how could she have fallen for someone like Blake, who had abandoned his legitimate wife?
“Is that all she said?” Viola asked, looking at Alice.
“That’s all.”
Alice didn’t want to say more. She was already deeply disappointed. The term “mother” had been inappropriate; it should not have been used. Viola shouldn’t have said it, and if she did, it shouldn’t have been so subtle that it was barely heard.