Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“No one has said anything,” Zoey replied coolly. “But I know how you think. All these years, I’ve covered for you. You have no strategy or foresight. You simply act on impulse and do whatever comes to your mind.”
“Are you truly trying to drive me to my death?” said Viola, who could hardly believe that Zoey would think like that.
After pouring her heart out, she had gained not even a shred of sympathy or empathy.
Zoey continued, “No one is trying to kill you-you’re doing it to yourself. Why hang yourself at all? If you must, why not do it quietly at night? Why make a spectacle of it in broad daylight with so many people around?
“Those bruises on your neck aren’t even deep enough. If you were truly serious, you would have tied a proper noose. You should take life seriously, and if you choose to end it, you should do it properly as well. Otherwise, what’s the point of all this drama?
“You caused a commotion in the household, and for what? Just so you can mutter about how everyone is selfish? Was Mr. Lewis the one who forced you? Did Blake force you to marry him? Didn’t you know about his divorce
Didn’t you know Freya you wed?
was already in the estate?”
Viola’s self-justifications crumbled under Zoey’s words. She could only pull the blanket back over her head and cry again.
“If you don’t want to answer, then don’t. If you insist on divorcing, I won’t bother seeking out Mrs. Lewis anymore,” Zoey concluded, done with the conversation. With tears still streaming down her face, Viola begged, “Please go to her and clear up the misunderstandings. When I was with Silas, he wasn’t married yet. This isn’t entirely my fault. Besides, you’re already helping your daughter find a match. If this isn’t resolved, how will you find a suitable match in the future?”
Zoey’s eyes hardened, her voice still calm but carrying an underlying edge as she spoke, “Your life is what it is. You say you were born into an earl’s family and have been blessed, but your niece wasn’t as lucky. She was also born into that same earl’s family, but she has to make do with less. It’s not wrong to think of yourself, but don’t drag others down with you.”
“What do you mean by that? Are you forcing me back to the Jaffe family?” Viola asked.
Zoey didn’t answer. She turned away and walked out.
It wasn’t her problem anymore, and she didn’t care.
If Viola was determined to divorce, then even getting Riley’s help wouldn’t change anything.
Once something like this happened, it was like a tattoo. Unless the flesh was cut away, one would never be rid of it for the rest of their life.
–
At Hell Monarch Estate, Violet listened to Sophie’s recounting of the events. Her mouth fell open in shock, and she was unsure of how to respond.
After a long silence, she finally said, “Why is it that some people, who aren’t truly evil, can make you despise them so much? She and Blake actually seemed to suit each other.”
Sophie replied, “I’m afraid some people may have seen me at Arcane Sanctum today. After all, I only left after they did, and there were still many people inside.”
“It’s nothing. I’m sure they’ll just gossip a little. No harm done,” Violet tried to offer comfort.
Normally, as an onlooker, one wouldn’t be subject to such talk. However, Sophie’s status was different-she had once been Blake’s wife. With Viola’s affair and subsequent remarriage to Blake, even his former wife was bound to be dragged into the gossip. Her reputation would be tainted alongside theirs.
“Yes, it’s nothing. But when those two were fighting, I was just stunned,” said Sophie.
“So, was Riley really formidable?” Violet asked.
“I imagine this has been building up inside her for some time. Once it burst out, she didn’t care about her dignity or reputation. She just wanted to vent her frustration and curse at someone,” Sophie replied. Violet sighed wistfully. “I wish I had been there.”
“Being there would have been awkward. Watching women fight-Mr. Lewis was like a bystander too. He was too afraid to intervene, and he didn’t get involved in the brawl.”
“Technically, shouldn’t Thomas have given Silas a good beating? I hope this hasn’t affected his own marriage prospects.” Violet leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued. “What do you think of Jacob’s sister as a match?”
“Jacob has already arranged a marriage for her. He is a well-off scholar with a decent family background. His household is simple-his eldest aunt is married, he has no brothers, his father-in-law passed away early, and his mother-in-law is a kind, virtuous woman,” Sophie explained.
Violet sighed. “Such a shame.”
“What’s such a shame about it? Your godbrother has his own fate,” Sophie said with a shrug.
Violet’s face darkened slightly. “But with this mess Viola’s caused, things might be more difficult. When Thomas first returned to court, so many were eager to align with him. Then, when the king delayed assigning him a post, everyone started pulling back. It was only after he became a general that things settled a bit. And now with all this, I fear it’s just another complication.”
Sophie smiled and said, “You always talk about not wanting to get married, yet now you’re worrying about someone else’s marriage prospects. I don’t bother myself with other marriages. Look, none of my senior guild members have wives, but I’m not anxious for them. They surely have their own plans.”
“Children of noble families are different from us martial artists,” Violet replied. “We are freer, while
Violet bound by rules. For them they not marrying and having children is considered a great disrespect Sophie, I think I understand now-people live differently, but no way of living is easy.”
“We’re not even into fall yet, and you’re already mourning the passing of spring?” Sophie teased, a playful smile on her face.
Violet forced a smile in return. “The more I experience, the more I see… The more difficult things become. It’s hard to stay optimistic when problems keep arising.”
“Violet, when did you become so pessimistic?” Isaac’s voice came from behind them, sudden and unannounced. He stood behind them, looking dashing in his attire.
“There are people far worse off than you, yet they keep pushing forward with optimism. You’ve got wealth, talent, and beauty-everything a woman could dream of. And yet, here you are, sulking over one setback. Do you really think you’re honoring the gods who gave you such a fortunate start in life?”
Violet turned around to face him. His towering frame seemed to swallow her up, his chiseled features still carrying that reckless, carefree air. In the dim light of the lamps hanging along the corridor, his sun-kissed skin gleamed faintly. His dark eyes, almost pitch-black, were impossible to read-was he lecturing her seriously or simply teasing?
“Come on, let me show you something,” Isaac added, before reaching out and grabbing her wrist.
With one swift leap, he soared into the air, gliding effortlessly as if carried by the wind. Stunned, Violet stared at him in shock. Was Isaac’s Lightfoot Skill that amazing? She had always thought he was just half-hearted in everything he did. Sophie tilted her head as she watched them leave. Had Isaac really not noticed her presence? He hadn’t even glanced at her or acknowledged her.
Isaac took Violet all the way to the top of Glimmering Tower, where they hung suspended in mid-air. They gazed at the sprawling city below, the city lights twinkling like stars. Before they ascended, Isaac had stopped at the base of the tower to fetch two bottles of wine- one for Violet, the other for himself.
The night air was cool, refreshing after the heat of the day. With the darkness around them, it was hard to make out their features. Drinking in such obscurity felt a bit intimate, so Isaac pulled a Night Pearl out of his sleeve. With a soft click, the entire top of the tower illuminated as though the moon itself had settled there.
“Look at the lights from the thousands of households,” Isaac said. “Each light represents a home, a family, and a collection of troubles. Whether you’re born with royal blood or into a common household, everyone faces their own set of struggles. Yours? It’s nothing.” Violet pursed her lips. “I wasn’t asking for your sympathy. No need to bring me up here to comfort me or pour me wine.”
She wasn’t in need of sympathy. She was fine.
Isaac’s gaze deepened as he turned his head to look at her.
“Who said I was here to comfort you? I brought you here to comfort me and to keep me company,” he said, his voice low and almost wistful.
Remembering the debt of gratitude she owed him for saving her life, Violet didn’t get angry. Instead, she asked, “What do you need comforting for?”
Isaac swayed his legs, taking a swig of wine. “Do you know my name?”
“Of course I do. It’s Isaac Prince.”
“That wasn’t always my name.”
His voice dropped a little, and under the glow of the Night Pearl, his expression darkened slightly.