Return of the General's Daughter-Chapter 578: Bener and Shaya’s Ending

Meanwhile, when the moment finally presented itself, Bener lightly touched his father’s arm and guided him through the gathering. Together, they approached Duke Kassius and his family.

Bener lifted his goblet in greeting, though his eyes betrayed him—sliding, just for a heartbeat, toward Shaya. She was already watching him. Their gazes met, unbidden.

The world seemed to narrow to that single point of connection. Her breath caught, her fingers tightening around the stem of her goblet as their eyes met. A heartbeat passed, then another, before Shaya forced herself to look away, cheeks faintly flushed.

"Allow me to offer a toast, Your Grace," Bener said, though his voice carried a subtle tension. He inclined his head in a respectful bow. "To Duke Kassius."

Kassius studied him openly, his sharp eyes lingering on the general’s finely wrought armor—battle-worn yet meticulously adorned. This was no ordinary officer. "And who might you be?" he asked, voice cool, probing.

Netser stepped forward before Bener could answer. His posture straightened, his expression schooled into formality befitting his rank. The warmth he once carried was gone, replaced by polished restraint.

"Your Grace, this is General Bener Norse, also known as the Duke of SouthRidge. And beside him stands his father, Supreme General Odin Norse."

A faint crease formed between Duke Kassius’s brows. He did not miss the change in Netser’s tone—respectful, yes, but distant. The Netser he knew always spoke to him with fondness like a respectful son to a father. But now there was a cold boundary where affection once lived.

Duke Kassius frowned faintly. "Netser..." His voice softened with surprise. "So it truly is you. I did not recognize you at first—you look different." He paused, studying him. "When Nolan told me he’d seen you in Northem, I hardly believed it. How have you been these past years?"

Then his gaze flicked to General Odin. He had heard of him, of course. The legendary war god of the Northem, who had won countless battles, stood before him in the flesh.

"I am well, Your Grace," Netser replied evenly pulling back Kassius from his daze. "I have made a name for myself in Azurverda."

"Azurverda?" Kassius echoed. "I was under the impression you served as a commander in Northem."

"It has grown peaceful," Netser said after a pause. "I returned to being a merchant—to carry on my father’s legacy."

The words were gentle, but something sharp stirred beneath them. Kassius sensed it at once.

"I regret what happened in those days," Kassius said carefully. "But that is all behind us now. Your parents’ names have been cleared."

Netser’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists.

Sensing the tension thickening the air, General Odin stepped forward and cleared his throat, his presence commanding immediate attention.

"Duke Kassius," Odin said, his deep baritone steady and unyielding, "we did come to Westalis not just to escort the envoys but also for another purpose."

At that moment, Shaya lifted her head—and once more, her gaze locked with Bener’s.

Her heart slammed against her ribs, loud and insistent. There was no mistaking it now. His presence drew her in with terrifying ease, as though some invisible thread bound them together. Bener felt it too, a pull he had not expected, and it overwhelmed him. Yet when Shaya’s eyes softened—just slightly—his resolve faltered.

"A purpose?" Kassius asked, raising his goblet and draining it in a single swallow.

"Yes," Odin replied. "I have come with my son to formally ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage. We will visit your manor tomorrow bearing our betrothal gifts."

Time seemed to stutter.

Shaya’s breath left her in a silent gasp. Her eyes flew to Bener—wide, searching, luminous with shock and something else...hope.

Bener held her gaze, steady and intent, silently declaring: Father meant every word.

Duke Kassius erupted into a coughing fit, choking on his wine. Shaya moved at once, stepping close, one hand pressed firmly to his back. Yet even as she tended her father, her awareness remained fixed on Bener—on the quiet certainty in his stance, on the way his eyes never left her.

When Kassius recovered, he straightened, face hardening. "My daughter is already betrothed," he said sharply. "To the Fifth Prince."

The words struck like a blade.

"Father," Shaya said, her voice trembling despite her effort to steady it. "I do not wish to marry the Fifth Prince."

Bener’s jaw tightened. He took a half step forward before stopping himself—every instinct urging him to shield her, to claim her, to defy the world if he must.

"This matter is not yours to decide," Kassius snapped. "Your mother and I will choose what is best for you."

"Do not decide in haste, Your Grace," General Odin said calmly, though his words carried quiet authority. "Accept our betrothal gifts first. It will not be too late to refuse us afterward."

Kassius fell silent, weighing the words. The agreement with the Fifth Prince was nothing more than a spoken promise—no edict, no binding decree.

At last, he nodded. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Shaya exhaled shakily, her gaze returning to Bener. For a fleeting moment, the noise of the hall faded, and all that remained was the charged space between them— brimming with possibility.

...

The following morning, General Odin, Bener, Gideon, Netser, Aramis and Logan, went to Duke Kassius estate. When Lara heard about the proposal, she tagged along.

They were escorted directly to the manor. The estate was bustling. Servants rushed about preparing decorations, garlands of silver leaves hung from archways, and at least three cooks hurried trays of pastries through the halls.

Gideon arched a brow. "It is quite lively."

"Stay alert," Odin muttered. "Something is off."

When they were shown into the grand hall, the truth began to reveal itself like a blade sliding from its sheath. Musicians tuned their instruments in a corner.

Duke Kassius noticed them and clapped his hands together in theatrical delight. "General Odin! You really came."

"Of Course," Odin murmured. "We are serious."

Kassius pressed a hand dramatically to his chest. "Ah, yes. An exaggeration. A necessary one." He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with smug satisfaction. "A father must do what he can for his daughter’s future. As I told you yesterday, Shaya will be marrying the prince, and today is their engagement."

The words hit Bener like a hammer. His breath stalled.

"You are marrying off Shaya to a prince." Gideon’s voice was incredulous. "You seek to sell her to a throne she wants nothing to do with? Shaya is in love with my brother."

"It is marriage," Kassius snapped, the pleasant mask slipping. "A union that elevates our bloodline. She will learn to be grateful."

Bener’s jaw clenched so tightly it ached. The ebony ring box in his coat felt suddenly heavy—like a relic of a future stolen before it could be claimed.

"Where is Shaya?" he demanded, each word trembling with contained fury.

Duke Kassius waved a hand dismissively. "Preparing for her to meet her future groom. You have no right to interfere."

But Bener no longer waited for permission. He turned, boots striking the marble floor with renewed purpose.

He would find Shaya.

He would free her from this gilded trap.