Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Salvador was clearly concerned for Rafael, yet the words that came out carried a hint of bitterness. “After this battle, I fear all the officials and generals in court will bow to you. The people are with you, and their hopes rest in you. Your risky venture onto the battlefield-going in alone, fighting fiercely-it worked.” Then, he added with a smile, “Of course, I am proud of you too.”
At this, Rafael’s eyes dimmed, the spark in them fading as if something had frozen inside him.
“Tell me more about the battle,” Salvador said, sighing softly. He knew he had messed up again, so he changed the topic.
Rafael recounted the battle quickly, his earlier excitement gone. He finished speaking in a matter of moments, his thoughts elsewhere. “I miss my wife. I wish to return home soon.”
Salvador studied him, letting out a small sigh. “When I said I was proud of you, I meant it, from the heart.”
“I know,” Rafael replied. His voice was steady, but there was something sharp in it—a mixture of gratitude, resentment, and unspoken emotions.
Some things had been bottled up inside for too long. Rafael wanted to speak his mind, but as he lifted his gaze, he saw Salvador’s face had taken on a sickly yellow hue, paler than before. A suspicion stirred in him. He had asked earlier, but Salvador hadn’t answered.
Now, it was too late to ask again.
As Rafael left the royal study, his steps quickened, the heavy emotions of the previous moments forgotten in an instant. Excitement surged within him once more.
He was almost certain that Sophie would be waiting for him at the palace gates.
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Sure enough, as he hurried out, he spotted a familiar figure standing just beyond the gates, craning here neck in search of him. When her eyes met his, her gaze instantly softened, and her eyes welled with tears. ,
A warmth spread through Rafael’s chest, his own throat tightening with emotion. He moved swiftly toward her, ignoring the guards at the gates, and pulled her into his arms with all the strength he had.
Sophie wasn’t one to cry easily, but she had already shed her tears earlier.
As Rafael and his men entered the city, she had been lost in the crowd, unable to reach him. But she had seen him, thin and weathered, his lips cracked and bleeding.
Now holding her, she felt his waist had become slimmer, a sign of hunger. The thought of it brought tears to his eyes, and soon, the sobs began to escape her.
She sobbed softly, her body shaking against him. Rafael held her tighter, as if trying to pull her inside him, to keep her close and never letting go.
“I’m fine. I’m safe now.” His voice was hoarse.
He had been hurt at Atamore Mountain and had caught a cold that lingered for days. Though he had recovered, his voice would never be the same.
“Home,” Sophie whispered, her arms loosening from around him, her breath still unsteady. “Everyone’s waiting for you.”
They gazed at each other for a moment, drinking in the sight of each other as though they could never look enough.
Her eyes spoke of longing, of pain, and the unshed tears lingered just beneath the surface, as if they could fall at any moment. Rafael’s heart clenched, his throat tight with emotion.
The true danger of the battle had never been the Sandoria forces-it was the harsh, unforgiving environment that had tested his body and spirit.
After he was injured and then fell ill, the army physician feared it might be typhoid fever. The others whispered in private that he might not survive, but he couldn’t allow himself to think that way-not for a second.
He couldn’t bear to think of how devastated Sophie would be if he didn’t make it back. Fortunately, he made it through. He was home.
Safe, at last.
As they arrived at the gates of Hell Monarch Estate, the crack of Flamepetals filled the air, and the household rushed out to greet Rafael. Everyone surrounded him in a joyous embrace as he made his way inside.
Even Frederick and Holly from Northwatch Estate had come, and Ryan had been brought out from the palace to join the celebration.
Rafael hoisted Ryan up into his arms and lifted him onto his shoulders, then strode into the main hall with a commanding presence. Ryan was absolutely delighted, his hands resting on Rafael’s forehead as his smile stretched all the way to his ears. His eyes sparkled with admiration for his uncle.
Once they reached the main hall, Rafael gently set Ryan down, asking about his studies. He learned that Ryan had been serving as Connor’s study partner in the palace, earning praise from both Victoria and Trevor. Rafael gave an approving nod, lifting his thumb in praise of the boy’s diligence.
Ryan glanced shyly at Sophie, though his joy was plain in the sparkle of his eyes.
Sophie’s face lit up with a smile, but the tears that lingered at the edges of her eyes betrayed the emotion she was holding back.
Helen had been waiting for her son to come and offer his greetings, but she could not wait any longer. She hurried out to meet him, and when she saw how much weight he had lost, her heart clenched in sorrow.
The table was laid with an abundance of food, but Helen did not sit with them. She insisted that they enjoy their meal, allowing them to talk freely and enjoy themselves.
Though famished, Rafael ate sparingly. He chose only light fares that were placed further from him. He tried a few morsels from the meat dishes Sophie had arranged for him, but he only nibbled a small amount before pushing the plate aside. Several times, he clutched at his stomach, as though in discomfort.
Sophie noticed at once. Her eyes welled with tears, and she swiftly turned to send someone to fetch Sebastian.
The others had caught on as well, their concern evident in their expressions.
Rafael set his cutlery down, then took Sophie’s hand in his with a smile.
“It’s nothing serious,” he reassured her, his voice soft. “There’s no need to trouble Sebastian. It’s just my stomach. I’ll recover with time.”
“Let him check your condition,” Jacob suggested. “It’ll put everyone’s mind at ease.”
Violet raised an eyebrow. “Did you ruin your stomach in Atamore Mountain? With nothing to eat or drink, did you end up gnawing on tree bark or snow?”
Rafael gave a lighthearted shrug. “There was food, though it was scarce. But there was always some dried meat from the grasslands tribes. Every meal, I had a few pieces to fill my belly. And I could always make a fire for water, so we never had to eat snow.”
His words were not entirely untrue, though they omitted the worst of it.
How could there be enough dried meat for several pieces in one meal? Sometimes, they would only get a small piece for the whole day, tearing off tiny bits to make it last.
Before reaching Mount Chimera, there had been times they had resorted to eating snow. The thick fog of Mount Whitemist made it difficult to light a fire without revealing their position. It wasn’t until they reached the peak of Mount Chimera that they could make a fire for water. Even then, it was in short supply.
Sophie knew the reality was far worse than Rafael let on. He was only masking the true hardships. Her grip on his hand tightened, her heart sinking with sorrow.
Sebastian and Rowan arrived together. Rowan’s medicine chest was so large it bent his back with its weight.
Rafael rose to greet them, but when Sebastian looked at him and saw the gauntness of his face, he sighed deeply. “It’s just good that you’ve returned safely. Sit down, I’ll check on you.”
“It’s nothing serious,” Rafael reassured him.
“Let me see your hand,” Sebastian replied, his voice firm.
Rowan quickly unstrapped his medicine chest and took out a mat, and Rafael reluctantly placed his hand upon it. As Sebastian checked his vital signs, he asked about his condition.
Rafael kept it brief, mentioning only a slight discomfort in his stomach and no other symptoms.