Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Michael quickly shook his head. “I wouldn’t dare, Sage Violet! It’s just that I foolishly invited Deputy Commander Jaffe back to my house for drinks, and Lucille wasn’t happy about it.” “You had drinks with Blake?” Violet raised her eyebrow. “I didn’t know you two were such close friends.”
Michael, knowing Violet disliked Blake, hastily added, “I heard from the men at the palace today. Deputy Commander Jaffe went to the king to resign, and was scolded by His Majesty.” Sophie froze, a flash of anger crossing her face. “He resigned? At a time like this?”
“Don’t worry, Commander Devin. His Majesty didn’t approve,” Michael quickly assured her.
Sophie clenched her fists, frustration brimming in her tone. “What is wrong with his brain? Has it been chewed up by a dog or something?”
Violet had a way of thinking that was a little different from most people. After a moment of silence, she turned to Sophie and asked, “Is it because he’s upset the king demoted him and cut his salary? Is that why he’s throwing a tantrum and resigning?”
She wasn’t sure if Blake was really like that, but she knew she was.
Whenever her family or her mentor offered her less than expected, she would dig in her heels and quit, using retreat as a strategy to gain leverage.
Seeing the displeasure on Sophie’s face, she quickly added, “Let’s not talk about him anymore. He’s a nuisance. Since the king won’t let him resign, there’s nothing more to be done. He can’t make a fuss.”
The others nodded in agreement, shifting the conversation to lighter topics. They ate their honey cakes, and when Rafael didn’t return, Lulu suggested saving some for him.
After everyone left, Violet turned to Sophie and said, “Actually, it might be a good thing if he resigns. A man like him doesn’t deserve to be the deputy commander of the Nightsteel Guard.”
Sophie sighed. “At this time, anyone even remotely connected to Victory Pass should keep their heads down. We don’t need any more gossip or attention. Whether he resigns on his own or the king dismisses him, it’ll draw people’s eyes to my grandpa and uncle. It’s the perfect opportunity for someone with ulterior motives to twist the narrative and stir up trouble.”
Violet nodded. “Right, but what kind of trouble could it cause?”
Sophie calmed down after her anger subsided and explained, “Yuvan has been trying to get the Sullivan family to withdraw from Victory Pass. The situation in Fawnrun City has caused a huge stir in both Westhaven and Victory Pass.
“It’s clear that Yuvan and Westhaven are working together behind this. Now, Freya has been sent to Westhaven for her crimes. My grandpa, as the commander in charge of Victory Pass, will be blamed for not supervising the troops properly.
“Blake is partially responsible for leading his men to Fawnrun City. This whole affair doesn’t implicate my uncles, so on the surface, it seems fair enough. But if Blake resigns in shame, Yuvan could use that to spread rumors, claiming that the Sullivan family was aware of the guilt but clung to their military power. That would tarnish the Sullivan family’s reputation among the people.”
Violet stared at Sophie for a long time, her thoughts swirling. She couldn’t quite explain why, but there was a complicated feeling inside her, mixed with a subtle ache.
This feeling had been with her ever since she first met Sophie on the battlefield.
Back at Meadow Ridge, Violet had thought of Garissa as just a bit more skilled in martial arts than she was But when it came to experience, knowledge, and understanding of the world, Violet had always believed she was the wiser one.
People and relationships were something she knew how to navigate, while Sophie seemed naive and just lacking in those areas.
At least, that was how Violet had seen it before.
But now, Sophie had learned everything. From even the smallest details, she could see the bigger picture. She calculated every move so precisely that no small change or shift could escape her analysis. And her emotions were completely stable-everything was always approached with calm, rational thought.
How much would someone have to endure for their personality to change so drastically?
At that thought, Violet almost couldn’t hold back the tears.
Sophie noticed Violet’s sudden, teary expression and quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” Violet replied, always keeping her emotions close to her chest. “I just find Blake so infuriating.”
Sophie smiled gently. “It’s alright, I’m not upset anymore. I know what kind of person he is, so it’s no surprise that he would act like this. The feeling will pass.”
“Yeah!” Violet hugged her, sniffing. “No matter what happens from now on, we’ll always be together.”
“Of course.” Sophie patted her back, smiling once more. She was surprised by Violet’s sudden wave of sentimentality. Why was Violet feeling so emotional all of a sudden?
Lulu poked her head in and saw the two of them hugging, but she wasn’t shocked. Back in Meadow Ridge, they had always been inseparable. Their heads were always together, and they were affectionately close.
“Prince Rafael should be back soon,” Lulu said. “Also, Lady Helen wants you to join her for dinner.”
Sophie nodded. “Alright, we’ll head over soon. Oh, and make sure to send some of the honey cakes that Mrs. Brown brought over to Mother.”
servants would gossip and say that Rafael and Sophie were disrespectful.
Helen didn’t enjoy dining with her son. Their tastes were too different, and the conversation rarely went beyond a few words. But Victoria always insisted, reminding Helen time and time again that, once a month, she had to sit down with him for a meal. Otherwise, the Helen sighed. That was just how life was constantly bound by all sorts of obligations, never able to follow one’s heart’s desire.
Gillian always said Helen didn’t know how to appreciate her blessings, but she didn’t believe there was such a thing as a truly carefree life. Even in the best of times, there were problems to worry about. Even the wealthiest, most powerful people had their burdens to bear. She would enjoy the good moments when they came, and when she was troubled, she would keep to herself-she had every right to her worries.
Rafael and Sophie weren’t the chatty types, so they would ask Violet to join them for meals. Violet had a knack for lightening the mood, turning a dull meal into something lively and entertaining.
In the end, Blake didn’t resign. A few days later, he reluctantly donned his official attire and returned to his duties.
Salvador summoned him again, hoping to see some spark of determination in his face, but there was nothing. Blake looked like a defeated dog, radiating misery and despair.
Salvador was inwardly furious. He had originally hoped to mold Blake into a loyal minister, someone useful for the future. A military man like him, who had fought bandits, been on the battlefield, and had fallen on hard times, was someone who could be trusted. At least he was loyal.
Now, Salvador realized that while loyalty was valuable, it meant nothing without capability.
He had once hoped that Blake would turn things around, make a name for the Nightsteel Guard, and bring the Royal Guard under its command. But it seemed that relying on Blake wasn’t going to work. Everything still depended on lan.
Though lan had taken on the role of commander, he had other matters to attend to. With Blake proving to be so ineffectual, it looked like they would need to promote another deputy commander.
After sending Blake on his way, Salvador summoned lan.
lan recommended two men-Galen and Kevin.
“Your Majesty, Galen and Kevin have been with you since you were crown prince. Galen is sharp and quick-witted, while Kevin is loyal and ambitious. He’s now Ms. Spencer’s direct apprentice and has been steadily improving his martial skills.”
Salvador raised an eyebrow. “Kevin Ziegler, from the Marquis of Elderglen’s family? His cousin is Lawrence, the Earl of Dunewind, right?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty,” lan confirmed.
Salvador paused, mulling it over before asking, “I recall there was someone from the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team who joined the Nightsteel Guard-what was his name?”
“You must be referring to Ivan Lewis, Your Majesty. He’s currently a second-rank guard in the Nightsteel Guard, stationed at Regal Gate.”
Salvador narrowed his eyes, his long fingers lightly tapping on the table as his mind raced through the pros and cons of choosing either Galen or Kevin.
Galen was certainly capable, but he had too many tricks up his sleeve. The Nightsteel Guard didn’t need someone like him promoted at the moment.
Kevin was from the Marquis of Elderglen’s family. Rafael had once saved Lawrence’s life, and Kevin had become Violet’s apprentice, which meant he was already halfway tied to Rafael’s household.
There were risks involved.