Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Sophie herself took a deep breath, pulling herself from her guilt-stricken thoughts. Lingering in remorse wouldn’t solve the problems at hand. The situation involved not just the academy but also the daughters of noble and official families. The academy owed their families a proper explanation.
Rosalind, the sole victim in this tragedy, hadn’t excused herself to rest. She remained seated with the others, determined to help devise a solution with everyone else.
Sophie’s initial plan had been to send the others home while she returned to her estate to consult with Jacob. She wanted his advice on how to navigate the fallout, and how to minimize the damage to the academy’s reputation.
However, everyone insisted on staying, partly to comfort Rosalind and partly to help in any way they could to quell the rumors that were bound to spread like wildfire.
There was no need to guess how deeply this incident had hurt Rosalind-everyone already knew. By tomorrow, she would likely be the target of endless gossip and cruel words.
No one would care about the truth-that she was a victim. The only thing people would discuss was that a man had laid hands on her, tarnishing her reputation beyond repair. Whether this world consumed people in general was debatable, but it undeniably devoured women. No one present would argue otherwise.
Rosalind said, “I didn’t think much at that moment. The crowd was in chaos, and the servants who should have acted hesitated. They were likely worried stepping in would bring trouble to their own fangilies. So they stood by and did nothing.
“With things as they were, I couldn’t let my students be dragged into this scandal. I’m the royal chancellor’s granddaughter. Besides, it was true l was assaulted. So, a few unkind words won’t hurt me. Please don’t look so grim.”
She tried to lighten the mood with a jest. “The way you’re all looking at me, I feel like I’m on my deathbed rather than just the subject of gossip.”
The room filled with tentative laughter, though the sound was tinged with sadness. The women’s smiles were thin, and the heartbreak in their gazes was unmistakable.
Sophie took it upon herself to escort Rosalind home, knowing she needed to report this matter personally to Trevor.
By the time they arrived at the Young family’s residence, Highstone Estate, word had already reached him. After he finished listening, he laughed heartily.
“My granddaughter is truly brave and resolute! She’s done well-exceptionally well!”
Sophie knew Trevor valued his reputation highly. She thought he would be furious and heartbroken over Rosalind being assaulted, so she planned to explain and apologize. However, he seemed so carefree, as if he didn’t take it seriously at all.
For a moment, Sophie almost believed him.
That was, until she noticed the subtle redness in his eyes as he looked at Rosalind. It was clear Trevor truly cared for his beloved granddaughter, and he wasn’t as indifferent as he appeared.
As Sophie rode back to Hell Monarch Estate, the murmurs of the townsfolk reached her ears. Small groups gathered on street corners and market stalls, their conversations buzzing with the shocking events at Gracewood Women’s Academy. The academy and Skye Embroidery had already drawn public attention-some admiring, some critical. But now, with a scandal of this magnitude, the entire city seemed to be in an uproar.
At the heart of it all was Rosalind, the royal chancellor’s granddaughter. The jewel of high society, a young woman of golden pedigree-dishonored by a brutish laborer.
Who would marry her now?
“She was foolish,” someone whispered. “She could have lived out her days as a sheltered noblewoman, but she chose to play teacher. Well, look where that got her! Her reputation is ruined forever.”
Sophie deliberately slowed her horse, listening intently as she passed by, hoping-desperately for someone to acknowledge Rosalind’s bravery, to speak of how she had shielded her students. But no such words came. Not a single voice praised her courage or sacrifice. Sophie’s heart sank under the weight of it all.
She had faced her share of trials since becoming the commander of the Mystic Army, including several assassination attempts. Not every mission had gone perfectly, and even Skye Embroidery had its own challenges. Yet, none of it had discouraged her. She believed that many things could be accomplished slowly, as long as she did her best.
However, this was different.
This time, her spirit felt crushed.
This disaster shouldn’t have happened.
Sophie had always been cautious. Why hadn’t she been more alert? Was it because Rafael had left the capital, and the pain of parting had clouded her mind? Had her emotions taken control, making her unable to anticipate the possible dangers?
Or, even if she had foreseen them, she hadn’t taken precautions.
She felt an overwhelming sense of self-blame.
After returning to the estate, Sophie sat alone in the conference hall for a long time before Jacob rushed in. He had gone to the Royal Citadel to inquire after hearing about the matter and hadn’t expected Sophie to be back so soon. Upon arriving at the estate, he found her sitting alone in the conference hall in silence.
He had never seen Sophie in such a dejected state. She was slumped in the chair, her legs crossed and her back hunched forward.
Jacob quickly stepped forward and said, “Your Grace, what matters now is finding the mastermind behind this. You mustn’t let this bring you down or blame yourself too much.”
Sophie rubbed her face with both hands. “Jacob, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I just need a moment to get myself together.”
With that, she planted her feet firmly on the ground, her back straightened once more, and her tone became businesslike.
“Now, let’s think this through. Who could be behind this?”
Jacob frowned. He didn’t have any ideas at the moment. “The tactics used are vile-dirty to the core. And the cover-up with the murder? I can’t immediately think of anyone who’d resort to something so extreme.”
“I agree,” Sophie said. “The methods.
are far too brutal. If this were about the workshop, I could list plenty of people with a motive. While the workshop may seem accepted by most t there are plenty who secretly dislike it and see it as a challenge to traditional values. But the academy?”
She shook her head.
“Gracewood Women’s Academy was founded under the queen dowager’s directive, and so many noble families and officials have sent their daughters there. Yes, Ms. Quinton was expelled, but could it really be them? Their family head isn’t foolish enough to pick a fight with so many influential households.
“If it was Madam Vera, a woman scheming this far just to set someone up and silence them, she would need help from capable people within the household. But the Quinton family’s fourth branch doesn’t have anyone like that.” Jacob sometimes greatly admired Sophie’s sharp mind. Even when her heart was in turmoil, she could still see the issue so clearly.
“Indeed, the likelihood of the Quinton family being involved is small.
vel
They’ve just established new family rules and are acting with great discretion, quietly gathering influence to support the eldest prince. They would never do something like this and offend so many noble families and officials. There’s no such thing as a perfect crime. If it were discovered, the Quinton family’s powerful position would no longer stand tall and unshaken.”
Sophie instinctively curled her legs, her expression slightly dazed.
“To be honest, I thought the Quinton family’s fourth branch might seek revenge, but I expected it to be nothing more than petty trouble-maybe Ms. Quinton would hire a few people to come and insult us. I never imagined it would get this serious.” “Indeed, most people wouldn’t dare touch the academy,” Jacob replied.
Victoria had long since stepped back from the affairs of court, but her keen interest in the Gracewood Women’s Academy was well-known. After all, it had been established under her direct instructions. “Could it be,” Sophie asked, “that this trouble stems from rivalries among the students’ families?”
Jacob sighed heavily. “If that’s the case, the possibilities are endless. But it’s not impossible.”
He elaborated, “Many households appear harmonious on the surface, but in reality, it’s just a facade. Especially in households with concubines-no matter how elevated their status, a concubine would always be subordinate to the main wife. Except, of course, when the husband’s favor tips the scales. In such cases, the rivalry between wife and concubine becomes intense, and all sorts of underhanded tactics are used.”
Sophie nodded thoughtfully.
Jacob continued, “Imagine a scenario where both the main wife and a favored concubine have daughters. The wife’s daughter secures a spot at the Gracewood Women’s Academy, but the concubine’s daughter does not perhaps because the academy limits its enrollment. The concubine might harbor enough resentment to tarnish the main wife’s daughter’s reputation, even if it means dragging others into the mud along with her.
“When someone’s worldview is small, they fail to grasp the broader consequences of their actions. To them, it might all seem justified and done discreetly enough to avoid detection. After all, they’ve already gone as far as silencing people permanently.” If that were the case, then the scope of the investigation would be too broad to cover.
Sophie rose from her chair and said, “We’ll start by having the Royal Citadel investigate that foreman. Find out who he’s been associating with and if he’s worked for any particular family. After that, we’ll decide what to do.