Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
In truth, Zoey had deliberately gone away. She had already heard from Poppy about Viola’s plans.
Her younger sister-in-law’s impulsiveness annoyed Zoey, who didn’t want to offer any advice that might later be thrown back at her. Of course, she wasn’t happy about Viola’s repeated threats of divorce and returning to her family. It would surely affect the marriages of her children.
But what could she do?
Zoey couldn’t stop Viola from returning to stay at Silverstone Estate. In this world, a woman wasn’t considered part of her birth family after she was married. However, Zoey herself had a daughter. She couldn’t bring herself to turn her back on Viola like that. Avoiding it altogether seemed simpler.
In a way, Zoey’s arrival at Skye Embroidery saved Violet, who had been dealing with Molly for two days straight. Molly had been insisting that Violet visit Edgeview Estate.
Violet knew exactly what Yuvan was after and had been planning to give him a piece of her mind. However, since Sophie had advised her not to go and not to stir up trouble, she decided to listen and avoid making Sophie angry.
When Zoey arrived, Violet quickly made an excuse for being busy and sent Molly away.
“How’s Karen doing?” Zoey asked.
“Still the same,” Violet sighed. “Won’t eat, won’t talk. She’s just waiting for you to come and talk to her.”
Violet shook her head, worry etched on her face. “I don’t dare leave her alone. I’m afraid if I do, she might try something again.”
Karen Whitley had come two days ago, but not on her own accord. Sophie had saved her and brought her back.
The other day, while Sophie and
Michael had been out on patrol, they found Karen standing at the very bridge where Amelia had tried to take her life. Just as Karen was net about to jump, Sophie used her Lightfoot Skill to rush over and save her. Then, she brought Karen back to the workshop.
Seventeen years old, delicate as a flower, but there was no spark of life left in her eyes. All she wanted was to die. Even back at the workshop, she had been contemplating throwing herself against the wall.
Her family lived on Hibiscus Lane in the capital. Her dad was an official in the Protocol Department, holding a sixth-rank position. Though his position wasn’t high, their family upheld a strict code of conduct. However, that discipline turned to cruelty when it came to Karen’s disgrace. Not only did they refuse to report it to the authorities, but her dad even blamed her for the dishonor and insisted that she take her own life. Karen’s mom, unable to bear it, secretly helped her daughter escape.
But where could a young girl go? Her body and reputation were ruined, and her life was shattered. So, she had gone to the bridge from which Amelia had jumped, intending to end it all the same way. Karen had been in Skye Embroidery for two days now, refusing to eat or drink. If this continued, her life would certainly be lost.
The story of her being humiliated and kicked out of her home was something Violet heard from the servants of the Whitley family.
When Sophie went to speak with Karen’s father, Douglas Whitley, he denied everything. He denied having a daughter named Karen and acted as if he didn’t know what Sophie was talking about. He even brought out his other daughters who also denied it, saying there was no such person as Karen in their family.
It was Hannah who finally spoke up, saying there was no need to keep searching. Since the Whitley family denied Karen’s existence, she would be a new person, with no ties to them anymore. Though Sophie and Violet felt that the Whitley family was heartless, they couldn’t deny that Hannah’s words made sense. There was no use in continuing to pursue the matter-it wouldn’t change anything. Getting revenge, even just to vent, wouldn’t solve the problem. What mattered now was getting Karen to live, to give up on the idea of ending her life, and to speak out about the person who had wronged her. Zoey had already promised to help with counseling, and now seemed like the right time to step in.
She brought in a bowl of millet porridge and glanced at the pale and listless girl lying on the bed. She looked so exhausted yet still so beautiful, with her pale face barely hiding her beauty.
Zoey entered without saying anything. She simply took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the young woman’s face and her hands, and then stroked her hair.
It was Karen herself who shifted and pulled away.
“Dirty,” she murmured her first words since coming to Skye Embroidery.
She disliked herself for being dirty.
Zoey took her hand, her voice soft and comforting. “You’re not dirty, my dear.”
Karen remained unmoved, her expression still blank.
Zoey sat with her for a while before gently offering the millet porridge, speaking to her like one would to a child. “Come on, have a sip.”
Karen didn’t open her mouth, but her lips twitched slightly.
“Open up,” Zoey coaxed, bringing the spoon to her lips. “Just one bite.”
Karen still didn’t open her mouth. She didn’t even dare to look at Zoey, avoiding her gaze as if afraid her dirtiness would taint the elegant lady.
Zoey sighed. “I know you don’t want to live anymore, so I put arsenic in the millet porridge. If you want relief, just drink it. Afterward, tell me who harmed you, and we’ll make sure they pay for what they’ve done. You can go in peace.”
At the mention of arsenic, Karen’s eyes slowly focused. Her body trembled as she mustered enough strength to sit up, and she reached out with shaky hands to take the bowl. Without hesitation, she drank it down in large, desperate gulps. The bowl of thin porridge was quickly emptied.
Zoey took the bowl and set it down, using a handkerchief to wipe Karen’s mouth.
“The arsenic is potent. In about an hour, the poison will take effect. Tell me who did this to you, and we’ll make sure they pay for it.”
Karen was a na?ve girl, and she didn’t question Zoey’s words. She truly believed the millet porridge contained arsenic and that she could finally be free. She lay back down tears slipping down her cheeks. “If I’m going to die anyway, then let me die like this. No need to seek revenge.”
Zoey was taken aback. Didn’t Karen hate the person who ruined her life? Or was it that she didn’t trust the people in Skye Embroidery?
“I don’t want a proper burial. Just throw me into the mass grave,” Karen muttered, wiping away her tears. Her eyes were still empty, just as they had been before.
Zoey sighed softly. “Silly girl, how could we let you die? Everyone is hoping you will live. There’s no arsenic in the porridge. We just wanted to help you get revenge and to give you the strength to live on.”
Karen closed her eyes, tears rolling down again as she sobbed uncontrollably. “Why can’t you just let me die? I don’t want to live anymore.”
Zoey sat beside her, letting her cry and offering no comfort.
Later, Sophie arrived and instructed Alana to watch over Karen. Zoey stepped outside to speak with Sophie.
“Her situation might be more complicated than we thought,” Zoey said, explaining how she had tricked Karen into drinking the millet porridge Logically, she should hate that person more than anyone, but she’d rather die than reveal who it was. Even if she doesn’t know the person’s identity, she could at least explain what happened and where it took place. With those details, we could investigate.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want to remember? For her, this event is catastrophic. It’s understandable if she can’t bring herself to talk about it,” Leona said.
Sophie nodded thoughtfully. “It’s possible, but there could be more to it.”
Sophie was the one who had saved Karen, pulling her off the bridge that day. When she asked who her family was so she could return her, Karen had screamed, “I have no family! I’d rather die than go back! I’d rather die away from them!”
Later, they found out that the Whitley family had abandoned Karen because they thought she was impure and wanted her to poison herself. Hence, they thought Karen was angry at her family. But Karen had always wanted to die, so wouldn’t taking poison give her exactly what she wanted? Why did she listen to her mom and run away?
“Maybe we should ask her mom when we get the chance,” Sophie said, looking up. “Her mom clearly wanted her to live. Maybe she knows more.”
Violet took care of the matter at Skye Embroidery, while Sophie had her own pressing concerns-mainly, the opening of the women’s academy.
Sophie had already found five teachers-the royal chancellor’s granddaughter Rosalind, Meredith’s sister-in-law Harriet Wright, the Ashford family’s matriarch Catherine, Kyle, and the Wardell family’s eldest daughter, who had once served as Meredith’s study partner. Athena Wardell was now thirty. She had been engaged to a childhood friend, but he had died on the battlefield while they were preparing for their wedding. Since then, Athena has refused all proposals and had no intention of marrying.
Kyle was the only man among the teachers. He was a renowned scholar in Starhaven, known for his noble character and virtuous nature. No one would have objected to him becoming a teacher at the women’s academy. In fact, his reputation only drew more students to the school.
Catherine had withdrawn from social circles for many years. In her younger years, she was a renowned scholar who traveled extensively across the vast landscapes of Starhaven with her husband. She had written the book Chronicles of the Mountains and Rivers, and the current map of Starhaven was based on the work of her husband.
The couple had contributed greatly to Starhaven. Even a few years ago, they were still journeying far and wide. It wasn’t until her husband’s passing that Catherine finally settled down. Now in her seventies, Catherine was still strong but rarely left her home for social events.