Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Though her confidence visibly wavered, she still managed to say, “Your Grace, those are two separate matters.”
“True. But the assassination of a prince can often be built on two, three, or even countless other events,” Sophie responded.
Grace shot to her feet, her voice laced with anger as she snapped, “What are you implying, Your Grace? Are you suspecting me?”
Sophie shook her head slightly, her expression calm. “Don’t be hasty, Lady Grace. I am simply investigating and making logical deductions. I have reason to suspect everyone, but I won’t falsely accuse the innocent.”
With that, Sophie took her leave. As she turned, her gaze briefly flickered to Lyra, whose face was completely drained of color. She was even trembling.
By the time they arrived at Laurel Palace, the sky had darkened.
Laurel Palace stood in an isolated corner of the palace district, separated from the Cold Palace by only a single wall. The bitter wind howled through the trees, its wailing like the cries of restless spirits.
As Sophie led Victoria’s head chamberlain, Keith, along the narrow path, she took note of the wild grass lining the way. Most of it was dry and brittle, with only the occasional pale green shoot clinging to life. Winter in the north was unforgiving. It allowed no sign of growth, just as the abandoned Cold Palace permitted no trace of hope.
Ordinarily, Keith did not accompany Sophie on visits to the other residences. But this time, at Victoria’s command, he had insisted on following her to Sylvia’s chambers. Sophie understood the queen dowager’s reasoning. Keith had served by her side the longest-if there was scheming afoot in the harem, none could decipher it better than he.
It seemed Sylvia had been waiting for them. When they entered, she rolled her neck with a slow stretch, as if shaking off fatigue, then cast a glance past them toward the doorway.
With a faint, indifferent smile, she said, “Only the two of you? I half expected you to bring an entire retinue to seal off Laurel Palace, Lady Sophie.”
Sophie took note of Sylvia’s attire-it was unmistakably Camila’s work. The rich hues and intricate embroidery framed Sylvia’s striking beauty, making her appear as radiant as the sun. And yet, her gaze held the same sharp defiance as ever. Even knowing what lay ahead, she carried herself with undiminished pride.
“Lady Sylvia,” Sophie greeted, bowing respectfully as Keith followed suit.
Sylvia let out a mirthless laugh. “You’re still greeting me with such courtesy? I thought I had already been condemned as the villain of this tale. Surely I do not deserve such formalities from the two of you, Your Grace and Mr. Finley.”
She gestured languidly to the chairs. “Sit, then. Ask whatever you came to ask.”
Heidi hurried forward to offer them seats and sent for refreshments.
Sylvia remained silent, watching them with an unreadable expression until the drinks were served. Only when Sophie lifted her cup and took a sip without hesitation did Sylvia finally speak again.
“So bold,” she murmured, tilting her head. “Do you trust me so implicitly? Or are you simply unafraid that I might have poisoned your drink?”
Sophie set down her cup and met the concubine’s gaze. “Lady Sylvia, Mr. Finley and I have been tasked with investigating Prince Connor’s murder. As of now, we have yet to determine the culprit.”
Sophie wished to convey that the evidence was not yet conclusive. So, there was no need for Sylvia to react so defensively.
Sylvia laughed coldly, her expression laced with skepticism. “And yet you suspect me, do you not? Why bother with all these pretenses? If you have evidence, then lay it before me.”
She arched her brow. “It is the caltrop, is it not? The Ministry of Defense has no shortage of such things. The one found beneath.
Prince Connor’s saddle may pl have been the same one my son played with. Even if it was, it disappeared long ago. Who knows who took it? It proves nothing.”
Since Sylvia had already begun addressing the evidence directly, Sophie said, “We have questioned the guards and attendants who tended to them. The horses were inspected prior to the incident, and after that, only Prince Cecil approached Prince Connor’s mount. That is why Mr. Finley and I are here. We wish to speak with Prince Cecil.”
At this, Sylvia’s expression darkened.
“I have already questioned him myself. He swore he had done no such thing,” she replied, her voice sharp with fury.
Keith spoke calmly, “Lady Sylvia, there is no need for alarm. The prince is but a child; he may not have meant any harm. It could have been no more than a—“
“Mind what you say, Mr. Finley!”
Sylvia’s hand struck the arm of her chair as she interrupted him. “Ceci said he didn’t do it, and that’s the end of it. I believe him. He doesn’t lie. You’re not merely casting doubt upon him, you’re accusing me of instructing him.”
Keith frowned. “Many can attest to the fact that the caltrop belonged to him. And he alone was seen near Prince Connor’s horse. With such evidence, Her Grace is bound to inquire further. Do you truly mean to forbid us from questioning him at all?”
“I do.” Sylvia rose to her feet, her posture as unyielding as a fortress wall. “If you question him, he will believe the entire world suspects him of harming his own brother. As long as I’m around, I won’t allow anyone to accuse him of such things.”
Keith sighed. “Lady Sylvia, surely Prince Cecil must be allowed to speak for himself. Even if he is innocent, it should be him who says so.”
“There’s no need for him to speak. What I say is the truth,” Sylvia declared firmly.
Her gaze shifted to Sophie, her eyes glinting with an icy, cutting hostility. “I know what you seek, Lady Sophie. You wish to satisfy your duty and claim merits. And since I have never treated you kindly, you will believe that Cecil and I are guilty, even when the evidence is not so clear. But I won’t allow you to succeed. I won’t allow you to harm my son. I will make my stand with my own life, if necessary.”
As soon as Sylvia finished speaking, she reached for the scissors on the table. With a swift, deliberate motion, she plunged it into her own throat.
Sophie had already been on alert, but she didn’t expect the concubine’s actions to be so immediate and without any hesitation. By the time she reached Sylvia, the woman had already removed the scissors, and blood was pouring from the wound.
“Your Grace!” Heidi cried, rushing to Sylvia’s side.
Given Laurel Palace’s isolated location, even Sophie’s swift run to fetch a physician seemed too slow. By the time she returned with medical help, Sylvia was already gone. However, her eyes remained wide open, as if still burning with fury. The blood from the wound had soaked the fine fabric of her dress, creating a dark, spreading stain of crimson.
Sophie struggled to accept the reality of what had just occurred. She barely registered Keith’s calm voice cutting through the stillness as he turned to Heidi, whose sobs filled the room.
“Where are Prince Cecil and Princess Phoebe?” he asked.
“Lady Sylvia locked them away. She wouldn’t let them leave their room,” Heidi answered through her tears.
Sophie finally understood. Sylvia had already made up her mind to show her resolve through her death, so she had locked up her children, not wanting them to see this scene.
Instinctively, Sophie glanced at Keith. She found that he remained unshaken and was issuing orders with a sense of quiet authority. She realized belatedly that Victoria and Keith had known Sylvia would act in such a manner.
Although Sylvia had ultimately taken her own life, saying it was to show her resolve made it very different from just harming herself. Her death was actually a calculated move born of distrust. She had never believed that anyone would take the time to uncover the truth for her and Cecil.
Her passing would bring two possible outcomes.
The first-the world would always whisper that she and Cecil were responsible, but no one would ever dare to claim they were guilty.
The second-perhaps out of some lingering affection, Salvador might allow Sophie to investigate fully. With that opportunity, perhaps the true culprit might be found, thereby securing Cecil and Phoebe’s safety.
Sophie’s mind worked swiftly as she grasped the full scope of Sylvia’s intentions. She couldn’t help but feel a profound sorrow for the woman who had been willing to sacrifice her life for her son. Though
Cecil was not of Sylvia’s blood, she ????
had been willing to protect him with everything she had.
Sophie had once believed that of all the women in the harem, Kylie was the one who loved her child the most fiercely. Yet, the queen’s love had always been one that demanded something in return.
Kylie’s supposed devotion, compared to Sylvia’s, now seemed small and tainted by selfishness.