Return of the General's Daughter
Chapter 70: Meeting The General

Chapter 70: Meeting The General

Lara hastily reached into the side pocket of her backpack, fingers brushing against the coarse fabric before pulling out a mask. With practiced ease, she secured it over her lower face, the material snug against her skin.

Aramis watched her lazily, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze.

"What’s with the mask?" he drawled.

She adjusted it without looking at him. "Dust. I don’t like inhaling it."

The tall guard looked at him strangely. Hadn’t he traveled without it for some time now?

They continued their journey, and for the first time, they rode side by side. No games, no reckless galloping. Their horses had endured enough, and they both knew it.

"We’ll need fresh horses in the next town," Aramis muttered.

"Can I keep, Chestnut?" Something in her voice softened, a quiet gentleness she hadn’t intended. It was a tinge of gentleness unique to a woman’s voice.

Aramis cast her a sideglance. He looked thoughtful.

"It will only delay us. The horse can’t make it if we want to travel faster."

Lara nodded. He knew more about long-distance riding than she did. Her experience had been in speed, not endurance.

When they reached the next town, they stopped to change horses.

Lara was reluctant to part with Chestnut, so Aramis got her a horse of the same breed and color as the previous one — chestnut.

As they awaited the preparation of their fresh steeds, they opted to enjoy a hearty meal at a tavern. The rustic wooden tables were bustling with patrons, each lost in cheerful conversation, their laughter mingling with the crackle of the fireplace, creating an atmosphere of comfort and camaraderie.

Lara hadn’t realized that a bar already existed a long time ago. She thought that it was only during modern times that resto-bars appeared.

She reluctantly reached for her mask. With a deep breath, she peeled it away, the air cool against her skin. As she set the mask aside, her stomach growled in anticipation, and she was eager to savor the delightful meal before her.

Aramis’ gaze lingered on her face.

"Why did you shave your mustache? You look like an effeminate without one." He smirked.

Lara ignored him and continued eating. She deliberately ate with gusto, with no touch of elegance. She thought that if she didn’t talk, then he would stop talking.

"You ought to let them grow back," Aramis repeated when he noticed Lara ignored his words so casually, his gaze steady and unwavering. "It would give you a more rugged, masculine appearance." His words hung in the air, imbued with a hint of indifference that masked the underlying sincerity.

"What are you implying, Aramis? That I looked gay?" She gritted her teeth and tried to control her anger.

"It is your own word, Kane. Not mine."

’Why did Alaric choose this annoying soldier to accompany me?’ she muttered.

"I thought it is only Agilus who was eloquent. Speak some more, and I will call you Blabber Mouth Jr. and tell your Master."

"I am sorry, Kane. I overstepped my boundaries." Aramis said. He stood and bowed slightly toward Lara. She could hear the sincerity in his voice.

Before Lara could answer, a woman neatly dressed approached their table. She had a sweet smile on her face.

"Sir, My madam would like to invite you for a private chat in the room upstairs." the woman pointed her fingers to the second floor.

Lara’s gaze lingered on the woman standing before her. She studied the figure closely, noting the crisp, neatly pressed gray dress that suggested a life of diligent service. The woman’s calloused yet graceful hands hinted at years spent meticulously caring for others. A faint smell of lavender clung to her sleeves, evoking images of freshly cleaned linens. Lara couldn’t help but conclude that this was likely the maid of the woman caught in the web of her employer’s world.

"Young lady, please tell your Madam that I am sorry. I have an important thing to do and cannot afford to linger here. We are just having our dinner before leaving."

The woman looked panicked.

"Sir, if you have even the faintest idea of who Madam truly is, you will undoubtedly find it impossible to leave her side." The woman continued to coerce her.

"Thankfully, I do not know your Madam, so I cannot stay. Even if I do, I will not stay." Lara sneered.

The woman was visibly agitated, her heart racing as anxiety clawed at her insides. She felt the weight of her task bearing down on her; failure was not an option. With a sense of urgency, she leaned closer to Lara, her breath warm and hurried as she whispered the name of her madam, each syllable dripping with significance and secretive intent.

A pungent smell of cheap perfume assaulted her nose, and she almost gagged.

"How dare you!" Lara pushed her away. One of the things she hated the most was when someone, a stranger, encroached on her personal space.

The woman lay sprawled on the cold floor, her body wracked with agony. Tears streamed down her cheeks, glistening in the dim light as she gasped, each breath a struggle.

"It’s just a push. How did she end up like that?" Lara frowned.

"That move! It is incredible! You are much better than how Master wards off annoying flies buzzing around him." Aramis said, half-chuckling.

"How brave of you, Aramis. If I tell your Master that you are gossiping about him behind his back, do you know what your fate would be?"

"I know, and I am very sorry, Kane. Please forget what I said earlier." Aramis said, feeling wronged.

...

Three days and nights passed in a blur.

At last, they reached their destination. Mount Hainai.

The soldiers’ encampment sprawled at the foot of the mountain, a sea of tents blending into the rugged terrain.

Aramis was familiar with the camp as they had stayed there for a few months. He led Kane to a huge tent beneath a sprawling tree where men in armor moved with quiet urgency.

As they approached, four soldiers stepped into their path, blocking them.

Lara met their eyes, voice calm and unwavering.

"I have an urgent message from General Alaric Kromwel."

For a moment, silence.

Then, a deep, gruff voice rang out from within the tent.

"Let him in."

Lara stepped forward, her heart was racing.