Return of the General's Daughter-Chapter 330: The Scheme That Backfired

The sound of the slap rang out like a thunderclap.

Reuben’s palm struck Mira’s cheek with such force that her head whipped sideways, her body collapsing onto the mattress like a broken doll. She lay there, unmoving for a moment—exposed, stunned, and breathless—her dignity torn as thoroughly as her dress.

"Get out, all of you, Out!" Reuben roared.

The crowd gathered near the door shrank back instantly, murmurs swallowed in silence as they scattered. The heavy door slammed shut behind them.

Reuben turned his back on Mira and began dressing with slow, deliberate movements, his silence more cutting than any words. Mira scrambled upright, clutching the shredded fabric around her. Her dress gaped open, revealing too much—shoulders, chest, part of her thighs—an image of disgrace she couldn’t cover fast enough.

Reuben did not even spare her a glance when he spoke. "Was this your idea of bringing her into my bed? Or this was your idea of seduction?" His voice was cold, mocking. "Clever, Mira. I underestimated you. Is this what you’ve wanted all along? Dreaming of being Crown Princess?"

Mira’s lips trembled. The weight of his contempt hit harder than the slap. "No, Your Highness," she stammered, her voice frantic and raw. "I swear—I didn’t plan this. I didn’t even know what was in the tea. Princess Ceres can vouch for me. She... she laced the teacup."

Her words tumbled out, desperate and breathless, as if she could outrun his judgment by speaking fast enough.

Reuben finally looked at her—eyes narrowed, filled with disdain. Mira was beautiful, yes, but not in a way that held him. Not like Amielle. And even Amielle paled in comparison to Lara.

Silence fell like a curtain.

Then—the echo of boots down the corridor. Sharp. Purposeful.

The door burst open.

King Heimdal entered first, his face carved from granite. Guards flanked him, impassive and armed. Behind him strode Asael, who had just arrived from Carles and entered the palace to report on the situation on behalf of his father, his presence commanding.

Queen Helga swept in next, lips pressed into a cold, unreadable line. Lara walked in with eerie calm. Princess Ceres, visibly shaken, trailed behind her. The Norse siblings followed, their expressions masked but watchful.

Reuben, now fully dressed, stood by the window, back straight, shoulders tense. Shame and fury twisted in his eyes like twin storms.

A servant rushed forward with a robe, but before they could reach Mira, Peredur moved. Without a word, he removed his cloak and laid it gently over her, the gesture both chivalrous and disapproving. Then he turned away, silent and grim.

The King’s gaze swept the room, taking in the scene—the disheveled bed, the woman who looked pale and battered, the crown prince standing in disgrace, and Lara, poised as ever, standing untouched.

"Reuben," Heimdal said, voice like stone. "I am deeply, deeply disappointed in you."

The crown prince said nothing. He bowed his head in shame.

The King’s shoulders sagged with the burden of what must be done. "It’s too late to contain this," he muttered, almost to himself. "What’s done is done. And since this scandal cannot be undone—"

His tone hardened.

"—you will take her as your concubine. There will be no debate."

Reuben spun to face him, fury rising—but the words caught in his throat. Across the room, he saw Gideon’s expression—cold, disgusted. The twins, watching with passive interest. But beyond them... Asael. Reuben’s eyes locked on the young general from Carles, whose gaze was sharp and unreadable. It made him hesitate.

Reuben cursed. ’What is he doing here?’ The words ’No, I don’t like to take her as my concubine, she doesn’t deserve it,’ were caught in his throat.

Queen Helga stiffened. Her eyes flicked to Lara—and beneath her composed mask, a storm of hatred brewed.

Princess Ceres stood frozen. Trembling with rage. Her eyes darted to Lara, venomous. How? she thought. How did she escape?

Ceres had drugged the teacup meant for Lara. The plan had been foolproof. So why was Mira the one left ruined?

Asael had observed carefully. He watched silently as Mira glared at Lara. He observed the queen’s calm facade cracked when she saw how calm Lara was. He also noticed the clenched fists of Princess Ceres as she shot a dagger toward Lara.

And Reuben—his regretful, hungry gaze lingering too long on Lara.

Asael came to a realization. An understanding. A bitter acknowledgment of the battlefield that royal politics could be.

And Lara? She didn’t speak. But her silence spoke volumes.

"It is getting late, everyone." King Heimdal spoke, his voice stern and commanding. "Asael, take your sister home first. Ask your parents to come tomorrow, and we will discuss the wedding details. She can enter the palace as a concubine."

Without another word, the King turned and swept out of the room. The guards followed. So did Lara, pausing just briefly at the door to greet Asael with a faint nod.

"Mira," Asael said, his voice taut with restrained anger. "Come."

Mira limped forward, pain evident in her gait. Her lower body ached from Reuben’s cruelty. She burned with humiliation.

Once the room emptied, only Queen Helga, Reuben, and Ceres remained.

The Queen turned slowly to her daughter.

"Explain," she demanded, her voice icy.

"Mother, I don’t know how it came into this. It was Lara’s teacup that I drugged. Then we eat the pastries together and drink the tea from the same pot." Ceres recounted the event as it happened.

Her voice faltered. A sudden, sickening thought struck her.

"She must have changed the cup when Mira and I were not looking. And then.. and then.. she said she was dizzy. I thought the drug must have taken effect." Ceres suddenly paused when a realization hit her. freёnovelkiss-com

"Mother, Brother, Lara must have known," she shuddered. "She knew. She knew everything. She outplayed us."

She realized how cunning Lara was and how sharp her instinct was.

Helga’s expression twisted with rage. "She made fools of us. I will not let this go slide. She will pay for this humiliation that we suffered today."

Reuben hesitated. "Mother, don’t hurt her." His voice was barely a whisper. "I... I like her. My queen can only be her."

Helga stared at her son. Reuben said nothing.

But the fire that flickered in his eyes as he stared out the window said everything.

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