Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Upon hearing this, Helen ignored Gillian’s frantic head shaking and signals. She instructed someone to fetch the money.
Three thousand silver coins were quickly produced, and Eleanor and Jessica left, visibly satisfied.
Once they had gone, Gillian said with a pained expression, “Lady Helen, this can’t go on! The makeup shop is a bottomless pit that no matter how much you pour in, it won’t be filled. It might be better to sell it.” Helen was distressed over the loss of money. Sitting in her chair with a dark expression, she said, “How is it that Dakota’s shop is making money while mine is not? Mine is two stories high, much larger than hers, with a greater variety and better quality. It will make money eventually.”
“I’m afraid that the makeup shop might actually be profitable, but they’re hiding the true figures from you. You wouldn’t know if they kept reporting losses,” Gillian replied.
“How could I not know? Aren’t there ledgers? The ledgers are sent to me. Besides, weren’t you the one who reviewed them for me?” Helen retorted.
“Ledgers can be falsified.” Gillian sighed. “Lady Helen, next time they come asking for money, don’t give them any more. Just consider the previous money a loss.”
Helen grumbled inwardly. She had never wanted to give the money in the first place. However, when Eleanor’s gaze swept over her, she felt an inexplicable fear. Besides, she also wanted to avoid looking bad in front of them.
Helen suddenly thought of Sophie.
If Sophie were in her place, would she have given them the money?
With the silver she obtained from Helen, Eleanor distributed some to continue fueling the gossip in the taverns and coffeehouses, exaggerating Sophie’s supposed failure to observe her duties toward her family.
Sophie remained silent. She even closed the doors to Northwatch Estate and refused to make any public response, which satisfied Eleanor. Eleanor thought Sophie must be scared of the public outcry, and reveled in the victory.
Eleanor believed that Sophie going against her was like trying to fight a rock with an egg-completely futile.
Riding on her success, Eleanor entered the palace to see Salvador. She argued that Rafael’s marriage to Sophie was laying a hidden danger to his throne. For the stability of the kingdom and its people, she suggested that Sophie’s entry into Rafael’s household should be prevented.
She expected Salvador to ponder her words seriously. To her surprise, he responded with a cold and stern expression.
“Aunt Eleanor, what are you saying? Both my brother and Sophie are military commanders who have devoted themselves to defending the Southern Frontier and our kingdom. They have shown loyalty to both me and the court. Moreover, my brother and I have been close since childhood. He would never harbor any ulterior motives. Please do not make baseless accusations.”
Eleanor was taken aback, then quickly adopted her authoritative tone as his aunt and elder relative.
“You are being foolish. Can human hearts ever be absolutely trusted? Are there not countless instances of royal family members turning against each other? If you’re so naive to believe in him, he might exploit your trust for malevolent purposes.”
The king’s face darkened. He removed his malachite ring and placed it heavily on the desk, his gaze icy and sullen.
Derek was standing beside Salvador, and he quickly raised his brows in alarm and kneeled hastily.
“Grand Princess Eleanor, please be cautious with your words. If such remarks spread, the court might accuse you of sowing discord between the king and the Hell Monarch, which would be detrimental to you and harmful to both the king and Prince
“Currently, the realm is peaceful, and the relationship between the king and his ministers is good. Furthermore, the marriage between Prince Rafael and Lady Devin is already confirmed. If the king were to issue an edict to break this engagement, how would the world view him?”
Eleanor looked at the malachite ring on the desk. She furrowed her brows. While she disregarded Derek’s concerns, she noted Salvador’s attitude. He seemed completely dismissive of her warnings, and even viewed her as meddlesome.
The malachite ring was a gift from the late king, and it was a sign of displeasure whenever it was removed and placed on the desk.
With a deep sigh, Eleanor decided to retreat, “Your Majesty, I only wish what is best for you.”
If you truly wish well for me, then offer some estates and properties as gifts for my brother’s wedding, Aunt Eleanor. I’m sure both my brother and Sophie will appreciate your kindness,” Salvador replied coolly. Eleanor was momentarily stunned. She looked up at him for a while before letting out a slow sigh. “It is said that honest words are harsh to hear. Your Majesty, you should consider that I never came today.” Salvador replied indifferently, “Indeed, it’s not appropriate for you to visit the palace frequently, especially not my study. Even if I were the most foolish of kings, I have the entire court to assist me. There is no need for you to worry.”
Eleanor stared at him in shock, her face alternating between pale and flushed with anger. It took a moment for her to regain her composure.
After a long pause, she turned on her heel and left without a word. Her anger seemed to radiate around her as she walked, and she was clearly in a state of fury.
Derek rose and said softly, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger, Grand Princess Eleanor has always been headstrong and domineering. It is likely that her actions today were not intended to offend.” Salvador replied coolly, “It is not a serious matter if an aunt calls her nephew foolish. There is no reason for me to be angry.”
Derek bowed his head. “You’re wise as always, Your Majesty.”
For a king, allowing someone to chastise him as foolish was unacceptable. Not even his own mother would dare to speak so bluntly.
Eleanor had overstepped her bounds.
The rumors about Sophie continued to spread for several days, growing increasingly intense.
On this day at a coffeehouse, a storyteller was once again denouncing Sophie, accusing her of being disrespectful toward her parents. The patrons of the coffeehouse joined in and condemned her loudly.
At that moment, a voice rang out, “Absurd! Lady Devin married more than three years after the Duke of Northwatch’s death. I personally chose the date for her wedding! To say she married before completing her mourning period is to accuse me of disregarding familial duties. Do you dare slander me? I will have this reported to the authorities!”
One of the coffeehouse patrons recognized the irate speaker, and immediately shouted, “That’s the current minister of the Astrology Department!”
The murmur of the crowd erupted into a clamor. How could a date chosen personally by the minister of the Astrology Department fall within a period of mourning?
The Astrology Department minister pointed an accusatory finger at the stunned storyteller, and thundered, “Who sent you to defame the Duke of Northwatch’s household? The Devin family’s seven men all sacrificed themselves on the Southern Frontier! General Devin is a female general who has distinguished herself repeatedly in battle! She aided the Hell Monarch in reclaiming the Southern Frontier! “Any loyal subject of our kingdom would only hold the Duke of Northwatch’s family in the highest respect. Yet here you are, spreading vile rumors and accusing General Devin of being disrespectful! What is your true intention?”
A loud voice called out, “Could it be that you’re a spy from the enemy country, deliberately here to defame General Devin?”
Another person chimed in loudly, “That’s very possible! Has everyone forgotten? The entire Devin family was exterminated by spies from Westhaven. He could very well be one of those spies hidden in our capital. We should report this to the authorities immediately!”
The storyteller, now thoroughly panicked, waved his hands frantically. “No, wait! I’m not a spy from Westhaven. I-“
“If you’re not a spy, then why are you slandering General Devin?”
“Exactly! What are your true intentions?”
“Surround him! Don’t let him escape!”
Shouting ensued as coffeehouse patrons moved forward to block the storyteller’s escape. He was trapped by the crowd, being pointed at and interrogated.
Frederick stood at the doorway of the private room on the second floor, observing with a cold smile as the storyteller was surrounded and questioned. He then slowly descended the stairs and left. The Astrology Department minister had come out personally to clarify the matter,
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and had reported it to the authorities. Even if the case didn’t ultimately implicate Eleanor, it would still be a significant loss, as she would need to spend a lot of money to bribe these storytellers to put an end to the situation.
But there were more than just a few storytellers. The gossip spread all over the capital in just a few days, reaching every coffeehouse, tavern, street corner, and under every tree. Those who made money telling stories were all bought off.
If the authorities got involved and started investigating each one, things could get really interesting.
Frederick returned to Northwatch Estate and reported this to Sophie, Sophie was embroidering a handkerchief with Lily. Upon hearing the news, she merely smiled faintly.
“It’s good that it has been clarified.”
Today, Frederick had deliberately arranged for a few people to go to the coffeehouse. The loud questioners were part of his arrangement.