Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Salvador finally turned his gaze to Rafael. “Hell Monarch, you were once the marshal of the armies during the Southern Frontier battle. How do you think this matter should be resolved?”
There was a stunned silence in the room. Why would Salvador ask Rafael for advice? The Hell Monarch’s wife was Dominic’s granddaughter. If Rafael were to suggest summoning the general back to the capital, would that not cause a rift between the couple?
Davis immediately felt a sense of dread, recalling all the unpleasant consequences of crossing his wife. His sympathy took over, and in one swift motion, he stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, I suggest investigating this matter by issuing an order for General Dominic to return to the capital for questioning. In the meantime, the command of Victory Pass should be handed over to his adopted son, General Wallace.”
As the Defense Minister, Davis knew that the king should actually ask the prime minister, as well as Davis himself, for their opinion. The two of them would be the most appropriate people to make suggestions in this situation.
Salvador glanced at Davis, then asked, “Do any of the other ministers have objections?”
After a brief silence, several voices spoke in agreement, “We concur!”
Rafael remained silent and naturally didn’t oppose. In fact, he had anticipated this happening.
Over the past year, he had maintained correspondence with Dominic. The events in Fawnrun City were irreversible; those who had died could not be brought back. Dominic had already submitted a petition of apology at the time, but Salvador had not made it public, nor had he imposed any punishment.
Now, Salvador would not bring it up either, because acknowledging it would imply he had known all along. Once that information spread, especially when the Westhaven envoy arrived, it would stir trouble and only harm Starhaven’s reputation.
“Draft the edict!” Salvador said flatly.
The first edict ordered Dominic to return to the capital immediately, transferring command of Victory Pass to Wallace.
The second edict ordered the arrest of Freya, who had been responsible for negotiating the border lines and signing the treaty. She would be taken to the Ministry of Justice’s prison to await trial.
As for Blake, Salvador didn’t mention him. No one else did either, as the fewer people involved at this stage, the better. They would wait to see the attitude of the Westhaven envoy upon their arrival and what demands they would bring.
Meanwhile, Blake stood just outside the hall, listening to the ministers as they debated inside. His heart was heavy, and fear gripped him.
Freya was certainly unlikely to escape punishment, but what about him? He had led the raid on Westhaven’s supply depot. He had failed to keep an eye on Freya, who had gone on to massacre the villagers in Fawnrun City. Afterward, he had been completely unaware.
If he hadn’t known, how could Dominic have known?
In the end, it was Blake who had dragged Dominic into this mess.
The Deputy Minister of Justice, Cyrus Zellner, personally led a team to Valor Estate. To prevent Freya from escaping, they first surrounded the estate.
Viola was terrified when she heard the news. She hid in Grace Mansion, too afraid to step outside. It wasn’t until she learned they were there to capture Freya that she finally dared to leave her hiding place.
As soon as the commotion started, Freya had an inkling of what was happening.
Standing at the entrance of Blessed Haven, she gripped her sword. As the chill wind cut across her already scarred face, an eerie, deathly stillness surrounded her.
She watched the officers from the Ministry of Justice storm into Blessed Haven, then twirled her sword in a swift flourish, aiming it directly at the leading officer.
“Freya Ernst, surrender yourself at once!” Cyrus shouted from outside the gates of Blessed Haven.
“Where’s Blake?” she asked coldly.
She knew about Blake’s reinstatement. Now that he was serving at the king’s side, he must know everything. Yet, he had never come back to tell her.
Cyrus didn’t answer her question. Instead, his voice grew more harsh as he said, “You’d better not resist-you can’t escape. Valor Estate is already surrounded.”
But Freya pressed the blade of her sword against her neck, her face twisted into a bitter, mocking smile. “Bring Blake to me!”
Fearing that Freya’s defiance might drag the Jaffe family into further trouble, Viola quickly shouted, “Freya, stop this madness!”
Freya didn’t even spare her a glance. She kept her cold, piercing gaze on Cyrus and repeated, “Bring Blake to me. I have questions for him. If I’m going to die, I’d rather die sooner than suffer any longer.”
Cyrus furrowed his brows. Freya couldn’t die yet. She had to endure the wrath of the Westhaven envoy. Even if she died, she had to die in front of them and under their watch.
“Freya, it’s easy for you to die, but think of your family. Don’t act recklessly. Your death will implicate them,” he said.
“My family?” Freya sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “They never cared about me. The moment someone spoke ill of me, they packed up and left the capital. If they don’t even see me as their daughter, why should I care about their lives?”
Viola’s anger flared. “But you can’t drag the Jaffe family into this!”
Freya looked at Viola with contempt, as though she were nothing more than a pile of filth. “It would be best if the Jaffe family went down with me.”
Viola’s fingers trembled with rage, but she dared not step into Blessed Haven. “How could you be so vicious?” Freya pressed the sword’s edge against her neck harder, the skin breaking and blood beginning to seep out. She raised her voice coldly, “Stop wasting time. Bring Blake to me.”
Cyrus’ brow furrowed as he gestured sharply. “Go summon Commander Jaffe.”
After sending someone off, Cyrus paused, feeling that something wasn’t quite right. What was the point of calling Blake now? If there was something for him and his wife to discuss, they could have done it already.
Taking a few steps back, he gave another order, “Find Commander Prince. Tell him to send two of the strongest soldiers from the Royal Guard.”
Blake had once gone to great lengths for Freya, even using his military achievements to secure her hand in marriage, forcing his first wife into a divorce. It was clear they had deep feelings for each other. If Blake didn’t want her to be captured and tried, he could very well stage a hostage situation. That wouldn’t end well.
Whether it was a fake or real hostage situation, it would be tricky. Blake was the commander of the Crown Guard and served the king directly. The fact that Salvador hadn’t required Blake to observe the mourning period for his mom showed just how highly the king regarded him.
A Ministry of Justice officer sent word to Alistair, explaining that Freya’s arrest wasn’t going smoothly and there was a risk of a hostage situation happening. Upon hearing this, Alistair immediately reported it to Sophie.
“If a hostage situation happens, even I won’t be able to rescue anyone from Freya’s grasp,” Alistair said. ” Commander Devin, it’s better if you go yourself.”
Sophie hesitated for a moment before responding, “Take two men with you and let Freya see you. She likely already guessed that Mr. Zellner sent for us.”
“Are you not going?” Alistair asked.
He was an impatient man, and he immediately fired off a barrage of questions after hearing her orders.
“If you don’t go, shouldn’t you at least send Sage Violet? If they’re conspiring behind the scenes and staging a fake hostage situation, we’ll be at their mercy. Who in the Royal Guard has the skill to disarm someone with a blade pressed to their throat? If it goes wrong, someone could die…
“Enough!” Sophie interrupted him sharply. “Go with two men. I’ll move in the shadows and wait for an opportunity.
Alistair was instantly sobered by her command and straightened up. “Understood! I’ll leave right away.”
Blake rushed back to Valor Estate in a panic. The moment he heard that Cyrus’ men had come with news, his heart skipped a beat.
He knew Freya too well-her personality was a mess of contradictions. She was proud and stubborn, but also afraid of dying. Even when pushed to the edge, she would always struggle one more time.
He wasn’t so sure she would surrender without a fight this time.