Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Cindy was concerned for Sophie, but Sophie’s heart ached for her aunt as well. The battles at Victory Pass and the harsh winds of war had changed her, leaving her less concerned with her appearance than when she had been in the capital as a noblewoman.
After Sophie sent someone to call Rafael over, Cindy said, “I’ve heard that Lady Helen is staying here. Please take me to her so I can greet her.”
Reminded of this, Sophie quickly agreed, “Alright, we’ll go now.”
Helen had already heard from Gillian when Cindy entered the estate. Knowing that Sophie and her aunt hadn’t seen each other in such a long time, Helen figured they would have plenty to talk about. She decided to stay in for the evening meal so they could have some time to catch up.
Not long after, Sophie and Violet brought Cindy in to pay their respects. Helen was quite pleased; she could tell that Cindy was well-raised and followed proper etiquette. After Cindy performed the formalities, Helen motioned for her to sit down, eager to chat.
“It must have been a long journey. Were you exhausted?” she asked.
Cindy glanced at Sophie with affectionate eyes. “My heart was set on returning home, so it didn’t feel tiring at all.”
Seeing the loving expression on Cindy’s face, Helen sighed softly, understanding that Cindy cared deeply for Sophie.
“It’s good that you’re back. Lady Heather is your sister-in-law. Since you’re her elder, you should have a word with her. She’s been acting so recklessly,” said Helen.
When Cindy looked confused, Gillian explained all the foolish things Heather had done. Cindy had already known about Leona, but she hadn’t realized how careless Harvey and Heather were. The fact that they had neglected their daughter was beyond her.
Violet was standing to the side and couldn’t help but vent her frustration, recounting all the things Heather had done to Sophie. Cindy’s anger flared-she was ready to march over to Hartstone Estate and confront Heather.
Sophie and Violet kept quiet about Harvey’s collusion with Yuvan, so Cindy still thought of the prince as timid and weak. Her fury made her curse Heather right there in front of Helen.
Harvey was a prince, so Cindy couldn’t curse him. However, Heather was from the Sullivan family. As a sister-in- law, Cindy had every right to reprimand Heather without anyone daring to say otherwise.
Helen, who found it satisfying to hear Cindy vent her anger, said, “It’s best to call her over while Prince Harvey is away from the capital. Give her a proper scolding. She doesn’t care for her own daughter, nor does she look out for her niece. What good is she as a princess consort if she can’t even manage her own family?”
Cindy’s frustration was clear, but she knew there was no rush to confront Heather. There was no sense in letting it spoil her mood for the evening.
Helen understood the situation and smiled knowingly. “You haven’t seen each other in a while, so I’ll skip dinner tonight. Sophie, why don’t you accompany your aunt downstairs? The two of you can catch up and enjoy some time together.”
Sophie nodded. “As you wish, Mother.”
Cindy stood to take her leave. “I’ll come again tomorrow to see you, Your Grace.”
Helen smiled and nodded. “Very well, go ahead.”
Helen then asked Violet to stay, saying she would dine with her to avoid interrupting the conversation. The bond between Sophie and Cindy was as close as mother and daughter, and there was surely a lot to catch up on.
Violet was appreciative of Helen’s rare moment of thoughtfulness and was happy to stay.
When Rafael heard Cindy had returned to the capital, he hurried back to the estate to greet her. Cindy greeted him with a formal curtsy, which he returned with a bow before they both sat down.
Cindy had met Rafael before, but hadn’t paid much attention to him. Now, looking at him more carefully, she saw that he and Sophie made quite the pair. It was clear that he genuinely cared for Sophie, and Cindy’s heart warmed with affection for him.
The three of them shared a meal. After Rafael left to give them privacy, Cindy spent another hour chatting with her niece.
Finally, she said, “I’m a bit tired now.”
‘I’ll escort you back to rest, Aunt Cindy,” Sophie quickly offered, standing to help.
Cindy didn’t refuse. She allowed Sophie to take her arm as they stood, smiling. “Alright!”
Lily had already prepared Frostspire Hall for Cindy’s stay. She had brought five people with her on this trip-four for her protection, and one long-time maid, Dina, who had already gone ahead to help organize the rooms, waiting for Cindy’s retum.
After escorting Cindy back to the courtyard, Sophie watched as her aunt patted her hand and adjusted her headpiece.
“Go on back now, and see if you like the gifts,” said Cindy.
Sophie lowered her gaze. “I’ll like them no matter what. I’m sure of it.”
Seeing the way her niece avoided looking at the gifts, Cindy’s heart tugged with a quiet ache. She pulled Sophie into another embrace and sighed.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to look. Just leave them for now.”
The gifts had already been delivered to Orchid Hall, where Rafael was carefully arranging them one by one. He had already bathed and was waiting for Sophie to return.
Earlier, he had gone to the Ministry of Justice to review Freya’s testimony. He had planned to skip having dinner at home to stay and observe their evening re-interrogation of Freya, but Matthew had sent someone to inform him that Sophie had requested his return as she had family arriving in the capital. When he heard that, he immediately mounted his horse and returned home.
Cindy’s return to the capital pleased him greatly. Once the negotiations began, he intended to involve himself regardless of whether Salvador allowed him to participate. When the time came, he might not be able to take care of Sophie. With Violet and Cindy by Sophie’s side, he felt he could relax, knowing she would be looked after.
In the past, he believed Sophie could endure anything. But this time, the negotiations involved the Devin family’s massacre. That was a wound buried deep in her heart, and he knew these days would be especially hard on her.
Hearing footsteps, he quickly wiped away the serious expression from his face and replaced it with a charming smile as he rose to greet her.
‘Back so soon?”
Sophie removed her headpiece with a soft hum. ‘Aunt Cindy was tired. I escorted her back so she could bathe and rest early.”
She glanced at the gifts neatly arranged on the table and coffee table, each one beautifully packaged in brocade boxes, with two chests marked with the names of their senders. Her gaze lingered on the four brocade boxes on the coffee table. They were from her seventh uncle, Wade. It felt like something had burned her, and she quickly looked away.
“Do you want to open them?” Rafael asked.
“Not for now.” Sophie then called out, “Lulu, have someone move the gifts to the storeroom and place them separately.”
Lulu hesitated before entering, her confusion evident. “Your Grace, won’t you take a look?”
In the past, whenever gifts from Victory Pass arrived, Sophie would eagerly tear into them. Why wasn’t she opening them this time?
*Not now. Just move them downstairs,’ Sophie replied.
Lulu nodded and left to instruct the servants to carry the gifts to the storeroom. Since she wasn’t sure what was inside, they couldn’t be cataloged just yet, so she had them set aside in a corner for the time being.
Rafael didn’t bring up the gifts, simply instructing Pearl and Sydney to prepare hot water for Sophie’s bath. He personally retrieved her nightclothes and placed them on the mahogany wood rack behind the partition screen. Once she went inside to bathe, he lit a candle with a calming scent in the room, which helped induce sleep.
Having settled the gifts, Lulu followed Sophie inside to assist her. She knew what her mistress was going through, having suffered a similar pain herself. Lulu grew up in Northwatch Estate and had also lost all her relatives in that brutal massacre. Her heart ached with the same sorrow. Over these past few days, it had been difficult for her to keep her emotions in check.
Lily had been a constant companion, urging her to take some time for herself and rest. However, Lulu couldn’t sit idle. Every time she was asked to take a break, her thoughts turned to the past, and the pain was unbearable.
Sophie lifted her head from the steaming bath and saw Lulu entering with a towel.
“Lulu,” she called softly.