Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Rafael remained quiet. When it came to marriage, one should marry the woman they truly desired. Since he found out Sophie was marrying someone else, he hadn’t thought of marrying at all. For him, these matters couldn’t be forced. He felt a twinge of impatience.
“Why don’t you come up with a better excuse? It would be easier for me to explain things to Mr. Young. He said Ms. Young wouldn’t cling stubbornly to you if she got an answer she could accept,” he suggested.
Thomas laughed bitterly. “The rumors about my marriage intentions were spread on my orders. I can’t now turn around and say it was to put an end to Viola’s hopes and that I have no plans to marry at all. That would just make me look like a hypocritical scoundrel.” Violet asked, “Then tell me, if you were genuinely thinking of getting married, would you consider Ms. Young?”
“My dear godsister, how could I possibly be worthy of her?” Thomas repeated his answer, then added, “Honestly, I don’t know her well. I know she has a great reputation, but she’s at least ten years younger than I am, and she would be my second wife. I can’t put her through that.” “She’s happy to accept that,” Violet countered.
Thomas chuckled. “How could she genuinely be happy? It’s just a young girl’s fleeting fantasy. As His Highness said, I should come up with a good excuse to decline gracefully, so as not to embarrass the Young family or the girl herself. Violet, you’re clever-why don’t you help me think of something?”
Violet replied, “I’m not going to help you reject her. Like my godmother, I’m hoping you’ll marry and start a family soon to ease Viola’s obsession.”
“You little imp. You go on about how you don’t want to marry, yet here you are pushing me into it!” Thomas said, exasperated.
“Everyone says a woman has no other path but marriage, but I refuse to believe that,” Violet said, glancing at Sophie with a smile. “Besides, if I don’t marry, Sophie will take care of me for life.”
Rafael watched the sun sinking lower in the sky, his heart sinking along with it. Today was not a day they could have a nice day out.
He sighed inwardly.
He stole a glance at Sophie. She seemed genuinely intrigued by the banter between Thomas and Violet, as if she cared deeply about Thomas’ prospect of marriage.
But really, she should focus on her own husband. He was feeling utterly dejected.
Thomas finally said, “Actually, there are plenty of women claiming they want to marry me, and I’m sure they’ll change their minds in no time. If you don’t believe me, you just need to wait and see. As for Mr. Young, it would be best for His Highness to send a reply. How he responds is up to him.”
Rafael called out, his face impassive, “Someone fetch Jacob.”
Thomas couldn’t handle Trevor himself, and Rafael wasn’t good at lying. So, it was best to leave the clever maneuvering to someone more adept.
Thomas clearly wasn’t too concerned about the matter at hand. He had other issues he wanted to discuss with Rafael. So, he invited Rafael to his study for a private conversation.
“I’ve been investigating the assassination attempt at Valor Estate and have come across some findings. The assassin was targeting Freya, and now the Capital Guards are on high alert…”
Rafael waved his hand dismissively. “I’m already aware of all this. Don’t concern yourself with the investigation. Just wait for the king’s assignment.”
Thomas frowned. “But now that we’ve returned to the capital, we have nothing to do. The assignment is taking forever to come through, and it feels like we’re wasting precious time.” In plain terms, he couldn’t stand idleness. Being idle made him restless.
“I suspect the king may appoint you to Victory Pass or to oversee the garrison in the capital. General Xavier is getting old, it’s about time for him to retire. However, the King is assessing your capabilities to see where you’d be best suited.
“But General Sullivan is stationed at Victory Pass,” Thomas pointed out.
“There are some matters…” Rafael started, but then bit back the words. “I won’t say more for now. Just refrain from investigating the assassination at Valor Estate. I know the whole situation. Also your team should limit contact with me for the time being. I called you over today for personal reasons. But if there’s anything in the future, I might have Violet relay messages to you.”
Thomas was momentarily stunned, not grasping the implications. Rafael had saved their team-why wouldn’t they be allowed to maintain contact? But after a moment of reflection, the truth dawned on him. With the king’s recent ascension and the throne still shaky, it was only natural to be wary of a prince with significant military accomplishments.
“Understood, Your Highness.” Thomas nodded. “I’ll wait patiently for my assignment.”
He looked deeply at Rafael, a thought unspoken. No matter what, their team would always be part of the Devin Army.
And every member of the Devin
Army was loyal to the king and to the marshal. Rafael had once been the marshal of the Devin Army, leading the Hell Monarch Army alongside them to reclaim the Southern Frontier-a feat of unparalleled significance,
In the end, Jacob thought up an excuse. He mentioned that they had spoken to Thomas. With no official appointment from the court yet, Thomas didn’t even know where he would be dispatched. Rosalind was the treasured granddaughter of Trevor, and she would be expected to follow him to the borders if they were to marry, potentially spending three to five years away from the capital without a visit. Rosalind was a person of utmost purity and devotion. How could she bear to leave her family and endure hardship in some remote outpost?
Everyone agreed that this reasoning was compelling. Rosalind was exceptionally devoted to her grandparents, who were now elderly. There was simply no way she could leave the capital and them behind.
Since Rafael was to return to the Supreme Court the next day, Sophie and Violet decided to visit Trevor’s residence.
Rosalind came out to greet them, dressed in a pale yellow blouse paired with a matching pleated skirt. The skirt was intricately embroidered with butterflies in silver thread, which shimmered faintly as she walked, making it seem as if the butterflies were fluttering about. “Greetings, Lady Sophie! I am Rosalind,” she said, curtsying with impeccable grace, demonstrating the poise expected of a woman from a noble family.
“There’s no need for such formalities, Ms. Young,” Sophie replied with a smile, glancing at Violet, who was watching Rosalind with wide, admiring eyes.
Violet couldn’t help but compare herself to Rosalind. During her own upbringing, she had learned etiquette under the strict guidance of a governess who wielded a ruler to keep her in line. She had endured countless smacks to her hands and knees, and the etiquette she learned with great difficulty turned out to be quite stiff.
However, Rosalind moved with effortless elegance. Her gestures flowed smoothly, and she exuded a calm and graceful demeanor that made Violet look downright wild by comparison.
Rosalind’s parents were also present, radiating warmth and affection towards one another, which no doubt contributed to Rosalind’s gentle and refined nature.
Sophie spoke up, “Now that we’re all here, I’ll be blunt. I invited Thomas over yesterday, and he said that since he hasn’t received his appointment yet, it’s uncertain whether he’ll be stationed at the borders. He understands that you’re a person of pure virtue and deep devotion to your family, Ms. Young. If you were to accompany him to the borders, you would face hardship and be far from your family. Also, you would be unable to fulfill your duties to them, and that would weigh heavily on his conscience.”
As her words hung in the air, a heavy silence settled over the room.
Rosalind fell silent.
She wanted to marry Thomas, but she couldn’t leave her grandparents and parents behind, going years without seeing them and neglecting her duties. After a moment of silence, tears glistened in her eyes. “I see.”
Seeing her in that state, Sophie sensed that Rosalind had made her decision and couldn’t help but let out a small sigh of relief.
The matter wasn’t so difficult to resolve, after all.
Rosalind turned to Sophie, and said, “Please convey to him that I have weighed the pros and cons, and feel unworthy of him now.”
Sophie blinked, momentarily confused by her words.
Was Rosalind seeking a noble excuse, or did she truly mean it?
Sophie replied gently, “Ms. Young, marriage is indeed a matter of weighing advantages and disadvantages, but there are many factors to consider. It’s not about who is worthy of whom it’s about compatibility.” Rosalind spoke softly, “You’re right, Your Grace, but…”
She looked up at Sophie, tears shimmering her eyes. “I sincerely wish to marry him, and my reluctance to leave my family is no pretense. In this world, how can one have it all? Since I chose my family, I can’t speak of my feelings for him any longer. All I wish is for him to be happy and at peace.”
Sophie paused, a flicker of understanding passing through her mind, but she couldn’t quite grasp it. All she felt was a pang in her heart. “But everyone would choose their family, wouldn’t they?” Violet glanced at Sophie, but said nothing.
That wasn’t necessarily true. Some women, if they had a man they admired, would throw caution to the wind and chase after him without regard for family.
Like her cousin.
Mildred sighed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You’re so silly, child. If you truly wish to pursue your happiness, then go for it. As long as you can bear the hardships of the borders and don’t regret your choice, we will always support you.
Rosalind shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes as she smiled at her grandmother.
“No, I’ll stay here with you and Grandpa. I can’t bear the hardships of the borders. You’ve pampered me. I wouldn’t withstand the desolation of the vast desert or the loneliness it brings. I’d rather stay in the capital, being your precious granddaughter and enjoying the blessings of this world.”