Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Kyle thought for a moment, then said, “Perhaps even then, he already had feelings for you. But after weighing his options, he chose the greatest advantage and let you go.”
He turned to Sophie, adding, “If he had insisted on bringing you into the palace back then, would you have agreed?”
Sophie shook her head without hesitation. “Impossible. I would have packed my things and gone straight back to Meadow Ridge.”
“Because you don’t want to enter the palace, or because you don’t like him?”
“Isn’t that obvious? I don’t want to enter the palace, and I don’t like him.”
Kyle’s eyes glinted with amusement. “But back then, you likely didn’t like Rafael either. So, why did you marry him without hesitation?”
His gaze turned teasing. “Or could it be that you already had feelings for Rafael at the time-only you didn’t realize it, or refused to admit it?”
Sophie rose to her feet and stepped out of the room on tiptoe, refusing to answer.
Who knew? Back then, she hadn’t thought much of it. She only knew she didn’t feel unwilling. In fact, there was even a hint of anticipation.
Violet steadied her as they walked back, grumbling in frustration. “Has the king lost his mind? Coming to the estate in the middle of the night-if word gets out, who knows what kind of gossip will spread?”
It was bad enough that Salvador had kept Sophie in the royal study for so long, already stirring up whispers. She had deliberately injured herself to avoid him, yet he had come straight to the estate anyway.
Even if he claimed he had come to see Kyle, no one would believe it.
Kyle was a commoner. If Salvador truly wished to see him, he could have summoned him to the palace. Why trouble himself to come in person in the dead of night?
“The way he looks at you…” Violet shuddered. “It makes my skin crawl. I can’t even describe it. It’s not the same as the way Yuvan used to leer at me, nor is it as gentle and natural as how Prince Rafael looks at you.”
“Let’s not talk about it. Just pretend it never happened,” said Sophie.
“If His Highness finds out, he’ll be very upset,” Violet added.
Sophie wanted to say she wouldn’t let Rafael find out, but after a moment’s thought, she realized there was no need to hide it, nor could she. The only thing that mattered was keeping it fromel net for now. Out on the battlefield, life and death hung in the balance. There was no need to burden him with such troubles.
Ever since Rafael had set out to lead the troops in pursuit, her heart had not known a moment’s peace. She wished she could be there at his side, fighting alongside him.
“I wonder when this war will finally end,” Sophie murmured.
At dawn, Jacob and Luke summoned the household staff to the front courtyard and ordered them to keep their mouths shut. Not a word of what had happened last night was to be spoken outside the estate, under pain of severe punishment.
The Hell Monarch’s household was strict, and normally, no one dared spread rumors about what went on within these walls. But the true danger lay in those with ulterion net motives, who might try to pry information from the servants. A little money could loosen any tongue.
And so, Jacob made sure to warn them first, making it clear that greed would only lead to their downfall.
As for Jacob, Sophie, and the others, they did their best to push the night’s events from their minds, treating it as nothing more than a fleeting nightmare.
Yet, within two or three days, half the court and harem had already heard about it.
The king leaving the palace at midnight was impossible to conceal. Someone was bound to have seen him, be it the Garrison Unit, the Capital Guard, or even the night patrol officers of the Royal Citadel. Even though Sophie and Anthony oversaw these forces, control did not mean absolute loyalty.
Especially within the Garrison Unit, where some officers were the sons of nobility. They had strength and ability, but family interests always came first. Of course, they would report back to their households, trying to make sense of Salvador’s late-night visit.
Just as Jacob feared, many people secretly tried to pry information from the servants of Hell Monarch Estate. Fortunately, they had been warned in advance, so no matter what was asked, they all claimed to know nothing.
But the tighter the people in the estate kept their lips sealed, the more fueled suspicion. This entire affair was far too unusual.
A king leaving the palace was nothing like stories depicted-where a ruler could simply disguise himself and slip into the streets with a handful of guards to observe the lives of his people.
Even when visiting the households of nobles for a joyous occasion, the king’s arrival would be announced well in advance. The host family would have time to make proper arrangements. Some even built new gardens or refurbished their homes, laying down soft carpets, planting fresh flowers, and preparing lavish feasts to welcome him.
For a king to leave the palace in the dead of night to privately visit a vassal’s estate, traveling by carriage and accompanied by only a small entourage, was utterly unthinkable. Especially when its master, the Hell Monarch, was away at the Southern Frontier.
And during this time, the Hell Monarch’s princess consort, Sophie, was recuperating at home. Previously, the king had frequently summoned her to the royal study under the guise of discussing state affairs. But had it truly been about matters of governance? It was impossible not to let one’s mind wander.
Yet in matters like these, blame rarely fell upon the man-let alone the king.
If Salvador had done anything improper, then surely, it was because he had been bewitched. It was no wonder that during all those nights spent alone with Sophie in the royal study, he had never once stepped foot into the harem.
No one dared to speak of such things openly, but behind closed doors, the whispers were endless. Naturally, the women in the harem had caught wind of the situation. Salvador might not have visited them in some time, but an event as significant as his secretive midnight departure could never be kept under wraps.
That day, during the morning gathering at Everspring Palace, Sylvia and Grace who normally refrained from reporting harem affairs-spoke in detail about the matter.
When they finished, Sylvia hesitated for a moment before cautiously adding, “Your Majesty, have you heard about His Majesty leaving the palace in the middle of the night? Please advise him to prioritize his safety and not give wrongdoers a chance to take advantage.’
The gathered concubines immediately knelt, echoing Sylvia’s plea.
Kylie took her cup and sipped the coffee slowly, allowing the warmth to settle her racing thoughts.
She had been searching for an excuse to question Salvador. Now that the concubines themselves had come to her with their concerns, it was only right for her, as the queen, to ask him directly-if only to put the hearts of the women in the harem at ease.
Kylie deliberately remained silent, watching as the tension in the hall grew. A few lower-ranked concubines had even begun to sob. Even so, the queen simply frowned and continued sipping her coffee. Finally, someone blurted out, “For His Majesty to visit Hell Monarch Estate in the dead of night when the Hell Monarch himself is at the Southern Frontier… Surely, this will stir up rumors.”
The cup landed sharply on the table.
Kylie’s expression darkened as she snapped, “Silence! There’s nothing going on between His Majesty and the Hell Monarch’s princess consort! Who dares to spread such slander?”
The room fell into an immediate hush.
Seizing the moment, Kylie pressed further, her voice sharp with indignation as she said, “Who has been gossiping behind closed doors? Is this what you whisper net about in secret? Outrageous! These accusations not only insult His Majesty’s wisdom but also tarnish Lady Sophie’s reputation.
“His Majesty visited Hell Monarch Estate to consult with Mr. Spencer on important state matters. If you doubt me, then go ask His Majesty yourself! But in Everspring Palace, I will not tolerate such reckless talk.”
With that, Kylie dismissed them all.
Sylvia and Grace exchanged glances, finally feeling somewhat reassured, Having spent years in the palace, they knew Kylie’s temperament well. No one car ne more about this matter than she did; she was merely looking for the right excuse to act.
That afternoon, Kylie took Lydia with her to the royal study to request an audience. Since the queen’s house arrest, she had not seen Salvador This was her first time formally seeking an audience after having been released.
Salvador had just finished drinking his medicine when he granted her entry.
Kylie stepped inside, curtseying properly as she apologetically said, “During my time in confinement, I have reflected on my mistakes. I will not make the same mistake again.”
Salvador knew she had visited Connor and had merely been reprimanded by Victoria, so this so-called reflection was nothing more than a formality.