Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“No!” Heather quickly pulled her hand away, retreating to the side of the table and shaking her head in a panic. “I can’t go! Your grandpa will kill me!”
Leona frowned. “Grandpa’s leaving for Victory Pass tomorrow. He’s getting older, and after this, who knows when we’ll see him again? He spent his 70th birthday alone at Sullivan Estate. Don’t you want to go have a meal with him and wish him a long life?” Heather wiped away her tears. “No, I can’t go. And anyway, Sophie should have been the one to celebrate with him on his 70th birthday…”
Leona’s anger flared. “Mom, you should know that Sophie couldn’t see him on his birthday or celebrate it with him. The negotiations hadn’t even started then, and His Majesty hadn’t made his decision. How could she possibly have done such an inappropriate thing at such an inappropriate time?”
Heather dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, choking up as she spoke, “Well, it’s all over now. A meal now isn’t the same as on his actual birthday. I didn’t go then, but when he returned to the capital, I did try to visit. Unfortunately, someone was guarding the door and wouldn’t let me in. At least I made the effort.”
Though Leona had managed to find peace in her heart over the past few days, hearing her mom speak so callously left her speechless with anger.
“Fine.” Leona shook her head, disappointment in her eyes. “I thought you were just weak, but I never imagined you’d be so cold. If you don’t want to go, I won’t force you.”
Heather buried her face in her hands, nearly breaking down in tears. “Why is it so important to see him? Why don’t you care about me? Your dad doesn’t want me anymore. He left the manor empty and took everything with him. He left me with nothing. I have nothing now.” Leona had been about to walk away, but seeing her mom cry so painfully, she couldn’t help but try one last time to reason with her.
“We can look into Dad’s situation separately. It won’t stop you from seeing Grandpa. He’s leaving tomorrow for Victory Pass. I’m sorry to say this, but if you don’t see him now, you may never get the chance again. Besides, Grandpa is your family. Now that you’re in trouble, isn’t this the perfect time to ask him for help?” she suggested.
“He won’t help me,” Heather said, wiping away her tears. But the more she tried, the more they flowed. “Your grandfather will only be angry with me for how I treated your aunt and Sophie, and your third aunt won’t look at me kindly either.”
Leona sighed softly. “So, you knew all along.”
Heather sobbed as she said, “I had no choice. Your dad said the capital was too complicated and the king was too suspicious. He told me not to get involved with anything or anyone. I was supposed to stay out of everything and keep my distance. That was the only way we could stay in the capital and not be sent away to some desolate place.”
Leona smiled bitterly. “So, for that reason, you didn’t do anything when Aunt Melanie was in trouble, and you didn’t care when Sophie had problems. Even when I was bullied by Samuel, you didn’t speak up. Was that all for a comfortable life in the capital? But have you really found a good life here? It would’ve been better to just go back to the fief.”
“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to help. Your dad wouldn’t allow it,” Heather replied, her voice cracking.
Leona didn’t want to pursue the past anymore.
With tears in her eyes, she asked quietly, “Will you come with me to see Grandpa?”
Heather shook her head vigorously. “No, I can’t go. Tell your grandfather… Tell him I’m ill and bedridden.”
“If Grandpa believes you’re really too sick to move, do you think he won’t come see you? He might be angry, but you’re his daughter-his own flesh and blood. Not everyone is as cold as you.”
Heather’s eyes were filled with sorrow. “It doesn’t matter whether he believes it or not. Just go, please, go now. When they leave the capital, you should come back and stay with me. I’m afraid, Leona. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Leona left, her heart heavy with disappointment.
When Leona arrived at Hell Monarch Estate, she saw Dominic and Cindy. Unable to hold back her tears, she immediately rushed forward to greet them.
Upon seeing her, Dominic and Cindy instinctively glanced outside. But after a moment of seeing no one, a flicker of disappointment crossed their eyes, quickly replaced by their usual calm. Cindy smiled as she held Leona’s hands. “Why are you crying, silly girl? Aren’t you happy to see your grandfather safe and sound?”
“I am happy… I’m just too happy,” Leona said through her tears.
Dominic looked at his granddaughter, knowing the hardships she had endured. His heart ached with pity.
“Leona, come sit down and let me have a good look at you.”
Hearing the concern in his voice and remembering her mom’s indifference, Leona felt a pang in her chest. Tears rolled down her cheeks again.
“Grandpa, I’m fine. I have my cousin to help me. Everything’s good.”
Dominic glanced at Sophie, his heart filled with sorrow. She had suffered so much, yet she still thought of looking after her cousin.
“I’m glad you can take care of each other. Make sure you keep it up,” he said.
“Yes, we’ll do as you say, Grandpa,” Sophie and Leona both responded.
The two cousins exchanged a look, suppressing the sadness of their impending separation, and tried their best to force smiles.
As they chatted, Dominic had something on his mind that he wanted to say, but he couldn’t find the right moment.
Noticing this, Cindy asked, “Leona, where is your mom? Why didn’t she come with you?”
Just as Leona was about to reply, Rafael entered, accompanied by Jeremiah and Trevor.
“Mr. Murray, Mr. Young, it’s been a long time. How have you both been?” said Dominic, standing to greet them.
Trevor had just returned the greeting when he saw Jeremiah turn, pause momentarily, then walk out the door. Everyone froze for a moment. Rafael was about to follow him when he saweremiah slowly return with his hands behind his back.
He smiled and spoke in a raspy voice, with a touch of nasal sound, “General Sullivan, I apologize for my rudeness.” Sophie stood up along with Cindy and Leona and excused themselves, leaving the room to give the men some privacy. Jeremiah’s eyes were red, tears just barely held back. At that moment, it seemed best that the women leave the room. An hour later, Rafael emerged.
Sophie saw him pass through the side hall and stepped out to ask, “Why aren’t you with them?”
Rafael’s brow furrowed slightly, his eyes shadowed with a weight. “They were talking about the past. I didn’t have much to add, so I decided to step out and have someone bring them some snacks.” “Then, why do you look upset?” Sophie questioned, noticing his mood had darkened.
“It’s not that I’m upset,” Rafael said softly, shaking his head. “It’s just… It’s hard to hear them talk about old times. After all these years, whether it’s Mr. Young or Mr. Murray, their lives have been fulfilling in their own way, despite having regrets Only Grandfather sees nothing but a road paved with coffins when he looks back…”
His voice trailed off, heavy with the weight of unspoken grief.
As a fellow warrior, he understood the difficulty all too well. Whether it was the Sullivan family, the Devin family, or any other military family, they carried glory, but also countless wounds that would never fully heal.
“I shouldn’t have said all that,” Rafael added, realizing his mistake as he saw his wife’s face. “I didn’t mean to make you feel upset.”
Sophie leaned against Rafael, lost in thought. She recalled the fierce determination she had felt on the battlefield. Her only goal had been to protect the land beneath her feet and the people of the kingdom. Anything else had simply faded away.
“Everyone dies eventually. I think they had no regrets,” she said.
Rafael fell silent for a moment, then looked up, his gaze steady. “You’re right. Once you step onto the battlefield, you’ve already made a choice about your life. They had no regrets, and neither do we.”
The couple’s hands clasped tightly as they looked at each other, their eyes filled with resolve. No matter how difficult the road ahead was, facing it together made them fearless.
Trevor and Jeremiah stayed at Hell Monarch Estate for dinner. The spread was lavish, with fine wine served alongside it.
Dominic was in high spirits and was drinking freely. The three of them chatted and laughed throughout the meal, mostly reminiscing about old times. They spoke of those who had already passed, even mentioning Matthias Jaffe.
Jeremiah sighed deeply. “Back then, I used my connections to arrange a marriage between Blake and Viola, all out of respect for Matthias. I wanted to make sure their family didn’t fall into decline. Who would’ve thought those two would end up as a mismatched pair? As a matchmaker, I’ve truly failed. I regret it.”
“Everyone has their own fate,” Trevor remarked. He then turned to Dominic, adding, “At our age, we can’t be too concerned with the affairs of the younger generation. Let’s focus on taking care of ourselves and enjoying a few more years surrounded by our grandchildren. Trevor’s words carried deeper meaning. With Salvador still young and finding his footing, it was only natural for him to strategize and shift loyalties-elevating new ministers while quietly sidelining the old. After all, each king needed to build his own court. Now that Dominic was no longer in command of Victory Pass, living out his days as a retired official didn’t seem so bad.
Dominic smiled. “You’re right, Trevor. It should be as you say.”
It was the only choice, after all. And, frankly, he was getting old. He could no longer support Victory Pass the way he once did. Fortunately, Wyatt was now in charge. For the time being, the chance of a change in leadership was slim. The Sullivan family’s army would still protect Victory Pass for now.