Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Seeing this, Helen suddenly felt a sense of looming danger. She even forgot her dislike for Sophie, and that the last thing she wanted was for Sophie to become her daughter-in-law.
Watching the other noblewomen eyeing Sophie, she blurted out, “The Jaffes have indeed treated her unfairly. After Sophie marries into my family in the future, I will ensure she is well cared for!”
This statement left everyone in shock. Even the fact that Rebecca was rebuked by Sebastian was quickly forgotten.
Everyone turned to look at Helen. What did she mean? Did the Hell Monarch want to marry Sophie? A royal prince wanted to marry a woman who had been divorced?
It wasn’t just the noble ladies who were surprised-even Eleanor was taken aback. She glanced at Helen, then at Sophie, her brows furrowing.
Sophie also looked at Helen with a calm expression.
This matter hadn’t been settled yet, and no formal proposal had been made. Why did Helen announce it?
Besides, didn’t Helen despise her? No one had asked, and no rumors had spread. Yet here Helen was, announcing it herself.
Had Helen accepted her? But the acceptance was so sudden, leaving people at a loss.
Moreover, even if it was to be announced, this wasn’t the right moment. Sophie had been criticized for so long, and it was rare for Sebastian to explain in front of the noblewomen why he didn’t treat Rebecca. Now, Helen had just rescued Rebecca.
This future mother-in-law was really out of touch!
Eleanor suddenly smiled-a sarcastic grin on her heavily powdered face. “Oh? Rafael wants to marry Sophie? With so many noble ladies in the capital, he fancies a divorced woman?”
Helen instantly regretted her words. She was angry with Sophie, and hadn’t accepted her yet. She was against their marriage, so how could she be the one to announce it?
She really couldn’t control her big mouth, and felt like slapping herself!
Rebecca was so shocked, her jaw nearly dropped. She couldn’t believe that the discarded woman from her family could marry into the royal family. Sophie was going to marry the prince who reclaimed the Southern Frontier and become a powerful princess?!
Sophie wouldn’t be just a leisurely princess consort without a position like Avis or Heather!
Many noble daughters on the scene had their hearts broken. Rafael wanted to marry Sophie? How could Sophie deserve this? Even if she had military merits, she was still a once-married woman.
How could she deserve this?!
Countless pairs of resentful eyes fixed on Sophie’s face, accompanied by many incredulous glances, as if this was some earth-shattering news.
At this moment, Sophie really wanted to drag Helen out and harshly question her if she had lost her mind.
Jealousy twisted Serena’s face. On the day the army returned in triumph, she had gone to watch. When her eyes fixed on Rafael, she couldn’t look away.
Serena’s heart raced. She thought that if she could marry into the royal family as a concubine, it would be a tremendous blessing. She didn’t dare to think about becoming the main wife-she had some self- awareness. Though she was from a general’s family, it had fallen from grace.
However, being a concubine seemed achievable.
Now, hearing that her former sister-in-law who had been thrown out of the house could marry the Hell Monarch, jealousy gripped her heart like an iron hand.
She couldn’t hold back, and blurted out, “Sophie, do you even deserve it? You’re just a discarded woman my brother didn’t want! How can you marry the Hell Monarch as his consort?” Rebecca immediately reprimanded her in a stern voice, “Shut up!”
With so many noble ladies and officials’ wives present, Serena’s outburst was disgraceful and an indication that she lacked proper upbringing. Finding a good marriage match would be difficult after this. Serena realized she had lost her composure. She paled and retreated behind her mother, but her eyes remained fixed on Sophie with venomous hatred.
Serena voiced the thoughts of many noble daughters present, but they would never say it aloud. No matter how jealous or disappointed they were, strict family training forced them to suppress these feelings. Jessica laughed derisively. “Aunt Helen, you always strive to be the best and claim your son is exceptional. Now you want him to marry a divorced woman? I bet once this news spreads, you’ll become the laughingstock of the entire capital in less than half a day.”
Then, Jessica then turned to Sophie with a cold smile. “Sophie, do you even understand your status? How can a divorced woman like you dream of marrying my cousin? You should know your place and leave before you embarrass yourself further!”
Her words made several people laugh out loud.
Helen’s lips trembled with anger, but she couldn’t think of a retort. She could only glare, first at Jessica and then at Sophie.
“Yes, I’m a divorced woman. But I can fight on the battlefield and marry into the royal family as a princess consort. This is a fortune many people can’t achieve in several lifetimes. Lady Jessica, you’re very envious and jealous, aren’t you?” Sophie responded calmly.
Sophie laughed softly, her demeanor unruffled.
“I don’t find myself embarrassed at all, but don’t you feel any shame, Lady Jessica?
“You’re the daughter of a princess, and you were given a royal education. Yet, you speak such harsh words. You couldn’t even recognize my senior’s painting, and tore it apart in your ignorance. Such rashness is what will truly invite ridicule.
“As for telling me to leave, are you issuing an eviction order? How amusing. Grand Princess Eleanor invited me here with a formal invitation, and I brought a birthday gift. Now, you want to chase me away? Is this how your family treats its guests? Or was there another intention behind that invitation-to humiliate me in front of these ladies?
“Did you think that after my separation from Blake, I would be too ashamed to show my face, and that I would quietly endure your insults?”
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room.
“If you expected me to be a laughingstock by inviting me here, you’ll be disappointed. I haven’t done anything wrong. It is not I who should be ashamed. My family is upright and honorable. No matter where I go, I can speak loudly and proudly.
“But you, Lady Jessica, lack respect for your elders. You disregarded the concubines of the late emperor. You said Helen would become a laughingstock, showing neither respect nor devotion. I wonder how your parents raised you?”
Her eyes turned to Eleanor, her voice sharp.
“But I suppose there’s no surprise there. After all, a mother who would send a small sculpture commemorating chastity after my father and brothers sacrificed their lives for the country-a clear curse-could hardly raise a proper daughter. Don’t bother trying to drive me away. People like you are beneath my company. Goodbye, no need to see me out!”
With that, she called out to her maids, Lulu and Pearl.
“We’re leaving. This filthy place isn’t worth visiting again. Who knows what kind of lingering resentment might cling to us? Look-the air above Harmony Palace, Grand Princess Eleanor’s residence, is thick with the spirits of people who died a wrongful death.”
Eleanor could no longer contain her fury, and shouted, “Sophie Devin!”
Without turning back, Sophie replied, “You should find a high priest to perform some exorcisms for them, or the resentment will backfire eventually.”
Wasn’t it just about seeing who became the topic of conversation among the high society ladies in the capital? Well, Sophie might as well drop a bombshell.
Whether it was true or not, Eleanor knew it well. She wouldn’t dare actually call in the authorities for an investigation-because if they did, the truth would come out.
According to the laws, masters couldn’t kill their servants without reporting to the authorities first, and those who had been treated as concubines couldn’t be killed cruelly. Sophie hadn’t known this until earlier, when Frederick mentioned that most of the concubines who had been with Henry had met untimely ends, advising her to be cautious with Eleanor.
Having said her piece, Sophie walked away, leaving Eleanor fuming in anger, shouting in vain.
There was no need to look back or stay. The conversation ended there.
Sophie had come and given her gift, but was treated harshly by the hostess. There was no reason not to fight back. Others might fear Eleanor, but she did not.
Rebecca stood stunned, never having seen this sharp side of Sophie. Or rather, she had never truly seen the real Sophie. The daughter-in-law who once served her so dutifully seemed like a completely different person now.