Return of the General's Daughter
Chapter 149: The House At the End Of The Alley

Chapter 149: The House At the End Of The Alley

For the next two days after the snake attack, Lara remained in her room, recuperating in silence. The pain from her injuries had dulled, but bruises lingered beneath her skin, a reminder of the battle she had narrowly escaped. Each evening, she soaked in a medicinal bath infused with healing herbs, its warmth seeping into her battered body. The ointment Alaric had given her worked wonders, hastening the fading of the deep purple scattered across her skin.

On the third day, when she recovered her strength, though her body still ached, she could no longer afford to wait. She wanted to leave the plateau to reunite with her master, Reya, and Sandoz.

Alaric wanted her to stay for another day, but Lara, equally stubborn, refused. The prince sighed, recognizing the futility of arguing with her, and conceded.

"If you must go, then we go together," he said.

Thus, exactly one week after she turned seventeen, Lara descended Mount Ourea, accompanied by Prince Alaric and his twenty-four elite soldiers.

They passed by the village entrusted to take care of their horses. Agilus paid the village chief generously before leading the group to retrieve their mounts.

Twenty-five horses stood waiting.

Aramis glanced at Kane, who stood without a mount of his own. With a smirk, he was about to offer Kane a ride with him, but the moment Alaric’s icy stare landed on him, he immediately reconsidered. Aramis shrank back, swallowing his words.

In the end, it was Lara who rode with Alaric. Seated behind him, she hesitated only for a moment before wrapping her arms around his waist for balance. As Alaric spurred his horse forward, they left behind a swirling cloud of dust, the wind carrying the whispers of the soldiers left in their wake.

Agilus and Aramis exchanged a look.

The rest of the soldiers remained expressionless, but within their ranks, silent thoughts swirled—each man recognizing the prince’s uncharacteristic attentiveness to the young soldier, Kane.

"Agilus, you are the closest to our prince. Why don’t you introduce more women to him?" Aramis lowered his voice, afraid that Angus, who was mounting his horse, would hear.

Agilus exhaled heavily. "The queen has already sent him two concubines," he murmured. "He hasn’t even spared them a glance."

With that, he spurred his horse forward, following the dust trail of their prince.

...

By the time the group arrived in town, the sun had begun its descent, casting elongated shadows along the narrow alleys. The streets that bustled with activity in the morning—merchants shouting their wares as the scent of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air—were now deserted.

Lara learned that her master had already moved to the place he had purchased, a modest two-story building at the end of the alley called Paseo Narra. Declining Alaric’s offer to escort her further, she thanked him and parted ways.

The property that her master purchased was not very far from the marketplace. After thirty minutes of walking, she reached the entrance to the narrow alley.

The alley was more prosperous than she had expected. Unlike the worn-down homes she had imagined, two-story houses lined both sides of the street, enclosed behind sturdy wooden fences. The cobblestone path was well-maintained, and despite the narrowness of the passage, it was clear that some of the town’s wealthier residents lived here.

After walking three hundred meters, she passed twenty houses on each side before finally arriving at the end of the alley.

Then she saw the house. It was larger than the others, its grandeur unexpected. Lara arched an eyebrow. So, her master had finally decided to spend his wealth. The house must have cost a fortune.

She counted three sets of double windows protected by sliding wooden panels that acted as shutters. Jethru had told her five rooms were on the second floor, meaning two more were hidden from view. She lifted her gaze to the roof—it was designed with weatherproof gables and covered in bark shingles. Overhanging eaves stretched protectively over the entrance, which was hidden behind a tall wooden fence.

The house faced a street that ran perpendicular to the alley. It was a good location. Her master said the house was one of the many properties of a baron. In fact, the whole alley belonged to him, and the residents were just leasing from him. However, he needed a lot of money to fund the building of his mansion at Legares. Hence, he decided to sell the house.

A two-meter fence surrounded the property, its imposing gate marked by an arched sign that read: House of Mendel.

Lara let out a chuckle. Where was the low-key master she knew?

She reached for the iron ring knocker and rapped it against the gate.

A moment passed. Then another.

A small viewing hatch slid open from the inside, and she heard a sharp gasp before the gate suddenly swung wide.

"Miss, you have finally returned!"

Reya, dressed in a simple apron dusted with flour, launched herself forward, pulling Lara into a tight embrace.

Lara winced in pain. Her torso was still aching. Even the muscles in her arms have not fully healed yet. Perhaps she needed a week more before the bruises could heal.

Across the alley, a few windows creaked open. She could feel curious eyes peering at her from behind curtains.

Lara gently pulled Reya inside but left the gate slightly ajar

"Miss, are you hurt?" Reya asked, stepping back to inspect her. Concern lined her delicate features as she searched Lara’s expression.

Lara smiled. Of course, she couldn’t see anything because her bruises were hidden by the long sleeves of her upper garment.

Lara smiled faintly. "It’s nothing."

But Reya wasn’t convinced. Without asking for permission, she stepped closer, took Lara’s sleeve and rolled it up.

Lara hesitated but didn’t stop her.

Reya inhaled sharply. Her hands flew to her mouth as she took in the sight of Lara’s bruised arms. Though the swelling had gone down, deep violet and blue patches still marred her fair skin.

"Miss, what happened to you?"

"It is nothing, Reya. It was just an accident. Where is Master and the others?"

No sooner had she finished her words when she heard footsteps descending from the wooden staircase.

Before Reya could answer, a burst of excited voices cut through the air.

"Sister! You’re back!"

A small figure came barreling toward her, arms spread wide. Sandoz.

Lara’s eyes widened. Oh No.