Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 216: Kael’s unwavering love for Zora

Kael met her gaze and did not hide the truth. "No. If not for Guinvere’s quiet help during those three years, my situation would have been far worse."

Zora nodded slowly.

She understood now why his attitude toward Guinvere was different. When the world turned its back on him, Guinvere had remained at his side. That kind of support was no different from warmth in the depths of winter. No one with a conscience could simply ignore it.

She also understood that Prince Kael must already be aware of Guinvere’s feelings, yet he was unwilling to hurt her.

"I understand," Zora said quietly.

"Trust me," Prince Kael said firmly, seriousness shining in his eyes. "I will handle this properly."

He had grown up with Guinvere and did not wish to destroy that bond. But even more, he could not bear to hurt Zora.

Because she was the most important person in his life.

Zora smiled faintly. "I believe you."

She did not care about anything else.

She only cared about his heart.

As for the rest, it no longer mattered.

Hearing Zora’s words, Prince Kael finally felt a weight lift from his heart.

What he feared most was that she would truly mind this matter and bury it in silence. Fortunately, she wasn’t like that. Still, he knew very clearly that this issue could not be dragged on any longer. It had to be resolved properly and soon.

He had always been decisive and clean in his actions. He disliked ambiguity, and he had no intention of stringing Guinvere along.

"Senior Brother," Guinvere’s voice suddenly rang out. "I have something to say to you."

Seeing Zora and Prince Kael sitting close together, speaking softly, a trace of coldness flickered across Guinvere’s otherwise gentle face.

She didn’t know where this woman had come from, but anyone who dared to take away her Kael was not someone she would easily tolerate.

Prince Kael looked at Guinvere standing before him. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Alright."

He rose to his feet and turned to Zora. "Darling, I’ll be back shortly."

"Go ahead," Zora said with a smile, her tone relaxed.

Guinvere glanced at Zora, her gaze deep and unreadable, before turning and walking away with Prince Kael toward the trees in the distance.

As soon as they left, Reesa hurried to Zora’s side, her face filled with concern. "Zora, are you really okay with them talking alone?"

"What is there to worry about?" Zora replied with a faint smile, utterly composed.

Reesa frowned. "That Guinvere clearly has feelings for Prince Kael. She’s your biggest rival! He’s your husband, you can’t let someone snatch him away so easily! Don’t be fooled by her gentle appearance."

Seeing Reesa so worked up, the smile in Zora’s eyes deepened, warmth spreading quietly in her chest.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"I’m your friend. Of course, I’m on your side," Reesa said earnestly. Then she hesitated. "But really, aren’t you worried at all? That woman isn’t simple."

Zora shook her head gently, her voice calm and steady. "If a man can be taken so easily, then what right does he have to be my man?"

Her gaze was clear and unwavering.

"The man I want must have only me in his heart, with no space for any other woman. That’s the kind of love I want."

Guinvere was proud, but Zora’s pride was no less than hers.

Reesa stared at her for a moment, then suddenly laughed and gave her a thumbs-up. "You’re absolutely right! I support you!"

She hadn’t expected Zora’s heart to be this strong, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt it was exactly as it should be.

"With your conditions, what kind of man couldn’t you have?" Reesa added cheerfully. "And honestly, Prince Kael really treats you sincerely. He openly called you his wife in front of Guinvere. That alone proves his heart."

She grinned mischievously. "In my opinion, Guinvere’s heart must be breaking right now."

Zora smiled faintly, her eyes cool and distant.

Guinvere... she wouldn’t be easy to deal with.

*

Among the trees, Guinvere and Prince Kael stood facing each other.

"Senior Brother," Guinvere said slowly, her voice gentle yet serious. "You’ve only just reclaimed your position in the guild, yet you left again so soon. That’s really not good for your standing."

"No problem," Prince Kael replied calmly. "As long as I’m no longer that cripple who couldn’t even stand, they can’t do anything to me."

His expression was relaxed, almost indifferent. Three years of silence and endurance had given him more than enough time to sort through what truly mattered. Many things that once seemed important had already lost their weight.

"But—"

Guinvere hadn’t finished when he cut her off.

"There’s no need to say more. I’ve already made my decision."

Guinvere’s gaze darkened. At last, she no longer tried to hide what was in her heart. "So you’ve really decided to be with that woman? She’s just the daughter of a general. There’s an insurmountable gap between the two of you. You don’t match at all."

"What is a match?" Prince Kael asked quietly. "And what is not?"

He looked at her steadily. "In my heart, she is the best."

No one understood better than he did what Zora meant to him.

For more than ten years, no woman had ever stirred his heart. Yet the moment he first saw Zora, something shifted. Her kindness, her resilience, her determination, her refusal to bow to fate—every part of her was etched clearly into his eyes.

He had never promised her anything before, yet she had been willing to save him when he was at his lowest.

To this day, he believed that the only thing Philip had ever done right was destroying his relationship with Zora.

And he also thanked the Empress in his heart for arranging the marriage betrothal for him, making it easier for him to pursue Zora.

Of course, even without that Emperor’s decree, he would still have done everything in his power to make her his wife.

Because once she had entered his heart, no one else could replace her.

Seeing his unwavering resolve, Guinvere’s expression grew increasingly strained. "Even if the guild master returns, he won’t agree with this."

Prince Kael shook his head. "I believe Master will support my choice."

He turned as if to leave, but Guinvere suddenly spoke again, her voice trembling. "Then what about me?"

Prince Kael stopped and slowly turned back.

"Senior Brother," she asked softly, pain flickering in her eyes, "you know how I feel about you. Am I really so inferior to Zora in your heart?"

She had liked him since childhood. For years, she had stayed by his side. Though he had never confessed feelings for her, there had never been another woman beside him either.

She had believed that as long as she remained with him, one day he would see her.

Yet in just three short years, everything had changed.

Was her companionship for over a decade really worth nothing?

"Guinvere," Prince Kael said quietly, his tone firm and solemn, "I’ve always treated you as a sister. You know that."

"The person I love is Zora. This is a completely different feeling."

Guinvere’s face went pale, the color draining from her cheeks. The hurt in her eyes was impossible to hide.

She had never imagined that he would reject her so cleanly, so decisively.

"I don’t want to delay you," he continued. "You will always be my sister. But these feelings... You shouldn’t place them on me."

He refused to remain vague any longer. Ambiguity would be unfair—to Zora, and to Guinvere herself.

All he wanted now was to stand beside Zora and protect her.

He didn’t want to see even a trace of unhappiness on her face. "Senior Brother," Guinvere said softly, pain lacing every word, "I’ve liked you for so many years. Do you really think I can just let go because you tell me to?"

Her eyes shimmered, the hurt impossible to conceal.

"There will come a day when you can," Prince Kael replied calmly. His tone never wavered. "I won’t return to the guild for the time being. That distance will be good for you."

He understood her tears, but he also understood something more clearly. Indecision would only give false hope. Only a clean break could truly free her.

Once Guinvere recovered, perhaps they could still be brother and sister.

That was the only future he was willing to leave open.

With that, Prince Kael said no more. He turned and walked away, his steps steady, his back unyielding.