Return of the General's Daughter-Chapter 397: Meeting the Saviour 2

"The rightful heir?" Lara’s voice was steady, but her eyes gleamed with sudden intensity.

Raynor nodded, his face darkening with memory. "The old royal family was slaughtered and betrayed by their most trusted general. He seized the throne the same night the king and queen were murdered. But karma found him, and he was also murdered. Now, his son sits in his place—a usurper ruling a kingdom soaked in stolen blood." He paused, lowering his voice. "But the bodies of the two princes... were never found."

Lara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So the heirs might still be alive? Did they truly escape?" she asked again.

"There are whispers," Raynor admitted. "One tale says a loyal guard escaped with the eldest prince and swapped the younger with a servant boy to throw off the assassins. If true, they might still be alive—hidden, waiting."

"I hope they’re alive. Estalis deserves better." Lara replied before turning to leave.

Raynor lowered his head, emotion welling in his throat. "My Lady... my saviour...You told me once to thank you when I recovered. I did survive—because of you. You pulled me back from the abyss, and today... ou saved my wife and child, too. I have no riches, no lands to offer you. But I give you the only thing I have left: my loyalty, for the rest of my days."

He dropped to one knee, bowing low.

"Raise your head, soldier Maro," Lara commanded, her tone firm but not unkind.

As he obeyed, she met his gaze without flinching. "Call me Miss Lara. I am Lara Norse—daughter of General Odin Norse."

Raynor froze. Odin Norse? The very name struck him like thunder. Suddenly, her presence, her authority, her fearlessness—they all made sense. She was the daughter of the war hero... the same man Estalian children had been taught to fear. And yet here she was, saving lives on both sides.

"Miss Lara sounds kinder than... Kane Mendel," he said softly, the realization dawning. "I understand now. You posed as a man during the War of Carles."

Lara gave a faint nod. "I did what I had to. But you don’t owe me your life, Raynor. If you want to repay me—serve Calma. Stay in the army, if you still believe in the cause. Or join the Gabriella Guild. They’re forming a guard division, and your wife and mother can join the women’s circle for healing and trade."

She said it all in a single breath, practical as ever. Raynor blinked, overwhelmed but heartened. He was certain that it was something good for his family.

"I will follow your arrangement, Miss Lara."

"I will discuss with Prince Alaric first." Lara was about to leave, but she remembered something.

"Your younger brother, where is he now?" She asked.

His eyes lit up. "You remember? He is with my father, my youngest brother, and my son at the Velkom Hall at the foot of the Argus tower. His name is Raymar. Nala was suddenly in pain, so we were rushed here by one of the guards."

Raynor, Raymar. Lara thought his parents were very thoughtful in giving names, just like her Uncle Primo and Aunt Delia.

"Your youngest brother must be named starting with a letter R as well." Lara guessed.

Raynor’s face flushed. "Yes. He is called Raynier."

Lara chuckled. "Nice names. Easy to remember. Good luck when your parents became old and start mixing your names."

Lara turned to leave, her expression still teasing.

She paused at the door. "Go back to your wife. The midwives should have corrected the baby’s position by now."

"Thank you again, Miss Lara." He bowed deeply. "For saving me... and for saving them."

"It’s what a doctor does," she said with a faint, warm smile before vanishing into the corridor, her steps soft but certain.

The Hevenfort

That afternoon, Lara made her way to Prince Alaric’s chambers, her stride purposeful.

"My Prince," she greeted formally.

Alaric frowned. "Lara, how many times must I tell you? Just call me Alaric."

Lara gave out a light laugh. "You asked Aramis to pick me up. Is there an urgent matter you want to discuss with me, Alaric? Is it related to the Estalis soldiers and their families who entered Calma today?" She asked.

He nodded. "Yes. And... someone insisted on seeing you."

Training Grounds, Earlier That Day

Dust rose from the hard-packed earth as the soldiers from Estalis under the command of General Joash Marcus were led through the training grounds to the edge of the western barracks, where a young officer stood shouting orders. His sharp voice cut through the air like a blade, and the soldiers under his command obeyed with a precision that spoke of fear—and respect.

Commander Aramis turned as the procession approached, his dark hair slick with sweat, armor dented but dignified. His eyes narrowed when he spotted the group. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Joash stepped forward. "Commander Aramis."

Aramis tilted his head, then gave a short nod. "General Joash... you’re far from Estalis."

"I’m where I believe the fight is just," Joash Marcus replied. His gaze was focused on the commander, who was no older than his son, but there was something in him that looked familiar. He felt the same way when he was talking to Angus earlier.

Aramis looked him over, then his son, then the rest of the soldiers and the civilians behind them. "You’ve brought your people here, to risk everything on a chance?"

"I brought them here for a future." He said with a resoluteness in his voice.

A long pause stretched between them. Then Angus came from behind the barracks. He stepped beside Joash, and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"Then welcome to Calma." He said, his voice welcoming. ’Let’s see if you’re as good as I remember.’ He added silently.

Meeting Kane Mendel

Alaric and Lara had walked side by side as they proceeded to the training grounds, where the Estalian soldiers who defected were lining up and being interrogated by Angus, Aramis, and Redon.

When they noticed the duo joining them, they gave them a curt nod. "Greetings, Your Highness and Miss Lara," the three greeted in unison.

Alaric gave a brief nod, then turned to the man in armor. "Are you General Joash Marcus?"

Alaric studied him for a long moment. There’s no deception in him, he realized. Only weariness and conviction.

The general with head bowed nodded, keeping his gaze lowered. Alaric scrutinized him, trying to gauge his intent. What he saw in his eyes was sincerity.

Then Alaric turned to Lara, lifting her hand and presenting her to the gathered soldiers. "This is Kane Mendel," he announced.

Gasps rippled through the ranks.

Joash’s eyes widened in disbelief.

A woman?