Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“Ultimately, Lady Leona is a duchess-how could he dare take concubines so soon after their marriage?” Sophie asked.
“He works as an editor in the Academy of Wisdom. I heard that his superiors gifted him the concubines, and he couldn’t refuse.”
During Sophie’s time on the battlefield, Lily had gathered quite a bit of gossip from the noble households. “The duchess couldn’t exactly send the women away, or she’d be labeled as jealous. Besides, they’re just lowly concubines. If she doesn’t like them, she can sell them off or give them away.”
“Is that how you see it?” Sophie asked, raising her head.
Lily smiled bitterly. “Does it matter what I think? This is how they see it, how they do things. It’s tough being a woman in this world. Back then, when the late madam chose to marry you off to General Jaffe anyone else, it was because he promised not to take concubines.” instead of the pri…well, instead of
Sophie looked at her closely. “Instead of who?”
Sophie had caught Lily’s slip of the tongue.
Lily laughed, trying to cover up her mistake. “Who else? I meant instead of others. I misspoke. Back then, so many suitors came knocking that they practically wore down the threshold. The late madam chose General Jaffe among them because he vowed not to take concubines.”
Sophie felt that Lily was clearly hiding something.
But she couldn’t remember all the suitors from back then, and she had no desire to dredge up old memories. Whether or not the Prince family was among them, it was all in the past.
However, Sophie suddenly recalled that the Prince family had indeed come to propose marriage.
It was Oliver’s younger cousin, but Melanie hadn’t been impressed.
Forget the past. It was better to move on.
She and Rafael were set to marry in two months. What had happened in the past was as if it had died yesterday, and what lay ahead was as if it was born today. They would bid farewell to the past, and look forward to a new beginning.
The weather was getting colder, and the orchids in the courtyard had begun to bud. It was expected that they would bloom in a few days, but this year, they bloomed early. Frederick said it was an auspicious sign.
Ryan could now get out of bed, but he could only walk a few steps before needing to return and lie down again.
The Duke of Northwatch’s household was also busily preparing for the wedding. The bridal gown had been in production since the engagement day, entrusted to the embroiderers of Enchanted Boutique.
In the capital, many prominent families would visit Enchanted Boutique for their daughters’ wedding garments. Not only were their embroidery skills renowned for their quality and speed, but the embroiderers’ skills were also famous throughout the kingdom. Many wealthy merchants and nobles from outside the capital would spend lavishly to order their bridal gowns from Enchanted Boutique.
Lily, who had gone to Enchanted Boutique to check on the progress, returned with a strange expression. It was as though she had something to say but found it somewhat bad luck to do so. Noticing this, Sophie asked, “Is there a problem with the bridal gown?”
Today, Sophie wore a high-collared cloak and had taken Ryan to view the orchids. After that, she carried him on her back when they returned. Although Ryan wanted to walk, Sophie followed Sebastian’s instructions and limited his movement to only two or three short walks a day to keep his blood circulating and avoid stagnation in his feet.
Lily watched Ryan take his medicinal meal, then cleaned up the plates and said, “My lady, it’s nothing serious. I just happened to run into someone from the Prince family.”
“Someone from the Prince family?”
Sophie immediately remembered the comment Lily had almost made earlier. She said, “Yes, I recall that the Prince family did come to propose marriage, but let’s not discuss those matters now.” Having settled Ryan, she went out with Lily.
The sky was overcast, and the wind was strong. Sophie tightened her cloak, and watched as Lily handed the plates to Joy before heading to the storeroom. Today, they had planned to organize the newly purchased dowry items.
Lily’s voice was carried away by the chilly wind. “It’s not because of the past. It’s just that the Prince family has asked Enchanted Boutique to make the bridal gown. I happened to ask, and found out that the third daughter of the Prince family is to marry General Jaffe.”
Sophie paused for a moment. “Blake’s marrying again? Isn’t Freya his wife? Has she been divorced or something?”
“Freya is his secondary wife, a concubine. The one he is marrying now will be his primary wife.”
“So, the Prince family’s third daughter… That’s the Earl of Silverstone’s family, right?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
Sophie recalled this individual. Her name was Viola Prince, and she had also gone through a divorce.
However, Viola’s situation was somewhat unusual.
Years ago, Viola had married Timothy’s eleventh younger brother. That young general had been full of ambition, but just a year after her marriage, he had died in battle. The Farrell family, being virtuous, didn’t want to delay.Viola’s life, so Timothy’s father wrote a divorce letter, returned all her dowry, and personally sent her back to her family.
It was said that Viola had been unwilling to return, claiming she wanted to remain in the Farrell family to mourn her late husband. Yet, she later agreed to take the divorce letter and return to her family. Considering her age, Viola was twenty-six, three years older than Blake.
“How did this marriage come about? Did Freya agree to it? Did Blake agree?” Sophie was curious, though she knew she shouldn’t be prying into the affairs of others.
“I’m not entirely sure. I only heard that the prime minister’s wife acted as the matchmaker,” Lily replied.
Sophie was even more puzzled.
The prime minister’s wife was known for staying out of such matters, and rarely acted as a matchmaker. Why would she agree to facilitate a match between the third daughter and Blake?
The Jaffe family was generally avoided by young women. Who could compete with the rightful wife, Freya? Moreover, the chaotic affairs within the household made it undesirable for others to get involved. However, since this match enabled the Jaffe family to connect with the Earl of Silverstone’s family, Rebecca was probably delighted.
It remained to be seen whether there were any hidden motives behind this marriage.
Sophie chose not to dwell on it. After all, it was no longer her concern. She regarded it as mere curiosity, and let it pass.
However, two days later, an invitation arrived. The Earl of Silverstone family’s matriarch, Evelyn Turner, was coming to visit the next day with Viola.
When Lily reported this, she said, “Perhaps we should just avoid seeing them. We don’t know what they want. If they’re here to inquire about the Jaffe family, they should have done so long ago, not after the wedding has been arranged and the bridal gown is already in preparation.”
Sophie agreed that it might be best not to meet them, and asked, “How was the invitation worded?”
Lily replied, “It says they’re coming to congratulate us on our young lord’s return, but that’s just an excuse. Lord Ryan has been back for a while now. Why didn’t they visit sooner?”
Sophie thought for a while, and said, “You should respond by saying that Ryan is still recovering from his injuries, and is not in a condition to receive guests. Once he has fully recovered, I will take him to visit them.”
Lily nodded in agreement, and went to deliver the message.
Sophie indeed found it inappropriate to meet them. It was clear that they were interested in the Jaffe family, a matter she had no say in. It was best to avoid the visit.
After the response was sent, two more days passed, and the first snowfall of the winter began to fall. The snow was light, just enough to cover the yard with a thin layer of white frost before it stopped. Sophie continued to take Ryan to the orchid garden. The orchids had started to bloom, with delicate pink and deep purple petals dusted with a layer of frost, creating a beautiful scene.
Ryan was very happy. Although his cheeks were flushed red from the cold, his face was full of joyful smiles.
He placed his hand on his throat, and tried to speak to Sophie. Despite several attempts, he couldn’t make any sound. His small face grew redder with frustration. eside him, and said gently, “It’s alright. Take your time. There’s no
Sophie knelt need to rush.”
Ryan nodded, though his eyes showed some disappointment. He had been able to make sounds before, but he couldn’t for the past few days, which made him anxious.