Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
She felt so aggrieved. Even if Blake had come to comfort her, it would have eased her heart a little.
But Blake didn’t stay in Grace Mansion. After Rebecca and Serena left, Yvonne came to report, “Mr. Jaffe has gone to Madam Freya.” Viola buried her face in her hands, and cried bitterly.
What had she done wrong? Why was she being treated this way?
She would have preferred if he had stayed in the study rather than going to Freya’s side.
She felt deeply hurt tonight, yet Blake didn’t stay with her but went to Freya instead. Did he care about her at all?
Freya had been disfigured and lost. an ear-she looked like a monster Blake would rather be with a monster-like figure than stay with her.
–
Blake sat in Freya’s room, having no other place to go.
He had stayed in the study for several days. It was quiet, but the solitude of the late night was terrifying for him.
He was plagued by memories of his past mistakes, his heart weighed down and suffocating under the burden of regret. As if to prove to himself that he had not made those mistakes in vain, he came to Freya tonight.
But as he sat across from her, her cruel actions replayed in his mind, making his stomach churn with nausea.
“You really do despise me,” Freya said coldly, her eyes fixed on him since he entered the room.
Since returning from the battlefield, he hadn’t sought her out unless she made a fuss.
Freya was well aware of the recent turmoil in the residence. She enjoyed watching the chaos and seeing the foolish people flounder.
Look, she hadn’t done anything, yet Blake had come to her of his own accord.
Blake’s eyes were cold as he said softly, “I truly wish you could tell me that you didn’t do those things in Fawnrun City.”
Freya smirked coldly. “Is it because of what happened in Fawnrun City that you despise me? No, you despise me because I was captured on the mountain outside Simonton City, because I was disfigured. You think I’m no longer pure, but I can assure you, I am.” Blake shook his head. “No, it’s not the events on the mountain outside Simonton City that trouble me. I only feel pity for you in that regard. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken a beating on your behalf. What I can’t accept are the things you did in Fawnrun City.” “Stop deceiving yourself, alright?” Freya continued to smirk. “Do you really think that what I did in Fawnrun City was wrong?”
“Don’t you think you were in the wrong?” Blake took a deep breath. “Even now, you still don’t see your mistakes?” Freya didn’t wear a veil, and the light revealed the full extent of her emotions. Her eyes burned with fiery ambition.
“Blake, you’re not the only one who wants to make a name for yourself. I do too. I am the first female general of this era. No matter what great feats Sophie achieved at the Southern Frontier, she can’t replace me! I worked hard for my achievements in Fawnrun City. If I hadn’t done those things, how could I have solidified my status?”
She removed the hairpin from her hair, lifting the lamp wick slightly to cast a harsher light on her disfigured half-face.
“Do you think those great generals never committed cruel acts? To survive on the battlefield, no one is soft-hearted. General Devin became the Marquis of Northwatch at a young age. Do you really believe he relied solely on his bravery in battle? No, the darkness hidden behind those achievements is something you and I will never fully understand. Only someone as foolish as you would think of sacrificing your life for military achievements! Even if you fought to the death, you would never become someone like General Prince.” Blake shook his head. “I don’t believe that.”
Freya placed the hairpin back into el.n?
her hair. “You don’t need to be so stubborn. You know very well why General Prince could replace the Hell Monarch to command the Hell Monarch Army. Was it because of his abilities? No, it was because of his title, the merits accumulated by his ancestors, and the privileges he enjoys.
“I only hoped that we could be promoted and that we could also enjoy such blessings for our descendants. As long as we become nobles, our children will have the
Sophie and General Princome chance to become people like individuals who can attain
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everything without needing to exert much effort.”
Blake looked into her eyes, and saw both ambition and bitterness. He felt once again that he didn’t truly understand Freya.
He said to her, “You once told me how women’s positions are so low. You saw countless women stuck in domesti&roles, wasting their lives, and it made you feel sorry for them. You said you wanted to succeed to help improve their status, and make sure they’re not easily mistreated.”
Freya countered, “Is there a conflict? I want to succeed and benefit my descendants, and I also hope that my success can improve the status of women. There’s no contradiction. I can’t just sacrifice myself for others without gaining anything. Am I wrong for wanting both?”
She leaned forward and pressed, “Tell me, am I wrong for thinking this way? Am I?!”
Blake hesitated for a moment, then instinctively shook his head. “No, you’re not wrong.”
“If I’m not wrong, is it reasonable for you to distance yourself from me because of what happened in Fawnrun City? Ultimately, it’s because I was captured and disfigured. You think I’m tainted.”
Blake pulled himself free from her line of thinking. “Wanting to succeed doesn’t make it right to kill civilians.”
Freya’s eyes grew cold. “Those were Westhaven people, not Starhaven citizens.”
Blake said, “Even if they were Westhaven people, they were still civilians. We had an agreement not to harm civilians. It was a promise from the rulers to the people, and it benefited the citizens of both kingdoms. Did you never consider that the people of Victory Pass might also be at risk of slaughter?”
Freya snorted, her eyes filled with disdain. “As a former military general, you should know better, Blake. You’re not cut out for the battlefield. You’re too soft and lack the resolve needed. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have achieved anything. Even in front of General Sullivan, you needed me to strongly advocate for sending troops to burn the supply depot in Fawnrun City. Without me, you wouldn’t have even achieved that.
“You gained merit because I earned it first. I signed the treaty, and you, as the commanding general of the reinforcements, reaped the benefits of my accomplishments. Now, you have the audacity to blame me for achieving success? Don’t you find yourself despicable and shameful?”
Her tone, filled with mockery and contempt, seemed to trample Blake’s pride into the dirt.
Blake was stunned. He was fully aware that what she was saying was wrong, but he didn’t know how to respond.
“Nothing to say now?” Freya said, with a smile that suggested she felt vindicated. “Blake, look at what I gave up for you. And what did you give up for me? I was at my peak when I chose to marry you as your second wife. I remained steadfast during your fall from grace, and yet you married Viola after your divorce from Sophie.
“Do you think you’ve wronged Sophie? The person you’ve truly wronged is me!”
Her voice was soft but laden with profound bitterness, tears slipping down her cheeks.
“The king arranged our marriage, and I planned everything for our future. What did Sophie ever do for you? When you wanted to marry me as a rightful wife, she turned her back on you. She requested a divorce and left with her dowry. She was heartless and showed no affection, yet you still hold her in such high regard.
“What has Sophie ever done for you? Managed your household? Sent your family small gifts and seasonal clothing? Attended to your mother? But weren’t those things expected of her? They were her responsibilities, not her special sacrifices for you! What have you done wrong to her? Just because you didn’t keep your promise about not taking a concubine?
“But look, everyone has to make compromises. I married you as a second wife despite being a general. Wasn’t that a compromise on my part? Why is it acceptable for me to compromise but not for her? She held you accountable for breaking your promise, sought a divorce, and made everyone scorn you, tarnishing the reputation of your family. You should be angry with her, but why do you feel guilty?”
Blake’s heart ached with bitterness. Everything seemed to connect just as she said.
“The person you’ve wronged is me. You first had Sophie, then Viola. I never complained and remained in your family, waiting for another opportunity to prove myself. I continued to plan for our future. Blake, was your affection for me truly just a momentary impulse?”
She covered her face, tears soaking her fingers. Her sobs were stifled and heavy. After a long while, she choked out, “Do you know how hard every day is for me? If another woman had gone through what I’ve endured, she would have ended her life by now.”
Freya’s crying left Blake feeling both confused and upset. She was right. No matter what, she was someone he used to care about deeply.
He stood, walked over, and embraced her. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I…”
Suddenly, a sharp sound pierced the air-a small arrow flew swiftly through the window, heading straight for them. Blake immediately pulled Freya bonet and the arrow embedded itself into the wooden partition screen behind them.