Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Lisandra looked at him coldly. “If you look down on women so much, then be prepared for women to slap that arrogance right off your face.”
Amos laughed softly, a hint of derision in his voice.
“Your Highness, such words only serve to lift someone else’s spirit while diminishing your own. Two kingdoms are at odds, and yet, you’re only concerned about defending women? The unfortunate truth is that the Hell Monarch’s wife is a Starhaven native. No matter how highly you raise her, it won’t help your desire to elevate women to power.”
With that, he bowed and withdrew.
Though enraged, Penny could only comfort Lisandra, saying, “Your Highness, don’t let such short-sighted people provoke you. We can deal with him when we return to the capital.”
Lisandra sighed deeply, her voice filled with weariness as she replied, “Why should I be angry with him? No, what angers me is the king. Can this impulsive behavior be a blessing for Westhaven? He’s followed Arthur for so many years, but learned nothing. I went through hell and back to help him rise to power, hoping he would carry on Arthur’s legacy. Instead, all he thinks about is revenge. He’s forgetting the people and the kingdom.”
As the state of the nation weighed heavily on her mind, Lisandra felt utterly drained. She had been involved in politics for years, yet it often seemed like those around her were bent on opposing her.
Perhaps they weren’t fighting against her personally, but rather her very identity as a woman.
Despite her talent for governing, no one would heed her. Progress was almost impossible. Before, she had the backing of her dad, the late king. But now, with the current king’s lack of support, she felt powerless-as though she were nothing at all.
By the time it was nearly midnight, the lights in Glimmering Tower were still on. However, a ‘Closed’ sign hung at the entrance.
The private room on the third floor, once a peaceful drinking space, now bore a jug of wine and a few small dishes set out for snacking.
Rafael had come without his guards, and Leroy had only brought a single attendant who stood by the door. The wine was half-drunk, and though the two men spoke of tomorrow’s negotiations, neither revealed any crucial details.
Leroy’s goal was to keep Rafael here for as long as possible without sharing anything important. He suspected the operation had already been completed and their target had already been captured.
On the other hand, Rafael seemed to remain blissfully unaware of the plan. Leroy’s satisfaction grew as he thought about how easily they had lured the Hell Monarch away. People always talked about how difficult Rafael was to deal with, yet it had only taken a few well-placed words to get him to fall into Leroy’s trap.
Still, Leroy didn’t let this lull him into thinking Rafael wasn’t vigilant. After all, tomorrow’s negotiations were vital. Starhaven was fully aware of their weak position, which was why they were eager to hear what terms Leroy would offer. It was clear they were desperate.
What made Leroy laugh, though, was Rafael’s absurd arrogance. Every word out of his mouth suggested he wasn’t afraid of war. Leroy could hardly contain his amusement.
“So, are you telling me you’re not afraid of war, Your Highness?” he sneered. “But can you guarantee that, if war breaks out between our two kingdoms, your king will allow you to lead the troops? From what I’ve heard, your king is quite wary of you and would never let you command the army again.”
“Whether I lead depends on the situation, not on what the king thinks now,” Rafael replied smoothly.
“Situation?” Leroy’s laugh was laced with scorn. “That’s even more ridiculous! If things get out of contral, do you think you can ride in and tum the tide? You’re overestimating yourself, Your Highness.”
“Is that so?” Rafael’s smile remained as he leaned back in his chair. “Well, I suppose we can always give it a try.”
The confidence in his eyes made Leroy pause for a moment, a flicker of doubt in his chest. But then he reminded himself that they held the upper hand, and decided there was nothing to worry about.
He snorted dismissively. “We’ll see tomorrow, Your Highness. I hope you’ll still be this full of yourself.”
The sound of the midnight gong rang out, and Leroy stood.
“It’s getting late. Let’s call it a night. We’ll continue at the negotiating table tomorrow.”
He couldn’t wait to return and hear good news from Icarus. Once Sophie was in their hands, they could make their demands at the table. If Starhaven refused, the negotiations would be over. The Westhaven envoys would leave for home with their mission accomplished.
If there was anything else Lisandra was dissatisfied with, Edmund would handle it once they returned home.
Yet, Rafael didn’t move to leave. He simply smiled at Leroy. “Don’t rush off, Mr. Stellwyn. Stay a little longer. You never know-someone might come looking for you soon.”
“Someone might come looking for me? Who would? Who even knows we’re here?” Leroy asked, puzzled.
“The people at Glimmering Tower all know we’re here,” Rafael replied casually.
“Isn’t this Glimmering Tower?” Leroy’s suspicion grew. “Do you own this place, Your Highness?”
“Technically, it belongs to Commander Devin.”
“Commander Devin?” Leroy frowned.
Who was Commander Devin? He had never heard of a senior official in Starhaven with the surname Devin.
As if reading his thoughts, Rafael added with a knowing look, “My wife and princess consort, the Mystic Army’s commander, is Commander Devin.”
Sophie didn’t own Glimmering Tower-it belonged to the Pathfinders Guild. Many might not know that, but Rafael did. He knew because all the accounts for the Pathfinders Guild were handled by Everett.
Leroy looked at Rafael, unsure what exactly he was getting at.
So what if Glimmering Tower belonged to Sophie? She was probably already at Hartstone Estate by now. She wouldn’t be here.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard hurried footsteps approaching.
The shop doors of Glimmering Tower, which had already been closed, swung open.
A loud voice rang out, “Is His Highness here?”
“Yes, His Highness is here, someone quickly responded.
“Hurry, report to him that Lady Sophie was attacked!” the voice continued urgently. “The assassin was Commander Icarus, Westhaven’s commander of the Sovereign Guard. He has already been sent to the Supreme Court.”
Leroy’s face drained of color, his expression going as white as a sheet.
Leroy snapped back to reality and bolted down the stairs in a frenzy.
Several guards in uniform stood by the counter in the lobby on the first floor, speaking with the messenger who had come to report.
Leroy’s heart skipped a beat. When he had arrived, there had only been the shopkeeper and a waiter-no guards. When had they arrived?
The messenger was none other than Michael, accompanied by three others. Upon seeing Leroy, his face twisted with fury.
“Mr. Stellwyn, what is the meaning of this?! Did you try to assassinate Commander Devin?” he snarled.
Leroy glanced around; not seeing Sophie, a surge of anger flared across his face. ‘Impossible! Don’t slander us with baseless accusations!”
Icarus couldn’t have failed! The plan had been carefully set-his group of over ten against only three people. There was no way it could have failed. And with Icarus’ skill, even if they were prepared for him, they could only have prevented the mission from succeeding. They couldn’t possibly have captured him.
It had to be a setup. Sophie had been taken, and now, they were trying to frame Westhaven. This was clearly a trap to get Leroy to slip up!
Fury built in him as he turned sharply to Rafael. His voice was cold and seething, snapping. “Hell Monarch, what’s the meaning of this? Are you staging an act to frame us? Trying to gain leverage at tomorrow’s negotiations? Don’t be so despicable!”