Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 266: The Return of Prince Kael and the Princess Consort

Chapter 266: The Return of Prince Kael and the Princess Consort

Only when he sensed her breathing grow shallow did he finally pull back. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly parted, and her expression dazed.

A smile touched his eyes as he leaned close to her ear and murmured lightly, "Next time... remember to close your eyes."

Zora’s face instantly turned crimson, and even the tips of her ears were burning with heat. "Kael Moonstone!" she protested, half flustered and half indignant. This man had taken advantage of her and still dared to tease her afterward.

Seeing her reaction, Prince Kael’s smile only deepened. "My lady is truly adorable," he said softly, amusement clear in his voice.

"You... get out!" she snapped, embarrassed and annoyed, pushing at his chest.

But instead of stepping away, Prince Kael wrapped his arms around her once more, pulling her into a firm embrace. His hold was warm and steady, carrying with it the familiar scent that always made her heart waver.

"What are you doing? Let go!" she said, her words lacking conviction as her struggle slowly stilled.

He tightened his arms just slightly, his voice low and sincere as he spoke near her ear. "Thank you... for choosing to be with me."

At those words, Zora froze.

The tension left her shoulders, and her hands, which had been pushing him away, gradually relaxed.

In that quiet moment, she allowed herself to rest against him, the warmth of his embrace answering all the words she hadn’t yet said.

"This lifetime," Prince Kael said softly, yet with an unshakable firmness, "I will never let you down."

His voice carried no flamboyance, only certainty. As long as he lived, his heart would belong to one person and one person alone.

Zora’s lips curved into a gentle, contented smile. She lifted her hands and slowly wrapped them around his waist, too, resting against him with quiet trust. "To hold the hand of one person," she replied softly, "and grow old together..

Hearing her words, Prince Kael tightened his embrace just a little, as if afraid she might slip away, his smile bright enough to rival the sunlight. He repeated her words in a low murmur, as though engraving them into his soul. "To hold the hand of one person, and grow old together."

Meanwhile, the news that Prince Kael had stood up spread through the Imperial City like wildfire. From teahouses to markets, from noble residences to common alleys, it became the most talked-about matter of the day. No one was unaware. No one was uninterested.

In the Prime Minister’s residence, Scarlet sat in her chambers, her mood tangled and restless. Prince Philip had just returned, and she should have been overjoyed. After all, becoming the Crown Prince’s fiancée had been her greatest dream. She had finally removed the two obstacles in her path, Zora and Luna, and secured her position.

Yet when she looked at her reflection, her joy was mixed with bitterness. The changes to her face weighed heavily on her heart, turning her triumph sour.

At that moment, a guard hurried in and reported, "Miss, Princes Consort Zora has returned from the academy."

Disgust and resentment instantly filled Scarlet’s eyes. "That woman returning is nothing strange," she sneered. "But her crippled prince hasn’t come back all this time. Could it be that he abandoned her?"

Scarlet let out a cold laugh, her tone filled with malice. Though she had no proof, she firmly believed that the strange spots on her face had something to do with Zora. Because of that, her hatred had only deepened. She wanted Zora to live a miserable life. Only then would her own heart feel balanced.

Prince Kael had been away from Elysia for a long time. Even if he had married Zora, he was still a cripple. If he abandoned her and left, Scarlet would naturally feel delighted.

Barton hesitated, her expression uneasy. "Miss... Zora returned together with Prince Kael."

Scarlet froze. Her brows knitted tightly, suspicion flashing through her eyes. "When did Prince Kael go to the academy? With his disability, did he go there to humiliate himself?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Barton swallowed nervously and continued, her voice trembling. "Miss... I heard that Prince Kael’s legs have recovered. He can stand now."

The words struck like thunder.

Scarlet’s expression changed instantly, as if she had seen a ghost. Her eyes locked onto Barton, wide with disbelief. "What did you say?" she demanded sharply. "Say it again!"

Startled by her tone, Barton shrank back, her face pale with fear. "Today, Prince Kael and the Princess Consort returned together. They walked hand in hand through the streets and were seen by many people. The news has already spread throughout the Imperial City."

"Clang!"

Scarlet’s face turned ashen as she swept the teacup off the table. It shattered on the floor, fragments scattering everywhere. "Impossible!" she shouted. "He’s been crippled for so many years. How could he suddenly stand up?"

If Prince Kael could truly stand again, then he was no longer a discarded prince.

He would be a dragon among men.

At the thought of this, a surge of sharp jealousy swept through Scarlet’s heart like a poisonous tide.

Everyone knew that among the princes of Elysia, Prince Kael had always been unmatched in appearance and bearing.

If not for his crippled legs, he would long ago have become the most coveted man in the entire Imperial City. Even during the years when he could not stand, there were still countless women who secretly admired him.

Back then, Zora marrying a disabled prince had been Scarlet’s favorite point of ridicule. It was the sharpest thorn she used to stab at her rival. But now that Prince Kael could stand again, what did that make her mockery worth?

"That wretched woman..." Scarlet clenched her fists, her eyes burning with venom. "How could she ever be worthy of him?"

The more she thought about it, the more hatred twisted in her chest.

If not for Zora, she would now be the one standing beside the most dazzling prince in the empire. Would she have to hide in her chambers, ashamed to face others because of the blemishes on her face?

If not for Zora, she would never have missed the last royal hunting competition.

She would have entered the academy, risen alongside Prince Philip, and become the envy of all.

Instead, she was trapped here, day after day, worrying about her ruined appearance, while the woman she once trampled underfoot now stood radiant and untouchable.

"Miss, please don’t be angry," Barton hurriedly advised, seeing her expression darken further. "It’s bad for your health."

Scarlet’s face was cold and grim, her eyes brimming with malice. "Damn it. How can I let Zora live so comfortably?" She paused, then spoke in a low voice. "Have you told General Ronald about this news?"

Barton looked confused. "General Ronald?" she asked hesitantly. "After losing both his son and daughter, he’s already fallen from favor. What does Miss mean?"

Scarlet’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. "General Ronald’s children died," she said softly. "And now, the person responsible has returned to the Imperial City. What do you think General Ronald will do when he hears this?"

Zora had offended far too many people. Scarlet was certain that once General Ronald learned of her return, he would never let her off lightly. Since Zora dared to come back so boldly, Scarlet was more than happy to add a little fuel to the fire.

"Go and inform General Ronald," Scarlet ordered.

Barton hesitated, unease flickering across her face. "Isn’t this... a bit too much?"

Scarlet’s gaze turned sharp. "What? Are you unwilling to do it?" she snapped. "Or do you want someone else to take your place?"

Barton shuddered and immediately bowed her head. "This servant will go at once."

Watching Barton hurry away, Scarlet finally revealed a satisfied smile. "Zora," she muttered coldly, "I won’t let you live in peace."