Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Caden had long since been reduced to tears, his face streaked with grief and regret. As his legs gave out beneath him, he collapsed onto the cold stone floor, hands clamped over his ears as if that might drown out his mother’s screams.
Salvador then ordered that Lyra be brought in. She was to remain at Grace’s side, to ensure that the concubine did not die too swiftly. If she did, Lyra would meet a similar fate.
Though Lyra had once been complicit in Grace’s schemes, even she had never witnessed such brutality. The only occasion that came close to this violence was the time Connor had fallen from his horse.
Back then, the sight of the injured prince had stirred a sense of satisfaction in her. Now, all that remained was the sharp sting of pain, as the reality of their ruthlessness sank in.
At Everspring Palace, Kylie was struck dumb with disbelief.
It was Grace-of all people, Grace!
She could scarcely comprehend what was unfolding before her when Sophie and Derek arrived. They had brought Caden, who was now so deeply affected by his guilt that he appeared half-mad, lost in a stupor.
Upon seeing him, Kylie’s eyes flashed with hatred. “It was you! You wicked wretch, you murdered my son!”
Her words were a venomous hiss, as she raised her hand and slapped Caden hard across the face. He didn’t react, simply standing motionless as though he were no more than a lifeless puppet. His face betrayed no emotion.
Kylie was intent on delivering another blow, but Sophie stopped her.
“Get out of my way! I shall see him dead myself!” the queen screamed, her face contorted with fury, as if she sought to pour all her rage onto Sophie and Caden.
Derek raised his hand in a quiet gesture. “Your Majesty, His Majesty grieves for your loss. In his benevolence, he has sent Prince Caden to be raised under your care.”
Kylie’s eyes widened in disbelief, her finger trembling as she pointed at Derek. “His Majesty would have me care for the murderer of my child? I would sooner see him dead than take him in!”
Derek’s gaze remained impassive. “Didn’t you once declare that you would take Prince Cecil into your care, despite believing Lady Sylvia had murdered Prince Connor? Why is Prince Caden any different? Perhaps you despise him because his mind is broken?”
“That’s not the same!” Kylie hissed, her fury flaring.
Sophie couldn’t help but feel a sense of bitter amusement twist within her.
Of course, it wasn’t the same.
Caden was no longer a contender for the throne, while Cecil still had a chance. Caden had no family backing or influence to wield, but Cecil had the Lloyd family’s help.
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Derek’s voice was polite, but laced with unmistakable sarcasm as he said, “His Majesty has made it quite clear. In your eyes, the murder of a son matters little. For the sake of the crown prince title, you’d surety embrace even a slayer who wiped out your entire family.”
Kylie’s expression faltered, as if struck by an invisible blow.
She seemed stunned by the accusation, her voice trembling as she asked, “is that truly how His Majesty sees me? Does he believe I am soutterly driven by ambition? Lady Sylvia’s death proved her innocence. I wanted to raise Cecil because I knew she wasn’t the murderer. But now, Lady Grace has confessed-“
Perhaps even the queen recognized that her explanation sounded hollow. Her lips parted as she sought another line of reasoning but quickly abandoned it, shifting to a more pointed question.
“Am I to understand that my actions, driven by fleeting passion, have been so thoroughly misinterpreted? Does His Majesty hold no regard for the bond we share as husband and wife?”
Derek’s reply was unwavering and measured: “This is not a matter we can answer on behalf of His Majesty. But if you wish, I shall relay your question to him.”
Sophie had not spoken a word throughout the exchange. Her duty was merely to escort Caden here and to take him away again.
For now, the boy sat dull-eyed, lost in his shattered mind. But there were times when his madness would seize him, lashing out at those around him, or worse, turning that violence upon himself.
It was clear to all that Salvador could never leave Caden in Everspring Palace under Kylie’s care. His presence here was a mere torment, a way to unsettle her.
Caden’s future had already been decided. Salvador had arranged for him to spend the remainder of his days in a monastery, where he would seek redemption through prayer and penance.
That very evening, Salvador himself arrived at Everspring Palace. As he entered, the heavy doors were shut behind him, cutting off the chill winds that howled outside.
Without a doubt, Kylie knew that the king harbored no remaining tenderness for her. Thus, she sought to use their shared grief to elicit sympathy.
Her voice trembling with sorrow, she said, “I never imagined Lady Grace could possess such treacherous ambition. Poor Connor… how wretchedly he died, how unjustly. Since his passing, he has visited me in dreams. His spirit is restless, and he’s unable to find peace.”
Salvador interrupted her sharply, retorting, “Connor couldn’t have visited you in dreams, for he is not dead.”
Kylie’s sobs ceased abruptly. For a moment, she stood frozen.
Her voice trembled with disbelief as she asked, “What did you say, Your Majesty? Connor is not dead?”
How could he not be dead? The funeral had already been carried out, and he had been laid to rest. The entire court knew of his passing.
Salvador gazed steadily at her and said, “He is not dead, but gravely wounded. Both of his legs were shattered. If he survives, he’ll never walk again. Healer Dalton has taken him to Eldermere Keep for treatment. If he recovers, he’ll live under a new name. If not, at least the keep is a good place to lay him to rest.”
Realizing that the king didn’t seem to be lying, a sudden wave of hope and joy surged in the queen’s heart. But right after, confusion set in.
“If he is alive, why was the funeral held? Why not treat him here in the capital? What if his injuries aren’t as bad as they seem? What if you’ve been deceived by Healer Dalton, Your Majesty? He’s close to Lady Sophie, who has always wanted Cecil to be crown prince.”
Salvador regarded her with a raised brow. “How do you know of Lady Sophie’s wishes regarding Cecil?”
“When the workshop was being established, my mother urged me to make an appearance to set an example. I refused, which put Lady Sophie at a disadvantage. But Lady Sylvia and her mother went eagerly, offering money, shops, and favors. It was clear they were trying to curry favor with Lady Sophie,” Kylie replied quickly.
Listening to her, Salvador actually chuckled. “Ah, so it’s that easy to win Lady Sophie’s favor? Then, why didn’t you step forward when the workshop was first established? Surely, you could have gained her favor?”
Kylie’s face paled slightly at the question.
Had she known the workshop would be accepted, she would have gladly stepped forward to assist Sophie. But at the time, the public sentiment was cruelly opposed to the venture. She had been too frightened to risk her reputation for the sake of a widely-scorned cause.
Of course, regret gnawed at her now, but Kylie could not confess it aloud.
Pushing aside her discomfort, she focused again on the matter at hand, asking, “What is to become of Connor now? How is he? Is there any possibility of bringing him back to the palace for treatment? I cannot bear to be apart from him.”
“Returning to the palace is impossible,” Salvador replied, his tone softening, though still firm. “I have come to ask if you would be willing to travel to Eldermere Keep yourself, to care for him. Before he left, he asked for you. If you and Lydia tend to him, that will give me peace of mind.”
Tears welled up in Kylie’s eyes. “He is my flesh and blood. How could I refuse? I would go to him at once, if only it were possible.”
Salvador’s gaze softened slightly. “Your agreement is all I need. I shall first declare to the public that your grief over our son’s passing has left you ill. Then, in a few months, I will announce your death. From then on, you shall remain at Eldermere Keep with Connor. Though life there will be humble, I shall ensure the two of you want for nothing.”
Kylie stood frozen, her eyes wide in disbelief.
“Your Majesty, do you mean that I may never return to the palace for the remainder of my days?” she asked, her voice unconsciously rising in pitch.
“Should you wish to return, it is possible. I could proclaim that you have gone to offer prayers for the wellbeing of Starhaven, to seek blessings for the kingdom’s fort