Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
No matter how much the others protested, Blake remained resolute, his face expressionless.
“No one from our family is allowed to approach Sophie,”
Seeing his stubbornness, Rebecca sighed. “It’s not that I want to seek her out, but our family needs a way out. Look at Freya’s behavior! Forget how she has disgraced our family and drawn unwanted attention to us-she’s cruel and malicious, and she even harmed your father!
“If your father had been slightly weaker, he might have died at her hands! And where is she now? After injuring someone, she retreated to her maternal home. Fine! Let her hide there! It would be best if she never returned!”
“It would be good if you could unilaterally divorce her, but it was your who sought the king’s permission to marry her.”
Rebecca suddenly paused, looking sharply at Blake. “If she has attacked your father and disrespected your mother, could we report. this to the king and request a divorce?”
Blake’s frustration was palpable. “Stop making a scene! I’d rather the king forget about me for a few years and remember me only later. At this critical juncture, seeking a divorce would only end my career.” Rebecca was stunned. “A few years? If the king neglects you for that long, what future do you have? Military careers depend on youth! How could things be so dire? This is just a matter of not managing. Freya properly. You’ve received your due rewards, and were able to attend the celebration in the palace. That indicates the king still wants to use you.”
Blake sat in silence, exhausted, not wanting to speak. Since returning from the battlefield, he hadn’t had a single peaceful night’s sleep or a decent meal. He couldn’t tell his family that during the Victory Pass battle, Freya had slaughtered villagers and humiliated Westhaven’s crown prince in every possible way.
These were secrets he kept buried deep, never to be revealed.
Seeing her son in such a state, Rebecca felt a mix of panic and anger. It was all Freya’s fault. She had brought disgrace on their wedding day, and now, tarnished their achievements on the
Southern Frontier.
Rebecca sighed deeply. “How could you have chosen her? She’s nowhere near Sophie’s level.”
Blake pursed his lips, and remained silent. He was filled with regret -he wished he could undo his choices.
Two military achievements should have been enough to promote him and secure his position as a rising military star.
The first time, he had used it to marry Freya.
The second time he tried to achieve something, Freya’s actions had dragged him down.
Perhaps he would never see another opportunity like this again in his life. Even if another war came, it wouldn’t be about reclaiming territory; it would likely involve suppressing bandits. How many such campaigns would it take before he had another chance at promotion?
His life seemed doomed by a fleeting moment of infatuation.
Now, all he wished for was for his family to remain free of trouble, to fade from everyone’s view over the next few years so people would eventually forget everything.
IS DONUS
That was why Blake repeatedly instructed everyone not to seek out Sophie. His ties with her were severed; it was best for both of them. to remain apart. Rebecca was deeply disheartened, feeling it was unfair that her outstanding son was paired with someone like Freya. ?
Sophie and the others had spent the whole day out, returning to Northwatch Estate with numerous bags and packages.
Travis, ignoring advice, insisted on buying some cosmetics. Violet then set up a bet on whether he would face thirty lashes or be put in confinement for a month. Everyone predicted he would face the lashes, but Sophie placed ten silver coins on confinement.
After all, he was a war hero. His master would surely give the court some consideration. It wouldn’t be appropriate to simply beat Travis up on a whim. The next day, after a brief visit to the military camp and saying their farewells, they departed.
The deputy minister of the Ministry of Defense felt it was a pity. Such young and valiant generals would have been a tremendous asset to the court.
What a shame!
Once they left, Sophie put away her bright smile and summoned Frederick and two senior maids to the study for a discussion.
It was related to the king’s edict. Within three months, she needed to find a suitable marriage match, or she would be summoned to the palace.
Sophie couldn’t understand why Salvador had issued such an edict.
Frederick, having managed the outer household for many years and being well-acquainted with the intricacies of court life, quickly assessed the situation.
“My lady, one thing is certain: the king likely does actually want you to enter the palace. Otherwise, he could have simply issued an edict making you a concubine. You wouldn’t have had any choice but to comply.”
“I know that,” Sophie replied, a hint of frustration lacing her voice.” But he’s given me three months to find a suitor, almost as if he’s pressuring me into marriage. What does my single status have to do with him? I’ve reviewed the royal edict concerning my father’s posthumous title multiple times. While other details are insignificant, what stands out is that if I marry, my husband could inherit a title. Does he want someone to inherit my father’s title through marriage?”
Frederick considered this, and said, “I recall the edict mentioning the possibility of selecting suitable relatives from collateral branches to be trained, with the potential for them to inherit titles in the future. “Could it be that the king does not wish for members of the Devin family to inherit the title? Does he have a specific candidate in mind? If he expects you to marry within three months, could it be that he has already chosen a suitor for you?”
Sophie pondered this, her fingers absently turning the string of rosary beads her mother had left her, trying to calm her thoughts.
“If your speculation is correct, then the king must have a designated candidate for the title,” Sophie muttered.
Her brows furrowed in displeasure, feeling the situation was increasingly frustrating. It felt like being thrust into another arranged
marriage with a stranger and managing the affairs of a large family.
“If there is already a pre-designated candidate to inherit the title, does the person have to marry into the family? And the children. should take the Devin family name, right? Men can be unreliable, and if he gains a title and takes concubines, there’s a risk that he might favor those children over the legitimate ones, which could be a tremendous loss for us,” Lily asked.
A man who would take on his wife’s family name?
If it were a matter of bringing a single individual into the family, that would be manageable. After all, a man who married into his wife’s family wouldn’t come with a whole household.
As for the issue of concubines, the reason Melanie had chosen Blake in the past was precisely because he had promised not to take any concubines.
However, in the capital, among the prominent families, which man didn’t take concubines? Even ordinary people, who lacked the means to afford concubines, might seek companionship in brothels.
Sophie had no expectations for marriage and little resistance to it. It was her mother’s dying wish for her to marry, have children, and live a stable life.
So, when Rafael asked about her plans, she mentioned that her mother didn’t want her to follow a military path.
Whether this was a true reflection of Sophie’s feelings or not, it didn’t really matter. She once had ambitions, fiery dreams, and pursuits-but now, she had none. Life felt as stagnant as still water, and it didn’t bother her.
Although she had achieved fame for her role in recapturing the Southern Frontier, that joy was no longer something she could share. with her family.
Had Salvador not issued this edict, she would have selected someone from her clan, trained them properly, and ensured the continuation of the Duke of Northwatch’s line. Instead, complications had arisen.
Sophie didn’t want to have children, because she couldn’t ensure the safety of her loved ones. The pain of losing them was something she had endured too many times. She was unwilling to experience it again.
But with Salvador demanding she find a suitor, someone else would inherit her father’s title if she didn’t bear children. This dukedom, which now seemed to be a burden to her, was a mark of the court’s recognition of her father’s sacrifices. It was a title he had gained in exchange for his life.
Sophie decided not to dwell on it further. “Let’s not overthink this. Since the edict has been issued, the person will eventually reveal themselves. We’ll decide what to do when the time comes.” Everyone was deeply concerned. If Sophie were to marry, it would naturally require careful consideration.
Anyone willing to marry into the Devin family and take on the family name might not be an ideal candidate.
Sophie had returned after achieving great merit. How could Salvador treat her so unfairly?