Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Salvador’s tone turned colder.
“The power of the throne may appear untouchable, but it can never truly be so. If the foundation below us collapses, we’ll crash to the ground and shatter to pieces.
“I am the king, yet even I must occasionally yield-closing one eye to certain matters, offering gifts, or showing favor. This helps them willingly bend their backs and become the steps beneath my feet. What makes you think everyone should bow to you unconditionally? Simply because you’re the queen?”
Kylie was stunned into silence, unable to muster a response.
“You’re not truly ignorant of this. You simply refuse to consider what’s best for me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have tried to marry your cousin to Thomas to draw military power to Connor’s side,” Salvador added.
Kylie’s expression shifted, and she quickly protested, “Your Majesty, that was never my intention! I only thought General Farrell was a man of integrity and a good match for my cousin, which is why I suggested her to him.”
“Do you even believe yourself?” Salvador asked with a cold laugh.
Kylie insisted, “I truly meant it. If you don’t trust me, then there’s nothing I can say to change that, Your Majesty.”
Salvador’s brows furrowed, clearly frustrated. “Sometimes, speaking with you is so exhausting. You seem to understand what I say and yet, at the same time, completely miss the point. You’re always trying to read my thoughts, but when it truly matters, you get everything wrong.”
Kylie bit her lip, tears brimming in her eyes. “I am foolish and dull. Would it not be easier for you to simply tell me directly, rather than leaving me to guess?”
Salvador looked at her, a mix of frustration and disdain flashing in his eyes. As queen, she ought to carry herself with dignity, yet she wept like some petty concubine. His anger deepened.
“Haven’t I been direct with you many times over the years? Which of my words have you listened to? Which of my commands have you followed? Every time you act, you make mistakes. It would be better if you did nothing at all-focuson managing the harem and raising our children. Matters beyond the palace are beyond your capabilities, so stay out of them.”
Kylie could see the weariness and distaste in his expression, and her heart ached. “If you wish for me to win over the noblewomen or visit the academy to make an appearance, I can do that. Tomorrow, I will summon them to the palace and have them send their daughters back to the academy.”
Salvador raised his hand in a sharp, dismissive gesture. “Don’t bother.
When it comes to strategy, intelligence, and execution, you even compare to even half of Sophie. Yet, you resent her for
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earning the people’s favor. Do you think that simply bearing the title of queen entitles you to their praise without effort? You don’t deserve it.”
There was a large number of students being accepted at
Gracewood Women’s Academy now, and it would be strange for the former students who had dropped out to reenroll again. If that happened without propped reason or explanation, the common people would only feel more resentment toward the nobility.
How could Kylie suggest something like that so casually?
His words cut like a blade, piercing her heart deeply. Kylie lifted her head sharply, tears spilling over as her voice trembled with resentment.
“If you think I am inferior to Sophie in every way, then why did you marry her off to the Hell Monarch? Why didn’t you take her for yourself and replace me instead?”
The sound of a cup shattering against the floor echoed through the chamber, shards scattering in every direction as Salvador roared, “Do you wish for me to depose you?!” The fragments flew toward her, one sharp edge slicing across the back of her hand.
She froze, the words hitting her heart like a heavy blow. Pain twisted her heart, but she acted quickly, falling to her knees in desperation.
“Your Majesty, I misspoke. Please forgive me!”
Salvador didn’t spare her another glance. Without a word, he stood and strode out.
The chamber doors creaked open, and Derek quickly called out, “His Majesty is departing!”
Lydia hurried inside, rushing to Kylie’s side and helping her to her feet.
“Your Majesty, your hand is injured.” Lydia gasped. She immediately pressed her handkerchief to the bleeding cut, then motioned for the maids to bring water and bandages.
Kylie sank into a chair, her body trembling as though her strength had left her entirely. Fear lingered in her wide eyes, and her voice was shaky with disbelief. “He said he would depose me. His Majesty said he would depose me.” “His Majesty is just angry for a moment. How could he really depose you? Don’t worry.”
Lydia sent the maids who had come to assist back out, then sighed as she looked at Kylie.
“Your Majesty, you shouldn’t have said those things to the queen dowager. And as for Lady Ruth’s situation, I advised you about it, but you didn’t listen.”
“I don’t understand! What was my mistake?” Kylie’s eyes burned with indignation. “It was just two incidents. Even if there were faults, they were trivial-nothing worth mentioning!”
Lydia sighed heavily. It was clear that neither Victoria’s warnings nor Salvador’s fury had made any impression on Kylie. Her thoughts were consumed entirely by undermining Sophie and securing advantages for her son.
But this was the wrong path to thread on.
Lydia began with patient determination, “Your Majesty, you could ally yourself with Lady Sophie instead of opposing her. She’s not one of the harem’s concubines.”
“But His Majesty has always been wary of the Hell Monarch. What good would it do for me to win them over? Wouldn’t it bring more trouble for Connor?”
“My dear queen, you can’t keep focusing on the past. You must adapt to the changing situation and evaluate things wisely. His Majesty now heavily relies on the Hell Monarch. Though there are conflicts between the brothers, His Majesty depends on him for state matters. The Hell Monarch and his princess consort are capable, and they will become His Majesty’s best allies.”
Kylie sighed heavily. “This is exactly the outcome I dreaded. Sophie and I are both women, yet she overshadows me in every way. I am the queen-how can she, a mere duke’s daughter, be better than me?”
Lydia saw the despair and resentment circling in Kylie’s mind, a storm she couldn’t escape.
She had seen cases like this before, and the outcome hadn’t been good. Take the third daughter of the Earl of Silverstone’s family, Viola, for example.
Sophie’s abilities surpassed many
–
women’s. She was skilled in martial arts, had strategic thinking, and could carve out a path for herself earning victories on the battlefield. She wasn’t the kind of woman one could compare to the average lady.
But why compare at all?
Everyone was different, with their own strengths and weaknesses. Sophie wasn’t perfect, either.
Moreover, Sophie had been criticized and scorned before because of her involvement in Skye Embroidery, a thankless task that left her ridiculed. Whatever goodwill she had gained on the battlefie 4
was nearly lost, yet she refused to compromise and continued doing things her way. She never compared herself to anyone.
Lydia was conflicted. After the issues with the workshop and the academy, she had come to admire Sophie, But the more she admired Sophie, the more she felt that Kylie wouldn’t let things go easily. The truth was, Kylie was no match for Sophie.
In the end, the one who would be hurt most was her mistress.
Lydia wasn’t able to rise above her personal feelings and put reason before her mistress. She was loyal to the queen and could only think of what was best for her.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the golden light fell across the tranquil halls of the Serenity Palace.