Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“I doubt you could understand what it was like to be in Astral Prison, where death could come at any time. You couldn’t know the pain of watching your children dragged off to exile, it was unbearable… And yet, even in his final moments, he blamed me. I’m relieved that he never understood his wrongs. If he had, my hatred for him might have lessened, but I refuse to feel that way.”
As Zoey spoke, the tears fell freely, each drop an echo of the pain she had carried for so long. She was finally allowing herself to grieve.
Sophie stood up and handed her a handkerchief, saying softly, “It’s all behind you now. Things will get better from here on out.”
Zoey took the handkerchief, pressing it to her face as she allowed herself to cry freely.
As Sophie returned to the Capital Guard Headquarters the next morning, Heather intercepted her at the door.
It had been a long while since Sophie had last seen Heather. In fact, it seemed Heather had kept herself mostly secluded lately.
Since Harvey had been brought back to the capital, his son Lennon Sanford had not been captured, but Chester’s forces continued their search. It was almost certain that the boy would be caught soon enough. Heather, anxious that Lennon might be implicated and face the same brutal punishment of beheading, rushed Sophie for help.
Sophie knew Heather had already tried appealing to Leona when Harvey was first brought back. She had asked Leona to talk to Sophie on her behalf. Yet Leona had refused, and she never mentioned the matter to Sophie. Sophie only learned of this from Alana.
“Sophie!” Heather hurried toward her, her face frantic with worry. “I need to speak with you. Could we find a quiet place to talk?”
“I have matters to attend to. I don’t have time,” Sophie answered curtly,
Heather was desperate and quickly stepped into her path, her hands raised in a pleading gesture. “Just a few words, please! Save your cousin he’s innocent. He knew nothing of it. It’s all his dad’s doing. You have to help him.”
Sophie regarded Heather’s red-rimmed eyes, her thoughts drifting back to the time when Dominic had been detained in the capital. Heather hadn’t once gone to visit him, too scared to make any move that might bring trouble upon herself.
She couldn’t tell if her reluctance stemmed from a cold nature or from cowardice. Whatever the reason, Sophie had no intention of indulging Heather now.
Without a word, Sophie stepped around Heather and walked into the building, giving orders to the Capital Guard to clear the area.
Behind her, Heather’s sobs broke through. “Sophie, are you really so heartless? Don’t you remember how good I was to you when you were little?”
Sophie didn’t turn around, but Heather’s voice grew louder.
“Sophie, my sister loved me the most! If you stand by and do nothing, she’ll blame you for this.”
Sophie paused, then slowly turned around, her gaze cold and piercing. “So you still remember how kind my mother was to you, do you? But do you remember how Grandpa spoiled you too?”
Heather was immediately at a loss for words. “I…”
Sophie turned and walked inside, not paying any more attention to her.
Heather came for two more days, but stopped after that. In the capital, she hadn’t built any solid connections. Even if she had, with Harvey now labeled a traitor, who would dare associate with her? Moreover, with Harvey’s title as prince likely to be stripped away soon, her status as princess consort hung by a thread, ready to fall at any moment.
She could have sought help from her natal family. While Harvey was beyond saving, the Sullivan family still controlled Victory Pass. They could have approached Salvador on behalf of Lennon, seeking clemency for him. That much could have been arranged.
However, Heather suddenly realized the importance of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. She had been ungrateful to her dad in the past, so she didn’t dare write a letter to seek his help.
And so, she gave up.
She began selling off the assets in her estate and gathering whatever money she could, preparing to leave the capital when the opportunity arose.
The court had sent people to monitor Hartstone Estate, so Heather couldn’t sell any of the property. However, she was free to take her silver and gold, assuming she could leave the capital.
Before she could even plan how to leave the capital, the Supreme Court had sent people to arrest her. Salvador’s edict followed shortly after Harvey’s title was revoked, his name removed from the records, and his assets confiscated.
Leona, who had long since been ousted from her family, was unaffected by these events. She knew that appealing to Salvador.et now would be useless, not to mention dangerous for herself. It would also bring trouble to Sophie, so she chose to stay silent.
That evening, after Heather’s arrest, Gerald slipped into the Supreme Court under the cover of night. He requested to meet with Clifford alone.
Matthew didn’t dare make decisions on his own. The Quinton family was Salvador’s in-laws, and Malcolm had been impeached before. Salvador was clearly displeased with them and wary of their influence. Seeing Matthew in a difficult position, Gerald suggested, “Why not ask Lady Sophie to accompany me? That way, it wouldn’t be a private meeting.”
Matthew sent someone to notify Sophie.
Sophie had known this day would come. Without bothering to change out of her official attire, she mounted her horse and headed straight for the Supreme Court.
Gerald and Clifford met in the Supreme Court’s interrogation room. They sat across from each other, an old wooden table between them.
Sophie sat behind the scribe’s desk, not far from them. Even if they spoke in hushed tones, she could hear every word clearly.
The only sounds in the room were the quiet rustle of breath, the steady beat of hearts, and occasionally, the almost imperceptible sound of a sigh.
Yet, no words passed between them.
Neither of them exchanged even a fleeting glance. It was as if they were two strangers who were forced to sit together-distant, indifferent.
Sophie wondered if it was her presence that made things so strained, though she could not leave. All she could do was endure the awkward silence alongside them.
At last, Gerald asked, “Why?”
Gerald was truly baffled, struggling to reconcile the person before him with the image of someone he thought he knew. No matter how he looked at Clifford, he could not align the two.
Clifford clasped his hands together and shook his head. “Why bother asking? History is written by the victors.”
“Is there not always a reason for things?” Gerald asked, his voice hoarse with emotion.
Clifford paused to think before responding, “I’ve realized that the things I’ve always wanted to do in life are out of reach. Didn’t King Sigmund say it? I’m a rebellious person. I think my thoughts were never truly rebellious enough, so I resolved to do something truly reckless. Once that was done, nothing else seemed worth mentioning.”
Gerald’s eyes narrowed as he focused on him. “You led a rebellion this time. There are thousands dead, and countless more wounded. The stench of blood still hangs in the air. I don’t believe this is something you would do. When did you start valuing human life so cheaply?”
Clifford pursed his lips and remained silent. He looked completely numb.
“Clifford, you’re not like this,” Gerald said. “What is it that has led you to this point?”
“I am exactly like this,” Clifford replied, his tone tinged with bitterness. “The man you knew is nothing more than a facade you created for me. You blindly believed I was as you imagined me to be.”
Gerald stared at him for a long time, a bitter look creeping across his face. “We three were once such good friends.”
Clifford seemed to find the statement amusing, a genuine laugh escaping his lips. “You count a king as a friend? It seems the years have treated you well. Yes, a wise wife; obedient children, grandchildren aplenty-what more could you ask for in life? You have no regrets, do you?”
Gerald’s lips parted, as if struggling for words. “Clifford, we’re already at this age now. What’s the point of saying such things?”
Clifford’s expression darkened. “Our life’s purpose is for the family. Some things are beyond your understanding. There’s nothing more to say. Just go.”
“But no matter what, you cannot bring ruin to the people!” Gerald said, his face pale as death.