Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Despite her difficult life, Zoey still had a kind heart. She continuously gave out food and medicine. Even though her whole family now lived in Skye Embroidery, she never asked for the money she had given away to be returned.
Furthermore, Zoey had shown great courage and moral integrity. She had publicly condemned her kin for the sake of the greater good-a rare quality that many men, even among the nobility, could not aspire to. Recognizing the need for such an example to inspire his people, Salvador immediately issued an edict praising Zoey. He granted her 100 gold coins and a residence.
As for the exiled men from the Prince family, they could return to the capital after the Southern Frontier won the battle, along with the Hell Monarch.
Zoey had turned an impossible situation around. Now, who would dare to underestimate women?
As for Oliver, there was no need for an investigation. An order was given for his execution he was to face the Torso Cleaving, a punishment in which the criminal is cleaved in two. Celeste, who had aided the rebels and caused great harm, was to face the same fate.
Salvador somewhat regretted his earlier decision to show leniency to the Kingsley family women. Had he not considered them victims, Celeste would have long been imprisoned and never allowed to cause such turmoil in the Southern Frontier. The remaining members of the family in the nunnery also remained a concern if there were still any with malicious intent hidden among them, they posed an ongoing threat. Though he did not speak directly of it, Salvador had given Galen a few brief instructions: when time permitted, Galen was to visit the nunnery and keep a watchful eye on the people there. It was a subtle order, more for monitoring than for any other purpose.
When Galen departed, Sophie understood Salvador’s intent. However, he had already made a clear promise before as long as Carmen and the others didn’t do anything excessive, they wouldn’t face any trouble.
Still, Sophie sent word to her associates, urging them to take care. She feared that in Celeste’s final moments, the bond of sisterhood might prompt some reckless act that could bring about more trouble. Meanwhile, Evelyn had learned of Oliver’s capture and his death sentence by Torso Cleaving. In her grief and fury, she railed against Viola and Zoey. She accused them of betrayal, and fell to the ground in a fit of tears. She couldn’t comprehend why one would betray a brother and the other a husband.
Evelyn caused an uproar, her grief and rage twisting her features as she struck Zoey and Viola sharply across the face. She demanded that they find a way to save Oliver.
Zoey had been kneeling on the floor, pleading for Evelyn to calm down. When she saw the situation getting worse, she got up. She went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and threw it on the ground. Then, she dragged all the other concubine-born daughters and Luna’s daughter to kneel beside her.
“If you wish to save him, then kill us to`sa all first,” Zoey declared, her voice shaking with emotion. “If we speak even a single word on his behalf, His Majesty will hold us all equally guilty. So, let us die together, as a family.”
Evelyn staggered back in horror, tears streaming down her face as she cried, “No, His Majesty could never be so cruel! It is you who are heartless and have betrayed him!”
Zoey picked up the knife and thrust it into Evelyn’s trembling hands. “If we are heartless, then avenge him. We are no longer worthy of life. Let us all go together and accompany him in death.”
Evelyn recoiled, her hand shaking as it touched the cold steel of the blade. A shudder ran through her, and her tears fell freely. “Is there truly no other way?”
Viola, still kneeling, sobbed uncontrollably. There is no other way, Mom. Qiver has committed a heinous crime. If His Majesty does not execute him, the hatred in his heart will never be quenched. The fact that we haven’t been
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condemned as well is a mercy. If you continue with this and His
Majesty hears of it, not a single one of us will be spared.”
Evelyn wept bitterly. “But it shouldn’t be you who betrayed him! How heartbroken must he be, being betrayed by his wife and sister? You are too cruel!”
“Are you saying that none of you are upset that he betrayed your family?”
Just then, Jessica arrived at Skye Embroidery. She had been watching from outside for a while and couldn’t help but walk in.
“When he fled with his concubine, did he think about you?” she sneered coldly. “Had it not been for the protection of others, your bodies would lie in a mass grave by now.”
Jessica stepped even closer and stood before Evelyn, her gaze hard.
“Listen here, you selfish old woman! Your daughter-in-law is still willing to show you respect and care for you. You should be thankful and quietly rejoice. Oliver has wronged her and cares nothing about your fate.
“These countless trials you have endured-Zoey has stood by your side, suffering alongside you and your entire family. Now, you dare to blame her? Have you ever thought about how heartbroken and hurt she also feels? You’re no different than your heartless son! Both of you are just bullying her.”
Jessica’s words hit Zoey hard, and tears streamed down her face in heavy drops. Her pain was clear for everyone to see.
Evelyn could see it too-whether she chose to care was another matter.
Evelyn slumped into the chair, staring blankly for a long moment before finally breaking down in loud, uncontrollable sobs.
After Evelyn finished crying, she didn’t say much. However, she stubbornly insisted on going to deliver Oliver his final meal. Her eyes were swollen and her voice was thick with congestion, nearly a rasp.
“I know the court allows family to see their loved ones before execution,” she said, her tone strained. “I don’t want anything else just this one thing. I need to see him and make sure he’s fed. I don’t want him to die hungry and become a vengeful spirit.’
Tears began to fall once more as she cast a tearful glance at Zoey. “You have children, too. You should understand what it means to be a mother. To the world, he may be seen as the greatest of villains. But to me, he will always be that helpless child that hasn’t changed.”
Zoey remained silent for a long moment, then finally said, “Mother, do you know how the final meeting is arranged? It is at the execution ground. Are you sure you want to see him getting decapitated?”
Evelyn trembled, her body shaking with emotion. “You must beg Lady Sophie. I will go to the prison to see him.”
Jessica let out a sharp laugh. “Is it really so simple? Just ask Sophie, and she’ll grant your request?” Zoey’s face was grim as she responded, “I can’t ask her. It doesn’t matter what Lady Sophie says. His Majesty has already ordered Oliver’s execution. The one overseeing the beheading won’t be her.” Through gritted teeth, Evelyn spat, “The execution ground… I will go. I cannot allow him to die with an empty stomach.”
“Mom, he won’t be hungry. The prison will prepare a lavish meal for him before the execution. They’ll even give him wine,” Viola said.
“It is not the same,” Evelyn insisted stubbornly.
Zoey fell silent.
Camila grabbed Jessica’s arm, gently pulling her toward the door. “Let them figure it out on their own. It’s fine as long as it doesn’t escalate any further.”
On the day of the execution, the sky was clear and bright, the air crisp and fresh. The heat of summer had passed, and the winds carried with them the unmistakable chill of autumn.
Since Augustus’ reign, there had been no executions by Torso Cleaving. So, when the two prisoners were sentenced to such a fate, the entire city flocked to witness the event. Many didn’t understand the difference between Torso Cleaving and beheading, but there were always those willing to explain.
The criminal would be severed at the waist, and they wouldn’t die immediately. Their eyes would still see and their mind would remain aware-aware enough to witness the horror of their body split in two. They would also feel every agonizing second of it. The pain and fear the criminal would experience in those final moments was unimaginable-a torment beyond words.
Zoey and Viola supported Evelyn as they blended in among the crowd, where the air was thick with gossip and speculation. Some spoke with excitement, their words laced with an unsettling thrill.
Embezzling military funds and deserting his post in battle-not only had Oliver betrayed his kingdom, but his actions also almost ruined the land the soldiers had fought so hard to reclaim.
His crime was seen as the most heinous in the kingdom.
Sophie was present with the Capital
Guard to maintain order today.
Meanwhile, Matthew was overseeing the execution. The criminal hadn’t been brought up yet, but ropes had already been set up around the execution platform to prevent the crowd from getting too close.
Once everything was arranged, Sophie caught sight of Evelyn and Zoey in the crowd.
Zoey stepped forward and addressed her, “Commander Devin, my mother-in-law wishes to send food to the criminal before the execution. May she do so?”
Sophie glanced at the frail old woman who could barely stand on her own, and replied, “It is allowed, but can she bear it?”
Evelyn took a deep breath and suddenly knelt before Sophie, sobbing. “Your Grace, he knows he was wrong! Please, I beg of you-help him! Please, Your Grace!”
Sophie frowned, then turned and walked away without a word.