Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“I know, Jacob. I know,” Rafael said as he patted the other man’s shoulder. “Those hard days are over now. From here out, things will get better.”
Jacob cried, tears and snot mingling on his face. “It’s been 18 years! I didn’t know if she was dead or alive, what kind or how people might have mistreated her! It’s all left to my imagination, and the more I think about it, the more horrific it f suffering she not
I becomes! Every time she crosses my mind, it feels like a thousand needles are stabbing my heart.”
Rafael understood that kind of pain. As harsh as it sounded, when someone died, the grief only lasted for a year or two. Sometimes, it hurt when they crossed one’s mind, but it was never an agony that was this relentless.
“Come, have another glass. After this, we’ll sleep,” Rafael said, pouring Jacob another glass. “I’ll drink with you.”
Jacob waved his hand as he cried. Even though he felt a pleasant buzz from the wine and his thoughts were swirling with a mixture of joy and sorrow, he knew he had responsibilities to attend to.
“I can’t drink anymore. I can’t! The shopkeepers from all over will be coming tomorrow, and I have to arrange everything that needs to be done. Autumn is upon us, and there’s so much to do. Lady Sophie needs to plan things, and I can’t delay any important matters,” he said.
Henry emerged from the dungeon of Harmony Palace, dragging his heavy feet toward the side hall where Eleanor awaited him.
After meeting Sophie and learning about their plans, he shared them with Eleanor, which gave him the opportunity to visit the dungeon. He managed to bring some food and clothing for Melanie Lester, and even took her on a stroll in the courtyard outside the dungeon. However, informing Eleanor of Sophie’s plan meant he had already abandoned Carmen.
Henry had no choice but to proceed this way. Initially, he had been forced into the situation, but now, he was in too deep to turn back. The Marquis of Grovehill’s family and Eleanor’s household were tightly intertwined, leaving Henry with no option but to obey Eleanor’s orders.
As he entered the side hall, Eleanor dismissed those around her with a wave of her hand and said coolly, “Have a seat.”
Henry sat down. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Eleanor sipped her coffee, and said nothing. Henry didn’t say anything, either.
“You’ve seen her, so you must feel at ease now,” Eleanor calmly said as she blew the froth off her coffee.
“Thank you for the medicine, Your Highness,” Henry replied.
Eleanor raised her gaze to look at him with a cold expression. Though she understood what was really going on, there were moments when she couldn’t resist exposing the facade of the hypocritical man before her. “What’s this? Do you really care about Melanie Lester? Stop pretending. This is just your way of controlling those two little wretches.”
Henry remained silent. He knew that in the face of Eleanor’s sarcasm, silence was his best defense.
“Make sure to meet with Sophie as much as possible and get more information out of her. Also, tell her about our plans for the fifteenth of October. It’s crucial to understand how their plan will be executed.” “Understood. I’ll ask Carmen to arrange a meeting with them again,” Henry said.
“Make sure your mother pushes for the marriage between Lisette and Thomas. We can’t let that drag on.”
Henry hesitated momentarily. “I don’t think Thomas will be interested in Darin. After all, she’s just some performer. She’ll never be able to rise into a higher position. From what I’ve seen of her actions and demeanor, she doesn’t have the slightest air of a refined lady.”
Eleanor sneered, seeing right through her prince consort’s petty thoughts. “Florence personally trained her, and she has been confined to the inner courtyard of Harmony Palace for so long. She’s had no contact with the outside world, and whatever rebellious habits she had from the streets are long gone. If she can’t act properly now, then no one can.”
Henry remained silent. He knew he could never outwit Eleanor, nor could he hide his intentions from her. All he could do was occasionally speak a few words in favor of his family. Beyond that, he was powerless. “How’s Celeste doing? Has Caspian shown any interest in her?” Eleanor asked.
Henry placed his hands on his knees, and frowned. “They’ve met twice-once at Lord Snyder’s birthday banquet, and another time at Cloudveil Lounge. But Caspian didn’t pay her any attention.”
“How is that possible? Didn’t we have her change her appearance? Could it be that Caspian recognized her as Ruby?”
Eleanor had confidence in Celeste’s beauty. Caspian wasn’t much of a man to begin with, having married a merchant’s daughter. While his wife hadn’t completely lost her charm, she was far from the youthful, radiant girl she once was.
“It’s unlikely he recognized her. She has a new identity now, and has slightly altered her appearance. In fact, she looks even better and more innocent than when she was Ruby Plus, she’s now the daughter of a coffee merchant and has learned to brew.coffee beautifully. Even Lord Snyder couldn’t stop praising her. Considering Lord Snyder is Caspian’s superior and recommended her highly, Caspian should’ve paid attention. But at Cloudveil Lounge, he only spared Celeste a nod and left.”
“Was his wife with him?” Eleanor asked.
“No, he was there to buy a hairpin for her and only brought a servant with him.”
Eleanor frowned. “Could it be that Celeste hasn’t learned her lesson and refuses to seduce Caspian?”
“No, that’s not it. I can assure you that she’s obeying your order,” Henry quickly assured her.
Eleanor’s expression darkened. “Then make sure she takes this seriously. Within half a month, she must establish a connection with Caspian. The ideal outcome would be for her to enter the Earl of Silverstone’s family as a concubine.” “I’ll let her know,” Henry said, his hands still resting on his knees. “Is there anything else you need from me, Your Highness? If not, I’ll go tend to it.”
“The lamps will be lit tonight,” Eleanor said casually.
Henry lowered his eyes, and suppressed the disgust he felt rising within him. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Eleanor waved her hand, and dismissed Henry.
Did he think she couldn’t see the disdain in his eyes? The more he loathed her, the more she wanted him to remember that he and Grovehill Estate would forever be her subordinates.
Once Henry left, Eleanor summoned Florence. “Henry is coming tonight. Light the lamps early, and don’t forget to burn the incense. Also, make sure he drinks the herbal tonic before he enters the room.” “I understand, Your Highness,” Florence replied.
Eleanor closed her eyes, her expression uncertain. Florence hesitated before speaking again, “Your Highness, you’ve never been fond of getting intimate with the prince consort. Why force yourself?” Still keeping her eyes shut, Eleanor let out a barely audible sigh. “I just suddenly thought of someone.”
“Lord Henry is who he is, and that other person is simply that. Every time you share a bed with the prince consort, you never seem happy,” Florence pointed out. Having been her wet nurse, Florence held a high position and could speak her mind. Eleanor opened her eyes, a hint of mockery dancing in her gaze. “Do you think I should keep some lovers around to amuse myself?”
“That’s not what I meant. I only worry about you,” Florence said, waving her hands dismissively. She sighed. “You and Lord Henry can’t stand each other. You even avoid looking at him most days, yet you still have to share a bed with him. It’s truly unfair to you.” Eleanor straightened up slightly, and asked, “Do you think I can still have children?”
Florence gasped in shock. “You still want to have children? You said you wouldn’t bear any more after giving birth to the princess.”
Eleanor said softly, “I used to think that way, but if my elder brother succeeds, who will inherit my family’s legacy? Jessica has no children. Wouldn’t that all go to the Marquis of Ironridge’s family?”
“If you want to have children, then why make the prince consort drink the herbal tonic?” Florence asked, confused.
Eleanor pressed her fingers against her temples. A cold smile curled on her lips, and her eyes filled with disdain. “As if I would bear his child! If I had a son to inherit the family’s legacy, there’s no way I’d let it have any connection to the Marquis of Grovehill’s family. Of course, ? superficial relationship is necessary to maintain my reputation.
“I would never bear the child of any man other than my husband. However, Henry knows the truth, and so does the Marquis of Grovehill’s family. And in time, my future son will know as well.”
“Do you really want to find a lover?” Florence asked, slightly taken aback. For so many years, Eleanor had never entertained such thoughts and lived like a widow. Why was she considering it now?
Eleanor looked up and asked, “Do you know Daniel Devin?”
A man from the Devin family?
Florence’s heart sank as she shook her head. “I don’t. The Devin family doesn’t have many members serving in the court. Is Daniel a rising star among their family?” “He’s not much of a rising star. He’s merely been trading out of the city with his dad. He only returned to the capital this year. I’ve met him once.”
“And how is he related to Hector?” Florence asked cautiously.
Eleanor extended her hand, examining the orchid designs painted on her nails. She replied nonchalantly, “In a way, he’s Hector’s cousin. They share the same great-grandfather. In Hector’s i the family, Ryan is the only male descendant left. Daniel is 27 this year, and is the youngest among Hector’s generation.”
“Have you taken a liking to him? What makes him stand out?”
Eleanor scoffed. “Stand out? Nothing at all.”