The General's Daughter: The Mission

Then, with impeccable courtesy, Yohannes offered Lara his arm and escorted her toward the staircase.

They had barely taken a single step when someone moved into their path.

Ares.

The ballroom seemed to fall away.

For one suspended moment, neither man spoke.

Their gazes locked.

One pair of eyes, dark as polished obsidian. The other, brilliant amber, burning with quiet authority. Invisible sparks crackled between them, as though two kings stood on opposite sides of an unseen battlefield.

Lara instinctively held her breath.

After a long, measured pause, Yohannes smiled with effortless grace.

”As you wish.”

With a courteous nod, the Crown Prince of Zalmeria released Lara’s arm and stepped aside. Without another word, he descended the stage, leaving her standing before Ares.

Ares walked toward her with unhurried confidence.

In his hands rested an exquisitely crafted brocade box.

He opened it.

A soft murmur rippled through the ballroom.

Nestled inside lay a magnificent double-strand Baroda pearl necklace. Every pearl was perfectly matched, its creamy luster catching the glow of the crystal chandeliers until it seemed to shimmer with moonlight itself.

Without asking for permission, Ares lifted the necklace. His fingers brushed lightly against the back of Lara’s neck as he fastened the clasp.

The cool pearls settled gently against her skin.

Then he opened a second compartment inside the box and placed a pair of matching teardrop pearl earrings into her palm.

”Put them on.”

His tone was calm, leaving no room for refusal.

Lara looked at him, utterly bewildered.

”...Ares...”

The countless eyes watching from below suddenly made her acutely aware of herself.

Still, under his unwavering gaze, she slowly slipped the earrings onto her ears.

Ares studied her for a heartbeat.

The pearls suited her perfectly.

Then, as if he had merely remembered something trivial, he reached into his pocket and withdrew another brocade box.

Lara blinked. He opened it.

Resting on a bed of midnight-blue velvet was a vivid pink diamond, approximately one and a half carats, mounted on a simple platinum band.

It wasn’t excessively large. It wasn’t meant to impress strangers. It was elegant and refined, a ring meant to be worn every day.

Lara’s heartbeat stumbled.

...What is he doing?

A sudden realization flashed through her mind.

Wait...

Is he... proposing?

Before she could gather her thoughts, Ares gently took her left hand.

His fingers were warm. With effortless certainty, he slid the ring onto her finger.

It fit perfectly.

For a heartbeat, the ballroom was utterly silent. Then thunderous applause erupted from every corner of the hall. Some guests rose to their feet. Others cheered.

Camera flashes sparkled like lightning beneath the chandeliers.

Lara’s cheeks burned crimson. Embarrassed, she slowly lifted her eyes to meet Ares’s.

He wasn’t smiling.

But there was something unmistakably tender in the way he looked at her—something possessive, protective... and undeniably pleased.

Her heart betrayed her with a wild, uneven beat.

”L-Let’s go down,” she murmured, unable to endure the countless eyes fixed upon them. ”We’re delaying the auction.”

Ares gave a small nod.

As though nothing extraordinary had happened, he offered her his arm and escorted her down the staircase.

Only when they reached the table did he lean closer.

His warm breath brushed against her ear.

”Since you accepted the ring,” he whispered, ”you’re officially my girlfriend.”

Lara stopped mid-step.

She turned to him, completely caught off guard.

”...Isn’t the ring part of a jewelry set?”

The words escaped before she could stop them.

Even as she said them, she realized how ridiculous they sounded.

The necklace and earrings were pearls. The ring was a diamond. They obviously didn’t belong together.

Ares looked at her for a long moment before the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

”Don’t play dumb.”

He pulled out her chair with practiced ease, waiting until she was seated before taking the chair beside her.

He deliberately chose the seat closest to her, leaving no empty space for anyone else.

Across the table, Crown Prince Yohannes watched the exchange with quiet amusement.

Princess Zinnia, however, was another matter.

She forced a smile, though her fingers tightened around her wineglass.

”It seems,” she remarked sweetly, ”that you care very deeply for Miss Larissa Reyes... gifting her such an extraordinary pearl set.”

Ares didn’t even hesitate.

”She’s my girlfriend.”

His voice was calm, matter-of-fact.

”Who else would I buy jewelry for?”

The words landed like a stone dropped into still water.

Princess Zinnia’s smile froze.

For the briefest instant, something dark flickered across her face before she smoothed her expression.

She opened her mouth to speak again—

—but one sharp glance from Yohannes silenced her immediately.

The Crown Prince calmly lifted his wineglass toward Lara, his expression as elegant and unreadable as ever.

...

Meanwhile, Erina Ramuz, the daughter of Azuverda’s incumbent president, was escorted to VIP Table No. 2 by Liam and Aquilo.

The moment she reached the table, her expression darkened.

Her eyes swept across the seating arrangement before settling on the neighboring VIP Table No. 1.

”Why am I seated here?” she asked coolly. ”Shouldn’t I be at Table No. 1?”

”I apologize, Miss Ramuz,” Liam replied with practiced courtesy. ”There are no vacant seats left at that table.”

Erina turned to him, her gaze sharp enough to make most people lower their eyes.

”And you couldn’t make room for me?”

Liam paused.

Had she arrived on time—or better yet, accepted the invitation instead of appearing unannounced—none of this would have been necessary.

But he kept the thought to himself.

Just as he was wondering how to respond, Lara, who was seated closest to the aisle, spoke up.

”Liam,” she said gently, ”there’s enough space for one more chair. Just slide the seat over a little.”

Relief flickered across Liam’s face.

”Yes, Sis.”

Without delay, he shifted the chair and created enough room for Erina.

Erina sat down with quiet satisfaction.

Her gaze immediately drifted to the two men seated nearby.

Crown Prince Yohannes of Zalmeria.

Ares Zubel.

Each possessed striking looks, immense influence, and fortunes that could rival nations. Either one would make an exceptional husband.

A faint smile curved her lips. Perhaps this evening would not be a complete waste after all.

She turned gracefully toward Yohannes.

”Your Highness,” she said with an apologetic smile, ”please forgive my late arrival. My trip to Calma was arranged at the last minute, so I wasn’t able to personally welcome you on behalf of Azuverda.”

Before Yohannes could answer, Princess Zinnia smiled politely.

”There’s no need to apologize, Miss Ramuz. The governor and Ares Zubel have been wonderful hosts. We’ve been shown every courtesy since our arrival.”

Yohannes inclined his head in agreement.

”Indeed,” he said. ”Your country’s hospitality has been most generous.”