Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
He knew it was unusual-after all, he had spent his life surrounded by women of all kinds, from those of exceptional beauty to those of quiet sweetness. Yet it was this woman, with her natural, irresistible charm, who had truly captured his heart.
Timothy had said Celeste’s identity was doubtful, and that Oliver should be more cautious.
Oliver had no patience for such warnings. After all, Celeste had already told him everything about her past. She had come to the Southern Frontier only to find a way to survive, never intending to attach herself to him. She had known of his wife’s cruel nature and wanted nothing more than to avoid trouble, especially the kind she had fled from in the capital.
So, it wasn’t that she had seduced him-it was he who had pursued her relentlessly.
To win her over, he had used every trick in the book. He even offered to take her in as his goddaughter. Eventually, they married, and still, during their nightly activities together, she would call him “Daddy” in a way that always made his heart flutter.
Now, with a happy son who is chubby and healthy, and a delicate and charming wife, Oliver felt like he could live his whole life in the Southern Frontier and still be extremely happy.
He didn’t feel at all guilty for the way he had treated Zoey. Over the years, she had run the household with an iron grip, managing the family’s finances with absolute control. Since he had been leading the troops outside, people held her in high regard. In the future, any titles or recognition that came her way would be for her, not for Celeste.
Forget guilt, he was also dissatisfied with Zoey.
Celeste had worked hard to give him a son, and had only asked to be elevated as a rightful wife. Yet, Zoey kept making excuses and showed no dignity as the lady of the house.
No one could know the agony Celeste had endured during her pregnancy. Every whiff of meat made her gag. She was such a delicate woman, and she held a spittoon every day during that time.
Could Zoey ever understand that?
“My lord, sit down. I have something to discuss with you,” Celeste said, reclining on the luxurious chaise longue. She had slept through much of the day, and her hair was tousled, exuding an even more intoxicating beauty.
Oliver placed their son in the nursemaid’s arms, then approached Celeste with deliberate steps. He sat down beside her, drawing her frail, soft body into his embrace. Lowering his head, he teased with a smirk, “And what would you like to tell me? That you’ve cleaned up?”
Her pale skin flushed pink at his remark, and a faint blush spread across her delicate features, even tinting the corners of her eyes. Her voice was soft and a bit hoarse as she replied, “Must you always think of such things? Can’t you be serious for once?”
With a light kiss on her cheek, Oliver chuckled. “Since you were nine months pregnant, I’ve been acting like a priest. Now that you’ve recovered, it’s only natural my thoughts would turn back to…those matters.” Her face reddened even further. He stifled his laughter, gently guiding her shoulders. “Alright, tell me what you really need to say.”
Celeste pulled out a letter and handed it to him. “My adoptive father has written to say that he’s heard rumors that Sandoria is planning to strike back. Of course, the information may not be true. But if it is, I don’t want you going to the battlefield.”
Her voice faltered and she leaned into him, her arms wrapping around his neck. Tears began to fall from her eyes. “I can’t bear the thought of you in danger. I can’t stand it, not even a little.”
Seeing the tears of the beautiful woman he held in his arms, Oliver’s heart ached. He kissed her and soothed her, his hands gently caressing her. “Where did your adoptive father hear this about Sandoria? It’s all nonsense.”
Celeste’s tears slid down her chilled cheek, making her look even more fragile and pitiable.
“Even if it’s not true, I can’t help but be afraid. Promise me, if the Sandorians come, you won’t go to war. So many soldiers have died on the battlefield here in the Southern Frontier. Even General Devin and his sons died here. You must not go! You cannot.”
“Alright, I promise you. I promise,” Oliver said, holding her tightly, though a quiet sigh escaped him. He thought back to his departure for the Southern Frontier battlefield when Zoey had only given him words of duty-telling him to serve the kingdom well and to lead the army properly. She never once expressed concern for his safety.
Perhaps her eyes, he was just a tool to earn a better future and wealth.
Upon hearing his promise, Celeste’s tears finally ceased. Yet, her fingers still clutched tightly at his garments, her body pressed against his chest.
Though her face was streaked with tears, her eyes had hardened into cold disdain, a far cry from the fragile, sorrowful image she had projected earlier.
She loathed this old man. She also despised every person who had used her beauty and her body for their ends. She didn’t want to be a pawn in anyone’s game, and she was weary of the role. She had never received a shred of genuine affection.
Yet, there was no other path for her. If she had to marry a lowly merchant or commoner, she wouldn’t be able to endure that hardship. Though she had been used in the past, she had lived well enough. After leaving the capital and wandering for a few days, she realized she could never escape the life of wealth and luxury.
When that man came to her, she agreed without hesitation. At that time, it had seemed like her only escape.
Her background meant she could never be properly married into a wealthy family as the primary wife. Samuel had once professed his undying love for her, yet had never managed to secure her a legitimate position in society. In the end, she had remained just another concubine.
And now, thinking of that spineless coward, she felt nothing but revulsion.
In essence, Oliver was no different than Samuel. He had a virtuous wife, but he didn’t treat her properly, indulging in pleasures while neglecting his duties.
Celeste didn’t feel guilty toward Zoey. On the contrary, Zoey should be grateful to her for revealing Oliver’s true nature what a dishonorable man he was!
Despite her thoughts, the words that came out of her mouth were filled with sensitivity and vulnerability. “Though I know what my adoptive father says may not be true, if it is, I just want the three of us to stay far from the battlefield. Even if life is harder, as long as I have you and our son by my side, I will fear nothing.” “Alright, I promise you,” Oliver replied, his heart growing more tender. “If war does break out, we’ll leave here. I won’t need any title, not even that of a marshal. Don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer. We have enough money. Wherever we go, we will live well.”
Celeste clung to him, though resentment simmered beneath her composed exterior. The mission that had been assigned to her was not this-this was a compromise, a task born out of necessity, not choice. The man had hoped that Oliver would take part of his forces from the Southern Frontier and assist him. Unfortunately, Oliver was utterly useless. He had been wounded on the battlefield once, and it had stripped him of any courage he might have had. The thought of rebellion, of standing against the Sandoria forces, was far too much for him. Even if war were to break out, he wouldn’t dare step foot on the battlefield.
Celeste had thought that since Oliver was a military general, even if he couldn’t compare to Rafael, he wouldn’t be so useless and weak. Little did she know, calling him weak was actually a compliment-he was nothing but a waste.
Having this child was originally to better control him. Since he wanted a warm family, she would give him one. In the end, everything she gave him was just an illusion-her affection and even the child.
Once the task entrusted to her was done, she would simply leave. She wouldn’t even take the child with her. Whether he lived or died was up to his fate.
From the moment the child was born, she hadn’t held him much. She refused to form any emotional bonds, not even the smallest hint of maternal attachment.
She had witnessed the misery of mothers bound by their children. Her mom had been such a woman, unable to die even when death seemed the only release, bound by the care for her two daughters. Only at the end, after much suffering, had she finally found peace.
Now, Celeste was eager to finish her task and claim what was rightfully hers. Then, she would be free- no longer tied down by false pretenses. The world would be her oyster, and all she needed was to indulge herself, to care for herself as she saw fit.
How glorious those days would be!
The wind in the Southern Frontier was particularly bitter this time of year, a late spring chill that made both the citizens and soldiers shiver.
The wheat harvested last year had sprouted. In the southern regions, wheat was now being harvested, and the grains could be ground into fragrant flour. Unfortunately, there were too few places suitable for growing wheat.
Above, a graceful eagle soared across the sky, the vibrant blue stretching far beneath it. The land, once plagued with unrest, now seemed to find some measure of peace as the people lived in orderly prosperity. The elders of the Southern Frontier often said with a sigh, “It’s good not to have war.”
When Blake arrived at Victory Pass, he made his way to the marshal’s residence, Stormwatch Keep. He had braced himself for a harsh reception to his surprise, the Sullivan family merely sent someone to collect the gift and ushered them to their quarters. No one came out to berate him or discipline him. He stood in stunned silence for a long moment before dragging his weary feet back outside.
“The marshal’s residence here is nothing like ours at the Southern Frontier,” remarked Glen, one of the soldiers accompanying him. “It’s grand enough, but it’s so bare and simple-there’s not a single fine thing here.
“Don’t compare General Sullivan to Marshal Prince,” Blake said.
Inwardly, he thought that Oliver wasn’t worthy of being compared.
Thinking Blake was cautioning him against criticizing Oliver, Glen quickly fell silent.
For the moment, they had been settled in the large camp, sleeping in the communal barracks. Of course, if they wanted to return to the Southern Frontier sooner, they were free to do so.
None of them dared say that returning to the Southern Frontier wasn’t an option. When they left, Oliver sent someone to inform them that they were to stay here and learn from the Sullivan family’s military training methods, then return after the new year.
While Oliver had said this, he had not provided any formal documentation. So, they were still soldiers of the Southern Frontier. Even if they stayed here, the local commanders would likely never truly accept them.
Blake knew full well the reputation he had at Victory Pass. For now, there was no choice but to settle in and figure something out. As soon as spring came the next year, they would immediately set off to return to the Southern Frontier.