Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Now, even someone insignificant like Blake seemed beyond their control. Wayne couldn’t shake the feeling that things were slipping from their grasp, yet it didn’t feel like they were being countered directly.
It was more like wandering through a fog-everything was vague and unclear.
In the royal study, Salvador raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing the report. “Did you hear what they discussed?
“I couldn’t hear much. They were in a private room and the coffeehouse was noisy. But one thing’s certain- Commander Jaffe didn’t seem to get along with that man who works in Hartstone Estate. The man left with a dark expression, lan responded.
Salvador seemed pleased. “Are you sure that man is one of Heather’s servants?”
“No,’ lan replied, shaking his head. “I’ve been studying the people from Hartstone Estate recently. Not a single one of them is like him. He isn’t a servant of their household.”
Salvador thought for a moment, his gaze sharpening. “It seems they’re losing patience. Keep an eye on Blake.”
At Hell Monarch Estate, Jacob looked at Rafael after receiving the report, saying, “Wayne disguised himself as someone else? Your Highness, it seems that man is good at disguises.”
“Well, the meaning of his name is ‘formless’, so it’s not a surprise he’s good at taking the forms of others,” Rafael replied with a dark look. “Do you think Blake underestimates Harvey and his family, or is he just trying to avoid suspicion?”
“He probably thinks Prince Harvey can’t help him, which is part of it. But even if they could help him, Commander Jaffe might be even more wary and keep his distance. The Jaffe family can’t afford anymore trouble. I imagine his ambition has been tempered enough. Give him any respectable job and he’ll throw himself into it. That’s exactly the kind of person His Majesty wants,” responded Jacob, who was good at reading people.
“He doesn’t pose a big problem,” Rafael said, then asked, “What about Westhaven? Any news?” “Nothing yet.”
Two days later, Kyle arrived with a carrier pigeon from Winona. His face was serious.
“The king of Westhaven plans to send envoys to Starhaven. An official correspondence will arrive in the next few days.”
Rafael’s expression darkened.
It had been inevitable. Sooner or later, this day would come.
Before the New Year celebrations had even ended, Salvador announced that the Crown Guard would be separated from the Mystic Army and would no longer be answerable to Sophie. Also, Blake would remain in charge of the Crown Guard.
Blake could hardly believe it. He recalled his meeting with the man the other day and privately wondered if it was really Harvey helping him. But if it was the prince, then Blake’s reinstatement came with considerable risk.
He had no one to consult, so he went home and told Viola.
“Who cares what he wants to do? Just get reinstated as an official and be done with it. Besides, the Crown Guard isn’t even under Sophie’s control anymore. How is that not a good thing?” she responded.
Blake furrowed his brow. “No, I think there’s something behind this. It might be part of some scheme. I need to speak with His Majesty.”
Viola looked at him in disbelief. “Are you crazy? If you go to the king while he’s in a bad mood, he’ll strip you of your position. You won’t have any chance at a career after that. Forget about being commander of the Crown Guard-you won’t even make it into the Capital Guard!”
Blake fell silent. He shared her concerns.
Viola continued, “You can’t say anything. Listen to me. Prince Harvey is helping you because of what happened with Sophie. He and his family didn’t stop it, so they probably feel guilty…”
Blake shook his head, interrupting her, “That doesn’t make sense. If Lady Heather feels guilty, it’s for Sophie. Why would she feel guilty toward me? I’m the one who disappointed Sophie.”
“Unbelievable…” Viola’s eyes widened in exasperation. ‘Fine. Forget what their motives are. What’s clear is Prince Harvey has no ambition and isn’t plotting a rebellion. He’s helping you get reinstated because he needs something from you. He probably wants you to protect him in return.”
“That doesn’t add up either,” Blake replied. “If he’s capable of securing my position, then that means his previous ‘low profile’ and ‘timidity’ were all an act.”
Viola sighed. “Why do you care about all of that? Just think about yourself. Do you want the position of the Crown Guard’s commander or not?”
“It’s not that simple. You’ Blake started to say, but seeing her growing impatience, he stopped. “Never mind. I’ll think about it myself.”
Viola’s face twisted with frustration. “I don’t know what you’re still thinking about. Maybe you should be worrying about whether our family can survive. If you lose your position, the whole family will be begging for scraps.”
The words hit Blake like a slap. He stormed off, not bothering to respond.
In a fit of rage, Viola hurled a cup across the room. No matter what they said, they always parted on bad terms. Blake spent the next two days back on duty, but his mind was elsewhere. After much thought, he made up his mind to speak directly with Salvador. He wanted the position of the Crown Guard’s commander, but feared the consequences of being dragged into the rebellion case. He couldn’t afford to take even the smallest risk.
In the royal study, Salvador observed Blake as he knelt on one leg and recounted the conversation from the coffeehouse word for word.
Salvador was pleased. Blake had to stand alone, with no one behind him. He had to be a loyal servant-he was the most useful that way. Other noble heirs might be talented, but with their powerful backers, they could never be as easily manipulated as Blake.
“No one interceded on your behalf,” Salvador said, his voice calm but firm. “The Crown Guard is now independent and it must be reformed. I recognize your abilities, which is why I’ve given the order to reinstate you.”
At that moment, Blake’s eyes burned. He knew Salvador’s words weren’t entirely sincere, and understood the political balance at play. But hearing the king say he recognized his capabilities was, to him, a form of redemption.
He knelt for a long time before finally choking out his gratitude.
Salvador smiled knowingly, his fingers resting lightly on a paperweight without a word.
At the next court session, Salvador presented the official correspondence from Westhaven.
The king of Westhaven had dispatched envoys and their grand princess, Lisandra, to Starhaven to hold the kingdom accountable for breaking the agreement to spare civilians. The official correspondence also disclosed the number of civilians killed in Fawnrun City, as well as accused Dominic’s forces of capturing Westhaven’s former crown prince and torturing him to death-again, in Fawnrun City.
The court erupted into chaos. The revelation sent shockwaves through the room.
With the official correspondence in hand, the events of Fawnrun City could no longer be hidden. Salvador had no choice but to make the truth public.
Salvador and the entire court were faced with only two choices.
The first was to flatly deny the massacre of civilians ever occurred.
The second was to act as though they had been unaware of the events, and after receiving the official correspondence from Westhaven, cooperate with their investigation. They could arrest those responsible, take corrective measures, and salvage their kingdom’s honor before it was too late.
The official correspondence from Westhaven did not mention the border issues, but that matter would be decided later.
Salvador gathered his ministers and deliberated for three days.
The first option was impossible-Westhaven had already issued a formal accusation and had enough evidence. They had been building support within their own borders for months. The borders between the two kingdoms were already in turmoil, and any attempt to deflect responsibility would lead directly to war.
Given that the second option was the only viable one, the question now became who would be held accountable. Once the decision was made, Salvador exchanged a long look with Jeremiah. The others in the room remained silent, no one daring to speak.
To handle this matter, they would have to recall Dominic and hold him accountable.
But Dominic had lived a life of battle. He had been involved in quelling rebellions and eliminating bandits during Augustus’ reign. He had fought at the Southern Frontier, repelled ambitious nomadic tribes, and in the end, guarded Victory Pass. Over the years, the Sullivan family’s men had marched alongside him, with many dying in battle.
And now, Dominic would be celebrating his 70th birthday on the 19th of February. For a general to still be guarding the borders at such an age-since the founding of Starhaven, he was the only one.
Who would dare speak up and ask to summon him back to the capital for questioning?