Return of the General's Daughter-Chapter 580: The Ending

It was the month of May, when flowers stood proudly in full bloom and the air itself seemed to hum with life. Hevenfort Palace bustled with activity as servants hurried back and forth, adorning the grand banquet hall in preparation for the first birthday celebration of Alaric and Lara’s precious twins—the young prince and princess of the empire.

Yet far from the noise and splendor, in a secluded corner of the eastern garden, the sound of laughter rang clear and unrestrained.

"Gway, stop!"

The bubbly cry made Alaric pause. He turned just in time to see Lara’s wolves, Gray and Snow, indulging the twins’ playful curiosity.

Gray gently nuzzled Aldrich, who accepted the attention with calm solemnity, while little Althea tugged enthusiastically at Snow’s thick white fur.

"Althea, sweetheart, don’t pull on Snow’s fur," Alaric called from a few steps away, keeping a careful watch. "She might get agitated."

Althea’s lips trembled. A pout formed, and tears welled in her striking eyes.

"Hey," Lara said sharply, casting Alaric a glare as she sat beside him on the soft green grass. "Don’t bully my daughter."

"Darling, I’m not bullying her," Alaric replied with a sigh. "You know I dote on her more than anyone."

In a swift movement—so fast it left only a blur—Alaric scooped Althea into his right arm and Aldrich into his left, carrying them toward the waiting nannies. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Take them to be dressed," he instructed gently. "The banquet will begin soon."

"Waaah! Mama!!" Althea cried, her small fists clenching as she struggled to reach out for Lara. Aldrich, in contrast, merely observed the world with wide, thoughtful eyes.

Alaric sighed helplessly.

Since Lara had returned from Westalis two weeks earlier, their days had been relentlessly full. He was consumed by matters of the empire, while Lara divided her time between the twins and her newest project—the construction of a nursery in the eastern wing of the palace. With the ever-growing number of children born to her sisters-in-law and the Gabriella Ladies, she had decided it was time for a proper nursery school.

All Alaric wanted now was a quiet moment with his wife in this secret garden he had built just for her.

"Be good, my little princess," he coaxed softly. "You’ll need to dress up now. There will be plenty of toys and candies later."

"Toys?" Althea sniffed, her eyes instantly lighting up.

Alaric smiled, his gaze softening. "Mm-hmm."

She giggled and clapped her hands. "Aweee!" She reached out toward her brother, who remained serious as ever. "Toys. Toys."

Seizing the opportunity, Alaric handed both children over to the nannies, who hurried away before Althea could change her mind.

"So," Lara teased, leaning closer, "you’ve learned how to bribe them."

Alaric responded by pinning her gently against the grass and silencing her laughter with a kiss. These stolen moments were treasures. Fragrant flowers surrounded them, hedges shielding them from the world. The grass was their carpet, the endless blue sky their roof.

"I heard the King of Westalis has sent an urgent message," Lara said after a moment, reclining against a tree as Alaric rested his head on her lap. Her fingers threaded through his raven-black hair. "He’s asking for your help against the Kraken Alliance."

"Yes," Alaric replied. "You were right. The queen was the Trojan horse. She weakened Westalis from within while strengthening the invaders’ forces."

"Did you answer their call?" Lara asked while she gently massaged his temples.

"Of course. This is our chance to bring Westalis into Azurverda." His voice was calm, resolute. "I’ve already dispatched the Phoenix Legion. With Hephaestus’s latest inventions on weaponry, the invaders won’t stand a chance."

Lara smiled softly. "We’ve come so far," she murmured. "Who would have thought that the soldier I saved that day would become the Emperor?"

"And who would have thought," Alaric said, lifting his hand to caress her cheek, "that the woman masquerading as Kane Mendel would become my Empress?"

He shook his head slowly. "No—this was never chance. You and I were destined to lead this empire together. Fate brought us here."

Beneath the blooming sky of May, the empire rested—safe, thriving, and bound by love.

...

The grand banquet hall of Hevenfort Palace glittered like the heart of an empire. Crystal chandeliers blazed overhead, scattering light across marble floors and gilded pillars, while banners bearing the sigils of Azurverda and its vassal kingdoms draped the walls in regal splendor.

Dignitaries from the two vassal kingdoms, alongside envoys from the conquered kingdom of Zura, filled the hall with a low, constant murmur of voices.

The twins’ first birthday celebration surpassed even the magnificence of Alaric’s ascension as emperor. It was not merely a feast—it was a declaration of stability, unity, and an unshakable future.

Long rows of banquet tables stretched across the hall, laden with sumptuous dishes: golden-roasted meats, jeweled fruits, fragrant breads, and goblets brimming with wine and nectar. Music drifted softly through the air as the emperor and empress moved gracefully among their guests, exchanging warm words and familiar smiles.

"Aragon," Alaric said, resting a friendly hand on the king’s shoulder, "where is your queen? Why is she not by your side today?"

Before Aragon could respond, Aramis cut in with a grin. "My sister-in-law is with child again, and the pregnancy is still delicate."

Lara’s eyes widened. "Again? Didn’t she just give birth?"

Aramis laughed. "That’s what happens when the husband is much older. He needed to work twice as hard to secure heirs."

Aragon promptly flicked him on the forehead. "Say another word and I’ll punch you."

Lara laughed softly at the rare sight of color blooming across Aragon’s cheeks. A man so stern and unyielding rarely showed embarrassment, and she wisely chose not to tease him further.

The imperial couple moved on to greet the dignitaries from Northem. King Alderan with his five year old son stood with Reuben and Arabella, who cradled a chubby two-year-old in her arms. Reuben stood tall beside them, his once-injured legs now healed, though a faint limp remained—a quiet reminder of trials long past.

After his mother’s death, Reuben had relinquished all desire for the throne. Instead, he devoted himself to supporting his brother and strengthening Northem. In doing so, he had found a peace and fulfillment he had never known as crown prince.

Alaric and Lara exchanged pleasantries with them when a sudden stir rippled through the hall.

Music faltered. Conversations hushed.

All eyes turned toward the grand entrance.

General Odin and Freya stepped forward, leading Princess Althea by the hand. The little princess was dressed in a delicate pink gown that shimmered beneath the noon light streaming through the tall windows. She blinked at the crowd, wide-eyed yet unafraid, her tiny steps measured and proud.

On the opposite side, King Emeritus Heimdal entered carrying Prince Aldrich. The old king’s expression overflowed with pride as he held the solemn boy close, as if presenting the future itself to the empire.

The hall erupted in thunderous applause.

Together, the grandparents guided the prince and princess toward the elevated platform at the far end of the hall. The applause followed them like a rolling tide, echoing against the high ceilings.

Alaric offered his arm to Lara and escorted her to the main table. With a single raised hand, he declared the banquet open.

Cheers filled the hall once more.

Heimdal, still holding Aldrich, watched Alaric with misted eyes.

"Astrid," he murmured silently, his voice heavy with emotion, "if only you could see this. Your son is extraordinary. You were right all along. He never belonged to Northem—Northem was far too small for him."

His gaze shifted to Lara, standing beside Alaric, radiant and resolute.

"Together, they will lead Azurverda into its golden years."

And beneath the brilliance of the chandeliers and the promise carried in two small lives, the empire stepped confidently into its future.

The End.

...

Author’s Note: All good things has to end. Thank you all for accompanying me until the end of this book.

I hope you will support the next book where Lara awakened from a year long coma and she was back to her original world. Watch out for this in January 1.

I will publish an epilogue which is the prologue for the next book. I will properly thank all the loyal readers who supported me in that Chapter.