Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
As for the Astrology Department minister, it was not Sophie who had summoned him for clarification.
Recent rumors and gossip had been rampant, and the Astrology Department minister knew that someone was stirring trouble behind the scenes. Such struggles were common in the capital, and he usually preferred to avoid unnecessary complications.
But this time was different. He had personally chosen the date for Sophie’s marriage. If it was claimed that Sophie was marrying during her mourning period, it would imply that he had chosen a bad date! Thus, the Astrology Department minister had come to the coffeehouse specifically to clear things up. He had informed Sophie in advance so that Frederick could mobilize people accordingly.
Reporting the matter to the authorities’ was also necessary. Without some deterrence, it would set a precedent for further exploitation, and things could spiral out of control.
The Royal Citadel’s governor was Anthony Klein. He was the elder brother of Sophie’s second sister-in-law. He was also the Marquis of Highcrest.
Since the Devin family’s tragic downfall, the Marquis of Highcrest’s family rarely had dealings with them. When the Devin family was annihilated, it was the Royal
Citadel officials and the patrolling guards who handled the case. Anthony had been devastated when he saw the mutilated body of his sister.
The lack of interaction was not due to a lack of sentiment, but a reluctance to remember the lost loved ones. Especially painful was the memory of him finding his nephew Ryan’s body, whose head had been severed and mutilated. Every time Anthony thought of it, it felt as though his heart had been torn open and was bleeding profusely.
However, this case involved the Duke of Northwatch’s family. Coupled with the Astrology Department minister having requested official intervention, Anthony took it very seriously. He issued orders for a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of the matter.
Coincidentally, Blake’s second uncle, Gregory, was serving as a deputy governor in the Royal Citadel. He was also involved in the investigation.
The Jaffe family’s second branch had always been close to Sophie, unlike the first branch, which were at odds with her. Therefore, Gregory was determined to uncover the truth and clear Sophie’s name. He felt that the Jaffe family owed her, and this was a way to make some amends.
It was relatively easy to trace the matter back to Eleanor’s estate.
With so many people bought off by Eleanor, there were bound to be a few with weak nerves who, after being questioned by the officials a few times, would reveal everything they knew.
When the investigation reached Eleanor’s palace, Anthony ordered a temporary halt. He decided to visit Northwatch Estate in person to see Sophie.
When Sophie got married, the event was conducted with great discretion. There were no lavish feasts, and the Marquis of Highcrest’s family only sent three ladies to present gifts. No one attended the wedding.
Sophie and Anthony had seldom met. She had left home at a young age and rarely stayed in the capital. After returning from Meadow Ridge, the Marquis of Highcrest’s female relatives occasionally visited Sophie’s sister-in-law. Anthony had come once or twice, but Sophie, still learning etiquette at the time, had only appeared briefly to offer a polite greeting while concealing her face.
The last time Anthony had been seen by Sophie was during the massacre of her family. She had returned to her family home from the Jaffe family and found him sitting on the bloodstained stone steps, holding a severed and mutilated head. His eyes were dark and haunting, like the sky before a storm.
When Sophie heard he was coming personally, her hand trembled while she was doing embroidery, and she accidentally pricked her finger. As she watched the blood well up, it felt like a dark, menacing presence. Everything around her seemed to turn red.
She hadn’t expected him to come personally; she had assumed someone else would be sent to inquire.
Sophie composed herself and said softly, “I’ll change into another dress and come out right away.”
After steadying herself for a while, she rose to change her clothes.
Since the massacre, she had no contact with her sister-in-law’s family. At times when she attended events while she had been with the Jaffe family, she would deliberately avoid them.
The relationships were like gunpowder buried deep within, where seeing each other
FOR HONDA
only ignited painful memories and wounds that could not be suppressed.
Sophie changed into a plain dress, her hands trembling slightly within the wide sleeves.
She could never forget the sight of Anthony holding Ryan’s mangled head as he sat on the ground. The memory was too painful and overwhelming.
As she reached the main hall, she took several deep breaths. However, her eyes betrayed her, as they were already reddened with unshed tears.
With each step forward, it felt as though her feet were weighed down by lead, making it almost impossible to move.
She could hear Frederick greeting Anthony Anthony’s voice was deep and authoritative, but his responses were curt and minimal.
After several attempts to compose herself, she finally appeared at the door of the main hall and slowly stepped inside. Instead of looking directly at Anthony, she lowered her gaze and offered a polite greeting, “Greetings, Lord Klein.”
Anthony rose, and returned the gesture with a respectful nod. “Lady Devin, how are you?”
The formal address felt awkward between them, their eyes betraying their discomfort.
“I’m well enough,” Sophie replied, her voice trembling slightly. “Please, have a seat.”
Anthony also gestured for her to sit. “Please take a seat as well.”
They both settled into their chairs. Frederick withdrew to the doorway, where he squinted against the glaring sunlight, his eyes stinging.
No attendants or servants approached them; the two sat in the main hall, momentarily silent.
Both of them were trying hard to calm their churning emotions and the overwhelming sense of bloodshed in front of them. This might be something that neither of them-and their families-would ever be able to forget.
It was Anthony who broke the silence first. “At the victory celebration in the palace that day, I saw you and almost didn’t recognize you.”
Sophie recalled the day of the parade and the subsequent palace celebration. She hadn’t changed her clothes and was covered in grime then.
She managed a faint smile, but tears fell onto the back of her hand as she looked down. Her voice sounded unnatural as she said, “I’m sorry for that.”
Anthony took a deep breath, his throat tight with emotion. “Your father and brothers
..Everyone in the Duke of Northwatch’s family would be proud of you.”
Sophie’s hands, which were resting in her lap, curled into fists as she choked back a sob. She turned her face away, trying to hide her tears and maintain her composure.
Seeing her distress, Anthony suddenly regretted coming. Perhaps, neither family was truly ready to meet under these circumstances.
Even a man like Anthony found it hard to hold back tears, let alone a girl of eighteen or nineteen. Though she had seen battle and taken enemies’ lives, she had always been the cherished jewel of her family. With her family gone, she was left alone.
No matter how strong her outer facade, her heart would still ache with sorrow.
Anthony had never wanted to recall that scene-he never dared to. However, perhaps it was time to confront it. Otherwise, the pain would linger forever.
His voice lacking its usual steadiness, he said, “We should let bygones….be bygones. One must always look forward. I heard about your engagement to the Hell Monarch. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you.”
Sophie lowered her gaze and responded softly, “Thank you.”
Anthony cleared his throat and continued, “We only learned about your divorce from Blake later. My mother had intended to send someone to inquire about you, but hesitated. She feared…”
Sophie’s voice, too, was choked with emotion as she replied, “I understand. I really do.”