Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Lily had initially arranged for Pearl to stay outside the newlywed suite, ready to assist at any time, given that it was Sophie’s wedding night. However, seeing Rafael so thoroughly drunk, it seemed unlikely they would even get to the ceremonial wine.
“Ms. Lily, they haven’t had the ceremonial wine yet,” Pearl said, turning to the older woman.
Lily sighed. “How could they get His Highness so drunk? They poured wine into him before he had a chance to eat. Didn’t they think about how important this night is for the groom?”
Lily blamed Adrian for this.
It was a significant night for Sophie, and Rafael was a good match.
How could they be so heartless as to get him drunk like this? He had been injured many times on the battlefield and had been working hard since returning to the capital. How could things proceed now that Rafael was in this state?
Sophie was not the only one feeling pained-Lily was deeply upset as well.
Sophie used a hot towel to pat Rafael’s face and wipe his hands. She then pressed a few acupoints to help him regain some awareness.
Rafael opened his eyes, feeling the world spinning around him. He couldn’t tell where he was and could only see countless blurry images of Sophie.
He raised a hand and mumbled hoarsely, his voice raspy from the strong liquor, “Wait, don’t move. Let me look closely. Am I dreaming, or am I really drunk? Why does it feel like I’m actually marrying Sophie?” Rafael was feeling intensely dizzy. He reached out to touch the face in front of him, but even with his eyes open, the spinning sensation persisted. Closing his eyes only made it worse.
“Oh, it’s a dream. How could Sophie’s skin be so rough? And there are wrinkles. It must be a dream.”
Lily pushed his hand away. “My face is naturally rough and wrinkled. How old do you think I am? Quickly, drink some hangover remedy.”
The cup was brought to his lips. Without hesitation, Rafael gulped it down.
Sophie soaked a fresh hot towel and came over to wipe his face. She couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Look at how drunk you are. You’re mistaking my attendant for me.”
Hearing his drunken ramblings just now had surprisingly pleased her.
Let him be drunk for now-once he was sober, he wouldn’t say such things.
After drinking the hangover remedy, Rafael suddenly felt his stomach churn violently. He leapt up and staggered out, collapsing in the corridor and starting to heave uncontrollably. The violent retching cleared most of the alcohol from his stomach.
He felt much better afterward, no longer experiencing the spinning sensation. Although he was still unsteady, he could at least lean on the wall to walk.
Lily called for someone to clean up the mess while Sophie helped Rafael back inside. She took a clean towel and scrubbed his face vigorously. Inside, she was fuming.
Didn’t he know how to refuse? Just because they poured it, he had to drink it?
Lily watched from the side, deciding to leave the couple to sort things out themselves. Whether it ended in a fight or a scolding, Sophie and Rafael would handle it on their own.
Sophie was upset, and if Lily stayed to offer advice, she might only fuel her anger. Sophie wasn’t angry with Rafael but with Adrian. Lily left the room, understanding that it was better to leave the couple alone, so that Sophie would feel sorry for her husband, given the state he was in.
After wiping Rafael’s face and cleaning his hands, Sophie gave him some water to rinse his mouth. It helped him feel more awake.
He was indeed clearer-headed now, even able to notice that Sophie was still upset. He understood it wasn’t directed at him, but found her all the more beautiful when her delicate face was clouded with displeasure.
The candles cast a warm glow throughout the room, and the intertwined knots hung around the lanterns seemed to warm his heart.
Rafael cleared his throat softly and asked, “I made most of these Eternal Knots myself. Do they look good?”
Sophie, who was in the middle of portioning some food for him, glanced around. She wouldn’t have noticed the knots around the room if he hadn’t said anything. It wasn’t that there weren’t enough of them in sight, but she was anxious enough to not be paying attention to them.
Surprised, she looked at his long, slender hands and asked, “You made these? You know how to do such detailed work?”
Rafael’s hair was slightly disheveled, but his face remained strikingly handsome, his smile lighting up his eyes.
“I didn’t, but I learned how to do it.”
Sophie’s eyes shimmered with unspoken emotions. She feigned ignorance as she asked, “Why?”
“I’m not sure why. I just wanted to make them with my own hands. I wanted to be more involved with our wedding.” Rafael paused thoughtfully. “There’s something I haven’t told you.”
He raised a hand to his forehead, trying to shake off the lingering dizziness, hoping to be as clear-headed as possible so she wouldn’t think he was speaking under the influence.
Sophie slowly walked to the table, already guessing what he was about to say.
“Well, would you like to tell me now? Also, can you manage another small cup? We still haven’t had the ceremonial wine.”
“Yes, the ceremonial wine. We must drink it. I can handle it.”
Rafael stood up, his steps slightly unsteady but managing to walk in a straight line. He took a seat next to Sophie. Their eyes met, revealing emotions they no longer tried to hide. Sophie blushed and lowered her gaze as she poured the wine.
The small, intricately carved gold cups were tied with delicate white ribbons, adding a touch of elegance. As the wine was poured, a rich rose aroma filled the air. It was indeed the perfect rose wine to drink. “This wine smells wonderful,” Rafael remarked, reaching for the two cups.
He handed one to his wife, feeling his heart suddenly race.
Their hands intertwined as their faces drew close, nearly touching. They could almost hear each other’s breath. Perhaps it was the glow of the candles, but their eyes sparkled with shared emotions.
“My dear, drinking this ceremonial wine means we will grow old together,” he said softly.
Rafael’s mind was clear, though his heart was still under the spell of emotion.
Sophie’s face flushed a deep red. She nodded, watching Rafael lift his cup and drink, and she followed suit.
The wine, carrying a hint of cool fragrance, had a barely perceptible taste of alcohol. It was smooth and well-crafted, with just the right kick. After finishing the drink, she looked into his dark eyes and felt a slight drunkenness herself.
They set down their cups and gazed at each other.
“I wanted to tell you something…” he began.
Sophie interrupted him, “I’ll start. Before you went to the Southern Frontier, did you seek out my mother to ask for my hand?”
He was taken aback. “You know?”
“Lily just told me,” she said, biting her red lips. She looked up, her eyelashes fluttering. “So, the person you mentioned who was your beloved, the one who was already married, was me?”
Rafael nodded slightly. “Yes, it’s you. It’s always been you. From the start, you were the only one.”
Everything became clear to Sophie. Her eyes filled with tears, and her nose grew a bit stuffy.