Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“Headaches?” Sophie’s brow furrowed. “I’ve never heard of His Majesty suffering from such an ailment.”
“They started this autumn, likely brought on by exposure to the cold wind,” Derek explained.
“I see…” Sophie nodded slowly before hesitantly asking, “Has His Majesty ever mentioned dreaming about my second brother?”
“He has,” Derek admitted with a quiet sigh. “Sometimes, he even calls out for General Nathan in his sleep. Since the rebellion was quelled, His Majesty has rarely visited the harem. He used to avoid idle chatter, but he now speaks of trivial things often.
“More than anything, he mentions General Nathan. The truth is, General Nathan was the only friend His Majesty ever had. When he died, His Majesty was deeply saddened.”
Sophie stood frozen for a moment, taken aback. So, the king truly thought of her brother as a friend. Derek continued, “Though the kingdom isn’t entirely at peace, victory is within reach, and the internal unrest has been settled. His Majesty is pleased, but this joy feels hollow-there’s no one to share it with. He is alone.
“The court is full of ministers who are his subordinates, not his equals. He can’t speak freely with them. But you’re different. You’re General Nathan’s sister. That’s why he seeks you out, to ease the loneliness in his heart.”
Sophie pondered for a moment.
If Salvador were just a man and not a king, wouldn’t he turn to his wife or concubines for comfort instead? But she said nothing. After all, she was only his subject.
Of course, Sophie couldn’t share her thoughts with Derek, so she simply thanked him and left. After that, Salvador continued the same routine of summoning her for idle conversation after court meetings. Sometimes, these sessions lasted an hour, and other times, they lasted two hours. Gradually, Sophie learned to take it in stride.
As his subject, if Salvador wanted her to act like a competent friend, she could oblige. Still, she couldn’t help but think about how these midday breaks, a time the king should have spent resting, were now wasted on trivial chatter.
During this period, Grace visited a few times to deliver soup. Sylvia also came by, as did Penelope and even Jeanette.
Since the royal study was off-limits to the concubines, these women couldn’t enter. Instead, they had to hand the soups to Derek, who would deliver them inside. However, if they brought along one of the princes or princesses, they were allowed to step into the study for a brief visit.
Perhaps because the concubines knew Sophie was often present, they always brought along a portion of soup for her as well. She would sometimes sip her share and wonder: If someone ever plotted to poison the king and the toxin was hidden in one of these soups, would she have to die alongside him? Today, Grace came, accompanied by Caden. Salvador allowed the mother and son into the study. Sophie had met Grace a few times while in the royal study. Her impression of the woman had always been favorable. Grace carried herself with quiet elegance, and Caden-young as he was-was well- mannered, a testament to his mom’s capable upbringing.
Salvador clearly had a soft spot for the boy. Whenever Caden visited, the king’s face would light up with genuine warmth.
Grace smiled as she directed the palace attendants to bring in the soup. Two bowls were placed on the table, one specifically for Sophie.
“I heard you coughing a bit the other day, Your Grace. So, I asked the cooks to prepare a bowl of honey and herb-infused broth this morning. It’s good for soothing the lungs and easing coughs,” Grace said warmly.
Sophie offered her thanks, “You’ve gone to so much trouble, Your Grace.”
“It was just a simple request to the cooks. It was no trouble at all. There’s no need to be so polite,” Grace replied with a warm smile, then gestured for Sophie to drink. “Go on now, drink it while it’s hot.”
“Alright.”
Sophie didn’t stand on ceremony. The soups in the palace were always lavishly prepared, and since her throat had indeed been bothering her these past few days, the soup seemed perfect.
Salvador took a sip of his own bowl, then stood and leaned closer to examine Sophie’s soup.
Seeing the pale yellow broth with its delicate fragrance, he smiled and complained, “Why is my soup so dark and bitter? Give me some of yours.”
Both Grace and Sophie froze for a moment.
Sophie was already drinking hers, straight from the small stew pot, no less. Since it contained barely more than a single serving, she didn’t bother pouring it into a bowl, figuring she would just drink it straight from the pot and be on her way
Salvador seemed completely unfazed and instructed, “Derek, bring a bowl. Pour some from Lady Sophie’s stew pot for me.”
Seeing Derek step forward, Sophie panicked and hastily gulped down the rest in one go.
Flipping the empty stew pot upside down, she grinned cheekily. “You can’t steal Lady Grace’s good intentions from me, Your Majesty. She made it just for me.”
Salvador burst out laughing. “You little rascal. Still as possessive as you were when you were a child. Fine. Grace, you’ll have to make me some tomorrow.”
Grace, who had briefly looked startled, quickly recovered with a smooth smile. “Of course, Your Majesty. But you should finish the broth you already started drinking. I made it myself-stewed game hen with valerian root and wormwood. It’s a little strong with a hint of bitterness, but it’s nourishing.”
“A hint of bitterness is still bitter,” Salvador said, glancing at Sophie with a mischievous look. “Here, pour some for Lady Sophie. I can’t finish all of this.””
Sophie’s expression nearly fell.
What was he doing? Why was he doing this?!
Just as the tension was about to become unbearable, Caden-hands folded behind his back like a little scholar chimed in solemnly, “Dad, you can’t share the soup you’ve already tasted with Aunt Sophie. It’s improper for men and women to share like that.”
The smile on Salvador’s face froze for the briefest moment before he recovered, laughing. “You’re right, son. Lady Sophie is married now. She’s an adult, yet I’m still treating her like the little girl she used to be. My mistake.”
He sat back down and looked at Sophie, a nostalgic smile on his face. “How time flies. You’ve grown up so quickly.”
Sophie noticed the meaningful glance Grace sent her way, and the fake smile she had been holding onto started to crack.
Bowing quickly, she said, “Your Majesty, I still have work to attend to. Please excuse me.”
As soon as Sophie left, Salvador’s smile vanished. He barely sipped his soup before dismissing Grace and Caden. Grace said nothing. She simply instructed the servants to clear the dishes, took Caden’s hand, and curtsied gracefully before taking her leave.
Once the hall was silent, Derek closed the door and turned toward the king. “Your Majesty, it’s not yet time for the next council meeting. Why don’t you rest for a short while?”
In the past, Salvador had always taken a brief respite during the noon hours. But ever since summoning Sophie for these conversations, he hadn’t rested at all.
Salvador massaged his temples and sighed. “Very well. My head’s starting to ache.”
“Should I summon the royal physician to examine you?” Derek offered.
“There’s no need. Those useless quacks at the Royal Medical Department have yet to cure a simple headache, though I’ve taken more than my share of their remedies.”
Salvador stood and made his way into the inner chamber, lying down fully clothed. The ache in his head only seemed to worsen.
Derek tucked the blankets around him, but Salvador suddenly opened his eyes, a faint daze in his expression.
“What’s wrong with me lately?”
“You’re simply burdened by concerns over the war, Your Majesty,” Derek reassured. “You’re mentally and physically exhausted. A period of rest will do you good.”
Salvador didn’t seem to hear him, lost in his own thoughts. “Has Sophie ever asked why I keep summoning her to speak with me?”
“She has, Your Majesty.”
–
Salvador’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Derek, his eyes narrowing slightly. “And what did you tell her?”