Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Kylie knew in her heart that she was spoiling her son, but she simply couldn’t help herself. Connor’s birth had given her enough confidence-she didn’t need to fight for anything. His future as the crown prince was assured.
Because of her deep affection for him, she naturally became more indulgent and lenient.
Salvador walked in without a word, sitting down without immediately addressing her. He had already learned that Kylie had not only refrained from punishing Connor, but comforted him instead.
Kylie slowly turned to face him. Her eyes flicked up nervously, her heart fluttering, but she knew she had to speak up for her son. “Your Majesty, it is my failure as a mother. I am at fault. I’ve already punished him.”
Salvador’s tone was calm. “How did you punish him?”
“I… I struck his palms,” she answered quietly.
He raised an eyebrow. “How many times?”
Kylie hesitated and averted her gaze. “Twenty times.”
A servant entered with coffee. Salvador slowly took the cup, sipping it thoughtfully. Still, he didn’t allow Kylie to rise. He simply asked, “Did he understand his mistake?”
Kylie was relieved he seemed to believe her and quickly responded, “He knows he was wrong. He said that the next time Ryan visits, he will apologize to him properly.” Salvador nodded slightly. “It seems the punishment worked, then.”
“Yes, of course.” Kylie breathed a sigh of relief. “He won’t dare make the same mistake again.”
Salvador fixed his gaze on her, setting the cup aside. “Since you say you’ll strike his palms twenty times, bring him to me once he finishes his kneeling at the royal chapel. Dwill personally ensure it’s done.”
Kylie’s face drained of color, and she looked up at him in shock. “Your Majesty, I’ve already punished him.”
Salvador’s voice remained steady, though there was an edge to it. “Think carefully before you respond If you didn’t actually strike him, and you say you did, then perhaps it’s best to send him to the queen dowager to be raised. So, did you punish him or not?”
Kylie’s voice trembled. “Your Majesty, twenty strikes to his palms could ruin his hands. He’s still so young. Surely, if he spoke out of turn, it can be forgiven… It’s not unforgivable.”
Kylie’s words incensed Salvador to the point of fury. With a swift motion, he swept the cup off the table, sending it crashing to the floor in a sharp clang that startled Kylie into silence.
She felt his reaction was somewhat excessive. “Your Majesty, it was just a careless remark from a child! It didn’t hurt Ryan. Why such an outburst over something so trivial?”
Salvador’s voice was cold as ice. “If you’d rather Connor remain a mere child with no responsibilities or expectations, I will gladly grant your wish.”
Kylie was stunned. “Your Majesty, you can’t say such things! If word of this gets out, I fear the ministers will take it to heart!”
Salvador sneered. “And what’s wrong with that? After all, you’ve made it clear you hold no great hopes for him. If he’s to be nothing more than a lazy prince begging for scraps from his younger brother, so be it.”
Kylie’s vision blurred, her mind reeling with the shock of his words. She nearly fainted, and a cold dread settled in her chest.
She had been living in the lap of luxury for so long that she had forgotten the dangers of wielding power. How could she expect to gain everything just because of her status?
With trembling hands, she pleaded, “Your Majesty, it’s all my fault. I failed as a mother. I’ve spoiled him and let him run wild. If he lacks the ability or temperament to fulfill his duties, I will never blame anyone but myself. From now on, I will oversee his education with greater care, ensuring he grows up to be compassionate and wise-“
Salvador cut her off sharply. “I don’t want to hear empty promises. You have one year. If, by the end of that time, he remains as reckless and ignorant as he is now, then he will no longer be worthy of my consideration.”
Kylie’s heart sank at the mention of a deadline, but she was relieved to hear there was still time. “Yes, Your Majesty. I know what to do.”
Salvador’s gaze remained cold and piercing. “Good. Tomorrow, have him come to see me. I want to see his palms for myself.”
Kylie’s stomach turned at the reminder of the twenty strikes to Cooner’s palms. Her heart ached for her son. From the moment he was born, he had been precious and pampered. How could he endure such punishment?
A surge of resentment toward Sophie and Ryan welled up within her. No matter how grand their ancestors’ accomplishments had been, Connor was still a child. To be struck over a few harsh words-wasn’t that going too far?
Meanwhile, Blake was still in the royal chapel, overseeing Connor’s punishment. He didn’t know the full details, only that today was supposed to be a day off. Ian had sent for him to bring Connor to the royal chapel and inform him of every battle fought by Hector.
The Duke of Northwatch, Hector Devin, was like a sacred being in Blake’s heart. He could recount every battle the elder man fought as if it were a treasured memory.
As he spoke, he suddenly collapsed and started crying, scaring Connor.
Outside, Derek listened to the sound of Blake’s weeping without showing any emotion. Regretful tears were the least useful of all.
When Connor returned to Everspring
Palace, Kylie’s face was cold as she issued a punishment. The twenty strikes to his palms were not to be softened in any way, especially since Connor was expected to see the king the next morning.
The harsh discipline of the ruler’s discipline left Connor’s hands raw and bleeding. Connor cried painfully, his face turning purple.
“I just said one wrong thing… Why is Dad so heartless? I’m his son! But Ryan is nothing-nothing at all!”
The servants in Everspring Palace also began to weep. Connor had grown up before their eyes, and his status was so high-how could the king bear to punish him so?
Kylie’s heart ached seeing her son in pain, but she couldn’t show it. She wiped away a tear in secret and ordered the royal physician to tend to Connor’s wounds. She knew she couldn’t display any softness.
Not everyone in Everspring Palace was loyal to her. If they were, Salvador wouldn’t have learned that she hadn’t struck Connor’s palms before this.
Not only did she have to hide her sympathy, but she also had to remain stern.
“You went to the royal chapel today with Deputy Commander Jaffe to hear about the Duke of Northwatch’s feats. After hearing all of that, howe can you still speak like this? It seems Deputy Commander Jaffe’s words went in one ear and out the other. After you pay your respects to your dad tomorrow, you will kneel at the royal chapel again.”
At the mention of having to kneel again tomorrow, Connor broke into another round of sobs. He cried for nearly half an hour before his wailing finally subsided.
That night, the Hell Monarch Estate was brightly lit.
Jacob personally recorded Salvador’s gifts, carefully cataloging and setting them aside. When Ryan returned to Northwatch Estate to inherit his title, Jacob would send the items there.
happened.
Sophie held Ryan’s hand as they strolled through the garden. After today’s events, she feared they might have left a lasting impact on Ryan’s spirit. She decided to take him out for a walk, hoping to ease his mind and inquire about his feelings and thoughts on what had
To her surprise, her worries were unnecessary. Ryan was calm as he looked up at her.
“What’s the big deal? It was just one comment. There’s no reason to be upset over it. The queen dowager and the king have been kind to me. They’ve given me so many gifts-shouldn’t that outweigh a single remark? Besides, Prince Connor is still young. Once he grows up, he’ll learn to respect others.”
Sophie playfully tapped his nose. “You clever thing! Saying Prince Connor is still young-how old are you, then?”
“Well, I’m at least a bit older than Connor,” he quickly reassured her.
Ryan was sensitive enough to notice that his aunt was worried about him. Even his uncle didn’t feel completely at ease-after all, Rafael was sneakily following right behind them.
In a relaxed tone, Ryan continued, “This is nothing. After you both left, the queen dowager told me that from now on, I must live each day happily and joyfully. Our ancestors and parents have borne all the burdens and misfortunes of the Devin family so that we can enjoy happiness. If we are happy, it is their happiness too.”