Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Instead, Lulu hurried over and hushed her with a finger to her lips. “Don’t shout. She worked up a sweat practicing and went to soak in the hot spring.”
“And you’re not attending to her?” Violet asked.
“She kicked me out,” Lulu muttered, clearly aggrieved.
Violet clicked her tongue. “Her injuries aren’t even fully healed and she’s already soaking in hot water? She acts like she’s made of iron.”
Shaking her head, she made her way toward the small hot spring.
Steam curled through the air, blurring the edges of the tranquil pool. Sophie reclined against a cushioned stone ledge, eyes closed, her body half-submerged in the warm water.
Violet crept forward on silent feet, snatching up a towel. With a grin, she spoke in a fawning tone, asking, “My lady, would you like this humble servant to scrub your back?”
Before Sophie could reply, Violet rolled up her sleeves and began scrubbing vigorously. “Let’s wash away all the bad luck-bad people, bad words, bad omens. None of it will stick to us.”
Sophie was still fuming when Violet’s playful comment broke through her anger, causing her to laugh. “Let go. Come down here and join me.”
Violet chuckled, giving a quick curtsey. “At your command, my lady.”
With a swift motion, she discarded her clothing and tossed it aside before slipping into the hot spring. The two women splashed water at each other in a playful, light-hearted manner before settling down, resting their chins on the soft cushions by the edge of the spring.
Violet spoke first, saying, “The queen is an idiot. Why bother with her? It’s not worth getting upset over.” “She’s acting like there’s something wrong with her. She definitely doesn’t seem like someone raised by the Quinton family.” Sophie paused for a moment, then added, “Well, I guess the Quinton family has more than its share of troublemakers.”
Violet nodded. “True. Malcolm kept a mistress, and who knows what to make of the whole thing with Gerald. At least Marjorie is a bit more normal-poor thing.”
Sophie folded her hands, resting her chin on her knuckles, her gaze distant. “Yeah. Vivi, do you know what it felt like hearing those words from Lydia?”
Violet tilted her head slightly, mimicking Sophie’s posture. “You were angry, of course. What else could you have felt?”
–
“Anger, yes, but more than that… disappointment,” Sophie said, rubbing her eyes as the steam from the hot spring swirled around them. “The queen may not actually want to find a secondary wife for Raf, but she’s probably using this excuse to force me to come to the palace. She knows exactly how to make a woman’s heart ache-like a knife right to the chest.”
Violet hadn’t given it much thought. But after hearing Sophie’s words, she couldn’t help but scoff. “What’s she playing at? She can’t seem to sit still for a moment. On one hand, she’s rewarding Ryan, and on the other, she’s threatening you. What does she think she’s going to gain from this?” Violet mused. Sophie also found it confusing. Kylie’s actions made no sense.
Was it to win her over? If that were the case, the queen wouldn’t have resorted to such vile tactics. Was it to punish her? Then, why not just directly send a secondary wife to the estate? As the queen, she could do it if she truly wanted to. No one would question her motives, and she could claim it was for the sake of Rafael’s lineage.
Sophie thought long and hard but could only come to one conclusion-Kylie was using this as leverage. But to what end? Perhaps Kylie had already learned about Salvador’s condition and was trying to force Sophie to help Connor?
Whatever the queen’s reasoning, Sophie knew one thing for certain: she would not enter the palace. If Salvador’s illness were to be made public, it would undoubtedly cause a great uproar, and the previous kings’ concubines would each have their own plans. This turbulent situation would be best avoided if possible.
At Everspring Palace, Lydia reported what had happened. Upon hearing it, Kylie was so enraged that her face twisted with fury.
“She really said that?”
Lydia nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty. As soon as I finished speaking, she flew into a rage. I was startled by how suddenly she snapped.”
Kylie sneered. “So, Sophie thinks so highly of herself?”
“Your Majesty, now that there’s a misunderstanding, what should we do? Lady Sophie likely thinks you truly intend to send someone to Prince Rafael’s household. Perhaps I should go and explain things net tomorrow, then invite her to the palace?” Lydia suggested carefully.
Kylie’s eyes narrowed as she coldly said, “I was acting out of good intentions for Rafael’s lineage. That’s why I suggested he take a she secondary wife and possibly a concubine. If she’s against it, should come to the palace and speak with me. I wouldn’t have forced her. But how dare she lash out at you like that? How can someone so jealous be fit to be a royal woman?
“Go ahead and spread word about what happened. Let’s see if she still has any shame.” Stunned, Lydia quickly said, “Your Majesty, this will surely sour your relationship with Lady Sophie.” “So what? I’m the queen. Do you think I’m afraid to make an enemy of her?” Kylie responded coldly. Lydia was concerned. The Quinton family was no longer supportive of Kylie, and openly offending the Hell Monarch’s princess consort would not be wise, especially for Connor’s sake.
“In the end, you’re both still family, Your Majesty. There’s no need to make things so ugly. I’ll go tomorrow and speak plainly. If she agrees to come to the palace, the misunderstanding can be cleared up,” said Lydia, trying to reason with the queen.
Kylie waved her hand dismissively. “No need for more words. If I say you should go, you go.”
She paused, a calculating look crossing her face. “I’ve heard that the Earl of Southstead has a daughtermamed Janelle Xavier.
unmarried. Tell the world that
She’s over twenty and still intended to have her be Rafael’s secondary wife, but Sophie refused.”
Lydia hesitated for a moment before saying, “But if we spread word of this, Lady Xavier’s reputation will be ruined, and the other young ladies of the Earl of Southstead’s family will suffer as well.”
Kylie’s eyes gleamed coldly. “She’s just the daughter of a concubine with an inflated sense of her own worth. She looks down on everyone, likely dreaming of a marriage that’s beyond her reach. A girl so lofty in her ambitions deserves what she gets.
“Besides, I’ve heard she has a fiery temper and is unafraid of anyone. It would be best if she went and caused a scene with Sophie. Let people see the spectacle, and soon, no one will be talking about His Majesty anymore.”
Lydia fell silent, unsure of how to respond.
“Now, when I say something, you resist at every turn. You constantly find fault. Tell me, how do you suggest we put an end to this uproar? Should we allow His Majesty to remain in the public eye, constantly criticized and ridiculed?” Kylie snapped, her patience running out.
Lydia wanted to argue that even if Janelle went to cause a scene, her antics wouldn’t help silence the rumors surrounding Salvador. It would simply be treated as a trivial matter-a young woman causing a fuss would hardly be capable of quelling a political storm.
But seeing Kylie’s anger flare, Lydia held her tongue and obediently left to carry out her orders. With the year drawing to a close, the social season was in full swing, and people were exchanging news at a rapid pace.
Soon, it became common knowledge that Kylie had intended to have Janelle become the Hell Monarch’s secondary wife, only for his princess consort to reject the proposal.
Janelle was the daughter of the Earl of Southstead. Though she was born to a concubine, she was the favored child of the matriarch of the family. From a young age, she excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and even horsemanship and archery.
However, her temperament was as fiery as they came.
When Janelle came of age at 15, matchmakers began visiting. However, she refused every proposal, no matter how suitable the family or the match. Over time, the matchmakers began to speak of her with thinly veiled sarcasm. However, Janelle was not one to uphold the delicate demeanor expected of a noble lady. She would berate the matchmakers without hesitation.
It wasn’t just the matchmakers she offended. She had a habit of criticizing older relatives who spoke ill of her, and didn’t hesitate to scold them as well.
Her blunt, outspoken nature had earned her a reputation. As a result, she was seldom invited to noble gatherings in the capital, for fear of her sharp tongue causing embarrassment.
Her temperament had earned her many enemies, and there was no shortage of gossip about her. Most often, people said she aimed too high, looking down on families of lesser status. Some even claimed she aspired to enter the palace as a concubine. They mocked her behind her back, saying the palace had no place for someone so unruly.
Such a temperament would normally earn her the disdain of most in her household, yet both the matriarch and the Earl of Southstead were particularly fond of her.
The reason was simple enough-Janelle was sharp and capable.
She handled the family’s business affairs and managed the household with ease. Her stepmother, the lady of the household, was often ill. Thus, Janelle took charge of both the external business dealings and the inner workings of the estate. Though many of her relatives disapproved of her fiery nature, they had no choice but to rely on her.
Despite holding a noble title, the Earl of Southstead’s family maintained a low profile among the capital’s aristocratic circles. Not a single member of the family held an official position in court. Instead, they quietly amassed wealth.
Even with their lack of political influence, their noble status ensured that no one dared to slight them. However, they were rarely the talk of the town, only receiving invitations during weddings or funerals.