Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Plus, Sophie was the legitimate daughter of a marquis. Her family had made great contributions to the court. Sophie’s family’s military merits were unmatched, with the only exception being if Salvador’s brother, the Hell Monarch, recaptured the Southern Frontier.
“Amelia,” Sophie said, handing her the account books. “Here’s the current balance for Valor Estate. The annual rents and land incomes are detailed here.
“This year’s income has been completely spent, and the remaining nine hundred silver coins. in the accounts is what I lent to the family. I’m taking it back now. Any objections?”
“You’re taking it back? But that would leave the accounts completely empty!” Amelia exclaimed, utterly shocked.
“If the other family members pitch in to help, we’ll get through the tough times. Plus, with Father, Benjamin, and Blake’s monthly salaries, we’ll get by if everyone tightens their belts a bit, Sophie replied calmly.
“How can we be this broke?” Amelia couldn’t understand.
It wasn’t that she doubted Sophie. The household had already been struggling before she married into the family. They had laid off many servants, and it was Sophie’s dowry that had allowed them to hire more staff and guards. Sophie had been paying for all these expenses, including Rebecca’s medicine.
“I’m not sure,” Sophie replied, though she knew the reasons all too well.
Firstly, with her constant need for expensive treatments and rare medicines, Rebecca’s chronic illness had drained the family’s resources.
Secondly, the family had mismanaged their businesses. Instead of finding ways to turn things around, they had sold off several shops, and the money from those sales was quickly squandered.
Now, the estate’s income mostly came from renting out a few shops, some land, and the salaries of Jonathan, Gregory, Benjamin, and Blake. If they didn’t have the estate granted by the late king, they probably wouldn’t even be able to afford a house.
Many officials in the capital couldn’t afford homes either. Even the Civil Department’s vice minister only managed to buy a decent three-yard house last year after borrowing money.
“Sophie, I can’t handle these finances. You should keep managing them,”Amelia said, feeling overwhelmed.
Asking other family members to contribute money to the family fund was no easy task.
Sophie smiled reassuringly. “No worries. Just handle it for now, Amelia. Once General Ernst moves in, you can use your health as an excuse and hand over the household finances to her.” Amelia thought it over and realized this was probably the best plan.
Sophie had once been easy-going, but now, her seemingly gentle words left no room for negotiation.
After handing over the household management rights, Sophie shut herself in her mansion and refused to see anyone. She only met with the people from her own family, avoiding everyone else.
She even had her meals cooked in the small kitchen of Grace Mansion. Her servants, Lily and Holly, would personally buy ingredients and cook for her.
Once Sophie called back her staff, the entire Valor Estate plunged into chaos. Amelia had to step in, hastily promoting capable servants to fill the gaps left by the departing ones, trying to follow the old routines.
But with the upcoming wedding, there simply weren’t enough hands. The servants Sophie had recalled left a noticeable void. Now, every part of the estate was left shorthanded.
Reporting the situation to Rebecca, Amelia saw the older woman grip her forehead in frustration.
“I never thought she’d be this inconsiderate. I must have been blind to treat her so well. I never even made her follow any rules,” said Rebecca.
When Amelia heard this, she didn’t feel the situation was unfair. When she herself married into the family, she had to follow the strict rules. But Sophie’s situation was different. She had come in with a substantial dowry, managed the household, and personally taken care of Rebecca.
Of course, Amelia couldn’t say this in front of her mother-in-law.
Instead, she worriedly asked, “Mother, we’re already short on funds. Where will we get the money to hire new servants?”
Despite her anger, Rebecca still hoped to squeeze some coins out of Sophie.
After pondering for a while, she suggested, “Ask someone from the second branch of the family to talk to her. They have a good relationship with her.”
“I’ve asked Aunt Charlotte, but she said she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Besides, she’s still trying to figure out the betrothal gifts,” Amelia replied.
“Has she found a solution yet?” Rebecca asked.
“She said the only-option is to sell the remaining shops.”
“Sell the shops?” Rebecca frowned.
They had been selling off assets over the past few years to cope with financial difficulties. And now, there were only a few left.
After thinking it over, Rebecca made up her mind.
“Then, sell them. We can buy them back later. Blake and Freya will continue earning military merits.”
The rewards for military achievements were plentiful. Sophie’s family had amassed immense wealth through military exploits. At their young age, Blake and Freya had already achieved significant victories. Surely, the king would continue to favor them in the future.
Despite being a woman, Rebecca understood that after Sophie’s father and brothers died in battle, there were not many young generals left.
The Hell Monarch had been fighting in the Southern Frontier for over two years, and it was uncertain if he would return. Hence, the king was sure to favor Blake and Freya-their path to wealth and honor seemed inevitable.
“Then, I’ll arrange to sell the properties,” Amelia said as she took her leave.
The news of the Jaffe family selling their assets reached Sophie through Holly.
Sophie was at her desk, practicing her calligraphy.
When she heard Holly’s words, she looked up and commented, “Well, that’s really their only option right now.”
“When the household had no money before, they made you use your dowry to cover the expenses. Why didn’t they sell the properties then?” Holly grumbled.
“How could that be the same?” Sophie smiled. “They’re counting on Freya joining the household and working with Blake to earn more military merits. They think they’ll be unstoppable and able to get whatever they want once that happens.”
Lulu, who was fanning a small stove, snorted. “Back then, you used your dowry to help out, hoping that the general would win more rewards from the king to make up for it. Who knew he’d use his achievements to arrange a marriage instead?”
Tired of writing, Sophie set her brush down. “Well, I was foolish to think that way. I just hope the edict for our divorce comes soon, so we can leave this place and not hear any more about their affairs.” But days passed-three, four days-and still no edict. 1
Instead, news came that Rebecca had fallen ill again. Without Sebastian’s help or the pills he prescribed, she was suffering from chest pains.
Sophie sighed, feeling a twinge of sympathy. “If it helps us part on good terms, I might ask Sebastian to continue treating Rebecca. But I won’t pay for it. They can pay him themselves if they can afford it.” “
When Rebecca fell ill, it caused a stir in the estate for half the night. Eventually, they had to call for a royal physician to temporarily stabilize her condition.
The royal physician told Blake, “I’ve treated Madam Jaffe before, but my skills are limited. The best physician in the capital for treating heart ailments is Sebastian. His medicine, Snowdrop Pills, is the only thing that can save her life.
“I’ve managed to control her condition for now because she’s been taking those pills for a year, but if her episodes become more frequent in the future, there’s little more I can do.”
With that, the physician took his leave.
Furious, Blake’s eyes were bloodshot. He had personally gone to Sebastian’s clinic to ask. him to treat Rebecca, but the physician had refused to see him. Blake knew Sophie must be the one behind this. She was employing such a despicable tactic-using his mother’s health to pressure him into giving up on marrying Freya.