Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Setting up the defense was quite straightforward. They worked in three-hour shifts, and there were more than enough people for the job.
Since there was no curfew in the capital at night, Travis personally took charge at night, given that nighttime was often when crimes occurred. The likelihood of several people storming the estate in broad daylight was quite low.
Early the next morning, Sophie and Violet took Ryan out after the carriage was ready. It was Ryan’s first day at the academy. Though he claimed not to be nervous, a hint of anxiety was evident on his face.
Ryan was dressed in a blue outfit, with his hair styled and secured with a blue silk ribbon, presenting a clean and somewhat scholarly appearance.
Frederick had chosen Ryan’s study partner, who was the grandson of Frederick’s cousin. Born on New Year’s Eve, he was named Evan and was the same age as Ryan.
Evan carried a book bag containing ink, brushes, and paper.
Ryan’s gait was slightly awkward, but he wasn’t worried about being mocked. He had endured scorn and abuse in his days as a beggar, which had made him emotionally resilient.
Violet glanced at the overcast sky and said, “It looks like it’s going to rain. We need to hurry, or we’ll be stuck in a traffic jam at the academy.”
Sophie was still standing by the carriage and scanning the surroundings. She saw nothing unusual, and then lifted her skirt to get in. “Do we have an umbrella?”
“Yes, I’ve got it all,” Violet said, checking the items. “I’ve got a packed lunch and a storybook too. We can read it while waiting for him to finish class at the academy.” Sophie told the coachman, “Alright, let’s go!”
The carriage was spacious and quite comfortable. However, just as they were nearing the academy, it began to rain. Fortunately, it was only a light shower and wouldn’t cause much delay. Since they had left early, they arrived at the academy without encountering any traffic jams. At the large entrance, only a few carriages were lined up.
Sophie opened her umbrella and stepped out of the carriage first. She then carefully lifted Ryan down, while Evan jumped down on his own
At his age, he was full of energy and excitement.
As the rain grew heavier, Violet tossed another umbrella down from the carriage. “Don’t get wet. We didn’t bring any extra clothes to change into.” “Got it, Aunt Violet!” Ryan called out loudly.
“Good boy, Ryan!” Violet said with a smile, waving at him. “Go on. We’ll wait around here for you.”
Evan held the umbrella and took Ryan’s hand, and they dashed into the academy. Sophie called out, “Don’t run too fast. Be careful, and don’t slip.”
As soon as she finished speaking, there was a loud “thud”, as if someone had fallen.
Sophie turned toward the sound and saw a woman in plain white clothes lying on the ground, having fallen from a nearby carriage. A maid was rushing to help her, but since she was holding an umbrella in one hand and trying to support the woman with the other, she slipped and ended up falling on top of her. The woman let out a muffled cry of pain.
The coachman ran over, but as a man, it wasn’t appropriate for him to help them up. He could only offer his coat for the maid to hold onto in an attempt to help the woman up. But with the woman’s legs trapped underneath, the maid struggled to get up and only ended up pressing the woman down further.
Sophie ran over, grabbed the maid to steady her, and then bent down to help the woman up.
The woman’s face was pale, her hair and clothes drenched by the rain. Clearly embarrassed by her disheveled appearance, she used her sleeve to cover her face and murmured to Sophie, “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“No need to thank me,” Sophie said. “Are you hurt badly?”
“Not too badly… Oh!” The woman shifted her foot and winced as a sharp pain shot through her left ankle, letting out a cry of discomfort.
“It seems like you might have twisted your ankle,” Sophie observed. She helped support the woman, and the maid rushed over to assist as well. However, the maid’s hands were covered in blood, likely from scraping them on the rough ground during the fall. Sophie frowned, and said, “My carriage is just up ahead. I have some medicine and ointment in it. Why don’t you come with me, and I can take care of you there.”
The woman hesitated. “W-Wouldn’t that be too much trouble? And I still don’t know your name.”
Sophie replied, “My name is Sophie. We’ve met before.”
The woman in question was Kayla, who had tried to help Viola at The Golden Tower. After returning from Meadow Ridge, Sophie had visited Elderglen Estate with her mother and had seen Kayla there.
Hearing Sophie’s name, Kayla lowered her sleeve and looked at her more closely. “Oh, it’s you, Your Grace. I’m sorry for my rudeness.”
“Lady Kayla, let’s get you into my carriage for some care. There are more carriages arriving behind us,” Sophie said.
“Thank you. I’m so sorry for the trouble,” Kayla replied.
She was aware of her position. As a widow, she feared scandal and unwanted gossip. Her current state might attract unwanted speculation. Violet also hurried over. She helped Sophie support Kayla. In the end, Violet simply lifted her into the carriage, and Kayla blushed deeply.
“I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience.”
Sophie also helped Kayla’s maid into the carriage. Since Lulu and the others were not with them today, the carriage, though accommodating four people, didn’t feel cramped.
Violet recognized Kayla as well, but she refrained from mentioning the events at The Golden Tower.
Kayla immediately remembered
Violet, as the latter had been standing at the private room entrance with her arms crossed and watching the drama unfold. Also, her strikingly beautiful face waso unforgettable after a single glance.
Feeling embarrassed by the recollection of that day, Kayla offered an awkward explanation, “I was really interested in that ruby tiara that day…”
Violet smiled. “I was interested in it too. It’s unfortunate that Madam Jaffe bought it.”
Kayla smiled awkwardly, regretting her attempt to explain. She should have avoided mentioning that day to prevent further embarrassment.
Violet and Sophie exchanged glances, both sensing that Kayla must not have been out socializing for a while, as she seemed preoccupied with the incident from The Golden Tower. Violet attended to the maid, cleaning the bloodstains and applying medicine. Meanwhile, Sophie disregarded Kayla’s discomfort and gently removed her shoes and socks.
Noticing the swelling around her ankle, Sophie asked, “Lady Kayla, could you gently move your ankle to see if it hurts?”
Kayla followed her instructions, moving her ankle lightly and letting out a pained hiss. “It hurts.”
“I hope it’s not a fracture,” Sophie said as she applied an ointment Sebastian had given her. “This ointment is from Arcane Sanctum and is quite effective for pain relief. However, because it’s very good at relieving pain, it might mask the severity of the injury. You should still have a physician examine it once you get back.”
“Thank you so much, Your Grace. I’m truly grateful and very sorry for the trouble,” Kayla said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She seemed very reserved, repeatedly expressing her gratitude and apologies. “There’s no need to be so formal, Lady Kayla. We’re old acquaintances, so let’s not be so distant,” Sophie said.
At the mention of their old acquaintance, Kayla’s eyes reddened. She quickly turned her face away, clutching her handkerchief. “With more peop net arriving, could I wait until it’s less crowded before going back to my carriage?”
“Of course,” Sophie replied. “We’re waiting until the academy class ends.”
She glanced at Kayla, then lifted the curtain and instructed the coachman, “Move the carriage a little further away.”
The carriage stopped at the northern corner of Silverbrook Academy, while the Marquis of Elderglen’s family’s carriage followed behind to avoid traffic congestion.
The rain grew heavier, and the crowd increased. With Kayla’s injured foot, it was inconvenient for her to return to her carriage at this time. She had to wait until the carriages bringing children to the academy had dispersed before she could leave. “Are you here to send your son to school, Lady Kayla?” Sophie asked, knowing that Kayla had adopted a son but unaware of his age.
“Yes, it’s his first day at school, so I came to see him off.” A genuine smile appeared on Kayla’s face as she spoke of her son, making her expression seem more natural.
“How old is he? What’s his name?”
Kayla replied, “He’s seven years old, and his name is Alexander.”