Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 241: The Ancient Ruins (Part-13)

Several spirit warriors slowed their movements, their gazes sliding toward the two women standing side by side. This was the first time Guinvere and Zora had spoken directly. No open hostility, no raised voices, yet everyone present could feel the tension tightening like a drawn bowstring.

These two had no need to clash openly. Their conflict was quieter, sharper, and far more dangerous.

Zora let out a soft laugh, her tone light and unassuming. "Miss Guinvere flatters me."

She gave a polite nod, clearly intending to end the exchange there. She had no interest in meaningless verbal sparring, especially not now. Turning slightly, she took a step forward, prepared to leave Guinvere behind.

It was at that moment, as she passed by, that Guinvere leaned in just enough for her voice to reach Zora alone.

"Do you really think Prince Kael likes you?"

The words were gentle, almost idle, yet the contempt beneath them was unmistakable. From the outside, it looked no different from two women exchanging a casual remark. Only Zora heard the blade hidden in that softness.

Her steps slowed, then stopped.

She did not turn back immediately. Instead, she allowed a breath to pass, steady and unhurried, before responding. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm, unruffled, carrying neither anger nor uncertainty.

"I don’t know what Miss Guinvere is trying to say."

Guinvere watched her closely, searching for the smallest crack. This was not a conversation meant for Prince Kael’s ears. Here, she had no need to pretend kindness. She wanted to warn, to probe, to remind Zora of her place without ever lowering herself.

"In terms of status," Guinvere continued quietly, her eyes darkening just a fraction, "you are not a suitable match for him."

It was a warning wrapped in elegance, sharpened by certainty.

Zora turned then.

Her smile was no longer polite. It was brilliant, radiant, carrying a confidence so natural it felt almost effortless. In that instant, the air around her seemed to shift, her presence blooming like a blade drawn fully from its sheath.

"Whether we are suitable," she said softly, each word clear and steady, "is not for Miss Guinvere to decide."

Her eyes met Guinvere’s without flinching, without retreat.

"If you are so well matched, then tell me," she continued, her voice calm yet unyielding, "why is the person standing beside him now me... not you?"

The words landed cleanly, without cruelty, without malice.

And yet, they struck exactly where it hurt most.

Zora glanced at Guinvere with a calm, unhurried look.

The narrow curve of her eyes lifted slightly, a faint, teasing smile resting at the corners, not sharp enough to cut, yet arrogant in a way that was impossible to ignore.

There was no need for her to raise her voice or press the issue further. Confidence flowed from her naturally, like something she had never needed to rehearse.

Status, background, identity. Those things had always been weapons people liked to wave about. Unfortunately for Guinvere, such weapons held very little weight against her.

If Guinvere thought a few carefully chosen words could shake her, then she truly underestimated her opponent.

Zora had never been someone who swallowed grievances in silence. She did not seek conflict, but once it was placed before her, she faced it head-on, eyes bright, spine straight.

Guinvere’s expression stiffened almost imperceptibly. She had spent her life standing above others, admired, respected, untouchable like a star suspended high in the sky. Rarely had anyone dared to mock her so openly, and even fewer had done so without fear.

The chill in her eyes deepened as she suppressed the anger rising in her chest. Her voice, however, remained measured and controlled.

"Kael has only been away from the guild for three years," she said slowly. "That was enough time for you to take advantage of the situation. But don’t mistake the present for the final outcome."

Zora saw it instantly, the unrest hidden beneath Guinvere’s composure. For someone so practiced in restraint, this was already a crack. Prince Kael was not merely important to Guinvere; he was a knot tied too tightly to be undone.

"If that’s the case," Zora replied, her tone light yet decisive, "then wait until that day comes and speak to me again. At least for now, you are the one standing on the losing side."

She did not linger. The words were delivered cleanly, without cruelty, without hesitation. With a final, brilliant smile that carried both elegance and pride, she turned and walked toward Prince Kael, her steps unhurried and steady.

More than ten years had passed, and Guinvere had never truly held Prince Kael’s heart. Now, she stood even farther away than before. Whether she realized it or not, that distance was no longer something she could close.

Guinvere stared at Zora’s retreating figure, her fingers curling tightly beneath her sleeves. The calm mask she wore cracked just enough for a trace of murderous intent to seep through her eyes.

Damn her.

Did Zora truly believe she was untouchable now?

With her status, eliminating someone like Zora would be no more difficult than crushing an inguild beneath her heel.

Not far away, Reesa cast Guinvere a cold glance. From their first encounter, she had disliked this woman’s air of false gentleness. Now, that distaste only deepened. Guinvere was in trouble, through and through.

Around them, subtle gazes shifted. Many had witnessed the exchange, and it was clear enough who had gained the upper hand. This round belonged to Zora.

Sigmund hesitated before walking over to Guinvere, concern evident on his face.

"Miss Guinvere... are you alright?"

Guinvere turned to him, her expression already smoothed back into indifference.

"And why wouldn’t I be?"

The question left Sigmund momentarily speechless, his expression awkward.

"I... I was just worried about you."

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Sigmund," Guinvere replied coolly. "I am perfectly fine."

The polite distance in her tone shut the conversation down completely. Without another glance, she turned and returned to the ranks of Heaven’s Gate

Fiona watched the scene with an amused smile and leaned toward Sigmund.

"Sigmund, you really should know your place. Guinvere’s eyes are higher than the heavens. Other than Prince Kael, no one else exists to her."

There was unmistakable mockery in her voice. She had interacted with Guinvere enough to know just how cold and unreachable the woman truly was.

Sigmund’s expression darkened slightly. Though the words stung, he could not deny them. Compared to Prince Kael, the gap between them was far too wide. Fiona’s words struck like a slap.

Sigmund’s expression darkened at once. His feelings for Guinvere had never been a secret.

Even though he had always known, deep down, that her heart belonged elsewhere, that sliver of admiration had lingered like an unextinguished ember. Now Fiona had torn it open in front of everyone, grinding his dignity into the dust.

"Fiona," he said coldly, his voice edged with irritation, "What if I’m not comparable for Kael Moonstone? There are plenty of men who willingly stand in front of Guinvere like grains of sand anyway. But when it comes to being slapped in the face by a mere general’s daughter, you seem to be the only one."

The words were sharp and unrestrained, spoken without any attempt to soften them.

Fiona froze for a moment, clearly not expecting Sigmund to go that far. Her face flushed instantly, a mix of anger and humiliation flashing across her features.

"Sigmund, don’t go too far!" she snapped, standing up abruptly. Her chest rose and fell as she glared at him, eyes reddening.

The matter of Zora had already been a thorn buried deep in her heart. She could endure gossip whispered behind her back, but hearing it dragged out and trampled on so openly was unbearable.