Return of the General's Daughter-Chapter 281: The Admonition

Princess Ceres frowned when she noticed that it was Mira and Amelia performing for her. Why was Lara not with them?

The soft music started playing.

Mira and Amelia stepped gracefully onto the polished floor before the elevated platform. The crowd shifted, forming a wide semicircle around them.

At the side, Asael leaned forward slightly, his gaze on Mira.

He heard what Mira said earlier. On the surface, she was speaking for Lara, but he felt something was off. Then he remembered what Lara told him when they were in Carles. Based on Reya’s accounts, Mira’s servants knocked them down.

The eldest of the Norse brothers scrutinized Mira as she danced. She was a constant presence in the Norse manor as she was chosen to be Lara’s companion. During those times, she acted like a caring and doting sister. But was she really innocent? Was it Hook who masterminded Lara’s abduction? Did she not lend a hand? Asael made a resolve to watch her closely, moving forward.

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a presence beside him. It was Lara. She stood beside him, silent, arms crossed loosely as she watched Mira and Amelia.

The opening notes of the dance drifted through the hall like wind through a curtain—elegant, measured. Mira’s heart beat in time with the rhythm, but it wasn’t nerves that made her palms damp. It was Lara’s eyes on her. Cool, curious, assessing.

Mira and Amelia moved as one, the steps precise and flowing—graceful turns, mirrored flourishes, sudden stillnesses that held tension like a bowstring. The choreography was Lara’s—she had woven it like a spell, threading together something nontraditional, newer, freer form. It was subtle but revolutionary. Even the older nobles noticed the difference.

As Mira danced, her gown swirling around her ankles, she became aware of the silence around her. There were no murmurs or laughter, only the music and the whisper of fabric against the marble. It was working. The audience was enchanted.

But Mira’s thoughts swirled like the hem of her gown. She had not been the first to learn the dance. She rehearsed and practiced hard. And yet— she could feel it slipping. It would be Lara who would be remembered because she was the first to dance like this. It was her dance, her legacy!

Amelia stumbled—not noticeably, but Mira felt it in the timing, the faint hesitation. Her partner’s breath caught in frustration. But Mira smiled more brightly, using it, turning it into part of the performance. That, too, Lara had taught them. "Mistakes are only visible if you let them break the illusion."

When the final spin ended and the two of them bowed, the silence shattered into applause. Loud, generous, and surprised.

"Magnificent," someone said.

"That’s Lara’s choreography, isn’t it?" whispered a noblewoman.

"Yes, but Mira and Amelia performed it flawlessly," came another voice.

"Not as beautiful as her dance last time, but it is good," another voice.

Mira caught her breath. She glanced at Lara, who clapped politely. Her expression seemed happy, and her eyes were bright.

"Congratulations! You can improve on some things, but that was a good start. That dance was beautiful," She said.

Amelia smiled and thanked her before hugging her. Lara stiffened. She didn’t know why she felt uncomfortable with her friend’s proximity.

Mira smiled before thanking Lara and giving her a hug while she sought Alaric’s eyes. Their eyes met briefly, and Mira’s heart fluttered, especially when he went their way.

Did he like the dance? Is he going to congratulate me?

"Excuse me, can I have a word with Lara?" Alaric said politely. Mira was stunned. He did not come to congratulate her but to get Lara?

But before Alaric and Lara could leave, the master of ceremonies came again.

"The celebrant’s wish tonight is to share a dance with Prince Alaric."

Alaric’s eyes darkened. He wanted to storm out of the ballroom, but Lara tugged on his sleeve. "It is just a dance, Al. Besides, she is your half-sister."

Alaric stared at Lara, furious. "Are you pushing me to her?" he said through gritted teeth.

"No. It is not like that."

Ceres had already descended a few steps of the elevated platform. People were looking at Prince Alaric, and in the end, he reluctantly went to her and led her to the dance floor.

Ceres was beaming with pride and wearing her affection for Alaric on her face.

Mira frowned. Before, she was only suspicious. But now she could confirm that Ceres liked Alaric. She breathed deeply. First, Lara and then Ceres. Why were there so many women who liked the man she loved?

Alaric’s movement was perfunctory, and it was obvious that he was keeping a distance. The dance soon ended. Alaric escorted Ceres back to the seat of honor.

Then came the master of ceremonies again, calling a few more performances before announcing the end of the banquet.

Mira felt stifled, so she went out to get some fresh air.

The ballroom slowly emptied, though small groups lingered, discussing the performances, the dances, and most of all—Lara.

Mira stood on the balcony watching the people filing out and getting into their carriages.

Behind her, waves of laughter echoed faintly from the ballroom.

"I didn’t know you were still here," said a low voice.

It was Asael.

"I needed air," Mira replied, not turning.

He stepped beside her. "You danced well."

"Thank you for the compliment, Bother. It wasn’t enough, though." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"It was never going to be," he said bluntly. "Not while she’s standing there."

Mira flinched. "Then why did you help her come back?"

"Because I’m her brother," Asael said. "And because we all owe her that much."

Mira looked at him, then past him—where Lara stood now among a circle of admirers, Alaric at her side.

Mira’s jaw tightened. "And what about me, Asael?"

"What do you mean? You’re always our cousin, and we adopted you into the family. We treat you like our sister, but if you hurt Lara, we can only send you back." Asael tapped Mira’s shoulder. "Lara...we lost her for two years, but she has returned. She’s something else. And everyone sees it now. I can see that you are jealous. Don’t be."

Asael had never spoken so many words to her in one breath. But tonight he did.

"Don’t scheme against her or bully her. If you do, I might forget that you are our cousin and we adopted you."

With that, he walked away, leaving Mira staring into the night, alone with her thoughts and the echo of applause that still rang in her ears.