Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 26: The Imperial Banquet (Part-6)

His hands tightened unconsciously at his sides. Only moments ago, he had been firmly rejected by both his parents. Now, in the blink of an eye, the woman he wanted was being handed to another man.

To his elder imperial uncle.

The humiliation burned far more fiercely than any reprimand.

Emperor Alexander let out a short laugh before waving his hand decisively.

"Very well. Since both the Empress and Minister Henry agree, this marriage shall be decided."

One sentence.

One decree.

The fate of two people was sealed just like that.

Zora and Prince Kael couldn’t help but exchange a glance.

For the first time, true surprise flickered across both their faces.

Neither of them had expected that a marriage contract—so heavy, so binding—would fall upon them in such a sudden, absurd manner.

General Helius’s face finally turned ashen.

The Emperor had not even spared him a glance before arranging his daughter’s marriage. That meant only one thing—the Emperor was displeased with him.

But to General Helius, Zora had long ceased to be of any importance.

If the Emperor wished her to marry, then so be it.

A daughter he had already abandoned meant nothing to him.

From the corner of the garden, Luna, however, watched the scene unfold, her eyes gradually lighting up with twisted excitement.

So what if Zora was dazzling today?

In the end, she still had to marry a crippled prince.

Anyone in the capital knew that Prince Kael, despite his noble title, was never favored by the Emperor. With a crippled body and no real power, what future could he offer?

"Perfect," she thought bitterly. "Perfect punishment."

Not far away, Icarus sneered openly.

"To be married to a disabled prince—this is her retribution," he muttered. "Looks like I don’t even need to dirty my hands anymore."

The whispers among the crowd grew louder.

"This Zora really has terrible luck—first abandoned by the Crown Prince, now assigned to a cripple."

"Even if Prince Kael is handsome, what use is it? With a disabled body, her life is no different from ruin."

"What a pity..."

From the center of those murmurs, Prince Kael turned calmly to Zora.

His lips curved slowly, lazily, with a trace of amusement that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Looks like fate is firmly set between us," he said softly. "It seems I must now call you mine."

There was even a hint of satisfaction in his tone.

"Today, I truly gained a new appreciation for Minister Henry"

Nearby, Alder stared at his lord in disbelief.

Alder felt his head buzzing as if someone had struck it hard with a hammer.

His thoughts were completely tangled, unable to make sense of what had just happened.

When they had first arrived in the Empire, Emperor Alexander had personally proposed a marriage alliance for his master. Back then, the young master had rejected it without the slightest hesitation, without even sparing it a second thought.

Yet now, in the blink of an eye, not only had a marriage been established, it had even fallen on Zora—of all people. The sudden reversal was so dramatic that even his sharp mind could not immediately accept it.

Zora gently pressed her lips together, her eyes flickering with faint amusement.

To be honest, even she herself had not expected the night banquet to take such a turn. What had been meant to be an Imperial Banquet that was conducted for Prince Philip had somehow become her own fate-deciding moment. The world truly liked to make jokes at the most unexpected times.

"So..." she raised her brows slightly and looked at Prince Kael, her tone light yet probing, "is there truly no other solution to this situation?"

Prince Kael tilted his head slightly, a faint smile curving at the corners of his lips as he studied her expression. "Do you want to resist?"

Her gaze paused for a moment, then she shook her head slowly. "No." Her answer was calm and unforced. "Marrying anyone is still marrying. At least if I marry you, your face is pleasing to the eye. As for everything else..." She paused slightly, the smile on her lips deepening. "Well, let’s just say you’re a little poor."

Behind that casual tone was a clear understanding of reality. Both the Emperor and the Empress had been displeased today. Even if she resisted this marriage, they would only find another excuse to suppress or control her. Rather than struggle uselessly, it was better to accept the situation and turn it to her own advantage. Besides, she no longer had any attachment to the House Phoenix. The Prince’s residence was, in a way, a decent refuge.

Under gazes filled with sympathy, ridicule, curiosity, and malice, Zora stepped forward and accepted the imperial decree with unruffled composure.

There was no trembling in her hands, nor any visible reluctance. When she turned back around, the faint smile on her face was proud and free, as if she had just gained something rather than lost it.

Her calmness exceeded everyone’s expectations.

From a former Crown Princess candidate to the consort of a disabled prince—this was a fall that many people would not be able to endure without collapsing. Yet from beginning to end, Zora had not shown the slightest hint of sorrow, fear, or shame. Her posture remained straight, her gaze clear, as though none of this truly mattered to her.

She calmly returned to her seat, still chatting lightly and laughing softly with Prince Kael, leaving the surrounding crowd exchanging bewildered glances.

"This woman is just putting on a brave front," Luna sneered coldly, the corners of her lips twitching with venomous delight. "Who doesn’t know that she’s finished for life?"

Icarus leaned closer to her, his dark eyes flashing with cruel intent. "Sister, once the banquet ends, let us teach her a proper lesson."

A vicious smile slowly spread across Luna’s face. Her eyes, once filled with pretense and gentleness, were now brimming with malice. "Icarus, this time, she must pay a heavy price."

In the past, she had only liked to mock the foolish and obedient Zora, watching her embarrassment for entertainment. The real dirty work had always been left to Icarus.

But now, with their faces completely torn apart, she no longer had any need for restraint. Zora dared to steal the heart of His Royal Highness—then she would make her taste the true bitterness of living!

On the other side, Prince Kael tapped his folding fan lightly against his palm, his expression playful as always. "My dear fiancée, since we are already betrothed, when do you think we should set the engagement gifts?"

Emperor Alexander had long wanted to bind him into a political marriage, but he had never been interested in any noble lady. Yet now, faced with Zora as the chosen bride, he found that he didn’t feel any unwillingness at all.

Zora shot him a sidelong glance, her phoenix eyes glinting with undisguised disdain. "With your current wealth, what kind of grand betrothal gifts can you afford? Don’t tell me you’re planning to give me a few hundred gold coins and call it a day."

"Now, now, that wouldn’t do." Prince Kael’s eyes darkened slightly, rare seriousness flashing through their depths. "Since you are to become my wife, our wedding must be magnificent."

Her heart skipped ever so slightly at the weight in his words.