Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Rafael leaned back on the chaise lounge and pulled her onto his lap, settling her by his side. “That’s right. We placed them wherever we could, but the roles they play vary. Some slipped in as servants, some managed to get close to the heads of the family, and others joined as guards.”
“Things moved that fast?” Sophie was amazed as she glanced sideways at his handsome face. “So all this time, while things seemed quiet, you were busy setting up this network?”
Rafael didn’t sound resigned, just calm as usual. “We’ve got plenty of skilled people, but we can’t openly send them to spy or monitor others. So we had to use this clumsy method. But don’t underestimate it our people are well-trained.”
“I can see that. Isn’t Grand Princess Eleanor also always slipping people into the noble families?”
“She’s different. Those old noble families have got some backbone. After all, their ancestors earned their titles through loyalty and service to the court. They’ve got family rules Unless they’re truly desperate, they won’t support a rebellion. Take the Earl of Gracehold’s family, for example. Samuel might be rotten to the core, but the Earl of Gracehold family’s loyalty to the crown isn’t any less than the others. Families like that can’t be bought. If you can’t buy them, you have to destroy them.”
Sophie nodded. “I figured as much. Ever since Samuel left with Celeste and earned the reputation of abandoning his rightful wife, the rising star in their family was ruined Without a proper successor, the Earl of Gracehold’s family was half-destroyed. Then, when Samuel went mad and hurt Leona, it brought down the wrath of the king, and the family was blamed for failing to raise their sons properly. All their young men were demoted. Unless one of them rises as Samuel did, the Earl of Gracehold’s family is done for.”
“Exactly,” Rafael said. His gaze was distant, and there was a smile on his lips.
“Do you know which families Eleanor’s daughters have infiltrated?”
“I have some ideas. Even Uncle Hayden’s household has someone, but he’s incredibly sharp.”
Sophie was shocked. “You’re saying Eleanor sent someone to Uncle Hayden…to serve him?”
??/p>
“The woman was probably aiming to become his bed companion. Uncle Hayden’s wife has been gone for years, and his son is a county duke and is ruling quietly in the corner the realm. What Yuvan and the others want is the support of local powers. If they can control Uncle Hayden, they’ll have his son under their thumb. After all, Unele Hayden returned to the capital alone without any of his children or grandchildren. Speaking of which, he mentioned last time that I should take you to visit him.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me that? Let’s go next time you have a day off.” Rafael sighed.
His next day off? Again?
At this rate, would they ever make it to Richspire Peak before next year?
The next day, Rafael returned to the Supreme Court, and Sophie checked in on the study. Kyle and Jacob still hadn’t come out, so she had someone send in some food but didn’t disturb them.
Violet came over to speak with her briefly, and Sophie nodded. “Let’s go, and we’ll drop Ryan off at the academy on the way.”
Evan and Ryan had become the best of friends. Although Evan didn’t qualify to attend the academy, he had learned quite a bit just by following Ryan around.
The carriage ride was filled with chatter, with Sophie smiling and occasionally joining in. After they dropped Ryan off at the academy, the carriage turned around and stopped at a well-known coffeehouse in the capital.
The two of them didn’t sit down inside. Instead, they slipped out through a side door and walked a few streets over, arriving at Blueflower Alley.
Violet stopped in front of a residence, and knocked. After a moment, the door opened, and Carmen greeted them softly. “Lady Sophie, Ms. Spencer, my father is waiting inside.”
Sophie asked, “How did you get out? Weren’t you staying with the Lester family? Didn’t Greta follow you?”
Carmen replied, “My dad isn’t well, so I came to visit. Greta had to go see my sister, so she didn’t come along.”
Of course, Henry wasn’t actually sick. He’d simply used the excuse to arrange this meeting with Sophie.
Sophie and Violet found Henry in the study. Though he wasn’t ill, his hair was messy, and he looked pale-enough to convince an outsider. He sat slumped in his chair, his posture slightly hunched. Even when he raised his eyes, they lacked their usual energy. “Dad, Lady Sophie and Ms. Spencer are here,” Carmen said.
“I see them,” Henry replied flatly. He studied Sophie and Violet for a moment before saying, “Please, sit.”
Neither Sophie nor Violet bothered with formalities, and sat down directly.
“I heard from Carmen that you’re willing to help rescue her mom,” Henry began, getting straight to the point. “What’s the plan? I need to know.”
However, Sophie countered with her own question. “Why don’t you tell me first how many concubines has Grand Princess Eleanor arranged for you, Lord Henry? How many children have they borne? And how many concubines have died?”
Henry’s eyes were cold. “There were a dozen or more concubines, maybe even more than twenty. As for how many children… I don’t know. I lost count. The daughters I’ve actually seen have only just been a few.”
“What do you mean by you lost count?” Sophie pressed.
“A lot of them died. I don’t want to remember.” Henry turned his face away. For a brief moment, there was a flicker of pain in his eyes. “Just like you probably don’t want to recall the scene of your family being slaughtered, Lady Sophie.” Sophie exchanged a look with Violet, and there was a shared understanding in their eyes.
“You don’t have to doubt me,” Henry said, glancing at the two women, his gaze suddenly filled with hatred. “I hate her more than either of you could. I’d like nothing more than to see her torn apart, but I won’t take any risks without knowing your plan first.”
His hatred was real and impossible to hide.
Seeing that Sophie and Violet remained silent, Carmen quickly added, “Your Grace, believe in my dad. He will help us. He loves my mom deeply, but he has no way met rescue her on his own. And if the grand princess falls, our family-the Marquis of Grovehill’s family-won’t be under her control anymore. We truly want to work with you.”
Sophie could tell that Carmen genuinely wanted to save her mom, and was sincere in her desire to oppose Eleanor. Carmen had a close relationship with the Lester family Her family had been relying on Eleanor’s protection, but at the same time, they had to make hefty tributes to her. Much of their earnings went straight into Eleanor’s coffers, and no one could tolerate that indefinitely.
There was also the harsh treatment Melanie Lester had endured at Eleanor’s hands.
Sophie turned to Henry. “I’m willing to tell you the whole plan, but first, I need to make something clear. If you betray us or reveal our plan to Grand Princess Eleanor, and our operation fails, I have the means to protect myself. But your daughter won’t be so lucky. She’ll die, and it won’t be a peaceful death. You know how cruel Grand Princess Eleanor can be.”
“Of course I know.” He looked over at Carmen, a father’s affection softening his gaze. “Even if it costs me my life, I won’t endanger hers.”
Tears welled up in Carmen’s eyes. “Dad, as long as we can save Mom and take down that venomous woman, I would give my life a thousand times over.”
Henry reached out and motioned her closer, his tone full of warmth as he said, “I’m doing all this so we can live peacefully as a family, silly girl. No one needs to die.”
“Dad!” Carmen knelt and rested her head on his knee, her eyes reddened with emotion. “I’ve been waiting for that day for so long! I just want you and Mom to be safe. I want my sister and I to be able to stay by your side.”
Henry’s eyes softened with a tinge of red as well. He gently stroked her hair. “Stand up, now. Don’t embarrass yourself in front of the princess consort. You’re too old to be acting like a child.”
Carmen wiped away her tears and stood, a little embarrassed. “I apologize, Your Grace.”
Sophie simply offered a faint smile, dismissing the scene. “Before I reveal my plan, perhaps you can tell me what the grand princess has been up to recently.”
Henry replied, “I don’t know much, but I do know she’s trying to marry someone off to Thomas. The woman was originally part of a performing troupe from Stonebridge County. She’s skilled in martial arts, but after the troupe disbanded, she was left to fend for herself. At some point, she was attacked by bandits.
“Grand Princess Eleanor rescued her and brought her to the capital. When I first saw her, I thought she was going to be forced on me as another concubine, but that wasn’t the case. The grand princess kept her at the estate and taught her etiquette and manners.” “How could the Farrell family agree to a marriage for Thomas with someone of unknown origin? So, she’s going to fabricate an identity for this woman, right? What identity is she planning?” Sophie asked.
Henry nodded. “Exactly. I’m Grand Princess Eleanor’s prince consort, so she’ll pose as my distant cousin, a daughter of the Sanford family from Stonebridge County. She’ll go by the name Lisette Sanford. If the Farrell family sends someone to investigate, they’ll be able to confirm that her background is legitimate.”
Stonebridge County was Eleanor’s fiefdom, so it would be easy for her to create a false identity there.
“What was the woman’s original name?” Sophie asked.
“Darin.”
“Is she living at Grovehill Estate now, or is she still staying at Harmony Palace?”