Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
She smiled and asked, “Does it have to be the Sophie from Blue Stone Spring? What about the one who beat you under the apple tree? Or the one who beat you outside the Inferno Guild? Or the one who defeated you on the mountaintop…
Violet ground her teeth in frustration. “Shut up already! It looks like you haven’t had enough of my life’s bitter, sour, sweet, and salty. How about I bring you a whole pot of it and see if I can numb your tongue?”
She put her hands on Sophie’s shoulders. “You’re really getting on my nerves.”
Sophie wiped her tears on Violet’s sleeve, but then suddenly threw her arms around her friend tightly, her shoulders trembling. She clung to Vialet for a long time, her shoulders shaking without stopping.
Violet’s face was wet with tears, but she said nothing. It was just like when they were younger. After the sparring match, Sophie had laughed at her for crying, only to hold her again afterward.
After what felt like forever, Sophie pulled back, choking on her words, “Thank you.”
Violet handed her a handkerchief. “Don’t wipe your tears and nose on my clothes. Use your handkerchief.”
Sophie took the unsightly handkerchief in her hand, still crying and laughing at the same time.
“Is this the one I gave you last time? You still carry it around?’
Violet sat back down, her nose stuffy. “No. The one you gave me was thrown away long ago. This one is from your estate. I got it from Lulu.”
Sophie wiped her tears away, her eyes swollen and red. “Why would you take those? There are plenty of pretty handkerchiefs at your house.”
Violet sniffed dismissively. “Only these can prove that you’re weaker than me.”
Sophie couldn’t help it anymore-she burst into laughter.
Outside, Travis was leaning against the wall when he heard her laugh. Slowly, he slid down until he was sitting on the ground. Hugging his knees tightly, he pressed his face into them, quietly wiping away his tears.
Lately, even though no one mentioned the Devin family massacre during their discussions, everyone knew it was an unspoken shadow hanging over them. With the arrival of the Westhaven envoy, the case was bound to resurface. Tonight’s visit to Sullivan Estate was the beginning of that conversation.
He was worried about Sophie. After she and Rafael left tonight, Travis’ heart hadn’t calmed down. When he followed Jacob to revisit the events, what Sophie had casually brushed off with a simple sentence, saying that her family was dead, had unraveled into something far more harrowing. Scene by scene, the tragedy came to life before his eyes.
He had never been able to imagine how Sophie had endured it all. Now, it seemed even harder to comprehend.
Travis had no parents, but he had his mentor and guild members who were strict yet loved him deeply. If they were all brutally killed, he would go mad. He wouldn’t care about the so-called “greater good”. When he saw his enemies, he would do whatever it took to take revenge, even if it cost him his life.
However, he understood why Sophie could endure it. Her grandfather and uncles were all loyal generals, placing the kingdom before their family, and she was proud of that. Yet, it also bound her, preventing her from seeking revenge the way she once could.
Travis sat there for a while, listening to the teasing between them inside, before he saw Kyle outside. He quickly stood up and walked over, hushing the other man with a finger to his lips.
“They’re just chatting.”
“Did she cry?” Kyle asked softly.
“Vivi calmed her down. Now, they’re just talking.”
Kyle sighed. “It’s fortunate she has Violet by her side. Sometimes, it’s the girls who understand how to comfort each other. Us big guys, we can’t do it with that much delicacy.”
Travis nodded. “You’re right. Let’s head to the study. Prince Rafael and Jacob are probably discussing matters and planning the next move.”
The first step was to ensure Dominic wasn’t detained at the Ministry of Justice. That battle had already been won.
The next evening, Cindy arrived in the capital. She didn’t go anywhere else first, but made her way straight to Hell Monarch Estate.
Sophie had known her third aunt was coming back, but hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Dominic had said it would be several days before they could meet. When she heard Violet cheerfully bounce over to inform her of Cindy’s arrival, she had just taken off half of her official uniform. She quickly put it back on and dashed out.
It was still light out, and the sunset was beautiful. The evening glow painted the sky with layers of soft red and orange, casting a warm light over Cindy, who was directing the servants as they carried her things inside. “Aunt Cindy!”
At the sound of her name, Cindy quickly turned around. Before she could even get a clear look, a figure rushed toward her and enveloped her in a tight hug.
With Sophie in her arms, it finally felt real. Tears immediately welled up but were quickly held back, leaving only a sharp pang in her nose.
Cindy smiled and said, “What’s this? I’ve only just arrived, and you’re already trying to throw me out of the gates by ramming into me?”
Sophie held Cindy for a long time before letting go.
With a wide grin on her face, she said, “I’m just happy to see you, Aunt Cindy.”
Cindy cupped Sophie’s face in her hands. No matter how hard she tried, tears wouldn’t stop pooling in her eyes. She smiled, but her lips trembled.
“Silly child, let me see how much taller you’ve grown. My goodness, you’re already half a head taller than me!” Cindy raised her hand above her head to measure their heights, laughing until tears spilled from her eyes. Sophie laughed brightly. ‘Of course, I’ve grown taller. How old do you think I am now?”
Cindy pinched her niece’s cheek lovingly, Sophie had clearly grown, but Cindy knew that growth had come through so much hardship.
Sophie stuck out her tongue playfully before subtly turning away to take a deep breath, pushing back the ache in her chest.
She feigned interest in the servants moving things around and asked, “What’s all this?”
*These are all the birthday gifts we’ve collected for you over the years. I brought everything back this time,” Cindy answered.
‘So many?”
“It’s not too many. Just one gift for each year. It’s been accumulating for quite a few years.” Cindy paused for a moment, her gaze growing teary. “Some of it is from your seventh uncle. Go ahead, see if anything here suits you.” Sophie hummed in response, taking a moment to gather her words before speaking, “I’ll have someone check if Raf has returned. You go in and have some tea, Aunt Cindy. Violet, please take care of her while I’m gone.”
With that, Sophie hurried toward the door. Cindy watched her disappear in an instant, and the smile on her face quickly faded. Tears fell in heavy drops as, with Violet’s help, she staggered inside.
Sophie stood outside for a long while, calming herself before slowly making her way back inside.
Cindy had also regained her composure, and she asked Violet many questions about Sophie. Through Violet, Cindy learned that Dominic was staying at Sullivan Estate rather than in the Ministry of Justice’s prison after returning, and that Sophie had already gone to visit him. The news put her mind at ease.
Watching the young woman in official uniform step back into the room, Cindy smiled with a sense of pride. Sophie had not only grown up, but she had also achieved something significant, carving out a name for herself in a world that often limited women.
“Come, sit down and talk with me.” Cindy gestured for her niece to join her, setting aside the topic of the gifts for now.
Smiling warmly, she added, “I heard from Ms. Spencer about so many things you’ve done. Tell me, how’s the position of commander treating you? Does it feel fulfilling?”
“Of course!” Sophie sat beside her aunt, her tone bright and full of satisfaction. “It feels very fulfilling.”
She used to speak with this proud tone more often, but it had become rare. She wanted her aunt to see the Sophie she used to be.
As expected, Cindy smiled widely at her words and ruffled her hair. “As long as it’s fulfilling, that’s all that matters. Young people should live happy lives.”
Sophie rested her head on her aunt’s shoulder. Cindy had aged a lot, the hair at the temples now gray. The last time Sophie had seen her, there were only a few strands of silver, which her aunt had tried to hide. Now, it was impossible to cover, and Cindy no longer bothered to try. Otherwise, she would have touched it up before coming back to the capital.