Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
In Samuel’s arms, Ruby whimpered and began to cry. “I was a pure courtesan before I married into this household. No man had ever even touched me before.”
Violet glanced at Sophie, who gave her a slight nod.
Violet then coldly laughed and said, “You’re claiming to be a ‘pure courtesan’? Maybe you can fool someone as brainless as Samuel, but do you really think you can fool us?”
Her words instantly enraged Samuel, who snapped, “How dare you slander her?”
Violet sneered. “Slander her? I wouldn’t dare. Ruby, shouldn’t you tell everyone your real name? What was it again? I heard your esteemed father gave you a rather lovely name-Celeste Kingsley, wasn’t it? But Grand Princess Eleanor didn’t call you that, did she? She called you something else, right? Cece, wasn’t it?”
Ruby’s face turned deathly pale, but only for a moment.
Soon, her eyes filled with tears, and she choked out, “W-What are you talking about?”
The faces of those from the Earl of Gracehold’s family also changed drastically. They stared at Ruby’s elegant and beautiful face in disbelief.
Could she really be Eleanor’s daughter?
Surely, she wasn’t her biological child. Eleanor had only given birth to Jessica. However, it was rumored that the grand princess had taken in several concubines for her prince consort, though none of them had ever appeared in public. Those concubines must have had children, but those children had never been seen either.
But this? It was simply too absurd.
Even if Ruby wasn’t Eleanor’s biological daughter, she would still have to call the grand princess her rightful mother. How could Eleanor allow her own daughter, even an illegitimate one, to end up in a brothel? Violet snorted. “There’s no point in denying it. I’ve thoroughly investigated everything. Do you really think that little secret of yours could be hidden from our princess consort?”
“No, I’m not. I’m not!” Ruby wept as she clung to Samuel’s sleeve. “If I were Grand Princess Eleanor’s daughter, how could I have ended up in such a low place like a brothel?” With her pitiful sobbing tugging at Samuel’s heartstrings, he quickly comforted her, “I believe you. She’s just trying to use you to defame Grand Princess Eleanor.” “Idiot,” Rafael scoffed softly.
Sophie looked at Noah and said,
“She is indeed Grand Princess Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter. As for why she entered your estate under a false identity, that’s for you to figure out. I won’t interfere in that matter. I’m here tonight because my mother-in-law was mistreated. As for what Leona has endured while staying in your household, I trust her parents will handle it. The prince and I need not worry ourselves further.”
“Your Grace, please!”
In a moment of panic, Noah stepped toward Sophie, but Violet immediately blocked his way. He stopped in his tracks, looking at Sophie desperately. “Your Grace, please clarify your words! Is she truly Grand Princess Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter?”
Violet replied coldly, “You should ask me. I’m the one who investigated this. She is indeed Grand Princess Eleanor illegitimate daughter, born to one of Lord Henry’s concubines. She was raised in the western courtyard, and from a young age, was taught how to please men. “As for her claim of being untouched before entering your household, it’s laughable. She lost her purity long before becoming part of this family. I don’t know how many men have taught her the arts, but if you doubt me, just watch how she tears your household apart and you’ll know the truth.”
“I’m innocent! I am pure!” Ruby collapsed into Samuel’s arms, crying so hard she nearly fainted. “How could she slander me like this? Samuel, you know best whether I’m pure or not!” Samuel held her tightly, his voice rising, “That’s right. She is pure! I can vouch for it.”
“Vouch? With what? A single red stain?” Violet sneered. “You’re supposed to be a scholar, a top candidate in the national examination, yet you’re this foolish. Do you really not know how to tell if a woman is truly pure?”
Samuel’s face turned deathly pale with anger as he shouted at Violet, “Shut your mouth! Get out! All of you, leave!”
“You think we want to stay in this filthy place?” Violet shot a cold glance at Ruby. “We weren’t going to expose your secret, but you went too far by harming Lady Leona. She’s never done anything to you, yet she suffered because of you.
“And now you dare to hurt her? You’re only brave enough to pick on someone weaker. If you had any real courage, you’d go back and fight your legitimate mother. If you did that, I’d even respect you.”
Ruby continued to cry uncontrollably, her sobs wracking her body. Despite her tears, her fingers clung desperately to Samuel’s shirt, as if holding onto him was the only thing keeping her grounded. Though her eyes had run dry, her cries were still filled with a deep sense of hurt and vulnerability.
“Such a mess!” Rafael commented as he stood up, taking Sophie’s hand in his.
He turned to the stunned Helen. “Mom, let’s go.”
Helen snapped out of her shock and rose to her feet.
But before leaving, she glanced at Heather and said, “I just went in to see Leona. She thought it was you and was so happy, but when she realized it wasn’t, she was disappointed. You’re such a weak mother, so it’s no wonder your daughter turned out the same. You know very well who I caused a scene for today. If you have any shred of dignity as a mother, don’t let this slide so easily. Otherwise, you’ll lose all respect in my eyes.”
“Mother, let’s go. Every mother has maternal instincts. I’m sure Aunt Heather knows what to do,” Sophie calmly added.
“Sophie!” Heather called out, her eyes brimming with tears. “I know you’re here for Leona today, but have you thought about what this will mean for her? After all this commotion, life in this household will only get harder for her.”
“Is it easy for her now?” Sophie countered, sweeping a glance across the room. “Look around. Who here has stood up for Leona? If Alana hadn’t punched Samuel twice, he would’ve only gotten a scolding for pushing her.”
Sophie’s eyes were filled with disappointment. She truly didn’t understand what Harvey and Heather were so afraid of.
Harvey was a prince. Even if he didn’t hold any real power or position at court, the title of prince alone was enough to put him above the Earl of Gracehold’s family. Yet, despite the grave injustice Leona had suffered, Heather still blamed Sophie for causing too much trouble tonight.
The aunt Sophie once knew wasn’t this timid. When did she become like this?
“Let’s go,” Rafael said, leading Sophie out the door.
Violet supported Helen as they followed. Once they left, Travis led the household soldiers out and faded into the night.
The lights in Gracehold Estate were still on, and everyone’s eyes, filled with doubt and coldness, were fixed on Ruby.
Heather went to see Leona. Upon seeing her daughter, who was as thin as a stick despite being pregnant, she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
“How could he treat you like this?
You’re carrying his child! I thought even if he favored that concubine, he would still give you the respect you deserve. I regret it so much. Why did I marry you off to him?”
Leona, however, had no more tears left. She murmured, “It’s my fault. I was the one who liked him first, but he said he liked me too… Mom, I want a divorce.”
Heather was utterly shocked. “A divorce? No, you can’t! What will you do after that?”
“Mom, I can’t survive here any longer. My reputation doesn’t matter anymore.”
Leona’s eyes were filled with complete despair. She wasn’t the type to be jealous, and she could tolerate Ker husband taking concubines. But when he net her, sending her crashing into the table without a second thought, her heart had died.
“No! I won’t allow a divorce. Was this your cousin’s idea? She’s a divorced woman herself, so now she’s pushing you to divorce too?” said Heather, furious and alarmed.
Leona quickly tried to explain, “It has nothing to do with Sophie. I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
Heather grabbed her daughter’s shoulders. “Don’t defend her! Do you even know what she did tonight? She brought Rafael over and they wrecked the entire front courtyard. They even injured your husband!” Tears poured from Leona’s eyes. “Really? She stood up for me? At least someone did. I’m such a disappointment. I even caused my cousin trouble over my own matters.”
Heather was frantic. “You foolish girl! Don’t be fooled by her. She just wants you to end up like her-a divorced woman. But she was lucky enough to find a good match with the Hell Monarch. What about you? What about your child?”
Leona wiped her tears away and looked at Heather. “Mom, if I get a divorce, will you let me return home?”
Heather covered Leona’s mouth and warned, “Don’t you dare say those words again! You’re a duchess with an annual stipend and land of your own. You can support yourself without depending on the earl’s family.
“As for your husband, I believe he’ll come to his senses. That woman… that woman is Grand Princess Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter. She’s up to something by coming into this household.”
Leona’s heart sank further. She didn’t care who Ruby was. No matter how scheming or filthy her methods were, none of this would’ve happened if Samuel had believed Leona. Leona had already given up on Samuel.