Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Zoey saw through her thoughts and said coolly, “I’ll send someone to take you back tomorrow.”
Viola pleaded softly, “Why not send Jane to Valor Estate to get someone to come for me? If I just go back like this, it’ll look bad.”
Zoey ignored her and instructed, “Jane, take Viola back to her room.”
“
After a few days, everyone who needed to be interrogated at Harmony Palace had been interrogated. Rafael felt it was time to question Eleanor.
Sophie was heading to Ironridge Estate to see Jessica today, while Rafael would be interrogating Eleanor. It was a coordinated effort from both sides.
Eleanor had been locked in the dungeon for about five days. At first, she pretended to have lost her mind. When she realized that tactic wasn’t working, she stopped resisting, seemingly resigned to whatever fate awaited her.
At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.
In the interrogation room, the aunt and nephew sat across from each other.
Eleanor still wore the plain clothing from the Emberfest Festival night, but after days in the dungeon, her garments were wrinkled and her hair was disheveled. She looked drained, with dark circles under her eyes. In just a few days, she had lost a significant amount of weight, making her skin sag and giving her an aged appearance, as if she had aged five or six years overnight.
Sudden weight loss in middle age could be harsh, and it showed on her, especially since she had always had a sharp disposition. Now, her looks reflected her inner bitterness.
Rafael spoke first, “You kept those concubines locked away in the dungeon for a long time. Now that you find yourself in the same situation, how does it feel?”
Eleanor looked up and suddenly smiled. “It’s far worse than Harmony Palace’s dungeon.”
Rafael continued, “The king has issued a royal edict stripping you of your title. Today, the Royal Citadel’s governor will be visiting your residence to conduct a formal search.”
Eleanor raised her eyebrows, her tone laced with sarcasm as she said, “What difference does it make if my title is gone? What does it matter if I’m no longer a grand princess? I am still of royal blood. My father was King Augustus, and my mother was Lady Chloe. No one can change that.”
Her words dripped with irony and were tinged with a hint of resentment. It was as if being the daughter of Augustus was more of a curse than a blessing.
Rafael maintained his calm demeanor as he went through the motions and asked, “Where did those weapons come from? Why were you plotting rebellion? Who is behind this?”
Eleanor smirked, a flicker of defiance in her expression. “It’s pointless to ask. Since I’ve already been accused of treason, let it be a beheading if that’s what they decide. If they want to execute my entire family line, then let them do so. This is how treason is judged, isn’t it? Just relay my words to the king verbatim.”
Rafael chuckled softly. The idea of executing her entire family line would also include him and Salvador. Furthermore, since she was married, that included her husband’s family as well. The Marquis of Grovehill’s family would certainly thank her for that.
Understanding the implication behind her mention of family annihilation, he added, “Don’t worry. His Majesty doesn’t intend to go that far. You also don’t need to fear for Jessica, provided she wasn’t involved in the rebellion.”
Eleanor lowered her gaze, suppressing the only remaining attachment she had to this world??er daughter.
“Whatever. I don’t care,” Eleanor finally said, lifting her head to look at Rafael. She despised being seen through and hated feeling manipulated. “If you want to kill her, then go ahead. It’s not like she’s living a happy life anyway.”
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“You still haven’t answered my question. Where did the weapons come from? Why plot treason? Who’s behind it? You’ve already been demoted to a commoner. If you don’t confess, we’ll have to resort to torture, and you won’t have anyone but yourself to blame,” said Rafael, his voice cold and distant.
“Why wouldn’t I confess?” Eleanor blinked innocently. “I am, after all, of noble birth and cannot withstand the Supreme Court’s punishment. Those weapons were naturally provided by my backers. The armor? I had someone steal it from the Ministry of Defense’s workshop. You must have already examined it. It’s identical to what the ministry uses. As for the one pulling the strings…”
She placed her hands on the table, a glint of cold cunning in her eyes.
“My dear nephew, it was you who directed this, wasn’t it? You said you wanted to be king, and that you wanted me to assist you with everything I had.
“But why would I help you? Naturally, it was because you discovered the tragic fate of the concubines who died in my palace. You held my greatest weakness, so I had no choice but to assist you. Surely, you wouldn’t dare to act without taking responsibility, would you?”
The scribe hesitated for a moment, and Rafael turned to him. “Record this accurately. Make sure every single word is noted and submitted to the king for review.”
The scribe nodded. “Yes, Your Highness!”
Eleanor burst into laughter. “How amusing.”
Rafael replied, “Yes, it is quite amusing. Now, tell me more. When did I start using the matter of your palace’s concubines to threaten you? Where did I first mention my desire to rebel and ask for your help? Who was present at the time? How did I keep in contact with you whilst on the battlefield? Did we exchange any letters?”
Eleanor tilted her head, her laughter fading as she spoke earnestly.
“It has always been Jacob who contacts me, remember? You said you couldn’t show your face, and couldn’t let anyone have leverage over you. So, after you first mentioned your plans to rebel, Jacob took care of everything.
“If you bring him here and interrogate him rigorously, the truth will come out, won’t it? Oh, and later, when you returned from the battlefield, the one responsible for contacting me, besides Jacob, was Sophie. Wasn’t she the one who had those martial artists deliver the weapons? Just bring her in and torture her- she’ll confess too.”
As she spoke, a slow smile crept across her face.
“But if you don’t torture them, you can’t use torture on me either. That would be treating us differently. Besides, since I’m pointing to you as the mastermind, you can’t be in charge of this case. Get someone else.”
Rafael replied, “You don’t need to worry about that. The king will decide after reviewing your testimony. If he thinks it necessary to change the interrogator, then you won’t see me again.”
Eleanor looked at him with a smile, but her eyes were filled with malice. “I truly hope I never see you again. You’re revolting. A prince known for your military achievements, yet you married a woman who was once divorced. That is how you’ve brought disgrace to our royal family.”
Rafael reminded her, “You’re no longer part of the royal family. You don’t need to worry about that.”
Eleanor huffed. “You have no sense of shame. I insult you, and you don’t even get angry. Your shamelessness is infuriating. If you didn’t have leverage over me, do you think I would have allowed myself to be used by you in this treasonous plot? You’re useless. You were too scared to keep weapons in your own home, so you hid them in mine instead. Many of those weapons were smuggled back from the Southern Frontier battlefield by you, including the armor.”
The scribe turned pale upon hearing her words, terrified of the implications.
Should he be recording all of this? Once it was on paper, the testimony needed to be submitted to Salvador. This was the first interrogation, and the king would surely want to know everything Eleanor had said.
Rafael nodded at him, neither angry nor amused. “Write down everything she says.”
A venomous glint flickered in Eleanor’s eyes. “Of course, the harder I bite, the more you can distance yourself. But don’t think you can escape, Rafael! You’ve ruined me, and I won’t let you off the hook. Even if I’m headed for hell, I’ll drag you down with me.
“His Majesty is sharp and will uncover the truth. Rafael Sanford, you’re the real traitor plotting rebellion! I’m just a pawn in your game. The world will see your true colors. Those who say I conspired to rebel are blind and foolish. I’m just a woman with no sons??hat purpose would treason serve for me? Our kingdom doesn’t even allow female officials. How could they accept a queen to rule the kingdom?”
“Women do hold official positions now,” Rafael corrected. “Take Sophie, for example, the one you claim is conspiring with me. She is now the commander of the Mystic Army. She oversees the Capital Guard, the Garrison Unit, the Royal Guard, and the Crown Guard. She is also involved in the investigation into your rebellion.”
Eleanor froze, then fury ignited in her eyes. “Her? Hah! His Majesty is truly confused! He’s setting such a precedent for her again and again, just for Hector’s merit. Is it not enough that she enjoys a lifetime of wealth and power? Now, she’s even been given real authority? The Mystic Army is the city’s shield. Does he want to destroy himself?”
Rafael smiled and replied, “I think His Majesty’s decision is quite wise. Commander Devin’s capabilities are evident, and her family has been loyal to the court and the king. They despise traitors who disrupt the country. With her guarding the city, any traitor attempting rebellion has no chance of success. Those who have plotted for years may find their efforts wasted.”
“You’re insane!” Eleanor stared at him in disbelief.
It was clear Rafael was saying this for Salvador’s benefit, but the king wasn’t foolish. How could he not see through the prince’s intentions? By stating that Sophie was guarding the city, Rafael implied that traitors would never succeed in rebellion.
However, it also hinted that if Sophie turned against them, na outside reinforcements would be able to get into the city either!