Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 165: The Fake Elixirs

"Is Zora really going to sell Elixir of Tranquility to Clarissa and the others?"

A trace of hesitation and unease appeared between Sylvandria’s brows. Things had already reached this point, and it seemed there was no turning back. Yet Clarissa’s group was clearly up to no good. Wouldn’t something go wrong if the Elixir of Tranquility fell into their hands?

Alaric Von Seraph glanced at Zora, who remained calm and composed. After a moment’s thought, he said evenly, "Zora must already have a plan. Don’t worry."

Raphael, however, still felt uneasy. His gaze instinctively shifted toward Prince Kael. If anyone would be concerned, it should be him.

Yet Prince Kael stood there leisurely, arms relaxed, expression unhurried and faintly amused, as if the entire situation were nothing more than a trivial spectacle.

The curve of his lips held a knowing, almost teasing smile.

These petty tricks were insignificant in Zora’s eyes.

From his understanding of her, Zora had never been the type to bow to circumstances or act against her own will simply because of onlookers. Since she had chosen to do this, she must already have a better move waiting.

Clarissa and the other two watched Zora warily. Something about her demeanor today felt off, far too calm.

Still, after some thought, they could only chalk it up to the presence of so many witnesses. In such a public setting, she wouldn’t dare make a scene.

Morgana cast Zora a cold glance, saying nothing more. Once her master finished studying the Elixir of Tranquility’s formula, she would return and settle the score properly.

After Clarissa’s group handed over their points and demon crystals, Zora passed the Elixir of Tranquility to them without hesitation.

With that, the auction officially came to an end.

Stepping down from the high platform, Clarissa’s face brimmed with smug delight.

She sneered. "I thought she was something special. Turns out she’s nothing more than this."

Silvan laughed loudly. "Hahaha! That’s right. From today on, her proud days are over!"

Morgana, clutching the medicine, wasted no time lingering. She had to return immediately and deliver the Elixir of Tranquility to her master for research.

Once Clarissa and the others left, Reesa hurried over, her face full of concern.

"Zora... are you really okay?"

Zora smiled, her expression serene. "Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?"

Reesa hesitated, lips parting as if she wanted to say more, but in the end, she swallowed her words.

Instead, Zora spoke first. "Reesa, I need to trouble you with something."

"What is it?" Reesa asked quickly, her heart tightening. She feared Zora might still be affected by what had just happened.

Zora drew out three slips of paper from her sleeve and handed them over. "Help me find these three people. If they’re willing, sell the Elixir of Tranquility to them at the prices written here."

Reesa stared at the slips in confusion. She couldn’t quite understand what Zora was planning.

But she didn’t ask.

Instead, she nodded firmly. "No problem. Leave it to me! I’m best at handling things like this."

Just as Reesa turned to leave, Baldwin spoke up, smiling gently. "Reesa, I’ll go with you."

She glanced at him. "Your injury hasn’t fully healed yet. You should go back and rest."

"It’s fine," Baldwin replied, still smiling. "I’m already much better."

With that, the two of them walked off together, leaving behind Zora, whose calm smile hid a far deeper calculation.

**Special Enrollment Dormitory**

Raphael and the others passed by Zora’s residence, exchanging glances filled with doubt. When they had left earlier, Prince Kael and Zora clearly still had things left unsaid. That lingering atmosphere was impossible to miss.

Zora entered her room unhurriedly. Just as she reached out to close the door, she realized it wouldn’t move.

Prince Kael was leaning against the doorframe, posture lazy and devil-may-care, as if he had taken root there.

"You’re standing in the way," Zora said lightly, raising an eyebrow.

Prince Kael blinked, his expression instantly turning pitiful and wounded. "Darling, I’m being this obvious, and you still won’t invite me in to sit?"

Zora looked at him, half amused and half helpless.

This man could switch expressions faster than turning a page. Playing the rogue, acting pitiful, selling misery... he did it all with terrifying skill.

"If you want to come in, then come in," she said flatly.

The moment her words fell, the sorrow on Prince Kael’s face vanished without a trace, replaced by a bright, wicked smile.

"I knew it," he said happily. "My lady may be sharp-tongued, but she dotes on her husband."

"Dream on," Zora shot back, unimpressed. This man really took a mile whenever he was given an inch.

Before she could react, Prince Kael suddenly reached out, grasped her wrist, and with a swift motion pulled her toward him.

Her back met the wall with a soft thud.

He braced one hand against the wall beside her, the other mirroring it on the opposite side, completely trapping her between his arms. His tall figure blocked out the light, and his handsome face filled her vision.

"Darling," he said softly, eyes deep and mesmerizing, "hearing you say that really wounds your husband’s heart."

His voice carried just the right amount of grievance, perfectly acted. Zora knew very well that his sadness was mostly pretend, yet she couldn’t deny one thing...

This man’s acting was flawless.

She found herself momentarily distracted, her gaze involuntarily tracing his features. A tiny blush crept to her cheeks.

She had seen this face countless times, yet she still had to admit that it was infuriatingly handsome.

From any angle, it was perfect. Even this close, there wasn’t a single flaw to pick at.

As if sensing her scrutiny, Prince Kael’s lips curved upward. "My wife," he murmured, "am I really that good-looking?"

Zora snapped back to her senses, annoyance immediately took over her by his words. How had she let herself get distracted again?

She shot him a cool look. "So-so. Barely passable."

Prince Kael frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied. "Just passable?"

He leaned in even closer. In the blink of an eye, the distance between them shrank to barely a finger’s width. One small movement, and their faces would touch.

"In your husband’s heart," he said quietly, sincerity lacing his tone, "my lady is the most beautiful woman in the world."

His breath brushed lightly across her cheek, warm and faintly intoxicating.

Zora’s body stiffened, and the faint blush that crept up her fair complexion had turned deep red. This man knew her weaknesses far too well. Her heartbeat increased.

When she realized that, she swiftly shoved him away with a sharp push, breaking free from him. Taking a steady breath, she regained her composure, her expression returning to its usual calm.

Prince Kael stepped back, watching her with a soft, amused smile. Beneath that teasing exterior, his gaze held unmistakable tenderness.

His lady was truly adorable.

And the only regret in his heart was that he had restrained himself just now and hadn’t kissed her forehead.

"You really spend all day talking nonsense!" Zora shot Prince Kael a look full of disdain. This man’s smooth tongue and shameless flirting were truly first-rate.

Prince Kael’s smile didn’t fade in the slightest.

In his eyes, his lady was simply too thin-skinned to admit it. Truth be told, Zora’s usual cool indifference was captivating enough, but the moment she blushed and bristled like this, she became irresistibly charming.

"Even if I am spouting nonsense," he said calmly, "it’s only for my lady."

"If it were anyone else," he added lazily, "I wouldn’t bother saying even half a sentence."

Zora raised a brow. "You’re really good at talking."

"What I speak is the truth," Prince Kael replied with emphasis.

Zora was just about to mock him when she suddenly looked up and met his gaze.

For a fleeting instant, the playful glint in Prince Kael’s eyes vanished. In its place was a depth of seriousness, sincerity, and something else...

something genuine.

Her heart skipped again.

But, before she could fully process it, that emotion disappeared as quickly as it had come, as in the blink of an eye, he was smiling again, relaxed and teasing, as if nothing had happened earlier.

Zora frowned slightly. Had she imagined it?

"Darling," Prince Kael said lightly, changing the subject, "selling Elixir of Tranquility to Clarissa and the others doesn’t really seem like your style."

His lips curved upward, his eyes sharp and certain.

His lady was never someone who swallowed grievances quietly.

A faint, cunning smile appeared on Zora’s face. "And why do you think it doesn’t suit me?"

"In my opinion," Prince Kael replied with a chuckle, "the Elixir of Tranquility you gave them... it shouldn’t be real. No, it should be real but with a twist added to it."

His tone was confident, almost amused.

He had known Zora long enough to understand her temperament. If something felt off, there was always a reason.

She was the type who never tolerated sand in her eyes. More importantly, there was a wild, fearless streak buried deep in her bones.

With her personality, if she truly didn’t want to sell Elixir of Tranquility to those three, then no amount of spectators at today’s auction could have forced her hand. And if she didn’t want to auction it at all, she simply wouldn’t have.

A strange light flickered through Zora’s eyes. She hadn’t expected anyone to see through her intentions so quickly.

"How did you know?" she asked.

Prince Kael smiled, looking rather pleased with himself. "Naturally, because your husband understands you the best."

Zora pursed her lips. Since Prince Kael had already seen through it, there was no need to hide anything from him.