Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
She vaguely saw someone rushing toward her, hearing a heart??renching cry echo in her ears.
“My daughter! My Jaina! I finally found you!”
Jaina felt herself enveloped in a warm embrace and instinctively reached out to hug back. However, the feeling was different from her memories. The shoulders and back of the woman holding her were so thin.
In her recollections, Jaina had nestled into her mom’s embrace, which had always been wide and strong. Her mom’s broad back had been too wide for her little hands to wrap around fully.
Jaina heard herself burst into tears as she cried loudly
Jaina felt a deep grievance, an indescribable mix of hurt and sorrow. Holding the frail woman in front of her, all the injustices she had endured in the past surged forth like a river breaking through a dam.
This was her mom??omeone she had never dared to dream she could embrace again in this lifetime.
After a moment, Jacob stepped forward with Albert. Following a heartfelt reunion, both men were soon in tears, while Ethel still clung tightly to Jaina’s hand. In her memory, her little girl had been just seven??nd now, she was twenty??ive.
The images from Jaina’s memories began to sharpen, but her recollections of her mom remained vivid and youthful. The woman had been so full of life, her voice so loud that neighbors could hear her scolding. Yet now, Ethel could barely manage to speak without sounding breathless.
Violet and Sophie stood outside and watched. They dabbed their eyes as they listened to the family reminisce through their tears, feeling both touched and sad.
It turned out that Jacob had always been such a caring brother, and their weak and frail mom had been a force of nature. Jaina had once been a mischievous little girl, much like Violet and Sophie had been at Meadow Ridge.
Sophie also took a moment to receive her appointment letter. She barely had time to glance at it before expressing her gratitude, as Derek had come in person to announce the edict. It was clear the court. session hadn’t yet ended. That could only mean Salvador had exerted his influence over the officials to elevate her to the position of the Mystic Army’s commander.
Derek had mentioned wanting to speak with her privately, but Sophie simply arranged for refreshments, wishing to stay a little longer before heading over.
Violet was right??amily reunions were beautiful and heart??renching, stirring a profound sense of emotion within her. She wiped her tears and watched as Ethel held Jaina tightly.
Sophie felt a pang of envy. She would never be cradled by her mom in that way again.
Turning around, she noticed Helen standing behind her with tears streaming down her face. Gillian stood. beside her, trying to help wipe her tears. The elderly woman was also sobbing softly.
Helen’s heart softened when she saw the tear streaks on her daughter??n??aw’s face.
She reached out and beckoned Sophie over. “Come here!”
Sophie wiped her tears and stepped forward, allowing Helen to embrace her. “From now on, I’ll be your mom.”
Sophie was touched, but didn’t dare move as she was half a head taller than her mother??n??aw.
Since Helen held her head down firmly and was affectionately ruffling her hair, Sophie had no choice but to bend slightly. She leaned against her mother??n??aw to prevent Helen from standing on her tiptoes.
Standing on tiptoe to be close to someone was an experience Sophie had tried before, and it had felt. awkward. She thought that she would fall at any moment
“Mr. Walker is still waiting for me, Mother, I’ll be back shortly,” Sophie said softly.
Helen released Sophie, tears still glistening in her eyes She cradled her daughter??n??aw’s cheek, marveling at the latter’s delicate, smooth skin. It was almost as beautiful as her own when she was younger, which made Sophie even more precious.
Rafael had good taste.
“Go on, then. I want to watch them a bit longer. Isn’t this even more touching than a play?”
Violet moved closer to Helen and nudged Sophie away. Her voice was choked with emotion as she said, Go on with your business, Sophie. I’ll stay with Lady Helen. Just let me lean on your shoulder for a moment. My heart is both touched and heavy. This family shouldn’t have been torn apart. That’s 18 years of separation??ears, not just 18 days. It’s so painful. My heart hurts so much.”
“Who can argue with that?” Helen said, embracing Violet and wiping her own tears, inadvertently pushing Gillian aside.
Sophie glanced around the room, where Jacon and his family had dried their tears. Jaina was kneeling on the floor, bowing to Albert and Ethel.
A sharp pang struck Sophie’s heart as memories flooded back. She remembered returning from Meadow Ridge upon hearing the news of the deaths of her father and brothers. She had knelt before her mom and sisters??n??aw in the same way.
The past loomed vividly in her mind. At that time, Sophie had thought losing her father and brothers was the most devastating thing imaginable. Little did she know that later, even her mom, sisters??n??aw, nieces, and nephews would be slaughtered.
How could she settle for a life confined to the inner household? The situation in Fawnrun City had yet to come to light, and her maternal grandfather and uncles were still in danger.
Sophie truly wanted to be the Mystic Army’s commander.
In the side hall, Derek was enjoying the refreshments, sipping a cup of coffee. When he saw Sophie enter, he smiled warmly and rose to greet her.
“No need for formalities, Mr. Walker. Please, take a seat.” Sophie urged, gently pushing down Derek’s hand.
She knew Derek had helped her and her mom significantly over the years, often in ways she couldn’t openly acknowledge. Today seemed like the perfect opportunity to express her gratitude.
Once Derek sat down, Sophie bowed her head slightly. “I know you’ve done a lot for my mother and I over the years, Mr. Walker. After I married Raf, I can only imagine how much you’ve spoken on his behalf in front of the king. I truly thank you for that.”
Derek smiled kindly at her. “Your gratitude is too much for me to bear, Your Grace. Please sit down. I want. to talk with you for a moment.”
Sophie took a seat, her expression warm and inviting “Please go ahead.”
“It’s about this position you’ve taken on,” Derek said, his demeanor gradually turning serious as he met her gaze. “You must do your utmost best. Since His Majesty trusts you and is using you, he will definitely give you his full trust.
“But remember this, Your Grace??o matter what happens, you and His Highness must never let your hearts drift apart. You must trust each other as long as it doesn’t involve betrayal. Always communicate openly, and never allow disputes to arise from interests or power. Remember, you are one as a couple.”
Sophie pondered his words.
How deep was Salvador’s trust in her? It was clear he couldn’t possibly trust her entirely. Even shared interests between people wouldn’t guarantee absolute trust. Moreover, Salvador was inherently suspicious. It was already generous of him to grant any level of trust.
As for being united as a couple, Sophie understood that all too well. She and Rafael were married. Even if they shared similar goals, they would inevitably have different perspectives on certain matters, which would lead to conflicts or disagreements.
As the commander of the Mystic Army, she had to follow Salvador’s orders. That meant that regardless of the situation, she was expected to be loyal to the throne above all else.
Since conflicts were inevitable, trust between husband and wife became even more crucial.
Yet, Sophie couldn’t shake the feeling that there was another layer to Derek’s words. His insistence on their unity as a couple made her wonder if Salvador intended to use her position as commander to stir up discord between her and Rafael.
For now, she brushed off the concern. She hadn’t entered the fray yet, so there was no need to worry too much. As Adrian often said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
If conflicts did arise, she and Rafael could resolve them through communication. There was no reason to hesitate over something that hadn’t happened yet.
“With your reminder, I know how to proceed, Mr. Walker. You don’t need to say more. I understand everything.” Sophie assured.
Derek looked at her and sighed inwardly. What a smart and earnest girl she was! She could have probed deeper, but she knew he was in a difficult position. She might think that asking too much would only burden him.
But… did she truly understand the implications of his words?Sophie met his eyes with a clear gaze and added, “You don’t need to worry. I know how to strike a balance. I’ll remain loyal in my duties. I won’t allow anything to drive a wedge between Raf and me.”