The Crimson General Desires no Prince! (GL)
Chapter 35: Side - : The Kastil Royal Princes (I).

Chapter 35: Side Chapter: The Kastil Royal Princes (I).

Side Chapter: The Kastil Royal Princes (I).

In the royal lounge room, King Aswold had made a place where all of his children could gather around to read books, study, play a game of chess and basically do all the things their age are interested in.

The royal lounge was a place where luxury met warmth, a sanctuary of quiet grandeur within the palace walls. High, arched windows allowed golden sunlight to spill across polished marble floors, casting soft reflections on the deep velvet drapes that framed them. The air carried the faintest scent of aged wood, fresh flowers, and the lingering trace of a fine perfume.

Gilded chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, their crystals catching the light and scattering it like tiny stars across the room. The furniture was an elegant blend of comfort and splendor- ornate chairs with plush cushions, a sweeping settee draped in silk, and a grand fireplace carved with intricate patterns, its embers still faintly glowing.

Tapestries adorned the walls, depicting tales of heroes and legends, their colors rich with history. A low table, carved from dark mahogany, bore a silver tray with delicate porcelain cups, waiting for quiet conversation to fill the space.

Despite its magnificence, the room was not imposing. It was a place meant to be lived in, where whispered secrets and soft laughter had mingled with the crackling of the fire for generations- a room that had seen kings and queens, not just as rulers, but as people.

"So... any luck in trying to talk to the Crimson General?" A man with bright green hair asks his other brothers who were sitting at the round table.

===

Name: Prince Altier Kastil

Role: Former Love Interest Option

-The eldest son of the royal family was a man of unwavering discipline and duty. From a young age, he had been groomed to bear the weight of the kingdom’s future, and he carried that responsibility with solemn resolve. Stern and uncompromising, he placed the well-being of the realm above all else- even his own desires.

His strict nature made him a formidable presence, both within the palace and beyond. He expected excellence, not only from himself but from those around him, and he had little patience for frivolity or weakness. Yet beneath his rigid exterior lay a ruler willing to make the hard choices, to sacrifice, to do whatever was necessary to ensure the kingdom’s prosperity.

To some, he was an unyielding pillar of strength. To others, an unreachable shadow. But to the kingdom, he was its most devoted guardian.

==

The second man with blue hair and eyes that was on the table replies, he fixes his glasses looking nervous. "My apologies brother but there is no progress on my end for some reason she kept avoiding me like a plague. I’ve tried everything but she only talks to eldest sister."

===

Name: Prince Lucas Kastil

Role: Former Love Interest Option

-The second prince, born as one-half of a twin, was an unlikely contender for the throne. Frail in stature and burdened with an awkward shyness, he often found himself overshadowed by his more charismatic siblings. His timid nature, coupled with a tendency to avoid conflict, led many to dismiss him as weak- a coward, even, according to the lore of the visual novel.

Yet beneath his hesitance lay a quiet determination. He was not the strongest, nor the boldest, but he worked tirelessly to prove himself worthy of the crown. With time, and through the trials he would face, his fear would give way to courage, his uncertainty to resolve.

===

His little brother laughed at him, he had a fiery red hair that fitted his personality. "Hah! Maybe it’s because you are one. Let’s be real, every single one of us is still on the dumps after not being picked by the oh so great crimson general."

===

Name: Prince Monteil Kastil

Role: Former Love Interest Option

-The middle child, born as the other half of a set of twins, was nothing like his older brother. Loud, brash, and unafraid to speak his mind, he carried a fiery personality that contrasted sharply with the serious and disciplined heir to the throne. He was rough around the edges, with a sharp tongue and a lack of patience for diplomacy, often speaking in terms that left little room for compromise.

His blunt nature and unpredictable approach to life made him a favorite among those who admired a more fiery spirit. As one of the most popular love interests, his boldness drew attention, and many players found themselves drawn to the idea of "fixing" him, thinking they could tame the wildness beneath the surface.

When it came to problems, he saw them with one simple solution: Violence and War. Conflict, in his eyes, was the quickest and most effective way to resolve any issue. Diplomacy was for the weak, and kindness for the naive. To him, strength was the only language the world truly understood.

===

The three exchanged glances before letting out a collective sigh.

Prince Altier, in particular, felt the sting of disappointment. He had hoped- perhaps even expected to be the one the Crimson General would choose. She was more than just powerful, she commanded unwavering loyalty from her armies, had been granted vast territories, and was rumored to be one of the most influential women across all the lands.

Not kingdom.

ALL OF THE LANDS.

Marrying her would have meant power, prestige, and an unshakable alliance.

If he gains her favor, the things that he could do to prosper their country are endless!

Prince Altier let out a weary sigh, his frustration evident as he buried his head in his hands. "As expected... What a wasted opportunity. If she had chosen any of us, it would have secured not only Father’s favor but the loyalty of the entire kingdom. The nobility and commoners alike adore her. This is beyond frustrating."

He had planned on talking with the crimson general, to try and sway her to his side.

Prince Lucas adjusted his gloves, his eyes scanning the reports that they’ve collected once more. "I’ve read everything I could about the general, and her record is nothing short of outstanding. Not only has she excelled in clearing out monsters and demons, but she’s also managed to resolve conflicts in the south with remarkable efficiency..."

Prince Montiel leaned back, resting his head against his folded arms with a lazy grin. "All I know is she’s got the mind of a leader and the strength to back it up. A woman like that? Now that’s a rare find."

A heavy silence settled between them, each lost in thought, yet all grappling with the same unspoken question.

Why, of all people, would the fearsome Crimson General choose their eldest princess?

"When you’re in military life I heard the topic of homosexual relationships is normal." (Prince Lucas) convinces himself that he’s not that bad of a pick, and was just thinking that perhaps the crimson general just had other tastes.

"Hell even if no one can resist the tempting offer of being married to a prince, the power that comes with it is much better than being with a princess." (Prince Montiel) argued.

While the eldest Prince Altier just groaned looking depressed, "...This is just so disappointing."

Clack!

They heard the door open and saw the youngest prince coming into the royal lounge.

"Adiel, I wonder why you even bother coming to these meetings- I know you’re not interested in the affairs of the kingdom." (Prince Altier) detests his little brother’s habit of being late.

The youngest prince laughs looking rather unbothered by his brother’s words but still he apologizes to ease his mood. "Sorry if I’m late, everyone. You have to excuse me. I had something important to do and I wasn’t expecting this much delay for our meeting."

"Please Adiel, we’re used to your lack of respect in people’s time. If you want you can continue on doing it because frankly, we don’t really care." (Prince Montiel) yawns, clearly getting bored of the meeting and wonders what his eldest sister is doing today.

Prince Adiel smiled, brushing off the teasing with ease. His older brothers had always been hard on him, their words cutting deeper than they realized, but he had come to understand the unspoken reasons behind their behavior. "I had to talk with my eldest sister for a bit," he said casually, his smile still present. "It took me a little while."

There was a subtle hint of something unspoken in his words, a quiet acknowledgment of the dynamics at play.

"Did you say you talked with our eldest sister?" The three were curious, their eldest sister was almost nowhere to be found these days.

"Yes."

All the other three suddenly became anxious.

"What did she say?"

"You know... I think she’s going on a date today."

The three of them stood up looking dreaded.

"What."

"What?"

"WHAT?!"

Everyone was asking, ’What?’

But why?

"Listen... I know we have had all of our differences. We wanted that scheming general to pick one of us- but when it comes to our beloved eldest sister!" (Prince Altier) reveals his true colors, which was a little brother that would often cling to her.

Thud!

He pounds on the table looking worried.

After all- since that new eldest princess is no longer the same one from the game...

Princess Camille was the quiet strength that held her family together, a guiding force in the lives of her siblings. She supported them through their struggles, cared for their well-being, and even protected them from the dangers that lurked in the shadows. Her unwavering love for them earned her their deep respect, and the bond they shared was built on both familial love and admiration.

But when it came to matters of her heart, her brothers were, as usual, fiercely protective.

"She can’t go on a date- she’s too young!" Prince Altier cried out, his voice filled with a mix of concern and irony. The truth was, they were all much younger than Camille, but the thought of someone else getting close to her stirred a protective instinct none of them could shake.

"If that girl hurts my eldest sister, I swear..." Prince Lucas muttered darkly, his mind already scheming a plan to topple anyone who dared bring harm to Camille. The coldness in his words revealed just how serious he was about protecting her.

Prince Montiel cracked his fingers, a sharp grin forming as he turned to his brothers. "Brothers... you know what to do."

"..." The youngest, Prince Adiel, sighed deeply in disappointment, watching his older brothers with a mixture of disbelief and exasperation.

’How am I even related to these fools?’ He thought to himself. Their over-the-top protectiveness was both endearing and utterly ridiculous, and yet here he was, caught in the middle of it all.

He couldn’t help but wonder if they’d ever see things from a different perspective—or if they’d remain the same overbearing, dramatic siblings forever.

Regardless, one thing was certain, he was far too tired to try and change their ways.