Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Was this the end?
But he listened to Sophie and tried to swallow. It took so much effort, as he was too weak. His mouth was full of a bitter and metallic taste. He wanted to vomit, but couldn’t.
He seemed to hear his father’s voice telling him not to be afraid. Hearing how shaky his father sounded, Connor realized he might really die. He couldn’t help but apologize to Salvador internally for disappointing him again.
He felt so tired; his eyelids were too heavy to keep open.
“Your Highness… Connor, don’t fall asleep! Wake up!” Sophie cried, tears streaming down her face as she gripped his hand. “Open your eyes, look at your aunt. We are here. Your father and mother are here. Wake up!”
Salvador, his limbs numb with fear, sank to the ground, his gaze fixed upon Sebastian in horrified disbelief. His lips parted, but no words escaped.
Finally, he managed to choke out, “Healer Dalton… he…?”
Without lifting his gaze, Sebastian continued his work. After dressing the wound, he used Orchidstrike Needle Art. It was a technique he had mastered, specifically for treating internal bleeding.
Salvador saw Connor’s eyelids twitch. His heart, which had been in his throat, suddenly settled. But when he saw his son spit up blood, his heart pounded in fear again.
Outside, a hush had fallen over the gathered onlookers. No one dared move, each person rooted to the spot, anxiously awaiting the fate sealed within the confines of the screens.
From beyond the screens came the stifled sobs of many-the Quinton family, Ryan, Caden, and Kylie.
Sylvia held Cecil tightly to her chest, but an overwhelming sense of dread swept over her. She felt a sudden sense of panic, as if something was about to happen.
Initially, Caden had been sobbing in Grace’s arms. But now, he sat as though frozen, his body stiff and his eyes unfocused. It was as if his soul had departed, leaving only an empty shell behind. No matter how Grace caffed his name, he did not respond, his unblinking gaze fixed upon the partition screens.
“Why is he so cold?” Grace murmured, then quickly ordered servants to fetch a small hand warmer.
It was brought and placed in Caden’s arms, but he didn’t take it. He just remained blankly resting in his mother’s embrace.
“Do not fear, my dear,” Grace whispered softly, pressing her cheek to his. “Your elder brother will be fine. He will be alright.”
Caden did not respond, his eyes dull and distant.
Rafael, accompanied by Michael, soon arrived with news from the investigation. The cause of the horse’s madness had been quickly discovered.
A caltrop had been hidden beneath the saddle, and its sharp points embedded themselves into the horse’s back when Connor mounted. The sudden pain had startled the animal, causing it to rear and bolt in panic.
When Rafael Saw the caltrop, his brow furrowed with recognition. It had once been in Cecil’s possession, a small curiosity he had taken without permission. Rafael bol ne ordered it returned, but Cecilhad claimed it was lost. Rafael had ordered people to look for it, but it had never been found.
Rafael wasn’t the only one who had seen the caltrop before. The guards who were responsible for protecting the princes had seen it too. As they gazed upon it now, their eyes instinctively shifted to the small figure in Sylvia’s arms.
When Sylvia’s eyes landed on the caltrop, the blood in her veins froze. A violent shudder ran through her body, and she could not suppress the trembling that seized her.
Connor was transferred to a smaller palace within the royal gardens. It was impossible to return him to the main palace at the moment, with the only choice being to treat him nearby.
As for his condition, everyone could guess by looking at Sebastian’s face. It seemed like it wasn’t looking good.
Rafael had the room cleared of any unnecessary witnesses, though he did not yet report the findings of the investigation. There were still questions to be answered, and the search for answers continued.
All the concubines, as well as Kylie, returned to the main palace. The queen had initially refused to leave her son’s side, adamant in her decision to stay with him. But upon seeing Connor’s condition, she fainted once more. It was then that Salvador gave the order to have her escorted away.
Ryan had also resisted leaving. He wouldn’t abandon his friend, no matter the circumstances, and insisted on remaining at his side. Seeing the boy’s resolve, Rafael allowed him to stay.
Salvador remained in the royal gardens that evening, and Victoria arrived at dusk. The events that had transpired had obviously been reported to her. When she arrived, she took over from Sophie and personally stood guard for Connor.
When Victoria had first taken the eldest prince to Serenity Palace, it had been out of necessity, not affection. Her indifference towards him was not born of dislike, but rather from a need to curb the spoilt boy’s unruly behavior. At the time, her firm, authoritative manner had been the only way to bring him into line.
At first, Connor had not understood. He had resisted her corrections, not out of malice, but because he did not yet comprehend the need for change. But over time, as habits were corrected and discipline became routine, a shift had occurred within him.
However, the real change came when Victoria brought Ryan into the palace to serve as his study partner. Trevor was strict, and returning to Serenity Palace felt even more oppressive. But with Ryan as his companion, Connor felt much more at ease. Ryan was outstanding and had a positive influence on the prince, helping him improve more and more.
Now, looking at her grandson covered in needles, Victoria felt as if a knife were twisting in her heart, and she couldn’t stop her tears from falling.
A royal physician had prepared the medicine as Sebastian instructed, a potent concoction that, if ingested even in small quantities, might offer some relief. Yet, despite their best efforts, Connor showed no response. He could no longer swallow, his throat entirely unresponsive.
Sebastian remained silent, and no one dared to ask anything. They could only watch as he tried every possible method to save the eldest prince.
As long as Connor was still breathing, everyone held on to the slimmest thread of hope.
By midnight, his breathing was barely there. Sebastian had no choice but to use the Orchidstrike Needle Art technique once more. After the treatment, Connor could finally swallow a bit of medicine, though only with great difficulty.
Ivy, Rowan, and Sebastian’s other apprentices had also arrived. Sebastian instructed them to stand guard with the royal physicians. He then signaled for Victoria, Salvador, Rafael, and Sophie to step outside, leaving Ryan behind to remain at Connor’s side.
The dim light from the lamp failed to brighten the heavy silence that hung in the room. Sebastian frowned deeply as he assessed the prince’s critical injuries— each one severe.
Sophie was the first to ask, “How is Prince Connor?”
Victoria and Salvador both turned to Sebastian, their expressions equally grim.
Sebastian didn’t sugarcoat the truth, replying, “He is in a dire condition-very dire.”
At those words, the collective hope in the room crumbled. The weight of the statement was enough to send their hearts plummeting.
Choking up as he spoke, Sebastian continued, “The most life-threatening injury is internal organ damage and bleeding. Then et
Orchidstrike Needle Art technique is only slowing the bleeding, but his injuries are too severe. Even if he makes it through the night, he may not survive the next three days.
“Aside from internal injuries, he also has a head wound with internal bleeding, and both of his legs are almost completely shattered.
Sealing his acupoints has on net provided temporary pain relief. The moment I stop using the wn
Orchidstrike Needle Art technique, even if the internal bleeding doesn’t kill him, the pain from his crushed legs will.”
The weight of the boy’s suffering was unbearable. No one, least of all a child, should endure such pain. Even a seasoned martial artist might not survive such injuries, let alone someone so young.
Victoria covered her face with a handkerchief, tears streaming down.
This was cruel-letting Connor die in agony was unbearable.
Even Salvador couldn’t hold back his tears. His voice trembled as he asked, “Is there truly no way to save him?”
Salvador’s question hung heavy in the air, and for a long moment, Sebastian remained silent. His brow furrowed as he pondered, considering every possibility, weighing the odds.