The Crimson General Desires no Prince! (GL)
Chapter 34 - 32: The Dregs (II).

Chapter 34: Chapter 32: The Dregs (II).

Chapter 32: The Dregs (II).

The moment the carriage stopped, the Dregs seemed to pause with it. Eyes that had long learned to be wary turned toward the gilded crest on the door, some with curiosity, others with skepticism. The merchants pulled their wares closer, beggars straightened, and the children- ever the boldest- crept closer, bare feet silent against the dirt.

Then the guards moved, stepping down from their horses with practiced ease. But instead of drawing weapons, they pulled open the trunk at the back of the carriage, revealing bundles of food, water jugs, neatly folded clothes, and small wooden toys.

Princess Camille slides down the saddle gracefully turning to the growing crowd in front of her. "Good afternoon. I want to offer you these gifts. We mean you no harm, this comes from our hearts, a small gesture to help you live and endure."

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, a child gasped- a small, sharp sound that broke the tension like a blade through cloth.

"They’re giving things away?" someone murmured.

The first to move was a little girl, no older than six, her ribs showing beneath a too-thin dress. She hesitated at the edge of the crowd, staring at the loaf of bread in one guard’s hand. When no one stopped her, she darted forward, fingers trembling as she took it.

That was all it took.

The crowd surged- not in a riot, but in desperate, eager movement. Hands reached for water, for clothes that weren’t falling apart at the seams. Mothers pulled children forward, pressing apples into tiny palms. Old men accepted cloaks with quiet dignity, while merchants- always thinking ahead- eyed the distribution, already planning how to barter for what they needed most.

"Slow down! Slow down! There’s more for everyone!" (Sir William) smiled for the first time. He was handing out food and water.

Jonathan on the other hand was handing out clothes and toys having the happiest grin on his face. "Ack! I never knew there were this many kids! Calm down young man, you’ll have your turn!"

The princess watched it all by Rowan’s side, her hands tightening in her lap. The hunger in their eyes, the way they clutched their new belongings as if expecting them to vanish- it burned.

Beside her, Rowan remained quiet, observing just as she was.

A small boy, his face streaked with dirt, clutched a wooden horse to his chest. He met the princess’s gaze, hesitated, then gave a quick, awkward bow before dashing back into the crowd.

"..."

Rowan seeing this decided to help, she took some toys and gave it to some of the kids who went in line, eyeing the princess. It was clear that the crown princess wanted to join and help, but she lacked the confidence to do so.

Rowan saw through that.

She says nothing but offers her a loaf of bread to give to the children, "Your highness... mind giving me a hand? We could use the help."

"Hehe... gladly." Everyone worked together to give out everything that they had. A few people started coming out of their homes, bringing jars asking for water with a grateful smile on their faces.

"T-Thank you, oh thank you. I don’t know what I’d do if we didn’t have something to eat today."

"This will help my family a lot."

"I-I haven’t eaten all day..." Everyone was thanking the kind gesture these strangers made, they didn’t seem like bad people and the royal guards surrounding them made it impossible to rob them even if they wanted to.

Princess Camille was glad that she was able to come to the Dregs having her first visit and perhaps her final one once she leaves the palace. It will be a while before she comes back.

"There you go, you can ask that nice man on the left if you want some toys too." (Princess Camille) instructs the children to go to Jonathan if they want some nice wooden toys to play with.

Everything was going just fine until a commotion broke out amongst the children.

"Ungh- I came here first Julie! Move!" One boy with a missing front tooth pushed a little girl who was trying to get in line, but the crowd of children was too much that she couldn’t move up front.

"O-Ow! That hurt... sniff."

Rowan sees the commotion and was about to break the fight-

"Here, please don’t push children! There is plenty of bread, no need to fight." (Princess Camille) stands up immediately, rushing in to help the little girl- she takes her hand and helps her stand up. "Where are your manners?! You don’t just push a girl like that, gentlemen."

"...run!" The boys getting their bread ran away as fast as they could but they were caught by Sir William’s grasps looking disappointed in them. He stood tall, intimidating and a scary figure against the children.

"...You’re embarrassing me." He takes their bread and tells them to go into the corner to think about what they’ve done. "You stay there, none of you get to have anything because of what you did."

The boys that were placed in the corner complained, "We just pushed her! She didn’t even get hurt that badly!"

"Yeah Julie is just a crybaby!"

The boys kept making more excuses leaving Sir William the royal guard angry.

"Honestly... those boys. Are you alright, darling?" The princess’ gentle voice calmed the weak little girl’s crying. "No need to cry- I’m here."

"I-I... I’m sorry." The little girl apologizes, thinking that she was a bother to these kind people.

"You don’t need to apologize. Julie, was it? You’re only getting in line because you’re hungry right?" (Princess Camille) excuses herself for a moment, taking the last few pieces of bread available before giving it to her. "Here to fill up your stomach."

The little girl’s eyes light up as she takes the loaf of bread in her hands. "Um... Thank you for the bread. I want to give this to you, it’s one of my treasures."

She takes something out of her pockets and gives the princess a very pretty colored rock that she found while scavenging in the forest outside. It wasn’t gold or jewels, but in the little girl’s hands, it was the most precious thing she had. A small, smooth rock, warmed by the sun and speckled with soft colors, like the sky just before dusk. It wasn’t grand, but it was beautiful in the way only simple things can be- held with gratitude, given with sincerity.

Princess Camille eyes the lovely rock and takes it. "Thank you, this is so wonderful. I will keep it with me to remember this day."

"I am glad you like it!"

Princess Camille talked with the little girl some more as Rowan crossed her arms, sighing in relief.

’She hasn’t changed, not at all.’ (Rowan) remembers how the princess saved her from those bullies at the party where they first met, the princess is still the type to help others without hesitation.

Jonathan who was done giving out toys stretches his arms feeling tired. He saw that his dearest friend was staring at the princess and smiled. "This is a nice date isn’t it? I’m starting to understand now why you like her so much. She’s worth the wait, right buddy?"

The crimson general nods, "Mm."

A woman like her is worth the wait.

"You know if the two of you ever had kids, I bet the princess will be a good one for you. She seems quite the likable character, look at all of these children flocking to her for her attention." (Jonathan) laughs hoping to joke with Rowan but-

"If we ever have kids..."

The King’s words echoed through her mind making her blush.

Princess Camille was done talking to all the people of Dregs who thanked her for her generosity, she kept the rock in her pockets and went to meet up with her bodyguards and fiance.

"My, what’s gotten you all smiley?" She notices Rowan’s smile reaching up to her ear.

The tip of Rowan’s ears slowly turned red. She doesn’t want the princess to know the reason for her smile, but- for some reason she feels like this woman in front of her knows everything there is to know. "Nothing, your highness."

"I talked with a few of the families here. I gave some enough silver coins, strictly telling them it was for food, water and other necessities. I don’t know when I’ll get to do something like this again but I’m glad I did it once."

"Well shall we go back now?"

"Mm, I suppose that’s the end of it. Let’s be off, gentlemen. This time I can ride inside the carriage, I have no excuses to ride with my fiance any longer. What a shame." (Princess Camille) laughs before getting inside the royal carriage, Rowan opens the door and closes it.

"..."

Ding!

[Notification: Rowan is sad the princess is not riding with her anymore].

[Happiness: -40].

[Confidence: -10].

"Pfft-" (Princess Camille) covers her mouth as she laughs to herself, looking at the sad figure of the general riding on a majestic black horse.

"Dummy, you don’t have to be sad just because of that." The princess laughs at how many points it got cut off.

...

The carriage is now available to the princess as everyone said their goodbyes, the eyes that were watching them were no longer around. Perhaps it left them alone after finding their purpose of visit- they meant no harm.

Rowan glances at her surroundings, she feels that it is safe. No one is following and watching them any longer. "It’s safe to go back. I don’t feel anyone watching us any longer." She tells Jonathan who agrees with her.

"Even if they still continued to be a creep I would’ve fended them off easily, General Rowan. I know we get a couple of stalkers here and there but why did they suddenly stop following us just like that? In anycase, we mustn’t let our guard down." (Jonathan) gave good advice and the young general nodded.

The path to the palace was near, it was nearing sundown.

Princess Camille notices the sky’s colors changing from a bright blue turning into a warm orange hue. She turns to her list and realizes that she has forgotten something important. "Wait, General Rowan! I have forgotten one more thing on my list!"

The royal guards secretly groaned, thinking- ’There’s more?!’

Rowan stops her horse and leans over the carriage window. "What is it, your highness?"

Princess Camille points at the very end of her list of things to do.

List #50: Watch the sunset with a friend.

Rowan blinks upon reading it, she bites her lips looking conflicted because she promised the king that she’ll bring back his daughter before the night dawns. "I told King Aswold that I would bring you back before sundown. My apologies, your highness but-"

Princess Camille pouts, giving her best puppy eyes and the softest voice she can muster out. "Hmm... and you would rather listen to my father than your own fiance?"

Ding!

[Notification: Warning! Please don’t give the heroine a heart attack]!

"..."

"You should see the sunset with me. I don’t want to be alone, such joy of seeing it is best to be shared with others."

"..."

A moment of silence for our fallen comrade who has been wrapped around the princess’ thumbs. She rides over to her right hand man looking out of it, "Jonathan, do you know where’s the best place to view the sunset?"

Jonathan could see the half-happy and half-tired look of his friend. Well that’s what happens if you manage to snag a wife that early in life! Sooner or later Rowan will have silver strands of hair popping off of her head!

"Oh buddy I thought you’d never ask!"

...

The stone beneath their feet was rough and worn, whispering of countless footsteps that had passed before. From atop the towering city walls, the world stretched out before them- rooftops bathed in the fading gold of the sun, streets winding like quiet veins through the heart of the city. Beyond, the land rolled into the horizon, where the sky burned in hues of orange, pink, and deepening purple.

The evening breeze carried the scent of warm earth and distant fires, ruffling their hair and clothes with a gentle touch.

"Whooo! I’ve never felt this free before!" (Princess Camille) twirls around the city walls. To how they got in, Jonathan found a shortcut when he got drunk. The guards don’t lock an old entryway and now that the royal guards knew of this they plan on reporting it.

Everyone else stationed below- now they were the only two people.

"..."

For a while, neither spoke. There was no need. The silence between them was filled with the quiet hum of life below, the occasional distant laughter, and the slow, steady rhythm of their own breathing. The sun dipped lower, its last light casting their shadows long against the stone. At that moment, with the world painted in fire and fading light, time seemed to slow, as if the city itself was holding its breath- just for them.

"Your highness... when we leave the city- after this what would you like to do?" (Rowan) takes in the sunset view, no longer feeling tired. Her heart was just feeling guilty of breaking a promise with the King...

But...

If it’s for her highness...

Not even the King’s orders could sway her heart away.

"I suppose I want to learn how to ride a horse." The princess’ answer was fast, she didn’t even think of it and knew what she wanted immediately. "I love horses, honestly- when I was riding with you... I tried so hard not to scream and yelp happily from touching such a soft mane."

She scratches the back of her head, dropping her guard down. "My brothers were the only ones who’s allowed to ride them, befitting hobbies for princes is never allowed for princesses. Whenever I tried they would point a finger and tell me how undignified and how I’ll never get married if I keep at it."

"Is that what they said?"

Ding!

[Notification: Heroine didn’t like the people who insulted the princess].

"Yep, you know where I come from in my past life it’s a bustling city. I never get to see horses that much, only in movies and videos online. When I got into another world with a European design... I could see horses but I also yearned to ride one."

Rowan couldn’t understand some of the words that the princess uttered but she did get the fact that she wasn’t allowed horses just because she was a woman, something that she can relate to.

The young general with a determined look in her eyes faces the former crown princess, "...I’ll teach her highness how to ride a horse the first morning we leave this kingdom."

"R-Really?!"

"Mm, I will personally instruct you. When you’re in my home no one will ever tell you what you can or can’t do. Her highness is her own person, if you want to try then you should be able to." (Rowan) was on her serious self.

She doesn’t even realize that the princess in front of her was slowly falling.

Princess Camille felt the breeze blowing, she tucks in a loose strand of hair before thanking the girl in front of her for being her safe space. "Rowan... Thank you for asking me out on a date today."

...

Ding!

[Notification: Task Complete! Go on a date with the heroine is complete]!

[Processing Reward: Skill Status Unlocked].

Ding!

[Notification: Unknown Reason: Family Bond Status Up].

[Family Bond: +10].