Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
By April, the damp weather finally passed, and the sun blazed brightly, cycling in the sky.
No one would have expected Jessica to be the first to seek help from Skye Embroidery.
Rafael and Sophie were on their day off, having just returned from Tranquil Sanctuary after completing a 14-day memorial service. The service had been held to guide the spirits of the Devin and Sullivan families. Frederick, Holly, Lily, and Lutu had stayed the full 14 days, while Rafael and Sophie had only visited when they were free from their duties.
Helen had also attended, reciting scriptures for two days.
She told Gillian, “I don’t know if this will help, but if it brings peace to Sophie’s heart, then I’ll make it a point to do this every year at Tranquil Sanctuary.
“Though I’m not her birth mother, she calls me ‘Mother’. What’s the difference between a mother-in-law and a birth mother? We’re all family. I’ve been blessed with enough love in this life-there’s no harm in sharing a little with her.” Gillian felt deeply touched. Helen had really changed-she had grown.
Of course, Sophie was moved by Helen’s words. When the couple returned that day, they first went to visit Helen, before being summoned by Jacob to the council hall.
News had arrived from Skywing Spire that the Westhaven envoys had reached Fawnrun City.
“There were already 200,000 troops stationed at Victory Pass and beyond,” Violet said. “Grand Princess Lisandra has taken the military command emblem and ordered the troops to retreat. They’ve been pulled back and there’s been no sign of an attack, so it seems Grand Princess Lisandra still has control. The question is whether she can regain full command of the army.”
Rafael and Sophie were aware of the troops’ movements toward the border city. The Sullivan family had already petitioned the court and were preparing the army for battle.
They had both anticipated this move during negotiations, as had
Salvador, which explained his anger toward Blake’s resignation. If broke out, the Sullivan faoulder strength at Victory Pass would be essential. It would be critical that no one undermined their position at such a time.
While they were discussing these matters, Hannah’s messenger arrived with a report.
Jessica had come seeking help from Skye Embroidery and had been incredibly arrogant about it. She even demanded the workshop be renamed Jessica’s Workshop, which infuriated Hannah.
Sophie furrowed her brow. “Why would she go to the workshop?”
Skye Embroidery had been advertised as a place for women who had been abandoned or cast out-those with nowhere to go and struggling to make a living.
Jessica should still be able to survive after her divorce. As far as Sophie knew, Jessica owned several properties and shops. Even after being cast out, she could continue living a comfortable life.
The maid from the Lloyd family explained, “She said she had nowhere else to go and insisted on staying. She even insulted Madam Hannah and claimed that since the workshop takes in divorced women, she qualifies. If she’s not allowed in, then the workshop is just pretending to help and is being hypocritical. Madam Hannah was so upset that she sent me to inform you and Ms. Spencer, Your Grace.”
The moment Violet heard that Hannah had been insulted, she couldn’t hold herself back.
“I’ll go,” she said immediately.
Davis often called his wife a “mother tigress”, but in truth, Hannah was a reasonable sort. It was difficult to handle someone like Jessica, who was being unreasonable for the sake of it. Now that she had been cast out and her life was in ruins, she was bound to lash out. Hannah still had to protect the reputation of the workshop, so she couldn’t just explode with anger and kick Jessica out. That was why she had been so upset. Sophie stood up. “I’ll go with you.”
Violet nodded. “Alright. Let’s have Jacob inform Prince Rafael about the situation there. I’ve already told him, and his people have likely gathered some details.” “Go ahead,” Jacob said, nodding in agreement.
The two women, along with the Lloyd family’s maid, made their way to Skye Embroidery. The front gate was firmly shut. The maid approached and knocked, announcing their identities. The door opened from the inside.
The main courtyard of Skye Embroidery wasn’t large. They didn’t usually receive guests, so there were only two rows of chairs and nothing else in the way of decoration.
The middle courtyard was bigger and had several looms set up. There was a partition screen on the left, separating a room filled with embroidery frames and silk threads. This was the embroidery workshop. Hannah had always preferred the idea of the women sitting together while working, exchanging ideas and talking. After all, they were all women who had suffered. It was best if they could become like a family.
Behind the main courtyard were the sleeping quarters, which weren’t divided into separate buildings. The rooms weren’t very large and were connected. However, there was enough space for a bed, some cabinets, and tables and chairs. There was also a sizable garden, originally used for drying and airing out fabrics after they had been washed. Since the workshop didn’t deal with dyeing fabrics, the space had been repurposed to grow vegetables and raise chickens. Currently, the workshop was empty. Hannah often came over when she had the time, bringing along two servants to tend the garden and clean up.
It wasn’t long after Hannah’s arrival that Jessica showed up. Now, the two women stood face-to-face in the main courtyard. Sophie and Violet had just entered when they heard Jessica’s familiar, brash voice.
“Why can’t I stay here? I already said from the start you’re all just pretending to do good deeds! That little wench Sophie isn’t so kind. She’s evil, ruined my mom’s life, and now she’s playing a good
Samaritan? If you don’t let me stay here, I’ll make sure everyone hears about this and trash you all in the streets!”
No wonder Hannah couldn’t handle it. Jessica was still spouting nonsense about Eleanor, a traitor and rebel Hannah couldn’t bear to hear such things, especially with the possibility of it spreading and dragging her husband into trouble.
Sophie stepped forward, her voice steady but sharp as she said, “Your mom? Who is she, exactly? Tell me how did someone so evil like me ruin your mom’s life?” Violet entered behind Sophie, her tone cold, adding, “I was wondering who it was. My heavens… It’s you, Jessica?”
Violet gasped in surprise as she took in the sight of the woman sitting across from Hannah.
Jessica’s hair was now streaked with gray at the temples, her eyes framed by deepening wrinkles. She wore a coarse, simple dress. Her hair, once styled with some care, was new loosely gathered and pinned with a plain wooden hairpin. The fuller face she once had now appeared gaunt and hollowed, her high cheekbones jutting out. There was no trace of makeup, and her skin looked dry and sallow.
Sophie was also stunned.
This was Jessica? How could she have fallen so low?
Just moments ago, Jessica had been brash and loud. However, the sight of Sophie and Violet instantly silenced her.
She clutched the hem of her dress, her chin raised slightly, unwilling to lower her head even in her fallen state. A pair of small, gilded butterfly earrings dangled from her ears. It was out of place with her shabby attire, as if it was all she had to maintain the last bit of dignity and respectability.
She had come alone, without even a maid in tow.
“Your Grace, Ms. Spencer, you’ve come at just the right time,” Hannah said.
Her face was livid, ashen with anger.
“I’ve dealt with my fair share of troublesome people, but I’ve never seen anyone cause this much of a scene! She wants to stay at the workshop and insists we change the name to her own. When I asked what she was cast out for, she refused to say a word.”
It wasn’t hard to understand why Hannah was furious. When the workshop was first established, she and Sophie laid down strict rules. Any woman cast out for committing evil deeds or harming others wasn’t to be accepted.
So, when Jessica arrived, she had to be questioned. But now, she was evasive, not saying a word, and yet still acting arrogant-how could Hannah not be enraged?
Sophie and Violet sat. Jessica saw their silk dresses and jewelry, which were just like what she wore when she was still royalty. Now, she wore coarse fabric and simple hairpins, looking old and poor. She didn’t even have any makeup on her face. The stark contrast made her angry and ashamed.
But she couldn’t avoid coming, and she dared not show her arrogance in front of Sophie. After all, Sophie was a government official, and Eleanor’s case was being handled by Rafael.
Sophie studied Jessica and said, “Jessica, do you really want to stay at the workshop? Do you understand that it’s not a place of luxury? You’ll have to work here.”
Jessica’s bravado wavered, but she still tried to maintain her pride.
“By virtue of age, you and Rafael should be talking to me more respectfully. But I won’t hold it against you. I’m here to stay at the workshop, but don’t think I’ve come begging! You said it’s a shelter for…” She paused, bitterness and resentment flashing in her eyes.
“For women who have been cast out. I’m sure you already know why I was divorced. You’ve heard all the details, perhaps even laughed behind my back about it. But matter what, if you say you’re offering shelter, you can’t just turn me away.”
“I’ve heard about your divorce, but we don’t know why you were cast out,” Sophie replied. “As for laughing behind your back, there’s no need for it. It’s not worth our time.” Jessica’s face turned crimson. “I don’t believe that for a second! You must be enjoying my misfortune!”
“Your bad luck is nothing to us. But you wanting to stay at the workshop? That concerns us. Why were you cast out? We need to know the full story,” Sophie said calmly.
Jessica clenched her teeth. “Isn’t it obvious? I couldn’t bear a son. Don’t you know? Everyone in the capital knows. They threw me out to bring in a younger wife. You helped that poor embroiderer and held a proper funeral for her, so why won’t you take me in? Why don’