Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Blake, who had been on edge the entire time, finally began to relax. He had feared that Freya’s indiscreet remarks would provoke Mary’s anger.
In the end, Mary was above such pettiness and didn’t stoop to Freya’s level.
However, Freya was not inclined to heed the old woman’s heartfelt advice. Her heart was already consumed by bitterness and resentment, leaving no room for any kind of friendly suggestion.
As they left Jadehill Estate, Freya climbed into the carriage with a cold expression. Blake stared at the carriage for a long while before finally joining her inside.
The journey was marked by an icy silence, with neither of them willing to exchange a single glance. The couple who once promised to love each other for a lifetime now sat in mutual disdain.
–
Back at Jadehill Estate, Mary sat in the sitting room, sipping coffee leisurely.
“Grandmother, it was one thing not to say anything earlier, but why bother trying to reason with her? She didn’t take your words to heart at all,” Caroline said.
Mary responded slowly, “Madam Freya once reached great heights, with even the queen dowager praising her personally. She was recognized for her achievements, and married with the king’s blessing.
“At that time, she thought Lady
Sophie was nothing more than a worm beneath her feet. She looked down on her, thinking that a small gesture of kindness would make Lady Sophie eternally grateful. But she didn’t realize that Lady Sophie, rather than being trampled, was simply choosing not to fight back.
“Now, Lady Sophie stands taller than many, far surpassing Madam Freya, while she herself has fallen from her lofty perch into the mud. Her dissatisfaction with the world stems from this perceived imbalance, as well as her belief that any woman can surpass her, except Lady Sophie. That is Madam
Freya’s current mindset.”
“What a madwoman,” Caroline commented.
“Greed, anger, ignorance, and desire-such things torment people,” Mary said as she slowly stood up. “She obsesses over the Hell Monarch’s princess consort, yet the latter doesn’t even spare her a glance.”
She paused, then addressed the younger women present in the room with her, “You should learn from Lady Sophie. When you receive something, be willing to give back. Keep your vision broad, have a great outlook, and cultivate a noble character.”
“Yes, Grandmother. We will remember your advice,” everyone responded in unison.
The news of Blake’s demotion to a ninth-rank capital guard eventually reached Rebecca, who was devastated upon hearing it. Pounding her chest, she cried bitterly and cursed loudly, blaming Freya for the misfortune and even accusing her of being the cause of Blake’s ruined future.
Rebecca sent someone to summon Freya, but her daughter-in-law ignored the call and directly kicked the maid out. That infuriated Rebecca even more.
Tears and snot streaming down her face, she pounded the bed, lamenting, “Blake, why did you have to marry that useless woman? What a disaster for our family!
“Before she joined our family, she came to see me and flattered me so much. She promised that with both of you in the family, you would rise to great heights. And now? You’re reduced to a mere ninth-rank capital guard who patrols the city. What future is there in that?”
Demotions and reductions in rank were not unheard of in court, but to be reduced straight to ninth-rank was a severe blow. In the capital, were there even ninth-rank officials? Even a minor clerk would look down on him.
Blake sat quietly to the side, feeling as though he had lived a lifetime since the events of the past. He could barely remember the details of the time when he brought Freya back home.
He only recalled telling Sophie that his mother liked Freya very much and that any children he and Freya might have would be entrusted to Sophie to raise. Moreover, the authority over the household would not be taken from her.
At the time, he had believed he was being quite generous.
Now, looking back, it seemed almost laughable. It was as if he had told a wealthy person, “Here’s a copper coin. You should be grateful.”
Blake had never truly understood Sophie. He knew she had been sent off to learn martial arts, but had thought that given her noble status, what skills could she possibly learn?
Freya’s remarks about women had completely overturned his perceptions. He had no idea such self-reliant and strong women existed, let alone someone with such exceptional character and resilience.
He thought Sophie couldn’t compare, but was unwilling to let her down, which was why he only sought to marry Freya as a secondary wife. It was only when the situation became unbearable that he decided to get a divorce.
At the time, Blake had been eager to marry Freya because, as a man, his career was crucial, especially with the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the Jaffe family. Beyond his genuine affection for Freya, he also hoped to gain her support.
But he had never imagined that things would turn out this way.
Faced with his mother’s furious reprimands and tears, he felt a bitter lump in his throat, unable to utter a single word.
This mess was indeed his doing.
He and Freya, once full of self-assured love, had grown to despise each other.
Marrying Viola had been a calculated decision, made to gain support from the Prince family. Blake knew very well that the king had given him a chance. But now, due to Freya’s taunts calling Mary an old beggar, he had been reported.
And because of Viola’s orders to break the arm of the culprit who had thrown dung at Valor Estate, the king had reproached the Jaffe family for setting up a private torture chamber. These charges piled up against him, making any hopes of promotion seem bleak.
Feeling disheartened and dejected, Blake remained silent, unable to argue even a word against his mother’s scolding.
He knew that he could have had a promising future. Why had Sophie hidden her true abilities? True, he had promised Melanie that he wouldn’t ever take a concubinez But when he made that promise, he had not expected to meet Freya on the battlefield.
Military life was harsh, difficult, and torturous. He had merely found someone with whom he shared common ideals. They often comforted each other-their bond was not merely a physical one, but a vow under the moon and the heavens.
It was all due to Sophie’s lack of tolerance.
Blake wondered if she would also cause a scene and seek a divorce when Rafael took a concubine. If she didn’t, it would only prove that she was greedy for power and looked down on Blake.
How long would Rafael refrain from taking in a concubine? Helen was already living in his residence, and this year she would surely arrange for Rafael to expand his family When that happened, Sophie had better be prepared to request another divorce edict.
At some point, rumors began circulating in the city about Freya being captured as a prisoner of war and violated by Westhaven soldiers.
Originally, after returning from the Southern Frontier, similar rumors had surfaced, but stated that she had been captured by Sandorian soldiers instead. Back then, the gossip had been quickly suppressed. This time, however, after the apology to the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family, no more dung was thrown at the Jaffe family’s residence. Yet, the story about Freya being captured and violated had become increasingly notorious.
The rumor spread with such force that within just a few days, it had swept across the entire city and was sure to spill over beyond its borders.
Even Hell Monarch Estate was abuzz with discussions about the matter. Sophie found it odd that this issue, which had been buried for so long, was suddenly being brought up again and causing such a stir throughout the city.
Could there have been a leak from the military? However, the Mystic Army was well-trained, so such matters should not have leaked out.
When Rafael returned from the Supreme Court, Sophie asked him about it.
Rafael sat down and took a sip of coffee, frowning as he said, “The rumors are being deliberately spread. I received news only yesterday that Westhaven’s third prince has been officially declared the crown prince.”
“Westhaven’s third prince?” Sophie repeated.
She recalled that the third prince, Edmund, had come to the Southern Frontier battlefield seeking revenge for Westhaven’s late crown prince, Arthur.
Edmund, who remembered the massacre of Fawnrun City’s civilians, harbored a deep hatred for Freya. While that incident was something both kingdoms had tried hard to conceal, Edmund might not share the same mindset.