Return of the General's Daughter
Chapter 151: Once A Master

Chapter 151: Once A Master

"What happened to Lara?"

Jethru strode in through the back door, his brow furrowed in concern. Sweat glistened on his wrinkled forehead, trickling down his temples, a testament to whatever arduous task had kept him occupied. His tunic, once pristine, was now smeared with dirt, especially along the hem, as if he had just come from the fields or a fight.

Lara and Alaric, seated on the wooden chairs, immediately stood to greet him. Their movements were synchronized as if they had a tacit understanding.

Before either could speak, the ever-chatty Reya piped up, her voice filled with worry.

"Grandpa, Miss has a large bruise on her arm—" She halted mid-sentence, catching the stern warning glance Lara shot her way.

Jethru wasted no time. In four swift steps, he was beside Lara. With careful yet urgent hands, he rolled up the sleeve of her right arm. His sharp gaze darkened at the sight of the bruise, the edges already fading but still visible. Deep creases marred his forehead as he wordlessly examined the injury. Without hesitation, he took her left arm and found the same dark marks—identical in shape, in pattern.

His expression turned to that of a father reprimanding a disobedient child. "You were attacked by a constrictor?" His voice carried both incredulity and reprimand. "How could you be so careless?"

Lara’s heart sank at the scolding.

"Grandpa," she addressed him, deliberately choosing the familial term instead of ’Master.’ "I nearly died, and you’re still chastising me?" A flicker of frustration crossed her face. "Do you even care how terrifying it was?"

"Miss..." Reya was shocked. "Miss... but you said it was nothing."

Jethru was dumbstruck when he saw the sadness in Lara’s eyes. Was she not joking? He had always known Lara to be strong—capable beyond most. But the sadness in her eyes unsettled him.

Did she really almost died?

His tone softened. "I’m sorry, child. I didn’t mean it that way."

After a beat, he shifted his gaze to Alaric, but his question was addressed to Lara. "Then tell me, how did you escape?"

Alaric coughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"She... bit the snake." His voice held both amusement and admiration. "That’s how she freed her hand before stabbing it."

Lara shot him a sharp look, her expression unreadable. Then, in a firm voice, she corrected him.

"Alaric saved me, Grandpa. He killed the snake."

Jethru turned to Alaric and bowed slightly, to everyone’s surprise. "Thank you, Your Highness, for saving the life of my disciple."

Alaric’s expression darkened.

"Please, just call me Alaric or General Kromwel. We are outside the capital, after all."

A flicker of admiration appeared in Jethru’s eyes. He gave the prince a complicated look, as if trying to reconcile the prince with the warrior before him.

Jethru had noted Prince Alaric’s humility. He was hoping that he was not acting but that it was truly his character.

A hoarse voice came from the kitchen. "Lara is back?"

Samuel stepped in through the back door. Despite his age, his eyes were still sharp as they scanned the room, settling on Lara first before drifting to the tall man at her side.

"Hello, Grandpa Samuel. You are looking good." Lara greeted the old man cheerfully with a slight bow.

Samuel chuckled. "Your master’s medicine worked wonders. And good food helps."

Then his gaze settled on Alaric. For the briefest moment, something flickered in his eyes—recognition, perhaps—but it was gone just as quickly, replaced by a polite smile.

"And this gentleman is...?"

Alaric stepped forward. "I am General Alaric Kromwel, Sir."

Samuel’s posture straightened instantly. His sharp eyes locked onto Alaric’s, his pupils constricting ever so slightly.

Then, Alaric did something that sent a wave of shock through the room.

He bowed.

"It is an honor to see you again after all these years, Teacher." Alaric’s voice was respectful.

Jethru and Lara stiffened in unison, their eyes wide, mouths slightly agape. Samuel and Alaric knew each other.

Samuel was rooted on the spot. Disbelief was written on his face. Did he recognize me? How could it be?

Alaric as if reading Samuel’s thoughts spoke, "I am good at remembering faces, especially those that left an impression on me."

Lara glancing back and forth between the two men standing before her. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, and she could almost feel the weight of their shared history. "How did you know each other?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as curiosity and confusion danced in her eyes.

Alaric gave a small nod. "He was my first martial arts teacher."

Samuel’s lips curled into a smirk, his eyes gleaming with a memory. "Ah, those were the days—back when he was nothing more than a scrappy little rascal, mischievous, full of untamed spirit, and brimming with a child’s energy. He wasn’t much older than Alpha, a wild spark waiting to ignite."

Jethru let out a derisive scoff, his brow furrowed in annoyance. "Old man, his name is Ivan, not Alpha," he said, emphasizing each word as if correcting a child who didn’t understand their lessons.

Samuel rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. "You are over-complicating simple things. He already had a name. Why change it?"

Alaric cleared his throat to get the attention of the two bickering masters.

"Teacher, where have you been all these years? Why did you never return to the palace? I searched for you. I asked my nanny and even the new teacher, but no one knew. Then, I learned you had left Savadra altogether."

Samuel and Jethru exchanged a glance—one heavy with unspoken words.

Samuel finally exhaled, his voice carrying a quiet annoyance. "The capital became too small for us, lad. And there were already too many martial arts masters in Savadra. It was time to move on."

Though Samuel spoke as if it did not matter, Alaric still had a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He understood that there might be a hidden story about why his most respected teacher, who had promised to take him as his disciple, disappeared from the capital.

While observing, Lara pondered how small the world had become. Moreover, how could there be such coincidences? Was it fate bringing these people into her life?

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