Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
As he spoke, he stole a glance at Salvador. Though Derek was smiling, there was a hint of worry in his expression. Salvador sighed.
“When Hector died in battle, Rafael went to Northwatch Estate before going to the Southern Frontier battlefield as ordered. He asked Melanie to wait for him, promising to propose to Sophie once he reclaimed the Souther Frontier. But Melanie married Sophie to Blake. I couldn’t bear to tell him at first, fearing it would distract him on the battlefield. Even then, Andy sent him a letter. He must have been devastated.”
Salvador rubbed his forehead, and paused.
“Who could have predicted that things would turn out this way? Blake didn’t truly care for her. No sooner had he returned with military merits that he asked me for a marriage edict.
“Surprisingly, Sophie showed no attachment to him. She immediately came to the palace to request a divorce edict. Initially, I didn’t believe her, thinking it was just impulsive. What wife doesn’t love her husband? But I underestimated Sophie. I started to think maybe Rafael still had a chance with her, but I was worried he might mind that she had been married.”
Derek quickly interjected, “Your Majesty, by probing just now, you confirmed that the prince still has feelings for Lady Devin.”
Salvador snorted. “What good does that do? We argued so fiercely, and he kept repeating that Sophie was under his command, without daring to admit he still loved her. I must push him a bit further. Tomorrow, I’ll have the queen summon Sophie to the palace.”
Derek smiled. “Your Majesty, he wouldn’t dare to admit his feelings when you said you wanted to take Lady Devin as a concubine. That would be openly challenging you. He couldn’t commit such insubordination.”
“Insubordination? When he glared at me, he looked like he wanted to punch me.” Salvador stopped, and swayed a little. “Help me steady myself. Arguing with him has made me dizzy. If he continues to drag his feet, I might really marry Sophie myself.”
“Your Majesty, you must be happy today since you drank so much. That’s why you’re dizzy. Arguing wouldn’t make you like this,” Derek said as he supported Salvador.
Behind them, the royal guards followed while palace attendants lit the way with lanterns, guiding them toward the royal chapel.
Before Sophie reached Northwatch Estate, she could already see Frederick leading everyone to wait at the gates from a distance.
As soon as she appeared, Lulu ran towards her, tears streaming down her face. “My lady, you finally returned! We were so worried about you!”
Sophie flicked her forehead playfully, smiling brightly. “It was just a war. What’s there to worry about?”
Everyone gathered around her. Frederick couldn’t hide the excitement and tears in his eyes.
“My lady,” he said, “you have achieved great merit and continued the honor of the Duke of Northwatch’s family.”
“Frederick, thank you for managing the household while I was away.” Sophie said softly, her features gentle in the lamplight.
These were the only people she viewed as family members left.
“It’s no trouble. As long as you’re safe, my lady,” Frederick said, wiping away his tears and stepping aside. Welcome home, General Devin.”
Lily and Holly were also wiping their tears, repeatedly asking if Sophie had been injured on the battlefield. Sophie reassured them again and again, saying any injuries were minor and had long since healed. Only after repeated assurances did they finally believe her.
Inside the main hall, after tea was served, Sophie asked, “Where are my friends?”
Violet and the others could have attended the celebration feast at the palace, but they declined. As martial artists, they didn’t want too many entanglements with the royal family and officials. While Sophie went to the palace, they returned to Northwatch Estate.
Frederick smiled, and replied, “After a big meal, they bathed and fell asleep in the bath. It took a lot to wake them up and get them to their rooms. They’re sleeping soundly now.”
Everyone was exhausted from the journey.
Lulu was concerned, and said, “My lady, the hot water is ready. Let me help you with your bath.”
Finally, Sophie could take a hot bath.
When Sophie woke up, it was already noon the next day. She could have slept longer, but a summons from the palace required her presence, forcing her to get up.
As she yawned and got ready, she asked, “Lulu have Violet and the others woken up yet?”
“Not yet, they’re still sleeping,” Lulu replied. She had spent the night on the soft couch in Sophie’s room, feeling at ease being close to her mistress.
“Don’t wake them. Let them sleep as long as they need. Even if they sleep for three days and nights, just let them be,” Sophie said, understanding how exhausted they were. She herself felt like she could sleep until the next day.
Lulu finished braiding Sophie’s hair, and placed a jeweled hairpin in it. Seeing the dark circles under Sophie’s eyes, she felt a pang of sympathy.
“Got it. Mr. Carter also told me that. He said when the late master and young masters returned from the battlefield, they were similarly exhausted and slept for days,” Lulu replied.
“Good.” Sophie nodded, steering the conversation away from the topic. “Did the summons come from the empress dowager, or the king?”
“Neither. It was from the queen,” Lulu answered.
Sophie was surprised. “The queen?”
She had little interaction with the queen, Kylie Quinton. Sophie had only met her years ago when she returned from Meadow Ridge and paid her respects to Victoria, briefly greeting Kylie in
When Sophie woke up, it was already noon the next day. She could have slept longer, but a summons from the palace required her presence, forcing her to get up.
As she yawned and got ready, she asked, “Lulu, have Violet and the others woken up yet?”
“Not yet, they’re still sleeping,” Lulu replied. She had spent the night on the soft couch in Sophie’s room, feeling at ease being close to her mistress.
“Don’t wake them. Let them sleep as long as they need. Even if they sleep for three days and nights, just let them be,” Sophie said, understanding how exhausted they were. She herself felt like she could sleep until the next day.
Lulu finished braiding Sophie’s hair, and placed a jeweled hairpin in it. Seeing the dark circles under Sophie’s eyes, she felt a pang of sympathy.
“Got it. Mr. Carter also told me that. He said when the late master and young masters returned from the battlefield, they were similarly exhausted and slept for days,” Lulu replied.
“Good.” Sophie nodded, steering the conversation away from the topic. “Did the summons come from the empress dowager, or the king?”
“Neither. It was from the queen,” Lulu answered.
Sophie was surprised. “The queen?”
She had little interaction with the queen, Kylie Quinton. Sophie had only met her years ago when she returned from Meadow Ridge and paid her respects to Victoria, briefly greeting Kylie in passing.
Sophie didn’t even look clearly at Kylie’s face.
Kylie’s father was the Minister of the Civil Department. The Quinton. family had been a prestigious family for over a century, producing many virtuous officials and scholars.
Kylie herself was renowned as a talented woman in the capital even before her engagement to the then-crown prince, now the king. Her reputation was well-known, but Sophie had never met her because she had gone to Meadow Ridge at a young age and hadn’t attended any social events after returning.
Sophie was unfamiliar with Kylie, so why had Kyle summoned her to the palace?
Rather than speculate, Sophie knew she would find out once she arrived. After dressing and eating a light breakfast, she headed to the palace with Lulu.
At the palace gates, Kylie’s head-maid, Lydia, was waiting for her. Upon seeing Sophie, Lydia smiled and congratulated her on her recent success in the Southern Frontier. Before Sophie could respond, Lydia turned and led Sophie and Lulu towards Kylie’s residence, Evergreen Palace.