Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 265: The Kiss

As the two walked side by side through the imperial streets with their respective horses walking along, curious and astonished gazes followed them from all directions. People paused mid-step, craning their necks to stare at the sudden appearance of this striking pair.

In the crowd’s eyes, this man and woman walking together seemed almost unreal. His tall, straight figure and flawless features were matched by a captivating smile, bright and perceptive, as if he could see straight into one’s heart. That wickedly charming curve of his lips alone was enough to leave countless women flustered after a single glance.

Beside him, the woman’s figure was slender and graceful, her steps light, and her beauty was nothing short of breathtaking. Unlike the gentle softness of most women, there was a sharp clarity in her brows and eyes, adding a touch of boldness that made her presence unforgettable.

Walking together, they looked like a pair made by heaven itself. People could not help but wonder where such extraordinary figures had come from. Many had lived their entire lives in Elysia’s imperial city, yet never before had they seen a sight so striking.

"Hey... isn’t that Prince Kael and the Princess Consort Zora?"

A merchant paused mid-count, squinting hard at the figures walking down the street. His expression quickly turned uncertain. He had seen the Prince and his consort once before. Their appearances were far too memorable to forget. And yet, doubt crept in almost immediately.

Wasn’t the Prince... crippled?

The man before him was walking steadily, his steps calm and unhurried. How could that possibly be the same Prince who had once been confined to a wheelchair?

The merchant’s mutter rippled outward like a large stone dropped into water. People nearby froze, then instinctively followed his gaze. For a moment, the street fell into a strange hush.

"That’s right!" someone suddenly exclaimed. "That is Prince Kael and the Princess Consort! Look carefully. The Princess Consort is even more beautiful than before, and the Prince... the Prince is actually standing!"

The shopkeeper’s wife clutched the edge of her stall, eyes wide with disbelief. She stared until the pair passed her line of sight, still unable to recover from the shock. "But how is that possible? The Prince’s legs... weren’t they—"

The realization spread through the crowd, igniting whispers that grew louder by the second.

"My heavens, they’re too well matched!" someone blurted out. "Whoever dared to say they were a joke? Those people must have been blind!"

The Imperial City had once pitied Kael. If not for his inability to stand, many believed he would have been the most peerless man in the capital. Countless women had sighed over that regret. Yet now, seeing him walking tall, his bearing noble and his presence overwhelming, even Prince Philip seemed dim in comparison.

Visitors from outside the capital, confused by the sudden excitement, tugged at the sleeves of those nearby. "Why is everyone staring at them like that?"

"You don’t know?" a local shop owner replied, lowering his voice but unable to hide the excitement. "Back then, the Prince couldn’t stand, and the Princess Consort was mocked as a useless waste. They were laughed at by the entire city."

Hearing this, the outsiders gasped in astonishment. No one could reconcile those past rumors with the dazzling pair now walking through the streets. The transformation was too great, too unbelievable.

"Oh heavens," a young woman whispered dreamily, eyes fixed on Prince Kael. "Just being able to look at the Prince like this feels like a blessing."

As Zora and Prince Kael continued forward, soft murmurs followed them everywhere. Women along the street shamelessly cast longing glances at Prince Kael, some even boldly sending flirtatious smiles his way. In the past, his disability had restrained their desires. Now that he stood tall and whole, he had instantly become the ideal man in countless hearts.

If they did not seize such a chance now, when would they ever?

Zora noticed the glances and lifted her brows slightly, her lips curving with faint amusement. "Husband," she said lightly, "it seems your charm hasn’t diminished at all."

Prince Kael’s smile deepened. He leaned closer to her, his voice low and intimate. "For my charm, I only wish for my lady to see it."

That single, affectionate gesture shattered the fragile hopes of the women watching. Disappointment spread across their faces as they finally understood.

No matter how dazzling the Prince was, his gaze had already settled on one person alone.

Prince Kael’s gaze swept calmly across the surrounding crowd. Then, before anyone could react, he reached out and clasped Zora’s hand, pulling her closer to his side. The movement was natural and resolute, like an unspoken declaration, clearly telling everyone present how intimate and unquestionable their relationship was.

Even though the two were already acknowledged as a married couple, such an open and bold gesture still caused a stir.

In an era where decorum was valued and restraint was the norm, public displays like this were rare. Several onlookers gasped softly, their expressions filled with shock. Yet among the younger couples in the crowd, envy quietly replaced surprise.

"I’ve always heard that Prince Kael and the Princess Consort are deeply devoted to one another," someone whispered. "Seeing them now, I finally understand how true that is."

"Yes," another sighed with longing. "If only I could meet someone like that in my lifetime."

Zora herself was momentarily startled by Prince Kael’s sudden action.

Instinctively, she almost loosened her grip, but the thought passed just as quickly.

She understood his feelings, and more importantly, she understood her own heart. Since they had already chosen each other, why should they care about the gaze of others?

She had never been one to hide behind conventions.

If they were together, then they would stand together openly and proudly. With that thought, she tightened her hold on his hand instead.

Feeling her response, Prince Kael’s smile deepened even more. His dark eyes shone with an unmistakable brilliance, as if the entire world had suddenly become brighter. Without another word, he quickened his pace, guiding Zora back toward the palace.

At the same time, news spread through the Imperial City like wildfire. Within moments, the whispers turned into excited chatter, and before long, the entire city knew.

Later;

Once they were back inside the palace, Zora finally spoke, her tone curious rather than reproachful. "Husband, why were you walking so fast just now? You practically dragged me..."

Prince Kael paused, a faint trace of displeasure flashing across his expression. "Didn’t you notice how those people were looking at you?" he said bluntly. "I couldn’t stand it."

She blinked, then laughed softly. "That’s nonsense. You’re exaggerating."

Instead of arguing, Prince Kael stepped closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming. "In my eyes," he said quietly, "that’s exactly how it was."

Zora took a step back, only to find herself pressed gently against the wall. She lifted her chin, half amused and half exasperated. "You’re too domineering."

Prince Kael then placed one hand beside her, closing the distance between them. His voice dropped, low and unwavering. "I am domineering," he admitted without hesitation. "Because you are mine. Only mine."

The words carried a faint edge of jealousy, raw and honest. His wife was too dazzling. The thought of others daring to covet her made his chest tighten with possessiveness.

Hearing his declaration, Zora felt a strange mix of warmth and helpless amusement. She had always known he was proud, but she hadn’t expected this level of intensity.

Seeing her smile instead of resistance, Prince Kael’s gaze darkened slightly. His voice grew softer, deeper. "Tell me," he asked slowly, "do you think I’m wrong?"

Prince Kael’s heart skipped a beat as he took in the captivating expression on Zora’s face.

His gaze, almost against his will, drifted downward and lingered on her softly curved lips.

Every time he stood this close to her, a familiar impulse surged within him, an urge he barely bothered to restrain. He wondered, fleetingly, just how sweet those lips would be if he finally tasted them.

Sensing the change in the air and the emotion gathering in his eyes, Zora instinctively tilted her head down and tried to slip past him, attempting to escape the dangerous closeness.

But Prince Kael had already anticipated her movement.

He stepped forward, cutting off her retreat, his presence enclosing her completely before she could take another step.

Before she could react again, his face lowered toward hers, the distance between them vanishing in an instant.

All of a sudden, Zora felt a warm shadow fall over her lips, followed by a gentle yet unmistakable touch.

His kiss was neither rough nor hurried.

Instead, it carried a tenderness filled with longing, as if he had waited far too long to finally express what he felt.

Her eyes widened in surprise, her thoughts momentarily turning blank.

She could only feel the warmth, the closeness, and the quiet intensity of his affection. His kiss was careful and unhurried, as though he was savoring every moment, every breath they shared.

Prince Kael then drew her into his arms, holding her close. The softness of her, the warmth of her presence, was even more intoxicating than he had imagined.

For a brief moment, he forgot everything else, reluctant to let her go.