Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
The records showed that the Earl of Silverstone’s family had no cash on hand before this. To support Oliver’s lavish lifestyle with his concubine, the family had to borrow money. from Violet. Once the debt was paid back, Violet returned the promissory note, but it wasn’t destroyed. It was still tucked away in the account books.
Now that they had sold off so many of the family’s properties, there was some cash in the accounts to cover the household expenses for the time being. On top of that, Zoey wrote a letter in Evelyn’s name, explaining that the family was short on money more to and couldn’t send any money
Oliver.
With so many children to feed and take care of, there were always expenses. Plus, with the cold weather setting in, they needed to make sure they had enough coal for the fire and proper clothes for everyone.
What she didn’t expect, however, was for Oliver to send his deputy commander back to audit the books.
The deputy commander rode hard and fast to get back to the capital. When he showed up at Silverstone Estate, Zoey nearly had a heart attack. It wasn’t because of the audit-it was because those stationed in the Southern Frontier weren’t supposed to leave without orders.
For Oliver to secretly send someone back to check the accounts was insane.
At that moment, Zoey thought Oliver must have lost his mind. The Earl of Silverstone’s family was really in trouble now.
The deputy commander was visibly anxious, and he hurried through his inspection. The next morning, he left the capital under cover of secrecy and returned to the Southern Frontier.
When Zoey had first told Caspian about the dire state of affairs, he had believed her, though there remained a shred of faith in his older brother. After the deputy commander’s secretive return to inspect the books, Caspian could no longer doubt the truth of Zoey’s words.
He now understood the peril facing the family, but he felt powerless to act. He couldn’t even think of a single w to help. All he could do was silently thank Zoey for transferring the family’s properties totsaac. If things truly went awry, at least they wouldn’t starve,
After Jacob’s thorough investigation, they narrowed the true mastermind behind the treason plot down to a few suspects and started keeping a close eye on their movements. But the suspicion was still just that, and they had no real proof. After Wayne’s return to Valken, he had only seen Harvey. He had not met with anyone else or made any visits to the Spencer family. He had gone to great lengths to stay hidden.
According to the latest reports, the private army had been in Stonebridge County. However, they had relocated swiftly and left behind many of their possessions. Yet, where they went remained unknown.
The situation in Valken used to be chaotic, but things started coming together after Wayne returned. Local officials frequently visited Horizon Estate, enjoying lavish feasts and living without a care. Rafael passed the list of names to Salvador.
Still, it was clear that the group lacked a leader. It couldn’t be said that Harvey or Wayne were the ones in charge.
After a brief discussion with Rafael, Salvador decided it was crucial to send Yuvan back to Valken. Yuvan’s presence was vital to keep the situation in check and prevent the true mastermind from seizing control too quickly.
If Yuvan were absent, it would be easy for the true mastermind to take control of the power and resources available. Once Yuvan returned, however, all the connections and resources he had built up would remain under his control. Any attempt to displace him would require considerable effort.
Salvador issued an edict to Yuvan, informing him that his injuries had healed enough and that it was time to return to Valken.
Yuvan was eager to return to Valken. During his recovery, he constantly worried about the state of Valken and tried to figure out how to mend his relationship with the Spencer family. As soon as Salvador’s edict arrived, Yuvan didn’t even bother to bid farewell to Ruth. He immediately packed up and left the capital with his family in tow.
Though his body was crippled and his abilities in some areas lost, the period of despair had only awakened his ambition. He had always been ambitious, but in the past, he cared about maintaining his reputation. Even if he had plans to seize the throne, he wanted to do it legitimately.
Now, though, he was itching to march his troops immediately.
Of course, he knew the timing wasn’t right. If he acted now, it would only lead to his downfall and likely an execution so brutal it would leave nothing of him.
For now, he had to focus on rebuilding his power base.
–
Meanwhile, Oscar had reached out to Gillian. He begged her to deliver some items to Eleanor, hoping to honor what remained of the mother-daughter relationship between Ruth and Eleanor.
At first, Gillian refused. But after several pleas, her heart softened. She asked Helen for permission, and once granted, she agreed to do the favor.
However, Sophie had Mabel accompany Gillian on the trip.
Oscar also followed along. Since Ruth couldn’t go herself, she had specifically sent him to check on Eleanor and report back.
Argent, an official from the Heritage
Bureau, informed Oscar that Eleanor’s maid Florence had died two months ago. Now, Eleanor was left alone in her confinement. She received two meals a day, and a physician would be called whenever she fell ill. If she refused her medicine, they would force it down her throat.
Eleanor’s tendons had been severed, leaving her unable to take her own life. She could only cling to a miserable existence. All her teeth had been pulled out, rendering her incapable of cursing anyone properly. It had been a long time since she had even tried. Since Florence’s death, she hardly spoke at all, spending her days living like an animal.
Hearing this, Oscar’s lips trembled with horror. It was a tragedy-how far the grand princess had fallen! She was once a cherished daughter of the royal family, but she chose to walk the path of rebellion.
When the prison door was opened, a foul stench immediately wafted out. Oscar and Gillian covered their noses and stepped cautiously inside.
Only a few steps in, they saw a heap curled in the corner. At first glance, it didn’t even look like a human-more like a pile of tangled straw someone had carelessly dumped there.
But it was Eleanor.
Her clothes were filthy, covered in black and gray stains, and her hair was a matted mess, resembling a bird’s nest. Her face was blank, and there wasn’t a trace of light left in her eyes.
The foul stench filled the air, coming from both her body and the yard itself. With the tendons in her hands and feet severed, she couldn’t care for herself. She relieved herself where she sat, and whatever came out stayed on her. In the summer, someone would come in to wash her down and change her prison garb.
After autumn, no one came to clean her anymore. Prison garbs were still tossed in occasionally, but Eleanor found them filthy. Though her limbs were weak due to her tendons being severed, she could still change into the loose-fitting prison garbs if she wanted to. Yet, she didn’t. Instead, she just let herself sit in the filth.
Oscar dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he called out, “Grand Princess Eleanor!”
He then collapsed onto the floor, weeping bitterly.
However, Eleanor didn’t even lift her eyes. It was as if she were lost to herself, neither seeing nor hearing him.
After his crying fit subsided, Oscar took out a tray of pastries. Argent was about to come over to inspect them, but Mabel stopped him.
“Prince Rafael said there’s no need to inspect the pastries,” Mabel said. “She’s allowed to eat them.”
Oscar knelt on the ground, his eyes red and swollen. His voice trembled as he spoke.
“Your Grace, please just take a bite. This is from Lady Ruth. She specifically sent them to you. It’s your favorite sweet pastry. There are more cakes, too. You can eat them slowly.”
At the mention of Ruth, Eleanor finally raised her eyes to look at him. Her face was dark and gaunt, filthy with grime, and the skin around her eyes was a deep gray. However, her bloodshot eyes were still noticeable. “Put it down,” she said. Her words, rough and unclear without teeth, were still unmistakable.
With trembling hands, Oscars held up a set of clothes. “And here’s a change of clothes. Let me help you put them on.”
Without hesitation, he reached out to lift her, ignoring the filth that covered her body. He carefully draped her over his arm, guiding her step by step inside the room.
Argent frantically glanced at Mabel and Gillian. “Aren’t you going in to keep watch?”
“Let him help her change,” Mabel answered. She reached out, discreetly hiding a piece of pastry in her sleeve.
Argent looked at her, confused and surprised. However, since it was Rafael and Sophie’s decision, he didn’t protest further.
About an hour later, Oscar emerged, carrying Eleanor on his back.