Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“That would naturally be…” Helen was excitedly about to agree, when she noticed her son standing at the door.
His tall shadow loomed like a giant beast on the wall. She froze momentarily, but reassured herself that marrying concubines wasn’t wrong-every family did it.
She forced a smile and said, “You’re so generous. It seems the rumors about you being jealous are just that—rumors.”
“Taking in concubines?” Rafael strode in, his voice icy. “I married you because you wouldn’t tolerate concubines. So, the rumors about you being jealous aren’t true?”
“What?” Helen didn’t immediately understand. “You want her to be jealous? Why?”
“Because I dislike having many women around me. I don’t want any secondary wives or concubines.”
Rafael’s gaze shifted from Sophie to Helen, his voice growing colder, “If she dares to arrange for concubines, I’ll raise hell with her from dawn till. dusk, even if it means going against the entire Pathfinders Guild or the martial world. I won’t stop, not even if the Pathfinders Guild members tuon me into mincemeat. There’s no way I’ll tolerate another woman around me. If she wants to try, she can go ahead and see what happens.”
Helen shivered, suddenly completely sober. She stood up, and scolded, “What nonsense are you talking about? Saying something as unlucky as getting turned to mincemeat?
your wife wants to arrange a concubine for you, that’s her being
If generous. Why are you throwing a fit at her?”
Rafael coldly replied, “Let her try to get me a concubine. If she does, I’ll bring down this estate and then tear down the Pathfinders Guild.”
“You’re insane! Pathfinders Guild is full of experts! How could you possibly take them on? Helen was so frightened that she moved forward and tried to cover his mouth. “Just be quiet. Who el net anything about taking concubines? Even if Sophie wanted to, would never allow it!”
Rafael’s stubbornness flared up again. He gently pushed his mother aside, then grabbed Sophie by the wrist.
“I just heard you mention getting me a concubine. Come with me. I’ll deal with you in our room.”
With that, he dragged Sophie out of the room.
Helen was stunned, unable to comprehend what was happening.
Wasn’t it just a casual mention? Her son was truly out of his mind!
“Gillian, go and check on them immediately!” Helen said urgently. “We can’t have him hurting her. How am I going to explain this to my sister? She dotes on Sophie the most!”
Gillian sighed. “How can I go? You wanted to arrange concubines for Prince Rafael yourself after listening to Grand Princess Eleanor and Lady Dakota. If I go now, it might only provoke His Highness further. Lady Sophie seems resilient enough…”
“Nonsense! Which husband beats their wife after marrying her? If you don’t go, I will!”
Gillian tried to stop her. “Alright, I’ll go get Mr. York. His Highness listens to him the most.”
“Quickly!” Helen slammed the table in frustration.
The thought of Sophie’s beautiful face getting hurt-oh, how painful it was just to imagine!
As Rafael dragged Sophie out of Helen’s courtyard, he suddenly lifted her in his arms. Sophie let out a scream, which was loud enough to make Helen feel dizzy.
Oh god, had Rafael really hit Sophie?!
Helen pushed Gillian urgently. “Why are you still here? Hurry!”
Gillian hobbled outside, but they were already gone. Of course, she had to wander around the courtyard a bit to see if she could find them.
Alas, Helen didn’t realize Rafael’s intentions.
This was deliberate—to show that the matter of concubines should not be mentioned within the residence. It wasn’t because of Sophie’s jealousy, but rather because he forbade it.
Sophie was carried back to her bedroom. Lulu and the others giggled as they scampered out. It looked like they wouldn’t be needed tonight.
Rafael set Sophie down on the table, wrapping his arms around her waist with a playful grin. “So, how was my performance tonight?”
“Only superficial, good enough to deceive Mother,” Sophie said as she rested her head against his chest, reflecting on Helen’s anxious expression.
It was clear the older woman was genuinely worried about her getting hurt. Although Helen was easily swayed and prone to being used by others, her heart was genuinely large and soft.
“As long as it worked on her, that’s what matters. But my mother… Don’t expect her to be sharp like the others. She needs someone to protect her, or she’ll end up getting tricked.”
Sophie tilted her head. “Well, it’s better than playing mind games with me.”
He brushed his lips against hers. “She’s easily swayed by others, but after the scene I made tonight, I think she’ll be too scared to bring it up again for at least a year or two.” Sophie laughed. “She’s probably terrified.”
Terrified was right-Lulu couldn’t help but report, “Gillian’s still pacing around the courtyard.”
Sophie laughed softly, pushing Rafael away and jumping down from the table. “Alright, go tell Gillian that Rafael has calmed down and that she should go back and inform Mother.” “Understood!” Lulu hesitated for a moment at the door. “We have hot water ready. If you need any further assistance, the servants are waiting outside.”
Sophie pretended not to notice the teasing glint in Lulu’s eyes. “No need for further assistance. You all should get some rest.”
“Yes, Your Grace!” Lulu withdrew and instructed everyone to leave, skipping the usual dressing routine.
The servants left happily. Although everyone was full, there were still many snacks and dishes left in the kitchen.
Additionally, Jacob followed Sophie’s instructions and rewarded the household staff. Although it was just a small reward, it added a touch of festive cheer.
After a busy day, and with the weather warming up, a bath was a necessity.
Rafael lifted Sophie effortlessly, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke in a husky, magnetic voice, “Perfect timing. Let’s bathe together.” Sophie wrapped her arms around his neck, her curiosity piqued. “We’ve been intimate every night, yet we haven’t conceived. Why is that?” “Are you eager to be pregnant soon?” Rafael carried her into the bathing chamber, and started to help her out of her dress.
“Not really. I’m just curious. I remember my mother saying that she found out she was pregnant just over a month after marrying my father.”
“I don’t think we need to rush into having children,” Rafael said, carefully peeling off her clothes until her fair shoulders were exposed. “I had Sebastian prescribe me some medicine. Let’s wait until your health fully recovers first-you were injured on the battlefield, after all.”
Her eyes widened. “You took contraceptive medicine? I’ve heard it can be quite harmful.”
Rafael chuckled. “If women can take it, why can’t men? Your health was already fragile. I couldn’t have you taking contraceptive medicine just to prevent pregnancy. Sebastian told me that it’s hard enough for women to build their strength back up. If you took it, it would undo all that progress and make things worse.”
Sophie was touched. She had never heard of a man willing to take such medicine himself.
For the primary wife of a man, it wasn’t even an option. If word got out that a primary wife was using contraceptive medicine, people would think she wasn’t virtuous. They would think that her husband must despise her and leave her with no choice.
A proper wife was expected to bear children.
Her own mother had given birth to seven children. People used to say how lucky Melanie was-not only to have so many children, but for all of them to survive infancy. That kind of fortune was rare. But that luck…