The Crimson General Desires no Prince! (GL)
Chapter 37 - 33: Taking A Princess Home (I).

Chapter 37: Chapter 33: Taking A Princess Home (I).

Chapter 33: Taking A Princess Home (I).

===

Two Days Later

The Royal Palace

===

"Your Highness, everything is packed and ready." The lady’s maid carefully places the last gown in the trunk. "Shall we depart?"

Princess Camille folds her arms, a quiet heaviness settling in her chest. "No... not yet, Sylvie. I need to say goodbye first." She lifts her gaze. "May I have a moment alone?"

"Of course, Your Highness." The maid bows and steps away, leaving the princess with her thoughts.

Clack

The door closes.

Princess Camille stands in the doorway, her gaze sweeping over the room she has called home for as long as she can remember. The grand canopy bed, once a place of comfort and childhood dreams, now feels distant, its silken drapes swaying gently in the evening breeze. The vanity, with its delicate bottles of perfume and half-read letters, remains untouched, as if waiting for her to return.

The chandelier above casts a soft golden glow over the deep blue tapestries lining the walls, their embroidered scenes of triumph and legacy now mere shadows of the past. The window, framed by sheer curtains, reveals the vast horizon beyond- the world that awaits her.

Her fingers brush against the polished mahogany of her writing desk, where countless letters, musings, and secrets have been penned. The ink has long dried, but the memories remain.

Taking a slow breath, she lets her eyes linger one last time, committing every detail to memory.

While she’s going to miss her old room that she’s lived in for almost all of her life, now that she’s free from her original fate of the story. There’s a new room waiting for her to be decorated.

One where... Rowan and her are going to be staying together.

"..."

Honestly, thinking of them sleeping together in one bed just got her mind and heart racing- but no! She mustn’t think of that!

I mean they’ve only just met for a week... The heroine has confessed her love, she’s cute like a little puppy and she makes her feel safe so what?

’We shouldn’t rush things, not when I don’t know what the future has in store for us... and the system’s weird error with all of my missions.’

Not to mention the reward of her last mission...

’{Skill Status: Open}.’ Seeing that she was alone, she opened the new updated part of the system that she has called Skill Status.

The Skill Status shows her all the skills that she learned in living in this world.

===

Name: Princess Camille Nyle Kastil

===

[Skill List]

[Diplomacy: Level 6].

[Etiquette: Level 5].

[Cooking: Level 5].

[Polyglot: Level 4].

[Persuasion: Level 5].

[Stealth: Level 2].

[Poise Under Pressure: Level 6].

[Dancing: Level 5].

[Artistry (Painting & Music): Level 5].

[Sense of Duty: Level 7].

[Charm: Level 8].

[Climbing: Level 1].

>[See More]<

===

[Recently Unlocked]

[Horse Riding: Level 1].

System Guide: Players can level up their skills by earning Skill Points through quests, combat, training, or key story moments. These points can be spent to improve existing skills or unlock new ones. Some skills require a mentor or training to level up, while others might be unlocked by achieving specific milestones or completing significant quests.

Highest Level: 10

===

"I never realized how much I’ve grown since arriving here," She mused, a smile tugging at her lips as she scrolled through the list. Princess Camille paused, surprised to find several skills unlocked over time- skills she hadn’t even noticed she’d acquired, though they hadn’t been leveled up yet.

This was her reward: the ability to see her progress, to track each skill and its current level.

It was more than just a list; it was a map of her journey, a clear view of her strengths and weaknesses. Now, she could easily pinpoint where she was lacking and decide which skills needed the most attention.

"I never expected Charm to be my highest skill," (Princess Camille) held her chin in wonder, staring at the glowing number next to it. "I wonder why... or maybe- this charm skill only applies to Rowan." Her gaze lingered on the level, trying to make sense of it.

But then, doubt crept in. "No... that doesn’t make sense. If it were meant for Rowan, it would be maxed out by now." She spoke with confidence, certain in her reasoning. Of course, when it came to the heroine’s love for the crown princess she was sure of herself that it would’ve been maxed level all the way.

’So I guess that means this is the skill charm that I use on other people, it is pretty high.’

"Anyways... Thank you for being my safe space until now." (Princess Camille) faces her room one last time. "I’ll be alright."

===

Main Gate of The Palace

===

The entire royal family stood before the eldest princess, their faces etched with a mixture of sorrow and quiet resignation. They had known this day would come, but they had never imagined it would feel like this- so final, so heart-wrenching. The weight of her departure hung in the air, unspoken but deeply felt by each of them.

"..." (Rowan) got up really early to prepare. This is the second time she’s seen the whole royal family together.

The four princes turned away, each trying to mask their sorrow, unwilling to let their eldest sister see the weight of her departure in their eyes.

Her younger sisters, however, reacted quite differently. The second princess, Princess Calista Kastil- now the new crown princess to the throne- watched with a small, almost satisfied smile, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

Meanwhile, the youngest, Princess Colette Kastil, could not hold back her devastation.

"S-Sister... must you go?" (Princess Colette) sobbed, clutching onto Princess Camille’s hands as if holding on would make her stay. "Why can’t you stay here with us in the palace? T-The wedding between you and the general is still..." Her voice broke, and as her tears fell, they pooled in Camille’s palm, warm and trembling like a child’s.

"Stop crying, Colette," The second princess interjected sharply, her tone edged with impatience. "You’re still a princess, so act like one. Keep your dignity. You’re only making it harder for her to leave." With a firm grip, she pulled the youngest away, her expression unreadable- whether it was annoyance or something deeper, only she knew.

"B-But... Calista... aren’t you going to miss your eldest sister?" (Princess Colette) asks her.

Princess Calista’s eyes widened before crossing her arms and shaking her head. "I’m not going to miss her, not one bit. She can go away for all I care!"

Princess Camille still couldn’t get used to her little sister’s attitude but still she loves them both.

"I’ll miss you both." (Princess Camille) opens her arms out for a hug.

Crown Princess Calista pouts, rolling her eyes and looking unhappy. "I’m not enjoying this."

She was indeed enjoying the hug.

"Elder sister, please don’t leave..." (Princess Colette) pleads, wanting to be with her older sister forever. She doesn’t want her to go away.

Princess Camille chuckles, letting go of their embrace and assuring the two that she’ll be fine in Rowan’s care. "Trust me, both of you. This is for the best, the general is a good woman and knows that she’ll take good care of me. She took me on a date yesterday and it was the funnest day I’ve ever had."

The two little princesses seeing their sister smile so widely softened and chose to believe their elder sister’s words.

The second princess glares at Rowan as she places a hand on her waist judging her from head to toe. They weren’t too sure how a two woman relationship would even work, but as long as the other girl is not an asshole then she’s right it would be for the best.

"Tch, she better take care of you properly." (Princess Calista) muttered, arms crossed as she watched Colette wipe the snot from her nose with a sniffle.

Princess Camille let out a soft chuckle, gently patting her youngest sister’s head. "You should visit the border one day when you can. I’ll be waiting- after all, this isn’t goodbye."

Princess Colette swallowed back another sob and nodded. "Y-Yes..."

With her sisters behind her, the second farewells she had to give were to her brothers.

They stood in a solemn row, their usual mischief absent. When the youngest finally stepped forward, he said nothing- just opened his arms.

Princess Camille smiled. "Adiel... take care of everyone for me." She wrapped her arms around her favorite brother, holding him tightly. "Let’s be honest, out of all of them, you’re my favorite. They won’t survive without you. Make sure Altier doesn’t get into more diplomatic fights, Monteil stays out of actual fist fights, and keeps Lucas far, far away from bees. He’s deathly allergic."

Adiel let out a quiet hum, nodding into her shoulder.

"And as for you-" (Princess Camille) teased, pulling back slightly. "Don’t miss me too much. Don’t hang out around my room, come visit me when you’re lonely and when you’re in trouble just tell me. I’ll come here the moment I can."

"I... I’ll try." His voice wavered, just a little.

She finally turns to the other three, "And the three of you behave, just because I’m gone doesn’t mean you can slack off. Altier take care of your little brothers! Don’t always work and make sure you take a break when you can!"

Prince Altier stood up straight, answering Princess Camille. "Y-Yes I will!"

"Lucas, make sure your older brother eats on time... pick up a hobby and find some friends there. I won’t be around anymore to read with you in the library to talk about our favorite books." She would dearly miss all their time reading together.

Prince Lucas nods, "I-I’ll send you copies of our favorite novel, elder sister!"

"And Montiel!"

"What?! Quit yelling at me!"

"Don’t pick fights randomly, I won’t be here to help with your bruises. I want you to be safe and healthy when I get back. I’ll bring you your favorite sweets as a reward." (Princess Camille) pats his head. That broke the rough and rugged prince. He pinches his sides, muttering to himself to not cry because crying is not manly.

"S-Shut up I can handle my bruises just fine even without you!" He yells, wanting to cry. He’s always been confiding in his older sister when he gets into trouble.

"I’ll handle the kingdom’s affairs while you’re gone."

"We’ll miss you so please take care of yourself and always eat three meals a day."

"...Tch, if that Rowan girl treats you badly just call us and we’ll come get you as soon as we can."

Everyone’s farewells were rather wholesome.

"...!" (Rowan) hearing this hoped that she’ll never treat the princess badly or else he’ll get beat up by not only FOUR princes.

But probably FOUR princes and TWO princesses.

"...gulp." She knew that she can’t or even think about harming the princess but... what if she treats her badly without even knowing? Perhaps verbally? Or something they’ll do in bed?!

"..."

Great, the great crimson general is now panicking and overthinking.

"So... this is it." (Princess Camille) turns to her father, King Aswold who smiles- happy that his daughter is going to be well taken care of instead of his original plan. "Father, I’ll visit when I can."

"...I know you will."

Princess Camille thinks what else can she say to her father...

"..."

Lightbulb!

She remembered something!

The eldest princess clicked her tongue, crossing her arms as she leaned in slightly, keeping her voice low enough that only her father could hear. "And just between you and me- the limit on grandchildren Rowan and I can give you is two or three. She told me she’ll do her best to meet your expectations, father... you’re rather mean for placing such a heavy responsibility on her shoulders."

The King stood frozen for a moment, his expression unreadable- until suddenly-

"...Hahahaha!"

Laughter erupted from him, deep and hearty, like he had just heard the greatest joke of his life. He laughed without restraint, as if there were no tomorrow.