Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
His face darkening with anger and grief, he turned to Sophie. “See to it! I want answers. No matter who is responsible, they will face the ultimate punishment!”
Rafael bowed. “I will investigate, Your Majesty.”
Salvador sighed. “You and Jeremiah must manage the court affairs. Over the next three days, I will stay herez with Connor. The arrangements for the funeral will be handled by the Royal Management Department and the Protocol Department. Let Derek oversee it.”
Salvador paused, his throat tight as he struggled to continue.
Finally, he managed to say, “You and Derek will prepare the coffin. If Connor survives these three days, place his garments and crown in the coffin. But if he does not…”
The sentence died in his throat, two tears falling in quick succession.
“Understood,” Rafael said softly, his own sorrow reflected in his eyes as he bowed his head.
Sophie left the room first, determined to find Ryan. He had refused to leave, staying close to Connor’s quarters. When she arrived, she found him peering through the curtain, his eyes swollen from crying, his face filled with fear and uncertainty.
“Ryan,” Sophie called gently as she moved to him, her arms enveloping him in a comforting embrace.
She stroked his back, murmuring softly, “Do not despair. Sebastian will do everything he can to save him.”
Ryan sobbed quietly in her arms, too afraid to cry aloud. Judging from Sebastian’s expression, which had never been so grim, he knew Connor’s condition was grave.
“Aunt Sophie, will he die?” Ryan whimpered, his voice shaking.
Sophie just patted his back and let out a heavy sigh, saying nothing.
The next morning, Rafael announced Connor’s death, leaving the entire court in shock and mourning.
“His Majesty is overcome with grief and has fallen ill. For the next few days, matters regarding the kingdom will be handled by myself and Mr. Murray. The arrangements for Prince Connor’s funeral will be overseen by the Royal Management Department and the Protocol Department,” Rafael said solemnly.
Malcolm staggered, barely keeping his balance. His eyes were bloodshot from a sleepless night. Even though he had mentally prepared himself, the news still hit him hard.
The news reached the inner palace at the same time. Since returning last night, Kylie had been wailing inconsolably, demanding to see Connor. Upon hearing the dreadful news, she fainted once more. Thankfully, a royal physician had been stationed at Everspring Palace and was able to revive her.
Once the queen was conscious again, her screams echoed throughout the entire area.
At Iridescent Palace, Grace felt a mix of relief and worry upon hearing the news. Relief-because her plan had finally succeeded, leaving no trace that could lead back to her or her son.
Worry-because ever since Caden returned from the royal garden yesterday, he hadn’t eaten or drunk a single drop of water. He seemed completely dazed, and was unresponsive to anyone calling him. His eyes were vacant as if he had lost himself.
A royal physician said Caden was in shock, and would recover gradually with some calming herbs. However, the calming medicine couldn’t be administered as Caden refused to open his mouth.
The older maids in the palace whispered that his soul had been frightened out of him and only a high priest’s blessing could call it back.
Grace had no faith in such superstitions. Besides, with Connor now gone, summoning a high priest to Iridescent Palace would surely raise suspicion.
Wouldn’t that be an admission of guilt in itself?
So, she dared not act. She could only wait and watch.
Next, there would undoubtedly be an investigation into Laurel Palace. Neither Sylvia nor Cecil would be able to escape their fate.
At Laurel Palace, Sylvia had not closed her eyes all night. Upon hearing the news of Connor’s death, her blood ran cold. Since returning from the royal gardens the previous day, she had felt a heavy sense of impending doom.
Sylvia had already questioned Cecil about the matter of the caltrop.
The young boy had confessed the caltrop was his, though he had no idea how it ended up beneath the saddle. Knowing the caltrop had injured the horse and caused Connor’s fall, Cecil wept bitterly, repeatedly saying it was his fault.
Sylvia had also asked if he had touched Connor’s horse before the event. He told her he had ridden every horse, including Connor’s.
At this point, Sylvia could no longer press her son for further details. She understood it was a trap that had been cleverly laid out. No matter how skilled the investigators were, all signs would point to her and Cecil.
Had it been another time, she might have been able to fight for her own innocence. But now, she had a past charge of conspiring against a royal heir, and there was also the matter of her open conflict with Kylie. She had even fallen out of favor with the king.
No one would believe her if she claimed to be innocent.
After being moved to Laurel Palace, many of her former confidants had been dismissed. The only one left by her side was Heidi, a maid she had never been particularly fond of Yet, after spending their days together in Laurel Palace, the clever and loyal Heidi had done everything to lift Sylvia’s spirits. Over time, a bond had formed between them.
Now, the maid knelt and wept. “Your Grace, let all the blame fall on me. I am but an orphan and the last of my family. I do not fear death.”
Sylvia gazed at her with a soft sigh. “Get up. This is not something you can bear. I have fallen into a trap; there is no way out. I am doomed to die, and can only hope that my death will protect Phoebe and Cecil.”
“Your Grace, I’ve heard that Lady Sophie has been called to investigate. Perhaps the truth can be uncovered. Please do not lose hope,” Heidi pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.
“It’s useless.” Sylvia pressed her hand to her forehead. She was draped in a white fox fur, but her appearance was one of weariness and despair. “Heidi, people may act, but the heavens watch. Retribution is inevitable. I have harmed others and spilled blood. There is no way to escape unscathed.”
Sylvia knew she was not a compassionate person, but the incident with Jeanette was the first time she had harmed a child. She regretted it, but what did it matter?
The deed was done. Regret was pointless.
Of course, Sylvia could wait for Sophie’s investigation. But based on the information Sylvia had, even if the investigation proceeded, it would only confirm that Cecil had placed the caltrop beneath the saddle.
Once everything was out in the open, she would have no way of protecting Cecil anymore.
Sitting in front of her vanity table, Sylvia suddenly recalled that the dress she had once asked her mother to order from Camila had been delivered. She had intended to wear it at the New Year’s Eve banquet.
The dress was a rich shade of sunset yellow, embroidered with delicate camellia flower blossoms. Charming and vivid, the hem of the skirt flowed in graceful waves, the brightness of its color giving it an air of both beauty and refinement.
Sylvia asked Heidi to bring the dress over and help her into it. She gazed into the mirror, entranced by her own reflection. While doing so, she noted that although she looked a little haggard, she remained as stunning as ever. Her skin was still pale and smooth, free from the slightest sign of age or fatigue.
Her slender, pale fingers traced the intricate embroidery as she murmured softly to herself, “Ms. Moore’s needlework is indeed extraordinary. This dress surpasses even the finest dress I own. How truly exquisite.”
Heidi knelt at her side with tears welling in her eyes. “Your Grace, I know what you intend, but you mustn’t. If you do, it will be as if you’re taking your own life out of guilt, leaving Prince Cecil forever accused of plotting against Prince Connor.”
Sylvia smiled arrogantly, though it carried a touch of coquettishness. “Who said I intend to end my life? A concubine who takes her own life would bring disgrace to her family. I have already failed in fulfilling my duty to my parents. How could I stain their name?”
Her fingers continued to stroke the intricate embroidery, her gaze firm. “I am innocent. I will not be driven to despair, but I shall protect my children at all costs. Let them conduct their investigation. Lady Sophie is swift in her work.”
Sylvia only needed to wait for the investigation’s results, which would undoubtedly point towards Laurel Palace and implicate both her and Cecil.
Hearing that Sylvia didn’t intend to end her own life, Heidi felt slightly relieved.
Sylvia picked up a pair of scissors and snipped off a stray thread. Afterward, she made her way to the outer hall, placing the scissors in a conspicuous spot.