Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
As Eleanor yanked Melanie’s hair, she tumbled to the ground. Tears streamed down her face, but she dared not make a sound.
The capital guards following Eleanor were hesitant to intervene physically. They stood by and yelled, “Let go! Release her!”
With her wild hair obscuring half her face, Eleanor glared at them with a chilling ferocity. “Who do you think you are to order me around? Go ahead, touch me if you dare!”
Eleanor dragged Melanie by her hair and advanced on the capital guards, who dared not touch her. The men were forced to step back.
Natalie rose abruptly and strode over, raising her hand to deliver a sharp slap to Eleanor’s face. “You think you can act however you want? How will you deal with me, you madwoman?”
“How dare you?!” Eleanor released Melanie and lunged toward Natalie.
The capital guards could no longer stand by idly. They hurriedly stepped in to block her path. Eleanor’s lung? failed; in her frenzy, she clawed at a guard’s face and left deep scratches.
The capital guard winced in pain. Seeing Eleanor’s frantic behavior, he gritted his teeth, swept his leg out to trip her, then sidestepped. She stumbled forward, her forehead crashing heavily against the floor.
“Bring some ropes! If you’re too scared to tie her up, I will!” commanded Natalie.
The capital guards rushed out to fetch the ropes. Once Natalie gave the order, they wasted no time restraining Eleanor against a nearby pillar.
A bruise was forming on her forehead. She thrashed like a wild animal, but the bonds were secure. No matter how she struggled, she couldn’t break free.
She shot Natalie a venomous glare, her voice dripping with fury as she ranted, “You old hag! I am a grand princess! How dare you insult the royal family? Do you understand the grave crime you’ve committed? Do you think I won’t get my father to execute your entire family?!”
“Eleanor, there’s no need for you to put on an act. You’ve made your choices, and now, you must face the consequences. Even if you truly are mad, the law of the land will still deal with you,” Natalie replied coolly.
“What act, you old crone? You venomous witch! You better kneel and bow your head, and I might just spare your life…” Eleanor rasped, her voice hoarse and jagged.
Natalie dismissed her with a wave. She had watched the grand princess pace back and forth into the main hall, cursing crazily. It was clear what was swirling in the latter’s mind.
While actions could deceive, eyes couldn’t. Eleanor’s gaze betrayed a desperate fear and guilt. It was the only weapon left in her arsenal. She would run out of strength from cursing sooner or later, and would naturally quiet down by then.
Hell Monarch Estate was as quiet as ever, save for the light burning steadily in the study. News had arrived??he assassins had retreated successfully, but Rafael had not yet returned.
Everyone waited silently, minds racing with thoughts of what to do next. Only Kyle remained leisurely absorbed in his book.
Violet leaned her head on Sophie’s shoulder and yawned. “If he doesn’t return soon, it’ll be dawn.”
“He must be making sure everything is clear,” Sophie replied, knowing his thoroughness. “If you’re tired, you can sleep. I’ll fill you in tomorrow.”
“I’m not really tired. I just want to know if everyone has been rescued,” Violet said, rubbing her eyes. “I’ll wait even if I’m sleepy.”
Sophie poured Violet a cup of coffee. “If the plan went smoothly, then everyone should be safe. I wonder how many were saved, whether Carmen’s mother is still alive, and what secrets lie in the western courtyard.”
Violet took the cup, disappointment flickering in her eyes. “Too bad we can’t go see for ourselves.”
“Sometimes, it’s better not to see such horrors,” Jacob said slowly.
But in truth, the reality remained, whether they saw it or not.
“Someone’s back!” Sophie exclaimed, jumping up to open the study door.
To her relief, she found Rafael, dressed in black, just about to push the door open. Since his hand was already outstretched, he took Sophie’s hand in his.
“Let’s talk inside.”
Seeing the serious expression on Rafael’s face, everyone sensed he had discovered something significant in the western courtyard.
Rafael sat down, and Sophie quickly poured him some water.
“Here, drink something. I’ll have someone bring you the food we’ve got warming on the stove.”
He must be starving after going without food or drink in the dungeon overnight.
Rafael gulped down the water, his throat as dry as a desert.
Once Sophie had given her orders, she hurried back to the study..
Before anyone could ask, Rafael spoke up, “Sophie, your uncle and his family are all safe. Fortunately, they didn’t suffer any harm or beatings. They were just frightened from being locked in the dungeon.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “So, my uncle was really captured?”
“Yes, and it was a good thing he was there. Otherwise, his wife and children would have been scared half to death.”
Rafael poured himself another cup of water and downed it before continuing, “Most of the people in the dungeon were Henry’s concubines. They’ve all been rescued, but quite a few are injured or traumatized. The cruelty of it is appalling.
“Also, the entrance to the eastern dungeon was located in the westen courtyard. That dungeon contained weapons, armor, and gunpowder. It seems they planned to send a group of people into the capital when the uprising began, and use those weapons and armor for a coordinated attack.”
“Of course! Was she not afraid of getting caught?” asked Sophie.
Though she had always suspected that Eleanor was hiding something in the western courtyard, she hadn’t realized the grand princess would be so bold as to stash weapons in her residence.
“If it were Hell Monarch Estate, no one would dare hide such things here. However, who would think a grand princess’ residence would have a dungeon, let alone a large stash of weapons? It’s actually the safest place, since no one would search Harmony Palace. Even if they did, they wouldn’t find anything. We only discovered the dungeon’s existence by learning about its entrance ahead of time,” Jacob replied.
Rafael nodded. “Exactly. No one would dare search Harmony Palace unless it was a matter of utmost importance. That’s why they chose to hide the weapons here??t was the safest option.”
Although Violet had known for some time that Eleanor was working with Yuvan, she couldn’t help but ask, “What’s her goal? She’s already a respected grand princess. What would she gain by helping Prince Yuvan seize the throne? Wouldn’t her status go down instead?”
Kyle shrugged. “Only she knows what she’s after.”
Everyone else was equally baffled by Eleanor’s actions. She might not have complete control as a grand princess, but she lived a life of privilege and wealth. What could possibly be worth risking everything, even her life?
Jacob suddenly recalled something and added, “Your Highness, the king might have known there would be commotion at Harmony Palace tonight. The queen dowager sent food offerings, which is why many noble ladies went there.”
“I know. I saw,” said Rafael.
Lily arrived at the study door with a tray of food.
After she announced her presence, Sophie urged, “Hurry, bring it in!”
Once Lily and the maids served the food, they left, closing the door behind them.
Rafael rolled up his sleeves and dug in. The gnawing hunger was a miserable feeling.