Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Meanwhile, Caden had finished his supper and was escorted back by Grace’s attendants.
Ryan and Connor had climbed up the large tree outside the palace. The cold wind whistled around them, though neither seemed to notice the chill.
“Your Highness, are you really that angry with the queen?” Ryan asked, his head tilted to the side.
Connor clutched the tree with both hands and leaned forward, pressing his face against its rough surface.
His eyes were clouded with confusion as he murmured, “I don’t know. My mom has always been good to me, but that one time… my stomach hurt so terribly. It was so bad that it made me wish for death itself.”
Connor turned to Ryan and asked, “Does Aunt Sophie treat you well?”
The eldest prince knew that his friend’s mother had passed away. In the past, Connor would have spoken of such things without hesitation, but he was more sensible now. Also, Ryan was an important friend to him, and he didn’t want to bring up anything that made him sad.
Victoria had often spoken of the importance of true friendship-the care and respect it entailed.
“Aunt Sophie is very good to me, especially so,” Ryan responded.
“Then, do you think she would ever poison you for some purpose? Regardless of whether you were in pain until you wished for death?” Connor asked.
Ryan didn’t even need to consider the question. His answer was immediate.
“No, of course not.”
“What if it were for your future?”
This time, Ryan didn’t answer immediately. He paused and thought about it. Having lived as a beggar on the streets, he understood the complexities of human relationships far better than most children his age.
If he said Sophie wouldn’t do such a thing, wouldn’t that just fuel Connor’s resentment toward Kylie? But if he said Sophie would, that wasn’t right either.
Friends shouldn’t lie to each other.
After weighing his words carefully, he finally said, “For my future, Aunt Sophie would surely find another way. But perhaps your mother couldn’t think of any other solution at that time, and had to take a desperate gamble.”
“A gamble indeed,” Connor sneered. “Even in my dazed state, I heard the royal physician whisper that the poison could have killed me. I could have died.”
“Her Majesty would never have wanted that. She wouldn’t want you dead,” Ryan said, comforting him.
Connor stretched out his legs and swung them slightly, trying to mask the ache in his chest. “She definitely didn’t want me dead. But the truth is, I was ready to listen to Aunt Sophie and apologize to my father. Still, my mother decided to do what she did. She just couldn’t accept having such an ordinary son. She thought I was an embarrassment.”
Ryan reached over and gently ruffled the prince’s hair. “That’s not true. A mother would never think her child is a disappointment.”
“Ryan, am I really that stupid?” Connor muttered dejectedly, pressing his face against the tree.
“Of course not! Even Mr. Young and Uncle Rafael have said you’ve made great progress lately. If you were stupid, you wouldn’t be able to learn at all. And during riding practice tonight, your maneuvers were great!”
Connor’s shoulders slumped slightly. “But you’ve already mastered those maneuvers. We learned together, and even Caden can do it better than me.”
“Don’t compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to yourself. Haven’t you already made progress?” Ryan said.
Connor had told Ryan about how Sophie said those words to him during the Verdant Hunt. Ever since then, it became the eldest prince’s personal mantra. Whenever he felt exhausted or on the verge of giving up, he would repeat those words to himself, drawing strength from them. Ryan had heard him say it a few times now.
The shadows in Connor’s eyes lightened a little as he straightened up.
“You’re right. I won’t compare myself to anyone else. I’ll compare myself to who I was yesterday. And when I’m better, Mom won’t see me as a disgrace anymore,” he said, renewed determination in his voice.
Ryan grinned. “That’s the spirit! We’ll both keep pushing forward and growing together.”
“Yes!” Connor declared, his voice steady with resolve as he nodded firmly.
Ryan waved his hand, as if brushing away the gloomy mood. “Enough of all this heavy talk. Mr Young gave us a list of middle names, and we’re supposed to pick one to use after our coming-of-age ceremonies. There were so many-have you chosen yet?”
Connor tilted his chin up proudly. “Clarence. It means by cultivating oneself and governing one’s household, one attains both internal and external clarity. I want to improve step by step and refine both my character and my skills.”
“That’s a good one,” Ryan said with a smile. “You’ll definitely grow better and stronger with a name like that.”
“Of course,” Connor replied with a grin of his own. “What about you? Which one did you choose?”
“Clement for peace and clarity,” Ryan answered.
Connor’s eyes shone with hope and determination. “That’s perfect too. One day, our kingdom will surely achieve peace and prosperity, just like the meaning of your name.”
Salvador’s grand birthday celebration was set to take place in the royal gardens. The Royal Management Department had long since prepared everything, eagerly awaiting the day.
On the 25th of December, the princes, including Cecil, were still hard at training.
Cecil needed to be lifted onto his horse, but he made up for it with sheer courage. Following Rafael’s instructions, he gripped the reins and urged his horse into a gallop. Of course, Rafael had arranged for someone to follow closely behind, just in case anything went wrong.
Connor and Caden had already mastered the required skills. Galloping on horseback was no challenge for them, especially since they weren’t riding towering stallions but smaller, gentler chestnut ponies, which were easier to handle.
After they trained until late into the night, Rafael went over the key points for the next day’s event, as well as how to handle emergencies. Just as he finished, Grace sent someone to fetch her son.
Caden had hoped to join the others for supper at Serenity Palace, but seeing Lyra beckoning him repeatedly, he had no choice.
He turned to Connor and Ryan and said, “Let’s all do our best tomorrow and make Dad proud.”
“Of course,” Connor replied, smiling as he wiped his face with a towel. “Go on back now, Caden. Rest early tonight.”
“I will.” Caden turned to Rafael and bowed. “Uncle Rafael, I’ll take my leave now.” Rafael nodded slightly. “Go ahead.”
No sooner had Caden left than a messenger from Laurel Palace arrived for Cecil. The young boy bounced on his toes, waving enthusiastically before skipping off with the messenger.
“Who would believe that Cecil has been sick? He doesn’t need any rest. He has more energy than all of us combined!” Connor remarked with a laugh.
Ryan stayed silent, using a towel to wipe the sweat from his hair. Today’s training had been grueling, and his legs were still trembling. Though he had some knowledge of Cecil’s situation, he refrained from speaking of it openly.
Rafael gave the servants instructions to have the area tidied up, then told Connor and Ryan to return to Serenity Palace. Of course, there would be guards accompanying them along the way. Victoria had issued strict orders, and the Nightsteel Guard would be vigilant in ensuring no lapses in safety.
In Grace’s residence, Iridescent Palace, she looked on affectionately as Caden devoured his supper, occasionally offering him spoonfuls of nourishing soup.
“Is it to your liking?” Grace asked with a smile.
Caden looked up, his mouth still full of meat.