Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
As she continued, her thoughts led her to write two questions over and over-Did the gods understand the anguish of loving someone one couldn’t have? Did the gods know the despair of loving what one couldn’t possess?
She kept writing those lines, as if writing the words might bring her some sort of answer. When the page was finally filled, she stared et blankly at it for a long time. Then, she tore the paper into shreds with a flat look, crumpling the pieces into a ball and tossing it onto the floor.
l.ne
Over the past two years, Eleanor had felt increasingly restless and agitated, the root of her turmoil being an overwhelming emptiness It felt as if her heart had been hollowed out or tightly wrapped up, like a silkworm cocooned in layers of silk She struggled desperately to break free, but no matter how hard she fought within that cocoon, she couldn’t poke her head out.
The constriction was suffocating.
In Orange Blossom Hall, Daniel slowly regained consciousness, but everything around him felt foreign.
A strange bed, unfamiliar curtains, and unknown furnishings filled the room.
He had no strength in his body, and his mind was clouded and chaotic.
He opened his mouth to call for his servant, “Walter…”
He thought he had called out loudly, but the sound was barely more than a whisper. His voice was even trembling at the end.
Panic gripped his heart.
What was happening? Had he encountered thieves?
Turning his head, he scanned the lavishly furnished room. There were soft, luxurious drapes, a large partition screen adorned with peonies, and a full vanity set. The place didn’t resemble a thief’s lair at all. In fact, it seemed more like a woman’s bedroom.
Daniel struggled to rise, but his body felt weak, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness. Just then, the door creaked open, so he quickly turned his head to look.
A figure stepped around the screen and entered. It was a woman.
She wore her hair in a loose bun, adorned with a delicate hairpin, and was wearing a pale blue top with white accents. Over it was draped a smoke-colored satin coat that flowed elegantly. She appeared to be in her forties, with only faint signs of aging on her face. Yet, her expression was stern and commanding, radiating the authority of someone in power.
Behind her, another person entered and moved a chair to the bedside. The woman then slowly sat down, her cold, sharp gaze locking onto Daniel’s wide, confused eyes. “Who… who are you?”
Daniel had never met Eleanor, but he knew her status must be significant.
As Eleanor observed the panic in his eyes, an unsettling feeling surged within her. It was as if a flame had been doused by a sudden downpour, leaving no embers behind.
The two men’s faces bore similarities, yet their demeanor and courage were worlds apart.
“Are you afraid of me?” Eleanor asked slowly, not bothering to conceal her disdain any longer.
“Who are you? Why did you bring me here?”
Scrutinizing her attire, Daniel realized the likelihood of her bringing him here because of money was slim to none. She must have other motives.
He recalled Theodore’s warnings about the Hell Monarch and the Duke of Northwatch’s families being in a state of heightened tension, which would undoubtedly lead to dissatisfaction and targeting from some people. They had to tread carefully, ensuring no one could seize upon any flaws to undermine the Duke of Nortwatch’s family.
“Is the Devin family reduced to having only cowards like you left?” Eleanor said coldly.
“Who are you?” Daniel clenched his fists, a steely glint emerging in his eyes. “No matter who you are, you clearly know my identity, which means you have a purpose for abducting me. What do you plan to use me for? I’m telling you, no matter what your plan is, you won’t succeed.”
Eleanor watched as his fear began to fade, replaced by the distinctive pride that members of the Devin family were known for.
She let out a soft sigh and smiled. “Yes, this is how a member of the Devin family should be.”
She reached out, wanting to touch the icy face before her. It was this very face-cold and distant-that rejected her and kept her at arm’s length, with eyes that showed no hint of warmth.
Daniel lay on the bed, having exerted himself to lift his head in anger.
Now, he was exhausted and panting for breath after uttering those words. His neck could barely support his head, which slumped back onto the pillow as he stared helplessly at the hand approaching his face.
A wave of goosebumps spread across his body in an instant. He flailed his arm weakly, but missed hitting her. Instead, she leaned closer. Her eyes betrayed an emotion he couldn’t comprehend, yet it made his skin crawl.
Eleanor withdrew her hand, but her gaze remained fixed on his face. The sensation of her watching him-yet seeming to look beyond him-sent shivers down his spine. There was an obsession in her eyes that was mingled with resentment. It terrified him.
“Get out!” Daniel roared from deep within his throat.
However, the command fell flat. His voice lacked any real power, and he felt utterly drained.
Eleanor only laughed, leaning back in her chair with a languid demeanor. Her elbows rested on the armrests, her eyes sparkling with a mix of allure and mockery.
“Oh, you may look alike, but the feeling when I touch you is entirely different.”
She had touched Hector’s face once before, but he had swatted her hand away, returning her gesture with an angry shout of “Get out!”
It was astonishing how Hector could act so defiant. Eleanor was clearly the favored grand princess, while he couldn’t even rely on anyone in the Devin family, and had nothing but his own military achievements. And yet he had dared to shout at her.
That kind of pride could infuriate others while also drawing them in, igniting a desire to conquer.
Eleanor suddenly spoke in a lazy tone, “I’ve seen your two sons. Both look just like you. I heard your wife is pregnan again. Do you think it’ll be another son? You really have a talent for fathering boys, and they att resemble you. It’s quite enchanting, really.”
“What?” Daniel felt a chill wash over him, fear pooling in his eyes. “What do you want?” Eleanor looked at him for a while before she sneered, then stood up and turned to leave. Her voice was cold and dismissive as she commanded, “Take him to the dungeon.”
As soon as Florence heard that Daniel was to be locked away in the dungeon, she hurried after Eleanor.
“Your Highness, have you changed your mind?”
“Just lock him up for now,” Eleanor snapped, feeling a wave of irritation wash over her.
“Yes, of course. Please don’t be angry. You must take care of yourself,” Florence urged gently.
“No one can compare to Hector. Even if he looks exactly the same, if he’s not him, then he’s not him. Not even the slightest resemblance can stir my heart. In fact, that face only makes me furious,” Eleanor ranted as she stormed back into her room, a fire burning in her eyes.
After she sat down, she still felt overwhelmingly restless.
“Bring me water and scented soap. I need to wash my hands,” she ordered.
The maids hurried about, bringing in warm water.
Eleanor washed her hands repeatedly, scrubbing away the memory of touching Daniel. It was just like how after every encounter with Henry, every moment spent close to him under the flickering light of the lanterns had to be washed away-requiring her to soak in bucket after bucket of hot water to rid herself of that repugnant aura.
After dismissing the maids, Florence sighed deeply as she observed Eleanor’s increasingly unhinged demeanor.