Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Sophie nodded. “At least her arrival shows that the anti-war faction has temporarily suppressed the war faction. This is our opportunity.”
Jacob sighed. “It’s an opportunity, yes, but she’ll want a lot in return. Some things we can’t give, and others… Even if we can, should we?”
The biggest point of contention was the borderlines. However, the current borderline was the one Starhaven had acknowledged. The conflict started when Westhaven repeatedly encroached during Starhaven’s weak years, leading to decades of ongoing border disputes.
The room fell into silence after that. Rafael stood and suggested they disband for the time being, waiting to see if the Ministry of Justice would uncover any new information they didn’t already know.
Back at Orchid Hall, Lulu stepped forward. “Your Grace, all the jewelry has been sold. The banknotes are safely stored in your private vault. The total is five thousand three hundred silver coins.”
Rafael glanced at her and asked, “What jewelry?”
“The things sent over by the Jaffe family. I didn’t realize I had given away so much,” Sophie replied.
Rafael ruffled her hair gently. “You gave them your heart and they didn’t value it. That’s on them, not you.”
Sophie smiled faintly. She hadn’t exactly bared her soul to them, but she had cared for them from the bottom of her heart.
“It’s in the past.” She turned to Lulu. “No need to store the banknotes away. Give it to Vivi for the embroidery workshop’s expenses.”
“Understood,” Lulu replied, her voice soft with concern.
She could see that her mistress wasn’t in a good place. Sophie was clearly struggling, losing sleep over everything.
“Why don’t you take a bath? It might help you sleep better.”
Sophie met her worried gaze and didn’t resist her suggestion. “Alright.”
Lulu bowed to Rafael. “I’ll go prepare it now.”
Rafael took Sophie’s hand and led her inside. He removed her official cloak, his fingers gently massaging her scalp.
“You haven’t been sleeping well these past few nights. Your head’s hurting, isn’t it?”
Sophie’s scalp felt tight and her neck was stiff. She hadn’t been able to sleep, and the tension in her body was affecting her blood circulation. The headache made it even harder to find peace.
Under his soothing touch, some of the tension eased away.
Rafael’s heart ached for her. Sophie had become so accustomed to being strong that it was rare for him to see the carefree smile she used to have when she was at Meadow Ridge. The pain of losing her loved ones had hardened her, turning the once bright and lively girl into the resilient, unyielding warrior she was today.
That night, Rafael held Sophie quietly as they slept. Her breathing was steady, as if she had drifted off to sleep.
Rafael knew she hadn’t. Curled up in his arms, she lay still with not a single movement, each steady breath so controlled it seemed deliberate.
She didn’t want him to worry.
At the Sullivan family’s residence in Victory Pass, the royal edict had arrived. The messengers sent were Felix and Homer from the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team. Naturally, they were accompanied by people from both the Crown Guard and Royal Guard.
Felix and Homer were both fourth-rank generals, but had yet to be assigned significant duties by the king. This task, delivering the royal edict to Victory Pass, was their first real assignment. If they performed well, Salvador might start using them more frequently.
Yet, this task felt like an impossible burden. Most of the soldiers and officers still looked up to Dominic and Hector. They were here under the guise of delivering an edict, but in reality, they were escorting him. Felix and Homer both felt deeply uneasy about the situation.
Originally, a Crown Guard officer, Galen Kimber, wanted to leave that day itself. However, Felix and Homer managed to convince him to allow Dominic to say his goodbyes to his family, and they would depart the following day.
At the Sullivan family’s residence that night, everything was the same as usual. The meal was served at the regular time, and the same number of dishes were prepared as before.
This day had been expected to come eventually, and everyone was mentally prepared. However, at this meal, no one could eat except Dominic.
“Dad!” Wyatt put down his cutlery and looked up at his aging father, his eyes red-rimmed. “I’ll accompany you back to the capital.”
Dominic calmly continued eating and simply said, “No need.”
“His Majesty has issued an edict for Wallace to take command of the troops. It would make sense for me to accompany you back to the capital. Besides, I’m just a broken shell of a man now. Whatever happens, I can bear the responsibility on your behalf,” Wyatt argued.
“Ridiculous!” Dominic shot him a sharp glance. “What do you mean, a broken shell? You’ve only lost an arm. You can still wield a blade with one hand. You’re still a general. His Majesty has ordered your eighth brother to take command, but Wallace doesn’t have your experience. Westhaven is stirring up trouble now. You must stay here and hold the line.’
“Dad…” Wallace also set down his cutlery, his voice trembling with unshed tears.
Over the past year, the brothers had discussed countless times how they could help their dad escape the consequences of that disaster. Unfortunately, there was no way out.
“What Wyatt says makes sense. You were seriously injured by the arrow back then, and all decisions were left to us. But as you’ve said, Wyatt is more experienced than I am, so he should remain at Victory Pass. I’ll accompany you to the capital. I’ll shoulder all the blame,” Wallace said.
“No, Wallace, you can’t go! I will!” Shane said. “Uncle Dominic, I’ve already packed my things. I’ll set out with you first thing tomorrow.”
Dominic glanced at the table full of sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters. He saw the concern in their eyes and smiled faintly.
He put down his cutlery and wiped his mouth. “Enough. Why is everyone fighting to go with me? You think this old body of mine can’t handle things, huh? You think you’re tougher than me?”
Wyatt choked up. “Dad, that’s not what we mean. It’s just that the Fawnrun City incident… Someone has to take responsibility. Whoever it is, it doesn’t matter. It was my mistake, and it’s my duty to bear the consequences.” “You? You’re not ready to take it,” said Dominic.
The old man’s face softened, a rare hint of tenderness showing. He was usually a stern and tough man, never one to show emotion toward his sons and grandsons.
“I must handle this matter. I’m the leader of the army in Victory Pass. As long as I’m still breathing, whatever happened in Fawnrun City is on my shoulders,” he added.
“Freya… she’s done a lot of harm!” Cindy, Wyatt’s wife, spat angrily. “She and Blake are both vile! Father has always been strict with the military troops. For all these years, we’ve never violated the agreement between the two kingdoms not to harm civilians.
“Then, she comes along, and what does she do? She slaughtered entire villages! How could she be so vicious? How could she even do such a thing? I just want to go back to the capital and tear them both apart!”
Cindy’s heart was a mix of anger and sorrow. Her husband had sacrificed his arm to save Blake, losing half of his martial skills in the process. Luckily, there was no war, so Wyatt could still train his one-handed sword techniques. However, he would never be able to wield a spear again.
Wyatt saved Blake, but what for? That ungrateful wretch! He dared to get involved with Freya right under their noses! How could they have been so blind back then? How had they not seen it coming?
It was their fault for not being more careful. If they had known, they would have punished Blake and Freya right there at Victory Pass. How could they have let them go back and harm Sophie?
Cindy doted on Sophie deeply. When she was born, Cindy had been in the capital, and she had never seen such a soft and adorable baby. Sophie was like a precious angel. There was no child in the world more beautiful than her.
Before Sophie tumed three, Cindy would visit Northwatch Estate every few days just to hold that sweet little girl. Later, when Cindy moved with her husband to Victory Pass, she still made trips back to the capital every two years. However, as her own child grew, needing to study and train, and with the constant friction between Victory Pass and Westhaven, Cindy no longer dared to leave.
When Hector and his six sons died, Cindy had accompanied her husband back to the capital for a visit, but Sophie was already training at Meadow Ridge and hadn’t been notified to come home. So, Cindy had missed seeing her.
The events that happened after that reached the Sullivan family through letters.
When Sophie got divorced and returned to Northwatch Estate, the Sullivan family planned to return. Not long after, they heard that Sophie had gone to the Southern Frontier battlefield. Soon after, she made a name for herself, returned victorious, and married the Hell Monarch.