Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Lydia smiled and said, “I had thought the Hell Monarch would catch the first prey, but it seems His Majesty’s strength has prevailed, and he secured the first prize.”
The others chimed in with praises and the mood lightened considerably, the atmosphere growing more relaxed as they enjoyed the moment.
However, many people understood that the first prey had to be claimed by the king before others could join in and make their own catches. Still, there was no denying that a wild boar was a noteworthy prize and the success was worth celebrating. Earlier rumors of Salvador’s illness seemed unfounded, as he appeared to be in perfect health now.
Though pleased by the news, Kylie couldn’t shake the worry that Connor still hadn’t returned. Her concern grew, and she sent someone to search for him once more.
Meanwhile, Sophie was patrolling the area, and she spotted Connor slipping under the fence. He had snuck back into the hunting grounds, and she caught him just as he tried to make his way past.
There were distinct boundaries in the forest, with danger lurking beyond the fences-poisonous snakes roamed the area, and it was much riskier out there. To rejoin the main group of hunters, Connor had to venture beyond the barriers where the real game could be found.
Grabbing him by the collar, Sophie scolded him sharply, “What are you doing sneaking in here alone? Where’s your guard? Didn’t they follow you?”
Connor, his eyes still red and swollen from crying, didn’t dare cry in front of Sophie. Instead, he lowered his head and answered, “They were chasing me, but
I ignored them. If I go back now, Mom will scold me.”
Sophie led him over to a large rock and sat him down beside her. “Then why not play with the other children? Why come back into the woods?”
Connor lowered his head, his voice barely audible as he muttered, “I wanted to ask Dad for another chance to try.”
Sophie studied him carefully. She could see the change in him-Victoria’s upbringing had softened his once spoiled and arrogant nature. However, his ability to handle pressure and his mental resilience were still lacking. Years of laziness had ingrained poor habits, and it was clear he struggled to adjust his mindset.
Her voice softened as she replied, “Why do you want to try again? Aren’t you afraid of failing again?”
“I am, but I want to try to overcome it.” He sniffed, clutching at the sleeve of his tunic as he fought back tears. “I don’t want to disappoint Grandmother and Dad…and I don’t want to be laughed at.”
Sophie sat beside him, her presence calm and reassuring. “That’s a good way to think. But this time, it doesn’t matter. If you fail, own up to it-admit that you didn’t try hard enough. Then apologize to your grandmother and your dad. After that, just focus on practicing with your uncle. You’re still young. Mistakes can be fixed. Keep working at it and you’ll see results, even if it takes time. Effort always pays off, one way or another.”
Connor looked up at her, a puzzled expression crossing his face. “Grandmother said the same thing.”
“Because it’s the truth,” Sophie replied simply.
He sat in silence for a moment, his mind wrestling with her words. Then, with a sigh, he muttered, “But right now, I’m worse than my second brother. If I try hard, he’ll try hard too, and I still won’t be able to beat him.”
Sophie shook her head gently. “You don’t need to compare yourself to anyone. Everyone is different. Just compare yourself to who you were yesterday. Trust in yourself. And when you feel like giving up, remind yourself to try just a little longer.”
Sophie wasn’t sure if he fully understood her words. She wasn’t one to soothe children with false comfort, but she knew Salvador had never given up on him, so she kept talking, hoping that something might stick.
She believed Salvador’s expectations were not too high. As long as Connor adjusted his attitude, everything else would fall into place.
After a while, Max finally arrived. Upon seeing Sophie and Connor together, he let out a sigh of relief.
“Commander Devin, we need to get Prince Connor back right away. Her Majesty is worried, and she’s already sent people looking for him. However, the attendants are too afraid to go into the fenced area, so they’ve been calling from the outside.” Connor clearly looked conflicted and didn’t want to go back.
“Your mom cares about you. She’ll be worried. You should return,” Sophie said gently.
Connor pouted. “She doesn’t really love me. She only scolds me. She’s a bad person.”
Sophie looked at him, somewhat surprised. Kylie doted on him—even spoiled him-so he should have been able to feel that love.
Now, after just a couple of scoldings, Kylie was suddenly the bad person?
However, as Sophie thought back to her time at the Pathfinders Guild, she understood. There, no matter how strict Everett was, no matter the punishments, she never dared to complain. But if Adrian scolded her even a little, she would sulk and feel as though he was a bad person.
Everett had once gleefully said to Adrian, “This is the result of overindulgence— too much pampering lowers one’s authority.”
It was true, but the difference was in the nature of the affection. Adrian, while loving, made sure Sophie learned when it was time to focus and trained her when it was time to practice. He was strict but fair.
Kylie’s affection for Connor, on the other hand…
Sophie reflected that Kylie must have endured great hardships in her youth. Now, as the queen, and with Connor being the king’s firstborn, Kylie probably didn’t want him to face the same struggles she had.
It was natural for parents to project their own childhood experiences onto their children.
Sophie comforted Connor a little longer before asking Max to take him back. Though he was reluctant, Connor didn’t dare defy his aunt’s request. With his head hung low, he followed Max, his steps slow and unwilling.
As she watched him go, Sophie couldn’t help but recall how domineering he had been when bullying Ryan. There had been a noticeable change in him. Victoria’s personal guidance had certainly made a difference.
Max escorted Connor back but didn’t mention to Kylie that the child had secretly entered the enclosure. Instead, he simply reported that Sophie had found him.
When Kylie saw Connor return, his clothes were dirtied and the hem was covered in cockleburs. She immediately rose and led him inside, instructing Lydia to help him change.
Though Kylie had been occupied with socializing, her mind had never fully left Connor. She had worried he might have caused trouble, or worse, gotten into danger. Now that he was safe, her heart finally eased. She couldn’t bear to scold him just yet.
Once he was changed, she exchanged a glance with Lydia. After a brief hesitation, Lydia went to bring him some water.
“Here, drink this, Your Highness,” Lydia said.
Thirsty from his run, Connor took the cup eagerly and drank it down in large gulps. Within moments of the wa his stomach began to ache. The pain intensified, soon accompanied by violent vomiting.
Kylie immediately sent for the royal physician, Dorian Judd, who examined Connor and asked about his symptoms. After a moment of consideration, he spoke.
“It seems he has eaten something that upset his stomach. What did he eat today? Are these symptoms recent?”
Connor was too preoccupied with pain and clutching his stomach. How could he answer?
“He mentioned having a slight stomachache when we set out this morning, but it wasn’t serious-just some weakness all over,” Lydia said. She thought for a moment and added, “Oh, right. He ate a few pieces of honey cake this morning. I made them yesterday, so maybe they went bad.”
Dorian rummaged through his medicine chest and took out a few pills. “Give him these for now. Later, we’ll prepare a medicinal soup for him to take in the evening. Witho or three days of rest, he should recover fully.”
“Thank you, Mr. Judd,” Lydia said, taking the medicine from him.
She quickly administered a pill to Connor, whose face had gone pale, drained of all color.
Dorian hesitated, as though he had something more to say, but Lydia had nodded and said, “I’ll see you out.”
With that, she discreetly slipped a gold coin into his sleeve.
Dorian let out a small sigh but didn’t protest. He returned the nod and left the room.
With the physician gone, the ladies of the court would surely be eager to check on Connor. Word had already spread that he had been feeling unwell that morning- weak, vomiting, and with stomach pain.