Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
In just a few days, Blake had explored Redstone Manor from top to bottom. He realized that it was vastly different from the place he had known before. Apart from the outer shell of the residence, everything inside had changed.
The servants who had once been exclusively male were now joined by many maids and female attendants. There was also a lady of the house, whom Blake had seen a few times. She was pregnant, perhaps five or six months along.
Given the comings and goings at the residence, the lady would always cover her face with a thin veil when she appeared. Her eyes, visible through the veil, were captivating, almost hypnotic. Blake never sought to inquire about her identity, but others were always quick to gossip.
The people in the manor said she was Oliver’s wife. Since her arrival, all the previous concubines and mistresses had been dismissed. The concubines who had come with Oliver to the Southern Frontier had mysteriously died, though no one knew why.
Blake sometimes overheard the servants whispering, claiming that Oliver doted on the lady to such an extent that he gave her anything she wanted-if she asked for the moon and stars, he would have them brought down for her.
Blake also noticed that the lady’s belongings were beyond luxurious. Silks and satin, pearls and jewels-her every possession was extravagant. Now that the Southern Frontier was no longer at war, all manner of tonics were delivered to her. She consumed two bowls of royal jelly soup every day, one in the morning and one at night.
Her baths were prepared with goat’s milk and petals, an indulgence she partook in every day without fail. Goat’s milk and flowers were easy to find in the Southern Frontier, but to bathe in them daily was an extravagance beyond measure.
Blake couldn’t help but feel that Oliver’s annual salary, already stretched thin to support his household, couldn’t possibly cover such lavish expenses.
Oliver would never consider dipping into the military funds, right?
However, Blake later heard rumors that the Earl of Silverstone’s family would send him money. The Earl of Silverstone’s family had been titled for generations and had amassed a considerable fortune, so it would be easy enough for them to support Oliver and his wife in their tavish lifestyle.
This made Blake think of Zoey.
Having been related to the Prince family by marriage, Blake held Zoey in the highest regard. Every time she stepped forward, it was to resolve a matter fairly, and she always acted with great impartiality. Though Viola was her sister-in-law, Zoey never showed bias toward Viola.
In terms of both appearance and possessions, Zoey was nowhere near this lady’s level-she didn’t even come close.
Putting everything else aside, just the flowing brocade and fragrant cloud silk the lady wore that day were worth a fortune. The Mystic Pearl on her hairpin was even more impressive.
People said that when Sophie married Rafael, she had received several jars of Mystic Pearls. Blake had never seen one as large as the one in the lady’s hairpin, but it was so exquisite that it could easily be set into an emerald crown without losing any of its luster. Days passed, and Blake eventually learned that the lady’s surname was quite strange. She had once been known as Ms. Kingsley, then as Ms. Cece, but now she was called Madam Spencer.
He even heard rumors that her family was somehow connected to the prestigious Spencer family from Ebonflow.
Thus, everyone now referred to her as Madam Spencer.
Of course, such gossip was not to be spoken of in front of Oliver or the lady herself. But when the servants and maids had a moment to relax, they would whisper to one another.
One day, Blake overheard that Oliver had received a letter from home and was in a rage. A couple of days later, he learned that it was because the Earl of Silverstone’s family had stopped sending money, which was the cause of his fury.
The servants began to speculate that it was because Oliver’s legitimate wife had found out about the lady’s pregnancy and had cut off the funds in a fit of jealousy. They all criticized the legitimate wife for being foolish. After all, men often had several wives and concubines. A woman so petty and jealous might find herself in trouble or even cast out.
Blake almost spoke up to defend Zoey, but ultimately kept quiet.
If only they knew the true Earl of Silverstone’s wife, they would realize that she was the one best suited to be the head of the household.
Perhaps Oliver wanted Blake to see how grand and impressive his presence was, with people surrounding him and giving him attention whenever he entered or left. After showing off enough, he finally called for Blake to meet him.
In less than two years at the Southern Frontier, Oliver had gained a lot of weight. Though he wasn’t exactly obese, his double chin was visible as he sat in the grand tiger-skin-covered armchair.
He looked down from his lofty position, his eyes filled with a condescending superiority.
“I’ve heard about what happened between you and Viola,” Oliver began slowly, his voice carrying the authority of someone in power. “It’s just as well. A man as ordinary as you never deserved to be with my sister.”
Blake bowed and lowered his head, keeping his expression neutral, answering only with a soft murmur. He said nothing more.
Oliver sneered, his voice sharp as he reprimanded Blake, “I never expected you to be so useless. You were made deputy commander of the Nightsteel Guard, yet you were dismissed. The entire Jaffe family is filled with incompetence. Your grandfather, may he rest in peace, must be turning in his grave after seeing you and your useless kin.”
Blake remained silent, though a vein throbbed on his forehead, betraying his anger.
“Don’t even try to argue! Look at the kind of people coming out of your family. Then look at you-what has one woman done to you? Three women and you couldn’t handle any of them. You’ve completely embarrassed us men.”
At this point, Oliver was clearly pleased with himself.
He was surrounded by stunning beauties, one of whom was even carrying his child. Before her, he could have any woman he desired in the Southern Frontier. Women had always been the ones to seek his favor. That was why he looked down on Blake.
After putting on a show of authority, he finally asked, “Is there anything major happening in the capital?”
“Nothing of great importance,” Blake replied quietly.
Oliver ran his hand along the armrest, a slight, cold smile flickering at the corners of his mouth. “Is that so? Then before you came, did you happen to see Zee?”
Blake raised his head slightly. “Are you referring to Mrs. Prince?”
Oliver stared at him, immediately picking up on his intent. He sneered. “What? Are you telling me how to address my women now?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Blake quickly responded. “I just haven’t heard anyone refer to her by that name before, so I was confused. I just wanted to make sure you’re talking about Mrs. Prince.” “You’re such a coward,” Oliver sneered. “You say one thing, but can’t admit what you said.”
He genuinely looked down on Blake, yet he continued pressing for information about his family.
“I’m asking about her. Has my family run into any trouble? Have you heard anything about a shortage of money?”
Blake remembered hearing a few days ago that the Earl of
Silverstone’s family had stopped sending money to Oliver, so he replied, don’t know about a money shortage, but I do know that Madam Prince has been ill for some time, and your family has spent quite a bit on medical expenses.
“As for the other costs… I know you have many children, sir. I’ve heard Viola mention before that their yearly expenses are quite high. They need clothes for all seasons, food, and other necessities. Their dowries and betrothal gifts need to be prepared ahead of time. They say MPs. Prince is a very organized woman, and she’s even thought about the second branch’s needs.”
“Have you heard that she might sell off property-shops, houses, or land-to make ends meet?” Oliver pressed further.
Blake shook his head. “No, I haven’t heard anything like that.”
Oliver made a thoughtful sound but didn’t press the matter further. Instead, he shifted to a different topic.
“You’ve been around the king for some time. Do you know when the king plans to appoint the crown prince?”
Blake quickly shook his head. “I’ve never heard the king mention anything about it.”
Oliver frowned. “Then, what’s your guess?”
“How could I guess? I wouldn’t dare speculate on the king’s intentions,” Blake replied earnestly.
Oliver scowled. “Pathetic. How can you have been around the king for so long and still not understand his mind?” Blake could only offer a wry smile. “I truly am slow-witted.”
Seeing Blake’s lack of spirit, Oliver grew bored of his posturing. The power play had lost its thrill, and he wasn’t learning anything new. With a dismissive wave, he said, “Go back to the barracks. There’s nothing else to discuss. Just go join the others and fool around for a bit