Return of the General's Daughter-Chapter 336: Reuben’s Fury

Reuben’s Palace, Savadra

Reuben’s hand swept across the polished surface of the mahogany table with a violent flourish. Scrolls, delicate glass vials, and fragments of crystal shattered against the marble floor with a crash that echoed through the chamber like a broken promise.

"You knew, Mira. Don’t lie to me. She visited Ceres just last Thursday—how could you not see this coming?" His voice was sharp, raw with betrayal, and it cut through the air like a blade. Mira instinctively stepped back, her spine straightening under the weight of his fury.

"Yes, My Prince," she replied carefully, her voice low. "She did. But then she left yesterday together with my mother. She travelled with a mechant caravan. Father and Gideon escorted them as they were on their way to Carles." Mira replied cautiously.

Reuben’s gaze darkened. His hands curled into fists at his sides.

"She left willingly? Then she truly has no intention of becoming my Crown Princess..." His voice broke at the edges, quieter now, but edged with despair. A hollow silence settled between them.

Mira clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white and and her fingernails draw blood from her palm. Reuben was still fixated at Lara. What does that make her? However, when Mira thought about Amielle, she felt comforted. He didn’t even consider Amielle who has accompanied him for three years now and had a better background than Lara.

"My Prince," Mira said softly, her voice full of contrived concern, "I fear my sister is... bewitched. She no longer sees what’s best for her. She’s blind to the honor of being your wife. And worse—she’s blind to how unworthy Prince Alaric is, compared to you."

Her words were honeyed poison, meant to soothe, but they only stoked the fire burning in Reuben’s chest.

"Even my parents agreed with her departure. They let her go without a word," she added, eyes downcast.

And indeed, because of Mira’s words, Reuben’s rage surged. He slammed his palm onto the table with a loud crack, but winced immediately, pain shooting up his arm. He clutched his hand to his chest, trembling with fury.

"I will never forget what General Odin and his family have done to me today," he hissed. "They will regret it."

Mira lowered her head, but her eyes were far from submissive. They burned with thought—cold, calculated.

After a long pause, Reuben’s voice softened. "You are no longer one of them, Mira. You are mine now. My family. As long as you remain loyal to your husband, you will be safe from whatever storm is coming."

He remembered the night before—the passion, the surprising ease with which she had pleased him. She was untrained, or so he thought, yet she had made him doubt it. If he hadn’t been her first, he would have sworn she was raised in the courtesan halls.

"I know, My Prince," she replied in a velvet whisper, her lips curling into the faintest, unreadable smile.

She was about to leave when Reuben called her.

"Wait. You said that she travelled with a merchant caravan. Did you know if she was with that merchant called Kasmer? I gathered, he visited the Norse Manor a few times in the past week."

Mira retreated her steps and stood respectfully before Reuben.

"My Prince, isn’t Kasmer now in the Greenshire Estate? Wasn’t he the recently recognized heir of the late Duke Caspian? How can he be travelling as a merchant?" Mira asked in confusion.

Reuben pursed his lips and dismissed Mira. She was right. However there was nagging feeling that something was off with Lara’s departure.

"Come out!"

A tall and lean man wearing an all black clothes came out out from the shadows and kneeled before Reuben.

"Go, tell Midnight to track the caravan of Lady Lara Norse."

"Yes, Master."

In a flash, the man was gone.

...

Later that night, Reuben summoned his inner circle to his secret chamber.

Lord Malik arrived first, regal in his midnight-blue cloak, followed by the silver-haired Duval, Marquis of Edenia, and the ever-silent Solanio. But one more presence lingered unseen—Reuben’s secret guard, who lurked in the shadows. He is his sharp blade that he used against his enemies. The man was loyal to no one but him.

"I need your counsel," Reuben began, his eyes sweeping over the men seated around the round table.

"What troubles you, Your Highness?" asked Lord Malik, folding his hands.

Reuben took a breath. "It’s General Odin. He has defied me again."

Duval, ever composed, took a sip from a goblet of blood-red wine. "Defied you? The General is as loyal as they come."

Reuben took a breath. "It’s General Odin. He has defied me again."

"I called you here because I need your counsel." He paused and his gaze swept the three men of varying ages.

"But as far as I know about Odin, he is loyal to the throne of Northem." The Duval, Marquis of Edenia picked the goblet that contained the crimson liquid and brought it to his lips. "What is it that you asked him to do, My Prince?"

"I asked him for Lara’s hand in marraige."

Duval spewed out the crimson liquid which he has not yet swallowed directly on the face of the unfortunate Solanio who was sitting in front of him on the round table and he did not have time to dodge.

"The hell, your gross, Duval." Solanio cursed as he hurriedly pulled out his handkerchief and and wipe off the wine on his face.

"Apologies," Duval said, recovering his composure with surprising speed. He turned back to Reuben, voice measured. "Your Highness... General Odin has only ever had one wife, Lady Freya. It’s possible he expects the same for his daughter. He may not wish to see her as one of many."

"That’s absurd!" Reuben snapped. "What royalty doesn’t have multiple wives? Even my father had two—and a concubine." He complained like a child.

Duval and Malik exchanged a look, silent understanding passing between them.

Malik spoke carefully. "Even so, that’s not cause enough to move against a man like Odin. He’s beloved—a hero, adored by both soldiers and commoners alike." Duval offered his advise.

"Patience, Your Highness," Malik added, his voice low and smooth as silk. A glint of ambition flickered in his eye. "When the time is right, if you still wish to bring General Odin to his knees, he will fall."

And when that time comes... The House of Avalon will rise.

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