Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
A blush crept over Rosalind’s fair face, and she fiddled nervously with her handkerchief. “He’s good… wonderful, even.”
“On your wedding night, didn’t you worry your face might turn frightful with pain?” Sophie teased. Rosalind was immediately flustered. “Your Grace!”
Sophie laughed softly. Most newlyweds worried about whether their husband would treat them well or how difficult married life might be. But Rosalind had been worried about whether the pain on her wedding night would make her face turn frightful.
Rosalind stomped her foot in mock frustration. Thinking back, she regretted it deeply. She shouldn’t have asked that or worried so much for nothing. Now she had only made herself the subject of Sophie’s teasing.
As they shared a lighthearted moment, Lulu entered, bringing word that Zoey, along with Luna and Viola, had arrived.
Sophie was a bit surprised. “Viola is also here?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Upon hearing this, Rosalind quickly moved to stand. “I should take my leave now, Your Grace. Please take good care of yourself.”
Sophie nodded. “Of course. Lulu, please see her out.”
Lulu added, “Mrs. Farrell, Mr. Kyle asked you to come to the study. He’s compiling teaching materials and wishes to discuss them with you.”
Rosalind rose to her feet. “Very well, I’ll go immediately.”
As Lulu led her out, they met Zoey and the others as they entered.
Lulu frowned slightly and glanced at
Joy, who clearly hadn’t thought too much about it and simply brought Zoey and her group in since everyone knew each other. Now that the two sides had met, Joy finally remembered the history between them. Thinking of Viola’s past behavior, a hint of concern crept into her expression.
Fortunately, Rosalind remained gracious and composed.
She smiled as she approached them. “Ms. Stark, Mrs. Prince, Ms. Prince, it’s lovely to see you all.”
Smiling warmly, Zoey quickly responded, “It’s lovely to see you too, Mrs. Farrell. We’ve been meaning to come earlier, but we didn’t want to disturb Lady Sophie’s recovery We thought it best to wait until she was feeling better.”
Luna also greeted Rosalind with a respectful nod.
On the other hand, Viola surveyed Rosalind with a cool eye. Unable to bring herself to address her as
Mrs. Farrell, she simply nodded and smiled stiffly.
Rosalind nodded and said, “Then, I won’t keep you any longer. Farewell.”
“Safe travels!” Zoey smiled as she bid her goodbye.
Once Rosalind left, Zoey glanced at Viola. She noticed the light had completely drained from her sister-in- law’s eyes, leaving behind a shadow of regret. Zoey understood immediately-Viola was lamenting the past again.
“There’s no use in dwelling on things that have already passed. Let’s go inside.”
Viola had summoned all her courage to come and visit Sophie, to whom she owed an apology and a thank you. Though she said she was accompanying Zoey and Luna today, she was actually here to face the past.
She had told herself she was ready, but all her resolve seemed to shatter when she saw Rosalind.
It felt as if something had struck her hard in the chest. Her mind went blank, and that forced smile she had tried to wear now felt like a mask she was afraid would crack. She was terrified she might break down in front of them.
As Viola followed her sisters-in-law into the side hall, her eyes were already brimming with unshed tears. Sophie glanced up at her, then smiled and invited all of them to sit as refreshments were brought in. Noticing Sophie’s leg was wrapped tightly in bandages, Zoey’s concern grew. “Is it serious? It must hurt terribly since it’s a severe injury, right?”
Sophie could tell that Zoey genuinely cared.
She laughed off her concern with a casual wave of her hand. “It’s just a small injury, nothing to worry about. Doesn’t hurt at all.”
“How could it not hurt?” Zoey pressed. “I heard you broke your bones. How long will it take to heal? Will it affect your walking in the future?”
“No, it won’t,” Sophie reassured her with a slight raise of her leg, as though to prove her point. “It’s really nothing. Compared to the injuries I’ve sustained on the battlefield, this is just a scratch.”
Zoey looked at her with genuine sympathy. “You’ve also taken quite a few hits on the battlefield, haven’t you?”
“It’s only natural for it to happen sometimes. I’ve healed from those,” Sophie said with a soft smile. Standing nearby, Luna added, “This time, it was all thanks to you, Your Grace. If not for you, we don’t know how much more the people would have suffered.”
“It was only my duty,” Sophie replied modestly. She then shifted the conversation and asked, “His Majesty has granted you a residence. When do you plan to move in?”
“In a few days. We didn’t plan on moving at first, but it’s a royal gift, so we can’t refuse it,” Zoey answered. “Yes, it’s His Majesty’s kindness. You should accept it,” Sophie agreed.
The Prince family’s situation was still somewhat delicate at present. They couldn’t simply do as they pleased, especially since the money they had gotten from selling family assets was still not available for use just yet.
Zoey subtly gestured to Viola several times, and she finally stepped forward to bow.
“While I was in Astral Prison, I was truly grateful to you for sending the physician and medicine. Without that, I fear I wouldn’t have survived. Please accept my deepest thanks, Your Grace.”
She paused, taking a breath before continuing, “And also, I know I have done some foolish things in the past. I ask for your forgiveness.”
Sophie didn’t stop her. She accepted the bow with grace and replied, “Please have a seat, Ms. Prince.”
Viola thanked Sophie and sat down, breathing a sigh of relief. She found that expressing her gratitude and apology wasn’t as hard as she had imagined. Sometimes when she looked back, she realized how unnecessary her past actions had been.
What was the point of all those comparisons?
Viola had thought that Blake cared for her during their marriage. But after reflecting, she realized it had never really been about her. Though she had gotten caught up in her own assumptions and expectations, the issues in their marriage were mostly due to Blake’s own flaws and mistakes.
In the end, it was his fault.
Now that Viola could face everything calmly, she realized that perhaps she had never had much affection for Blake in the first place. But when she thought of Thomas, a sharp pain stabbed at her heart.
Perhaps it was love, or perhaps guilt-she wasn’t sure which.
Earlier, she had seen how Rosalind’s face was rosy and glowed with happiness. With that, Viola knew the other woman was happy now.
Though Thomas didn’t understand romance or sweet words, he treated others with such kindness and devotion. Unfortunately, Viola had thought that as the third daughter of the Earl of Silverstone’s family, it had been beneath her to marry him. She had always hoped he would flatter and pamper her with words of affection.
However, Thomas wasn’t skilled in such things, and had never been able to speak such sweet words. Because of that, Viola started entertaining all sorts of thoughts that led to her actions back then.
Now, everything was irreversible.
After all the expected visitors have returned, Sophie could finally rest and focus on her recovery. Robert still made occasional visits, bringing medicines for healing and scar treatment. Jacob would always be by her side. He would thank Robert each time and ask him to pass on their gratitude. On this particular day, Robert arrived with Derek. Seeing an opportunity, Jacob decided to take Robert aside to discuss the treatment for the scars, giving Sophie the chance to speak privately with Derek. Sophie gestured to a seat across from her, inviting Derek to sit. “Was it His Majesty who sent you?” Derek settled down, and then cast a glance at the guards standing just outside the door. “It was His Majesty who sent me, though I had planned to come anyway. How is your injury, Your Grace? Have you been feeling better?”