Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“When I opened the study door, I saw a painting that looked exactly like you. That’s why I asked to meet you today It’s possible that people resembled each other, so we weren’t entirely sure you were Jacob’s sister. So, I brought out that rabbit figurine and told you that story. Everything I mentioned actually happened to you and Jacob. It seems that you truly are Jaina York.”
After hearing this, Jaina fell silent for a long time. She didn’t understand art, and couldn’t grasp how someone could predict her current appearance based on how she looked like when she was younger and that of her parents. However, memories didn’t lie.
Jaina remembered fragments, though they were blurry. As those memories surged back, a deep pain and bitterness filled her heart, mingled with a flicker of warmth.
She had always believed that she was abandoned by her parents because she was sick, and resentment had built up against them over the years. Because of her abandonment, she wanted to repay anyone who showed her even the slightest kindness, often with a vengeance.
Eleanor had saved her. The gratitude she felt was akin to being reborn through new parents. So when
Eleanor offered to take her back to the capital, Jaina didn’t object. She obediently followed, thinking she would work as a servant in the grand princess’ residence to her repay grace.
After returning to the capital, however, Eleanor treated her exceptionally well. She pampered Jaina and sent people to teach her the proper ways, claiming she would find a good marriage for Jaina in the future.
But Jaina had spent her childhood navigating the world alongside Lucas, and she had learned that human nature was far more complex. She had no familial ties with Eleanor, yet the latter had saved her and was supposedly looking for a husband for her. It all felt improbable.
Jaina had been in the capital for a while, and Eleanor never mentioned anything about a marriage proposal. Jaina was 25 years old now, and if Eleanor genuinely intended to arrange a match for her, Eleanor would have brought it up by now.
In truth, Jaina wasn’t entirely sure how old she was. Lucas had said she was around seven or eight when he rescued her, so by that estimation, she must be in her mid-twenties now.
Furthermore, Eleanor held many banquets held at her palace. If she had any desire to present Jaina, she would have done so by now.
Yet every time, Jaina found herself locked away in the courtyard. She couldn’t even step outside her room. The old maid explained that she hadn’t learned the proper etiquette yet, and that going out might offend their esteemed guests.
“Do you really think there’s more to the story of how Grand Princess Eleanor saved me?” Jaina asked, her breath coming in labored gasps.
“I’m not sure, which is why we need to investigate. Can you tell me what happened at that time? And what about the dissolution of your performance troupe?”
Jaina nodded, and recounted everything that had transpired in Stonebridge County.
Violet asked her detailed questions, knowing she would have to report back to Rafael and Jacob. She probed until she had every detail. Jaina explained everything thoroughly, especially about her struggles to survive after the performance troupe disbanded, right down to her encounters with the bandits.
When Jaina finished, her throat felt parched. After a moment of silence, she nervously asked, “When can I meet them?”
“You’re currently staying at Grovehill Estate, so it’s not convenient for you to go out. Besides, the Farrell family members can’t keep inviting you out. I’ll go back and discuss this with Jacob. He’s more eager than anyone to meet you. Your grandfather and mother are also in the capital, and your father is waiting for you in Cloud County. Once Jacob confirms your identity, he’ll certainly send someone to bring your father to the capital to see you.”
Jaina covered her face as tears slipped through her fingers. She had never imagined she would have the chance to meet her family again in this lifetime.
No, she had thought about it before.
She thought that If she ever saw her family again, she would demand to know why they had abandoned her. But as she grew older, those feelings began to seem unreasonable.
“Actually, over the years,” Jaina lowered her hands and wiped her tears, “I’ve wondered myself. It felt weird, because I was thrown froma carriage was sick and disoriented at the time, but I still remember the person who tossed me out saying something about not wanting bad luck from a corpse in their carriage.”
Violet handed Jaina a handkerchief, but she didn’t take it. Instead, she pulled out her own to dry her tears.
“If it had been their own child sick and near death, they could have at least waited until I passed away before burying me, even if I was an unwanted daughter. It wouldn’t have delayed anything. Why throw me away while I was still alive? Itwas pouring rain then, and my heart aches every time I recall that scene, and I can’t bear to think about it further.”
Violet could only imagine the torment Jaina had endured. She must have been terrified after being abducted, and then fallen gravely ill during the journey. Human traffickers wouldn’t help her. They feared exposure and didn’t want to spend money on her. If someone fell ill, they would simply abandon them.
At that time, Jaina had been in such a haze of sickness that she mistakenly believed her parents had thrown her away.
It must have been painful for Jaina-who would want to confront such memories?
Jaina cried again. “I still have family! They didn’t abandon me! They’ve been searching and waiting for me. You have no idea what this means to me, Ms. Spencer. After our performance troupe disbanded, the troupe leader left Stonebridge County without taking me with him. I thought I was completely alone, and that I had no one in this world. Being all alone like that is truly terrifying.”
Violet reached out and embraced Jaina, tears spilling down her own cheeks.
Now that Violet knew Jaina was Jacob’s sister, she felt a deeper sense of connection, which only heightened her sympathy for Jaina.
Although she felt for her, Violet urged her to be patient. She held back the information that Jaina could reunite with her family after the Emberfest Festival. That plan had to remain confidential. Otherwise, Sophie would have a fit.
When Jaina returned to Grovehill Estate, Gemma immediately approached her, eager to know what had transpired.
Gemma was a respected lady of a marquis’ family, and she would normally never treat a troupe performer with such kindness. She only did it because it was a favor to Eleanor. However, Jaina’s eyes were red, which was clearly a sign of losing her composure. Gemma couldn’t help but ask sharply, “Have you been crying? Did you do it in front of them?” Jaina pressed her hand to her chest, looking as though she was still shaken.
“Madam Gemma, you don’t understand. We went to Glimmering Tower, and we had a private room on the top floor. It was supposed to be the highest floor in the building, but Ms. Spencer wanted to test my courage. She said that since Thomas comes from a military background, I must be brave if I was to be his wife. She took my hand and flew to the very top! It was terrifying! I didn’t cry in front of her, but the wind up there was so strong it made my eyes water. I only cried after we left and were in the carriage. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Tamara.”
Gemma looked up at Tamara and asked, “Is what she says true?”
Tamara nodded, and replied honestly, “Yes, Madam Gemma. When Ms. Spencer looked out the window, she provocatively asked Ms. Sanford if she dared to join her. She said a proper wife shouldn’t lack courage. I told Ms. Sanford to go with her, as I thought Ms. Spencer wouldn’t endanger her. When they came back down, their hair was tousled from the wind, and their eyes were both red.”
Gemma’s expression eased slightly, and she asked, “Were you there the entire time?”
“I couldn’t follow when they went up, but I was at the door of the private room the whole time. I could hear them talking, and see them.”
Gemma hummed thoughtfully, but then frowned. “Ms. Spencer… To be frank, even though she calls Thomas her godbrother and Alice her godmother, they’ve never formalized their bond. It’s possible that Violet is harboring thoughts of marrying Thomas, and is using this to make things difficult for you.”
“Is that possible?” Jaina asked, her eyes wide in shock as she stared at Gemma. “Did she really do this on purpose? It does make sense. I was minding my own business and enjoying some snacks in the private room when she suddenly insisted on taking me up.”
“Be wary of her. If she invites you again, you mustn’t go,” Gemma instructed firmly.
“Understood, I won’t,” Jaina replied with a nod.
Gemma shot her a sideways glance. Then, she sighed and added, “Let’s face it, you’re getting on in years. Thomas claiming he wants someone older and more composed? That’s probably il net a farce. Who wouldn’t want to marry a sixteen-year-old girl? You’re twenty-six this year, right? If fate had been kinder, you might already have a child nearing ten.”
Gemma looked down on Jaina’s background, especially knowing where Jaina came from. To her, a mere farm girl was of higher status.
Someone who performed tricks on the streets? In essence, that was a lower-class life-unworthy of being considered among decent company, just like those entertainers.
Such a background was an embarrassment to the Sanford family.
“You’re right, Madam Gemma,” Jaina murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Enough. You may return to your room. Stay out of sight to avoid offending anyone through your ignorance of the rules,” Gemma ordered.
“Yes, Madam Gemma,” Jaina replied, bowing respectfully as she followed Tamara back inside.
Jaina couldn’t miss the disdain and contempt in Gemma’s gaze. She understood that in the eyes of a noble family, acknowledging a traveling performer as a relative was a disgrace.
In the past, Jaina had kept silent about her lowly status. Now that she knew her true identity, she felt even less inclined to speak out. It was best to remain cautious.
Once they investigated the matter of the bandits in Stonebridge County, they would discover whether Eleanor had genuinely helped Jaina out of a sense of justice-or had ulterior motives.