Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Finally, Violet’s gaze settled on a piece near the desk, and she was utterly stunned.
It was too alike!
The similarities were too much!
From the face shape to the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and that beauty mark on her upper lips-everything about the woman in the portraits was identical to Darin, whom Violet had seen earlier that day.
Violet suddenly felt as if she couldn’t breathe, and a sense of absurdity overwhelmed her. The person she had just met was now captured so vividly in a painting, and Kyle hadn’t even seen Darin before. How could Kyle portray her in such a lifelike manner?
She turned to look at Kyle and Jacob, who stood in front of another portrait. “What about this one? If she lived a good life, with plenty of resources, she’d look like this-rounded and healthy.”
Kyle continued, “As for this one, it’s the same idea, but I changed her eyebrows and hairstyle. This next one shows her in a worse condition. I assumed she was unable to eat enough or stay warm, which is why she appears thinner…” Then, Kyle waved at Violet. “Violet, go on over there. Don’t stand in our way.”
Violet pointed at the painting before her, struggling to regain her voice. “I met this person today.”
All eyes in the room turned toward her, including Jacob. Violet’s arm was still shaking as she pointed at the painting. She swallowed hard, and looked at Kyle with trembling eyes.
“Kyle, did you follow me to Grovehill Estate today? Did you see her? If you didn’t, how could you paint someone who looks so similar? Even her clothes are the same color!”
Jacob had never felt this impulsive in his life. Usually so composed, he forgot the boundaries between men and women. He grabbed Violet’s shoulders, and shook her.
“What did you say? You saw someone identical to this…person in the painting at Grovehill Estate?!”
Violet was startled at seeing Jacob’s eyes bulging in shock. She instinctively called out, “Sophie!”
Rafael stepped in quickly and pulled Jacob back. “Jacob, don’t be rude.”
Sophie grasped Violet’s hand tightly, and met her eyes with an intense gaze. “You went to Grovehill Estate today? Who did you see? Who in Grovehill Estate resembles this person in the painting?”
“Darin!” Violet blurted out, still in disbelief. “The similarities are too much! Her clothes are the same color, he eyebrows, her eyes, and even the beauty mark on her upper lips. Oh my god, if you saw her, you’d think they were one and the same.”
“Darin? The woman Eleanor saved? The one who’s supposed to marry Thomas?” Sophie’s expression shifted dramatically.
“Yes!” Violet shivered as she touched the goosebumps on her arm. “Could Darin be Jacob’s sister?”
Rafael had led Jacob to the side, and poured him a cup of water. He needed to calm down before he could continue his questions. The forceful gulp of water nearly sent Jacob into a coughing fit, and he struggled to catch his breath. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Violet.
“Ms. Spencer, please… Tell me more.”
Violet took down the painting and placed it on the table, studying it closely. Taking a deep breath, she felt more certain than ever. But now, she understood why Darin had struck her as oddly familiar.
She laid the painting flat and examined the features again. There was a hint of resemblance to Sophie’s mother, Melanie Sullivan.
Violet looked back at the painting Sophie had been focused on, which would probably remind Sophie even more of Melanie, especially since the later years had left Melanie frail and dull-eyed from crying too much. Glancing around the study, Violet saw no one else present, and spoke bluntly.
“Two things-first, this painting bears a slight resemblance to Melanie, Sophie’s mother. Second the person in this painting is named Darin, who currently goes by Lisette Sanford. Eleanor saved her, and she’s getting prepared to marry Thomas so that she can manipulate him.”
“What?” Jacob looked taken aback. “She’s someone from Eleanor’s side? What happened to her that required Eleanor’s help?”
“Don’t panic, Jacob. This so-called rescue might have more to it than we think. I was planning to have Kyle paint a portrait of Darin and send someone to inquire about her in Stonebridge County,” Violet said.
Sophie jumped in. “Did she resemble my mother when you saw her in person?”
Violet replied, “Honestly, I felt a sense of familiarity right away, but it didn’t click at the time. Now that I look at these paintings, it’s clear. Kyle has captured her likeness remarkably well, even her expressions. That’s why I could tell there was some resemblance. Darin is a living person, but she has been trained to carry herself like a proper lady, which makes the similarity less obvious.”
“Wait, Your Grace. Let me ask my questions first,” Jacob interjected, feeling a tingle of unease wash over him from head to toe.
He couldn’t explain why he felt that way, but the feeling that everything was unreal was overwhelming.
Just moments ago, he and Kyle were still trying to determine which painting best matched Jaina’s current appearance. Before they had settled on anything, however, Violet returned and suddenly announced she had just seen his sister.
It felt so surreal, as if he was in a dream.
Jacob had thought he would have to traverse mountains and rivers and face countless dangers to find Jaina. He even entertained the thought that she might no longer be alive. He dared not dwell on it, though, as that thought alone caused his heart to ache painfully. But now, Jaina was right here in the capital, in Grovehill Estate-and a pawn of Eleanor at that.
Eleanor’s pawns rarely had a good ending.
That was why he wanted to ask his questions first. He needed answers, so he pushed closer and looked at Violet intently. “You mentioned that there might be more to her being saved by Eleanor, Ms. Spencer. What’s the story behind that? Please tell me.” Jacob was obviously distressed. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was clearly struggling to hold back his tears. Violet felt a pang of sympathy at his state.
For the first time, she put Sophie second and chose to address Jacob’s question.
“As we all know… Well, those of us present know that Eleanor has a fondness for collecting women who resemble Melanie to become concubines for Henry and bear children…” Thud!
Jacob collapsed to the floor, his face pale and slick with sweat. “What?”
“Jacob!” Violet called out. “Calm down! If Henry had defiled her, how could she be promised to Thomas? Gemma-Madam Kingsley-claims Darin was engaged early on, but fiance died. The locals in Stonebridge County think she’s a widow who brings misfortune, which is why her marriage has been delayed. She came to the capital to seek refuge with Gemma. So clearly, she is not Henry’s concubine.”
Violet spoke quickly and without pausing too much to prevent Jacob from feeling overwhelmed again.
Rafael helped Jacob to his feet, and pressed him back into a chair. “Sit still.”
Sophie looked at the anxious and frightened Jacob, and added, “But you must be prepared. She merely resembles the person in the painting. Kyle painted her likeness based er childhood appearance and your parents’ features. It’s not necessarily accurate. So, Darin may not be your sister.”
Jacob pressed his hands together, his voice carrying a tremor of fatigue after his earlier excitement. “I know, I understand that. But I need to see her. She was abducted when she was seven. She should have memories from before that time. It might be faint, but she might remember something.”
Rafael replied, “I wouldn’t advise meeting her go soon. Right now, she sees Eleanor as her savior. She likely knows Eleanor is planning something against us. If you approach her, or if she suspegel ne?
you think of her as your sister, she might take advantage of that. We can only investigate indirectly.”
“You have a point, Your Highness, but who should we ask to look into this?” Jacob asked, his frustration building.
Everyone fell silent for a moment until Kyle spoke up. “Why not ask Thomas? Isn’t he currently courting her?”
Sophie shook her head. “During courtship, how can men and women meet privately? That only happens once an engagement is established. This isn’t the same as the martial arts world, Kyle.”
Kyle shook his head, “Yes, sorry. I forgot about that. I’ve been locked up in the Pathfinders Guild for a while now, and it’s making me a little loopy.”
Sophie pointed at Violet. “Violet visited the Kingsley family today. They know she’s Thomas’ godsister. She can invite Darin out. I believe that even the Kingsley family knows Violet is connected to us. But if she brings along someone from the Farrell family, I think Madam Kingsley will agree.”
Jacob looked at Violet with hopeful eyes. “I’m counting on you for everything, Ms. Spencer.”
Violet was loyal and righteous, so she immediately agreed. “Sure! Tell me about her childhood, so I can bring it up when I see her. That way, I can gauge her reaction and at least get a rough idea of what she’s like.”