Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
She didn’t know. She only knew they would never return.
The vengeance didn’t ease the pain in her heart, but she knew she had to stay strong. Only by living a life of happiness could she truly honor their spirits.
The two Westhaven spies weren’t dead yet, but the blood loss had left them drifting in and out of consciousness. They muttered something, but it was in Westic. Sophie and the others couldn’t understand, but Rafael knew exactly what they were saying.
It was broken, halting apologies.
They hadn’t been blind to their wrongs, just unwilling to admit them. Now, as death loomed, perhaps every scene from their past was replaying in their minds. And these words of apology were the ones they should’ve spoken here, in front of the graves.
Rafael turned to Sophie and Lulu. “They said they’re sorry.”
Lulu, who had been holding back her tears, couldn’t contain herself any longer. At Rafael’s words, she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, burying her face in Violet’s chest.
What good are apologies? What good are they?!”
Lulu’s cries were heart-wrenching.
Did one simple apology erase all their sins?
But that single sentence was needed-by Lulu, by Sophie, and by the spirits of their family members. Whether they forgave or not was up to them, but the killers had to apologize.
While Rafael held Sophie, letting her cry in his arms, Violet held Lulu tightly, unable to hold back her own tears. She wasn’t the best at comforting, but she gently patted Lulu’s back. “Let it out. Go ahead and cry.”
With the conclusion of the negotiations and the deaths of the last two Westhaven spies, the massacre of the Devin family finally had some semblance of closure.
The bodies of the two spies were discarded in a mass grave. They didn’t deserve a proper burial-being a source of food for wild dogs and wolves was the closest thing to redemption they would get.
The next day, Dominic left Sullivan Estate and headed to Hell Monarch Estate. Sophie brought Ryan back from the academy. The dark cloud of worry that had hung over them all had finally passed.
Hearing that Blake had not been too severely punished and could even return to his position as deputy commander of the Nightsteel Guard, Dominic was silent for a moment before responding.
“His Majesty showed mercy. If too much punishment had been levied against him, your third uncle and many of the military officers at Victory Pass would have been implicated,” he said. Sophie understood. It was Wyatt who had allowed Blake and Freya to go to Fawnrun City, a decision they had all discussed together. But from the beginning, Salvador had no intention of involving them in the matter.
Cindy didn’t want the mood to tum too somber, so she quickly smiled and said, “Let’s not dwell on that. Tonight, let’s enjoy a family dinner together. In a couple of days, we’ll be heading back to Victory Pass.
You’re leaving so soon? Ryan immediately looked saddened and clung to Dominic’s arm. Can’t you stay a little longer? I’ll show you around.”
Dominic scooped Ryan up, pressing his scruffy cheek against the boy’s face and laughing.” When spring comes next year, have your aunt and uncle bring you to Victory Pass. There’s so much to do there.”
“Really?” Ryan tumed to Sophie with bright eyes and eagerly asked, “Aunt Sophie, can we go next year?”
Sophie smiled and nodded. “Yes, we’ll take you there next year.”
“Yay!” Ryan cheered, his voice bright with excitement.
He was becoming more lively, slowly breaking free from the shadow of his past.
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After dinner, Dominic and Rafael spent a long time talking in the study. Sophie had originally wanted to listen in, but her grandfather told her it was a conversation for men, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to be there. Reluctantly, she agreed and left, heading off to find
Winona and Kyle.
During the meal that evening. Everett had announced he would be returning to Meadow Ridge. He insisted that the others should return with him, especially Kyle. He had scolded him for staying at Hell Monarch Estate, saying that the place was overcrowded with visitors, disrupting the peace.
In reality, most of the people coming to visit Kyle were well-known scholars and artists of the court. However, Everett had said that the more connected to court someone was, the less they should be involved with them. He didn’t want Rafael getting dragged into unnecessary trouble, so he ordered them to leave Hell Monarch Estate at once.
Winona privately said that Everett was being two-faced. When he needed them, he would call them and boss them around. But once the job was done, he acted like they were a burden and couldn’t wait to get rid of them.
Winona never spoke ill of others, except when it came to Everett. Even then, she wouldn’t dare say it to his face.
“Are you really leaving?” Sophie asked softly, leaning her head against Winona’s shoulder.” Can’t you stay a little longer?”
We have to go. Sage Everett’s orders are clear,” Winona said, affectionately ruffling Sophie’s hair. “But we shouldn’t stay much longer anyway. Sage Adrian doesn’t like us visiting you too often. After all, we’re from the martial arts world. Too many of us being in Hell Monarch Estate would cause trouble for you.”
“I don’t think it’s a problem. I like having all of you around me. Let Sage Everett go back on his own,” Sophie mumbled.
Winona chuckled. “Don’t say that too loudly. If he hears that, you’ll be punished.
Sophie raised her head and adjusted her hairpin. “He won’t punish me here. He dotes on Raf like there’s no tomorrow.”
Kyle laughed. “That’s true. He’s never said a harsh word to you here.”
Winona smiled. “It’s a good thing. It’ll make things easier when we’re out and about. We’ll just tell him we’re going to check on our junior guild member Prince Rafael, or are bringing him something, and Sage Everett won’t have any objections.”
They all grumbled about their martial uncle, but deep down, they all knew that Everett genuinely cared for the Pathfinders Guild. His vast estate spanned all of Starhaven, and he had a bunch of martial nieces and nephews who never seemed to make things easy for him.
No matter how reluctant they were, the next day, they had no choice but to say their goodbyes.
Dominic and Cindy would stay for another day or two. Dorninic wanted to see Leona and to find out if that useless daughter of his would come by to pay a visit.
Leona had learned early on that Cindy had been staying at Hell Monarch Estate after arriving in the capital. However, Sophie had been busy and was not home, so Leona hadn’t been able to visit.
The next morning, Leona woke up early. She went back to Hartstone Estate to see her mom, asking her to come with her to Hell Monarch Estate.
When Heather saw her daughter, she threw herself into her arms and cried uncontrollably. Your dad’s gone. Why did he leave? He took all the family’s money with him. He doesn’t want me anymore.”
Leona froze in shock. “Gone? What do you mean?”
Heather had been panicking for days, her mind racing with endless fear and worry. The more she speculated, the more terrified she became. Now that she saw her daughter, she completely broke down.
“He’s gone! He came back for a day or two, then left again. I didn’t dare tell anyone… What on earth did your dad do? Does he not want the title of prince anymore? What is he thinking?”
Leona had once been indecisive like her mom, but after all she had gone through, and with Alana and Leah by her side, she had grown stronger. She instantly realized something was terribly wrong.
With a grave expression, she said, “Mom, just act like you don’t know anything. If anyone asks, say Dad told you he’s gone off on a journey.”
However, Heather was too consumed by her own panic and sorrow to notice anything else.
“But… but he took all the silver, the banknotes-everything! He withdrew all the money from the accounts. He left us with nothing! What are we going to do now?
Knowing this was serious, Leona immediately grabbed her mother’s hand. “Come on. We’re going to see Grandpa and Sophie.”