The Crimson General Desires no Prince! (GL)
Chapter 26 - 24: Their First Date (IV).

Chapter 26: Chapter 24: Their First Date (IV).

Chapter 24: Their First Date (IV).

As the church bells rang, the couple that was inside the rented carriage said their goodbyes to the crowd. Their friends, family and strangers that just wanted to celebrate were happy for the two’s union.

A wistful smile tugged at the princess’ lips, though her heart felt heavy with something she couldn’t quite name.

"I’ve never been out of the palace before... This is the first time I’ve seen a wedding where the couple actually looked happy." (Princess Camille) has been invited to her numerous acquainted nobles’ weddings.

She remembers how their eyes looked empty, as their smiles were just for show. It was no secret that many unions had been forged in the fires of politics, a careful balancing act between two families desperate to secure power. Love, if it ever came, would be an afterthought- a luxury neither bride or groom could afford.

Everyone who was invited was joyous, cheering. Their words of support only weighed in a much heavier burden for the two.

"I always attend ones that’s been arranged by their families. It’s always so... soulless. I could never tell if they were truly happy with the choices made by their power hungry family." (Princess Camille) laughs bitterly, imagining that perhaps in another timeline- where Rowan didn’t choose her as a lover.

She really did become an old foreign man’s bethrothed being pawned by the King.

Rowan could tell that the princess’ mood had changed. She turns to the carriage’s fading silhouette as the wedding comes to an end. "Do you think... our wedding could be like that couple? Our families... didn’t arrange us to be together. I choose you because I like her highness."

Princess Camille scoffs, failing to hide her smile. "We’ll see, General Rowan. You have a whole year to win me over and I’m not easily won."

"...!" The General’s dog tail suddenly stopped wagging, she hasn’t won the princess’ heart yet?

Princess Camille intertwined her fingers and rested them against her back, enjoying the little puppy’s pouty face. "If you don’t mind, I want to see more of what my city has to offer. We should enjoy our date today."

She presses on waiting for Rowan to follow.

"Princess Camille, please be careful- stick close to me."

...

Jonathan sighs dramatically, he and the other royal knights have been keeping watch of the two love birds with the proper distance.

"Great not only do I get to be a third wheel but I have to see these two being so sickly cute together, thanks Rowan you’re making my heart bitter with jealousy." He turned to the other knight that was with them and started pouting. "Aren’t you jealous too?! They’re so happy it’s making me happy!"

Jonathan was clinging onto the royal guard’s collar with snot in his nose.

The royal guard pats his back awkwardly, this is the famed right hand man of the crimson general and a liutenant. He wasn’t expecting this one to be a bit of a crybaby."I-I’m actually in a relationship with my girlfriend so I can’t be jealous."

The Lieutenant almost faints, it was a huge blow to his heart. "Ow-! Sigh... forget it I’ll visit one of the taverns in the city tonight once this escort mission is over. Maybe I could find my true love there."

While Jonathan and the rest of the royal guards were on bodyguarding duty...

"Well now aren’t you rather the clingy type, general."

"N-No I just want to keep your highness safe."

"I’m kidding, you’re so easy to tease." The princess’ gaze softened, her lashes fluttering just slightly as if caught in a tender breeze. There was a glimmer in her eyes not just happiness, but something deeper, as if she were looking at the only person who truly mattered.

"...!" The crimson general’s lips parted, a faint smile playing there, and her cheeks flushed with warmth. The way the princess looked at her... steady, unyielding, yet so gentle made her feel like she was the only person in the world.

"Y-You enjoy teasing me too much, your highness." (Rowan) was worried that her reputation for being a really scary and intimidating general is going away.

She wonders if they get home back to the village will this clingy personality still stay?

’If any of my soldiers saw the way that I was stuttering I won’t hear the end of it for months.’ Imagine oh the great General that vanquished thousands of demons was stuttering over a princess who liked teasing her.

"So where do we go after this, General? You said you wanted to tour around the city for a date. I’m guessing you have something planned." (Princess Camille) looks at Rowan expectantly.

Rowan blinks, scratching the side of her cheek. "Hahaha- I um actually decided the date on a whim. I don’t have anything planned for the date, your highness."

"Oh?"

"I have talked with the King this morning, he told me that you would often look at the city below and it seems that from the way he told his story you must’ve wanted to experience walking and traveling around the city for a change. That is why before leaving the capital city. I wanted you to really experience it, your highness. I have asked permission from your father and he agreed to bring you here as long as I return you back before night dwells."

Rowan was serious on keeping that promise, she was going to return the princess back into the palace once the night settles.

"I wasn’t allowed to go out for years because as the crown princess I must strictly be inside the palace or I’ll be assassinated, attacked or robbed. Not to mention the fact that the royal family has this rule on how we musnt mingle with commoners." (Princess Camille) looks at the commoners looking around, seeing them as just like any other people. After all- in her past life she was nothing more than a commoner as well.She has never forgotten about that. "But... apparently with the great crimson general escorting me anyone would be too afraid to make trouble. I suppose I should thank you for reassuring my father that I’ll be safe."

"I’m glad I can rely on you, General Rowan."

Ding!

[Notification: Heroine is happy that the crown princess is relying on heroine].

[Happiness: +5].

"I promise to make sure you can roam the streets safely, your highness." If there were any assassins, thieves or evil doers she’ll make sure to kill them if she has to in order to protect the princess.

"General Rowan... so you talked to my father this morning."

"Yes, I have."

Princess Camille that morning had just finished brushing her hair when suddenly a whole trail of notification came rushing in.

[Notification: Heroine made King Aswold laugh].

[Notification: Heroine got permission and blessing to marry the crown princess].

[Notification: Heroine misses the crown princess].

>[See more]<

"How did it go? Talking with my father, I mean. He’s a strict and conniving man for a father- you could say he doesn’t see us as his children." All of these years she viewed that man as the King. Princess Camille was aware of what kind of person King Aswold was. "But mere pieces in his political life."

"He has told me... that he does see his children as nothing more than pawns to marry off." (Rowan) remembers their talk, he’s a horrible father that’s for sure but for a King- he might be a decent one. "His majesty, King Aswold... I have gotten the permission and blessing to bring you home to my village and I think even if he doesn’t show it I believe he cares for you in his own way."

"If only that was the case." (Princess Camille) doesn’t really believe that. In the visual novel lore, the player only met him once and that was only in the private audience where he gives Rowan ’the reward’.

After choosing a prince, Rowan is then to stay in the palace for a while... because in tradition the woman is to live with the husband’s family. Soon the two encounter many problems regarding the political battles there- making the chosen prince and the heroine fall in love with their shared bond of being together.

But regarding the crown princess- she’s not a man. There was no need to follow the tradition. The story went differently and now Princess Camille will be staying with General Rowan in her home.

"I made him laugh- He gave me tea and encouraged me to try calling him father from now on."

"Wait- are you serious?!" She yelled in surprise, Princess Camille knew that Rowan did make her father laugh but telling her to call the King father is reserved only for them! "Usually even if an in-law is married into the royal family at least in our kingdom you’re not allowed to call the King father. Even my little sister’s fiance isn’t that lucky. He would coldly glare at him and was uninvited to several parties that were held that year."

The youngest and third princess in line was engaged to a nobleman who was too casual with the King, thinking that since he’s already engaged with her he’s in the clear for calling the King father first.

The poor nobleman soon realized that he made a great mistake, he was shunned by the noble circle after rumors of his tacky and mannerless attitude got to their community.

"Mm... I was surprised to hear him tell me that I was allowed to call him father. It sort of made me nervous, your highness. He told me to take care of you and um..." (Rowan) stops, not wanting to continue the story. "...t-that’s all."

Princess Camille noticed the hesitation, did her father hurt or threaten her?

"What did my father tell you?" The two stopped walking and soon reached a fountain.

The fountain stood at the heart of the plaza, a masterpiece of stone and water that seemed to breathe life into the square. Its tiers rose like a cascading crown, each level adorned with intricate carvings. Crystal-clear water spilled gracefully from the topmost basin, tumbling down in shimmering streams that caught the sunlight and scattered it in a dance of liquid diamonds.

The sound of the fountain was a melody in itself, a gentle, rhythmic murmur that drowned out the distant chatter of the marketplace. Droplets splashed against the smooth stone, creating ripples in the shallow pool at its base.

"I’m sorry I can’t say it." (Rowan) shakes her head, refusing to tell the princess of her embarrassing fumble with the King.

"You can tell me what he said, General Rowan. I’m your fiance, am I not? If this something is connected to my father I must know." (Princess Camille) wanted to keep Rowan safe too.

King Aswold is a dangerous side character to cross, if Rowan was somehow threatened or she’s being forced to do something she doesn’t want then-

Rowan finally gives in but first she covers her face to at least lessen the shame that she was feeling. "T-The King told me to give him grandchildren as soon as possible."

"..."

The woman was too stunned to speak.