Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Viola recounted, “I was out yesterday to buy a stew pot, hoping to make some medicinal broth for Mom. After I purchased it, he came up me. I was startled at first, thinking it was some pervert.
“But when he called my name, I recognized his voice. His face was so dark and haggard, and his eyebrows were shaved off. He has lost so much weight. If I hadn’t carefully examined him, I wouldn’t have believed it was Oliver.”
Viola paused as she recalled the encounter and Zoey’s earlier words, still feeling a sense of unease.
She continued, “He didn’t have a child with him. He was alone. He told me he was forced to flee, and now there are arrest warrants for him everywhere. He has no money left, and with a child to support, things are really difficult for him. He asked me to talk to Mom about gathering 3,000 silver coins.”
Zoey quickly asked, “If you did manage to get the money, how were you supposed to give it to him?” Viola shook her head. “He didn’t say. He just told me to get the money and he would find a way to come to me.”
Zoey cursed inwardly. Oliver didn’t take precautions against outsiders, but the little bit of vigilance he had was all directed at his own family.
She mulled over Viola’s words, then asked, “He doesn’t have eyebrows?”
“Yes, it looks like they were shaved off. Oliver’s eyebrows were thick and easy to recognize. If he shaved them off, who would think it’s him?” Viola said.
Zoey nodded thoughtfully. It made sense. If his eyebrows were missing, he would be harder to identify. But now that they knew, they could use it to their advantage. She could tell Sophie to keep a watchful eye.
However, eyebrows could be drawn on. If they only focused on looking for people with no eyebrows, they might miss him entirely.
“You should go out tomorrow,” Zoey suggested. “Try the Ministry of Defense and see if you can get a meeting with Isaac. If Oliver is still around, he might try to follow you. I’ll have Ms. Alana speak with Lady Sophie and have her increase the patrols. It’ll put pressure on him to reveal himself sooner.” Viola nodded. “Got it.”
Then, she hesitated, asking, “How should we deal with Mom in the meantime?”
“Tell her that Isaac has agreed to help but we’re still gathering the money by selling off some of the shops,” Zoey replied.
Viola looked uncertain. “But why lie to her? Why not just say Isaac refused to help? Wouldn’t that be easier?”
“If we tell her that, she’ll go to Isaac herself. We can’t let her do that,” Zoey said firmly.
Viola thought for a moment, then agreed. Given how much Evelyn favored Oliver, there was a real chance she would drag her sick body to saac if she knew he had refused. And if she did, it would bring attention to his family ties, causing his businesses to be seized by the court.
“Alright, I know what to do now,” Viola said, standing up and heading for the door.
Zoey also set down her work and went to find Alana. She briefly explained the situation and instructed her to pass the word along to Sophie, trusting that she would know what to do. Alana didn’t ask any more questions and left immediately.
The next day, both the Capital Guard and the Garrison Unit launched a city-wide search, claiming to be after the escaped traitor.
Following Zoey’s instructions, Viola went out the next day, sneaking around as if she were up to something.
Oliver was aware of Isaac’s identity. One of the letters sent to him from home had informed him of this fact. If Oliver was secretly following Viola, he would naturally assume she was working on things on his behalf.
Sophie arranged for the Capital Guard to disguise themselves as commoners and follow Viola in shifts. She gave strict orders that if any unfamiliar man approached her, they must not intervene, as it could very well be Oliver testing them. They were to wait until the man left, then send someone to discreetly follow him and verify his identity.
Sure enough, a man approached Viola on the third day. He was about the same height as Oliver and wore a wide-brimmed hat. The man spoke a few words to her before turning to leave.
Michael had someone tail him and quickly determined that he was not Oliver. As expected, the Capital Guard didn’t intervene, but they kept following him for a while. When he entered a gambling den, they followed him inside.
The people in the gambling den greeted him as Timmy, teasing him about having money to gamble again. He explained that he had met a fool who had given him a small sum just for some casual conversation. Worried that Oliver might be nearby, the Capital Guard feigned interest in gambling and won a little money, then left.
Sophie reported the details to Alana, who quickly relayed the information to Zoey. As soon as Viola returned, Zoey asked if she had encountered anyone unusual that day.
Viola answered honestly, explaining that a man had approached her, trying to sell some perfume. She had refused, but he had insisted, annoying her until he finally left.
Zoey nodded grimly. “That was your brother’s test to see if anyone was following you. He’s worried you might betray him.”
The word “betray” made Viola’s heart sink with discomfort. But when she thought of that dark, hellish prison, she couldn’t help but feel that Oliver deserved what was coming for him.
The citywide search tightened, and it actually forced Oliver to come out of hiding. But he wasn’t searching for Viola-he was searching for Zoey.
She had gone to Hell Monarch Estate to deliver a set of clothing for Courtney today. While she was out, she decided to pick up a few things for the ladies of Skye Embroidery. Afterward, she was making her way back to the workshop through the west alley when Oliver appeared.
Her first instinct was surprise.
Hadn’t he told Viola not to tell Zoey about his presence? Why would he risk coming here personally to see her?
“My dear, it is I,” came a voice from beneath a wide-brimmed hat.
His face was obscured, but the voice-there was no mistaking it.
For a moment, Zoey was too stunned to speak, but then a surge of fury gripped her. She clenched her teeth, trying to swallow the anger that threatened to consume her. With a swift glance, she confirmed that the alley was deserted.
Her heart sank as she regretted her earlier complacency. She had assumed that since Oliver had gone to Viola, he wouldn’t come looking for her. The fewer who knew of his return, the safer he would be. However, it seemed that the citywide search had driven him to desperation.
“What did you say?” Zoey asked. She bit down on her teeth, her voice trembling despite herself. But to Oliver, it sounded more like excitement.
The hat was lifted slightly, revealing a face that had become gaunt and darkened over time. His once- proud brows were now shaved off, making him appear comical.
“Zoey, it is me,” he said, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He glanced around cautiously, only relaxing once he was sure no one was nearby. “I’ve returned to the capital for you. Now that I know you are safe, I can rest easy.”
Zoey stiffened as she watched him. His feigned concern was revolting.
“The whole city is looking for you. How dare you return?”
“I just needed to make sure all of you were safe. I’ll leave soon,” Oliver said, stepping closer and lowering his voice. “From now on, I’ll probably be on the run, hiding wherever I can. Zoey, I know I’ve wronged you in the past, but I’ve realized my mistakes now. After all these years as husband and wife, I know you won’t abandon me.
Zoey’s eyes reddened, a mixture of frustration, bitterness, and anger swirling within her. Yet, through Oliver’s eyes, she appeared moved, as though overwhelmed with emotion.
He took a step closer, urgency in his voice as he spoke, “You need to quickly gather 3,000 silver coins for me. I must leave the capital at once. Once I am settled, I will come back to take all of you with me.”
He reached for her hand, but Zoey instinctively stepped back. His grasp fell short, and for a moment, a flicker of panic flashed across his face.
He quickly said, “My dear, I know I was wrong. Truly, I know. Please forgive me just this once.”
Zoey met his gaze, her tears barely contained. “Do you truly understand the depths of your wrongs?”
“I swear, I will be devoted to only you from now on. I will never take another concubine, and I will never again hurt your heart,” Oliver declared, raising his hand as though to swear an oath.
“I will trust you one more time,” Zoey replied, her voice soft yet firm. “But if you disappoint me, I will never help you again.”
Oliver’s face lit up with relief. “My dear, I promise. Once I am safe, I will return for you and the children.”
Zoey wiped away the moisture from the corner of her eyes. “I don’t have 3,000 silver coins on hand. Give me time to borrow it. Where are you staying? How can I send the money to you once I have it?”