Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Once inside the city, they knelt before Salvador.
“I, Rafael Sanford, together with the late Hector Devin and our soldiers, have returned victorious. Thanks to your blessings, Your Majesty, as well as the blessings of Starhaven’s ancestors, we have fulfilled our mission and reclaimed the Southern Frontier,” Rafael loudly declared.
His voice echoed through the city gates, resonating through the capital.
Like an explosion, the crowd erupted into cheers, filled with both joy and tears.
Salvador felt his eyes burn as he personally stepped forward to help Rafael to his feet. Gazing at Hector’s plaque with deep emotion, he choked up several times, struggling to find his voice.
“Rise. By my decree, all the armies involved will be rewarded!”
“On behalf of all the soldiers, I thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!” Rafael replied.
Salvador approached Sophie, who stood tall and proud. Holding her brother’s plaque, she kept her gaze lowered, avoiding direct eye contact with the king.
“General Devin!” Salvador called out.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Sophie responded loudly.
The long journey had darkened her once-beautiful face, but she still looked striking, her eyes like two shining black pearls.
As Salvador looked at her, he felt a pang of guilt. He had doubted her when she came to the palace seeking help, suspecting she was motivated by personal concerns. But she had proven herself with her strength, showing everyone that she was Hector’s daughter, possessing the resolve and pride of the Duke of Northwatch’s family.
“The Devin family has done well, and so have you!” Salvador said in front of the court officials and citizens. “Together with the Hell Monarch and the generals holding the plaques, you will ride in my carriage for a procession around the city. All other soldiers will follow and receive the citizens’ welcome. You are all heroes who reclaimed the Southern Frontier, and Starhaven will forever remember your deeds.” Sophie’s eyelashes fluttered with emotion. “Understood. Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“I remember the little girl you once were, and you’ve now grown into a general. I am deeply relieved; I believe your father’s spirit in heaven feels reassured as well,” Salvador added, his voice filled with admiration.
Sophie bowed in gratitude at the king’s words.
Salvador did not join the procession but instead traveled back to the palace in a separate carriage, escorted by the royal guards. He already had a celebratory feast prepared at the palace, which would commence as soon as everyone returned from the parade.
Blake and Freya were also part of the procession, but neither of them was granted a place in the king’s carriage, nor were they allowed to ride horses.
This was not due to Blake’s lack of qualification, but because he had taken Freya’s punishment. For at least half of their journey back to the capital, he had been confined to the back of a horse. Though he could dismount and walk with assistance later on, the journey had left him too battered to endure the jolting of the horse, so he had to be supported as he walked.
Accompanied by his servants, Benjamin spotted Blake among the crowd.
Seeing his brother injured, he hurried over with concern, asking, ” Blake, you’re hurt! Is it serious?”
“It’s nothing,” Blake said, his gaze conflicted as he looked at his older brother. “You should go back first.”
“Alright. You still need to attend the palace banquet, right? I’ll return to inform our parents first.”
Benjamin also noticed Freya. She and Blake were not in the same procession but had fallen behind the army quite a bit. A look of distaste crossed Benjamin’s face as he recalled the recent rumors. If they were true, then the Jaffe family’s reputation had been thoroughly tarnished.
Fortunately, Rebecca was still unaware of these rumors, or she would have been furious.
In contrast, Frederick, the head steward of Northwatch Estate, along with two old maids and a few servants, followed the king’s carriage. with great enthusiasm. They chased after it with excitement and tears, thrilled that their mistress had returned in glory.
Sophie had returned triumphantly, bringing with her the memorial plaques of Hector and his sons who had fallen at the Southern
Frontier. Though their plaques were also displayed at Northwatch
Estate, this was different.
Their spirits were certainly lingering on these plaques, and had returned to the capital alongside the victors in triumph!
CON BUNCLE get more free run
Lulu was the happiest and the most tearful.
She practically flew as she chased after the king’s carriage, crying out, “My lady! My lady…!”
Sophie glanced at her helplessly. Lulu was laughing and crying at the same time, showing no restraint at all.
Sitting beside Sophie, Rafael glanced at Lulu and said thoughtfully,” Her name is Lulu, isn’t it?”
“You still remember her, Your Highness?” Sophie asked in surprise.
“Yes,” Rafael replied with a slight smile. “I remember one year when I went to the Pathfinders Guild, I saw that girl picking apples from a tree. When she saw your senior and I, she was so frightened she fell off the tree.”
Sophie was even more surprised, “You’ve been to the Pathfinders Guild before?”
“Yes. Before I was deployed to the Southern Frontier battlefield, I used to go to the guild once a year,” he said softly..
The June sunlight shone brightly in his eyes, but his gaze quickly dimmed as he continued, “I haven’t been there since.”
“I didn’t know about that. I’ve never seen you there,” Sophie said, astonished. “Why did you visit the Pathfinders Guild every year?”
“To travel and also to seek guidance on martial arts from your master and uncle. It’s no wonder you never saw me. I was always in and out quickly, and I stayed at Treasure Emporium, which you usually avoided.”
Sophie gasped.
He even knew that she avoided Treasure Emporium?! It seemed her master and uncle must have frequently talked about her embarrassing moments in front of the prince!
Treasure Emporium was her uncle’s residence, which had secret rooms for confinement. Sophie was often locked in those rooms whenever she made a mistake, so she avoided that place as much as possible.
Moreover, at the Pathfinders Guild, she feared noth g and no one but her uncle. He had a perpetually stern face and was the enforcer of the guild’s punishments. Everyone feared him-even her master, who was her uncle’s senior, showed him some respect.
Sophie was inwardly astonished. So, Rafael used to visit the Pathfinders Guild every year. That meant they had known each other since childhood-so why didn’t he ever seek her out to catch up? After the procession, the Protocol Department’s vice minister took them into the palace for the celebration feast. However, not everyone was invited. Blake was on the guest list, but Freya was not.
In the past, Freya would have certainly asked the Protocol.
Department’s vice minister about it. But now, with her spirit broken, she turned and left without a word after seeing that her name was not on the list.
Inside the palace, the royal family members as well as civil and military officials were in attendance. The empress dowager, Victoria, even sent over fine wine and ordered for Sophie to visit her In Serenity Palace after the celebration feast.
Since her marriage to Blake, Sophie had not visited Victoria in the palace.
Firstly, she was occupied with the household and taking care of her ailing mother-in-law.
Secondly, she was aware of her in-laws’ motivations. If they learned that Victoria favored her, they might entertain different thoughts, and she preferred to avoid stirring up trouble.