Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Back then, they never intended to seek out the princess. It was Jessica who had set her sights on Leopold. Eleanor had to enter the palace to plead with the late king. While the late king didn’t grant the marriage directly, he discussed it privately with the late marquis in the Royal Study. After several refusals, the late marquis was finally convinced to have her marry into his family.
Margaret swallowed a pill, and then sent someone to announce her presence.
Frederick glanced at the carriage with some surprise, and sent someone inside to request that Lily come out to greet the matriarch.
The fact that Margaret came in person made it clear that Jessica was far from innocent. Some people in town even said that the Marquis of Ironridge’s family was known for its straightforward and honorable conduct, and they felt sorry for them having such a troublesome daughter-in-law.
The discussion among the people about the Marquis of Ironridge’s family affairs only intensified Margaret’s anger towards Jessica. Even though she remained calm on the surface, she seethed with anger inwardly.
Lily came out to welcome Margaret with a respectful attitude, and led her into the inner garden’s flower hall.
Soon, Sophie appeared. She showed Margaret all due respect, greeting her properly and serving the finest refreshments.
Sophie spoke in a warm and humble manner, acting like a respectful younger person speaking to an elder.
Regarding the slander from Jessica, Sophie smiled and said, “This matter is something I haven’t taken to heart. Please don’t worry about it, Madam Winchester. Besides, this matter is unrelated to the Marquis of Ironridge’s family. I’m truly sorry for the trouble you’ve gone through to personally visit me.”
Margaret looked into Sophie’s clear and singere eyes, realizing that her words came from the heart. She didn’t blame the Marquis of Ironridge’s family for this matter. With this understanding, Margaret felt relieved.
Setting everything else aside, the Marquis of Ironridge’s family had no desire to make enemies without cause. When it came to either Rafael or the Duke of Norwatch’s family, Margaret was especially reluctant to be at odds with them.
At the very least, based on their military achievements, they were people worthy of respect. The Marquis of Ironridge’s family should befriend such individuals, rather than foster animosity or harbor grudges against them.
Margaret sighed. “You’re wise and understanding, Lady Devin, but I still feel deeply guilty. If it hadn’t been for the minister of the Astrology Department clarifying things, you might have borne the label of being negligent towards your parents for the rest of her life. For anyone, that would be a nearly devastating blow.”
However, Sophie shook her head slightly. “Madam Winchester, it really wouldn’t have been much of a blow to me. It’s nothing more than a few idle words.”
Nothing more?
Margaret looked at Sophie in astonishment, thinking the latter was intentionally dismissing the matter with a show of nonchalance. But seeing the calm and unaffected expression on Carlssa’s face, it was clear she truly didn’t care.
After a moment of deeper reflection, Margaret understood why Sophie said it was nothing.
What Sophie had endured over the past few years made these idle rumors seem trivial in comparison.
Her father and brothers perished in battle, then her entire family met with a tragic end. Even though Margaret had no blood relation to Sophie, thinking of these events and looking at the strong, radiant girl before her, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.
Those days must have been unimaginably difficult for Sophie. And yet, despite it all, she didn’t fall into despair or succumb to the bitterness of the world. Instead, she chose to carry on her father and brothers’ legacy, taking up the Rose Spear to fight on the battlefield.
–
The spirit of the Duke of Northwatch’s familly stood strong and unyielding.
Margaret suddenly regretted not having more contact with Sophie in the past. The younger generation of the Marquis of Ironridge’s family could certainly learn a thing or two from her.
Today, Margaret had come prepared with a gift-a golden bracelet adorned with interlocking pearl pattems. She instructed her attendant to open the box and present it to Sophie. Margaret even stood up, intending to help Sophie put it on.
The bracelet was inlaid with six gemstones-rubies and sapphires-that glittered briliandy. It was clearly a valuable piece, far from something that could be easily purchased elsewhere, and the craftsmanship was on par with the best from the palace.
Sophie quickly stood up and politely refused, “I can’t accept this. It’s far too precious. I really can’t.”
“Lady Devin!” Margaret grasped Sophie’s hand, her expression solemn. “You must accept it. This bracelet was never meant to belong to me. It rightfully belongs to your family.”
Sophie was taken aback. “It belongs to my family? What do you mean, Madam Winchester?”
Margaret sighed softly. “It happened over three years ago. That was the only time I ever had an interaction with your mother.”
Hearing that it involved her mother, Sophie quickly urged Magaret to sit down and explain slowly.
Margaret settled back into her seat and began recounting the events that had taken place at The Golden Tower.
“At the time, I had ordered this bracelet from The Golden Tower. After paying the deposit, it was agreed that I would pick it up in three months. But when I went to retrieve it, I found your mother there, holding the bracelet in her hands. The shopkeeper informed me that your mother had already paid the full amount.
“Naturally, I was furious-though my anger was directed solely at The Golden Tower. After all, I had reserved the bracelet, so they should never have sold it to someone else. Moreover, I wasn’t even late. I came exactly when we had agreed.”
Hearing this, Sophie found it odd. The Golden Tower was the largest jewelry store in the capital-how could they have done something like that? Especially to the matriarch of the Marquis of Ironridge’s household, who was a person of considerable status.
How could they sell something she had ordered to another customer?
“So, this bracelet was originally yours? The Golden Tower
“You would be right, if that was how it really happened. Your mother was reluctant to let go of the bracelet that day, but she eventually gave it to me after I insisted. The Golden Tower refunded her money, and that should have been the end of it as it was handled appropriately,” Margaret said.
Hearing this, Sophie knew there must be more to the story, so she remained silent, waiting for the older woman to continue.
Margaret’s expression turned slightly embarrassed. “After returning to the estate with the bracelet, I realized that the one I had ordered was supposed to have five gemstones, but this one had six. “Clearly, it wasn’t the bracelet I had commissioned. When I sent someone to inquire at The Golden Tower, they explained that the jeweler responsible for making my bracelet had run into trouble and fled, taking my bracelet with him.
“As for this one, it was indeed a bracelet your mother had ordered, intended as part of your dowry. The Golden Tower hadn’t explained the situation at the time because there were other customers present, so it wasn’t appropriate to mention that a jeweler had run off with their goods.
“They had planned to visit me the next day to clarify the situation, but I discovered the mistake first and sent someone to ask about it, which was how I learned the truth.”
Sophie was momentarily stunned.
Her mother had intended this bracelet to be part of her dowry?
Margaret continued, “I immediately returned the bracelet to The Golden Tower, asking them to send it back to your mother. However, they informed me that your mother had already purchased another one, “Then, your mother sent someone to say since I liked the bracelet, she willingly parted with it. I thought perhaps she felt it was unsuitable as part of your dowry since I had already worn it, which might be why she didn’t take it back.”
Margaret still looked a bit guilty. “Although this may seem like a small matter, I’ve always felt uneasy about it. And later on, after everything that happened to your family…
“In any case, I hope you won’t mind that I wore it, and I ask you to accept this bracelet. Your mother had it made for you; it was meant to be part of your dowry.”
Suddenly remembering something, Margaret quickly added, “After I learned the whole story, I never wore the bracelet again. It’s been kept in my private vault all this time. You can ask the people around me if you don’t believe me.”
Margaret’s attendant was standing nearby. The woman curtsied and said, “My lady, what Madam Margaret says is true. The bracelet has never been worn after that incident, and is still as new as the day it was made.”
Sophie held the bracelet in her hand, her fingers tracing the interlocking pearl patterns and the six embedded gemstones. Suddenly, she remembered that Melanie had once told her she had ordered a very special bracelet as part of her dowry.
Sophie had smiled and asked her mother just how special the bracelet was.
Melanie had rubbed her tired eyes that had grown dim over the years and whispered with tears in her eyes, “It holds a special meaning. Your six brothers will be with you when you get married. They will surely protect you, ensuring you live a peaceful life, have many children, and enjoy long-lasting happiness.”
Later, when Sophie was organizing her dowry items, she found many bracelets but never identified one that seemed particularly special. However, she didn’t dare ask Melanie about it, fearing it would make her weep over the memory of her lost sons.