Return of the General's Daughter-Chapter 282: Visiting Sandoz

A/N: I republished the previous Chapter to correct some mistakes.

...

When Lara returned home from the banquet, the sound of soft paws skittering across the floor greeted her before she even stepped into her room. Two tiny cubs with dark fur bounded toward her with uncontainable joy. Their fluffy tails wagged furiously, tongues lolled from their mouths, and eyes were bright with affection.

"Little Grey! Snow! Did you miss me?" she cooed, kneeling to scoop the wriggling pups into her arms.

"My Lady," Reya said, appearing at the doorway with a gentle smile, "they were restless all evening. They wouldn’t settle until they heard your voice."

Lara laughed, pressing her cheek to the soft fur. "Then the day after tomorrow, we’ll take them to the woods. They deserve to run."

Behind the Norse estate stretched a patch of woodland, a quiet haven where the pups could dash through fallen leaves and chase the wind. As the laughter faded, Lara drifted toward the window, her eyes drawn to the endless night sky. Stars glimmered like scattered fireflies across a sea of velvet darkness. Her smile faded.

She missed Calma—the serene lawn of her master’s home, the playful chaos of the twins, and the warm presence of the ladies of Gabriella.

"Do you miss Calma, My Lady?" Reya asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lara turned slightly. "Do you?"

Reya nodded. "Yes, but... not as much as I miss Sandoz." Her brow creased with worry. "Do you think he’s being treated well at the Arches Estate?"

Lara crossed the room slowly and looked out the window again. "He’s the only son of the Duke Connor Arces. They wouldn’t dare mistreat him."

"My Lady... may we visit him? Just to be sure?" Reya’s voice carried a quiet urgency.

Lara turned, reading the longing in Reya’s eyes. The bond between her and Sandoz had always gone deeper than loyalty—Reya had raised him like her own. And Sandoz, in turn, had clung to her like she was his mother, while she was the elder sister.

"I’ll speak to Father. We’ll go tomorrow. I also missed that boy."

"You’re the kindest, My Lady," Reya said, already turning to draw a bath. "Take your bath and rest now. You must be tired."

...

The next morning, a sleek black carriage bearing the crest of the House of Odin Norse, rattled along the winding roads toward Arches Estate. Inside, Lara sat beside her parents and Reya, cloaked in quiet anticipation.

Before they left, her brothers had erupted in noisy protest.

Asael had wanted to come, prompting an outcry from Galahad and Gideon. Mira had insisted she should go too—after all, visiting the Duke Arces was an opportunity for connection.

"You don’t even know Sandoz," Percival snapped at her. "I should go. He definitely misses me more than anyone."

"Sandoz is closer to me," Bener said flatly.

"You’re both wrong," Gideon chimed in. "I’m his favorite."

Odin had a headache. He silenced them all with a single look. "No one is coming. That’s final."

After almost two hours of traveling on the rough road, they arrived at the imposing Castle of Arches.

Lara leaned forward, eyes wide with awe. Arches Castle stood proudly behind its moat—a massive stone structure with soaring towers and an ancient drawbridge that groaned under the carriage’s weight. She marveled at the sight. For the first time, she guessed that the world she had transmigrated into truly felt between the 14th and 16th centuries.

Knights in armor bowed as the Norse carriage passed through the gatehouse and into a broad courtyard that bustled with movement. Beyond was the training ground where squires sparred. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and horses.

But Lara’s attention was fixed on the training field beyond.

There, across the lawn, was Sandoz—struggling to parry strikes from a tall, broad-shouldered man wielding not a wooden training sword but a metal one. The boy’s small frame was drenched in sweat. His movements were sluggish, and as his eyes flicked toward the carriage, a strike landed squarely on his shoulder. He crumpled slightly from the impact.

Lara’s heart clenched.

"Father, Mother, I’ll go over there," she said, already stepping down. Reya followed closely behind while her parents were escorted back to the courtyard.

As they crossed the training ground, Sandoz spotted them and broke into a run, ignoring his master’s harsh bark.

"Sister!" he cried, throwing himself into Lara’s embrace.

She caught him easily, but frowned when he flinched. Gently, she tried to lift his shirt, but he pulled away.

"Sandoz..." Lara’s voice turned firm. "Let me see."

The boy hesitated, eyes lowered. But he couldn’t resist as she pulled the fabric upward.

Reya gasped aloud.

Bruises—purple, yellowing, some fresh and angry—mottled his ribs and back like cruel fingerprints.

"Who is the bastard that beat you?" Reya’s voice trembled with fury. She and Sandoz have been training under Lara and sometimes Grandpa Jethru’s guidance, but they never had so many bruises.

"It’s... it’s just training," Sandoz mumbled, avoiding their eyes. "Father said I had to learn fast. And Master Jansen says pain teaches best. He said, No pain, No glory."

"Does it hurt?" Lara asked softly.

He nodded, silent tears brimming in his eyes. "It hurt more at first. Now... I’m used to it. My master said I am too slow, so I get hit often."

"Does your father know?" she asked, her voice low, dangerous.

"Yes. But Sir Jansen tells him it’s necessary," he said in a small voice.

"Are you being bullied here?" Lara asked, her voice was calm.

Sandoz trembled. He knew Lara was very angry.

"No, Sis. Father treats me well, and also my mother. It’s just that he demanded that I learn swordsmanship and other fighting techniques. I started late, so I need to catch up."

"Damn it." Lara cursed.

A storm gathered behind her calm eyes. She handed Sandoz to Reya and told her to apply ointment on his bruises. She turned just as the bulky trainer approached.

Lara’s gaze flicked to the tall man, perhaps around 1.9 meters. She took Sandoz’s training sword. It was also made from metal, but shorter.

"Sandoz," Jansen growled, "Who told you training was over? Did I tell you that you can go?" Jansen’s stern voice was like a fuse that ignited Lara’s fury.

"I did," Lara said coldly, stepping forward. "And it’s going to be over for you if you don’t explain why a child in your care is covered in bruises."

"Girl, your overstepping," he roared.

"The boy’s body is riddled with bruises. Didn’t you know that it could damage the nerves and lead to deeper tissue damage and complications?"

"Preposterous! How dare you speak to me like that? You dare insult a knight of Arches?"

"Yes, I dare. I even dare to challenge you to a duel."

"You..." Sir Jansen could not believe that a young woman would challenge him. Was she insulting him?