Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Though today’s hunt was officially centered around Salvador, he intended for Connor and Caden to take the spotlight.
As soon as they entered the forest, Salvador reined in his horse and gestured for the two boys to take their turn.
In a clearing ahead, a cage held a few mountain rats—a test target for the young princes.
Connor was visibly nervous. He managed to pull his bowstring back, but as he released, the arrow slipped from his fingers and tumbled to the ground. He tried again and again, but the same thing happened. With each failed attempt, his panic grew. As he turned to see his dad and the gathered court officials watching him, his composure broke entirely.
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he suddenly burst into loud sobs.
The change in Salvador’s expression was instant. His face darkened, his disappointment visible to all.
During his final day of archery practice at the palace, Connor had at least been able to draw his bow and shoot. His shots lacked power, but after extra training from Rafael, he had at least managed to land arrows near the target, even if he hadn’t hit the mark.
But today, the cage was placed so close that as long as he could shoot normally, he would at least strike somewhere nearby.
Yet he had let his nerves get the better of him. His lack of mental fortitude was clear. And instead of gritting his teeth and trying again, he had given up entirely after just two or three failures-breaking down in front of everyone.
Even if he hadn’t hit the target, as long as he had shown determination, the court officials might have seen him in a different light.
Now, he was nothing short of a joke.
Rafael couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He had given Connor the same advice just yesterday: If the arrows didn’t fly true, it wasn’t a problem. He was to keep goin net even if his arms ached, even if the arrows didn’t hit their mark.
What mattered was for Connor to say, “I’ll practice harder and next year, I’ll be able to bring down the game.”
That would show the confidence he needed, and that alone would be enough. But here he was, crying.
It also made Rafael appear unfit as the Deputy Royal Tutor.
Salvador didn’t care that his son was in tears. He only nodded at Caden. “Shoot the mountain rat.”
Caden took a deep breath, focused, and pulled his bow with all his might. When he released, the arrow flew swiftly, embedding itself in the mountain rat’s body with a sharp thud.
The onlookers clapped, their admiration for Caden growing.
But with Connor still crying, the applause quickly died down. No one dared speak further.
The faces of the Quinton family were awkward, especially Malcolm’s. He tilted his head and sighed softly.
“Take him back. He needn’t come into the woods again,” Salvador said coldly.
Connor was swiftly lifted off his horse by one of the Royal Guards. Overcome by shame and frustration, he sobbed uncontrollably, his cries echoing through the forest, reaching the lakeside.
Kylie was deep in conversation with several noblewomen. When she heard the crying, she was startled Thinking something had happened, she jumped to her feet and ordered,
“Quick, go check on Co
Before Lydia or the young chamberlain beside her could do anything, they saw the Royal Guard returning with Connor in tow.
Kylie hurried over, her heart leaping as she checked him over for injuries. When she found none, she let out a relieved breath. But seeing him sobbing pitifully, she turned to the Royal Guard.
“Weren’t they supposed to be hunting? Why did you bring him back so soon? And why is he crying?”
She assumed he had been forced to return.
The Royal Guard bowed and said, “His Majesty ordered me to bring Prince Connor back.”
Kylie’s face tightened at the news. “How could that be? He’s the eldest prince! He must stay by His Majesty’s side.”
The Royal Guard lowered his head respectfully. “His Majesty said Prince Connor is not to return to the forest.”
Kylie’s heart sank at the Royal Guard’s words. She turned back to the ladies and noblewomen present, noting the questioning and curious glances in their eyes. She forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Connor is unwell. He’ll try again next year.”
With that, she signaled Lydia to find out what had happened, then took Connor’s hand and led him back to the tent to calm him down.
Connor was consumed by his grievances and cried pitifully, unable to get a word out. All Kylie could make out was, “Everyone’s picking on me, even Dad…even Dad…”
Not long after, Lydia returned with the details, relaying them all to Kylie.
Kylie could hardly believe what she was hearing.
She looked down at Connor, whose swollen eyes made him appear even more pitiful. But this time, she didn’t feel her usual maternal sympathy.
Instead, she felt cold.
No mother believed her child was truly stupid. Most would think their child simply hadn’t tried hard enough. Even if he didn’t succeed, she would still say he was clever, just lazy. As long as he tried, he could catch up.
But now, Kylie was beginning to doubt if she had borne a fool.
Her voice was sharp with anger, and she couldn’t hold back.
“After all this practice, how can you not even be better than your younger brother? He’s three years younger than you, and he managed to hit that mountain rat! But you can’t even keep an arrow from falling to the ground? How can you be so stupid, huh?”
At her words, Connor cried even harder.
“Why are you still crying? That’s all you do! You’re a grown boy, yet you still can’t stop sobbing! After all this effort to bring you out here, you’ve just embarrassed me in front of everyone!” Kylie shrieked.
Connor’s cries upset her deeply. In a moment of irritation, she swatted his bottom twice.
“Your Majesty, please lower your voice. There are so many people outside,” Lydia quickly intervened.
Kylie pushed Connor away in frustration. Though she lowered her voice, the anger still seeped through. “Everyone is watching him act this foolishly. Who’s going to respect him now? And what about the Hell Monarch? Doesn’t he care? If Connor can’t do it, why isn’t anyone guiding or helping him? This was just supposed to be an appearance. Well, now he’s shown his face and lost his dignity too!”
Just then, Marjorie’s voice came from outside, “Your Majesty, may I come in?”
Kylie’s irritation flared anew. Thinking of how her family had stood by and done nothing, she didn’t feel like meeting them. But with so many people outside, if she refused to see her mom, everyone would know there was trouble between them.
She suppressed her anger and said coldly, “Come in.”
Lydia pulled back the curtain and bowed respectfully as she invited Marjorie inside.