The Crimson General Desires no Prince! (GL)
Chapter 38 - 34: Taking A Princess Home (II).

Chapter 38: Chapter 34: Taking A Princess Home (II).

Chapter 34: Taking A Princess Home (II).

Everyone that was there couldn’t help but stare at the royal family, especially the King who was laughing his heart out. "Two or three! Hahaha! Please, your mother did better! She gave me seven!"

He continued to snicker as his daughter wanted to punch her old man in the gut. "I am not joking-! Do you know how embarrassed she was when she told me! You knew that we couldn’t do it and you gave such a mean joke!"

"Oh it wasn’t a joke I-! Hahaha!" (King Aswold) tries his best to stop his laughter but it just keeps coming. "I was dead serious!"

The other princes and princesses awkwardly looked at one another and gossiped. "...what the hell is our old man laughing at?"

"I-I’ve never seen him laugh this much before."

"What did our elder sister even tell him?"

He finally calms down, placing a hand on his chest. "Oh boy, that still gets me every time... hah... I like that girl."

Princess Camille, stunned by her father’s words couldn’t help but agree, the heroine certainly has her charm that even she can’t deny admitting that she’s under that very same charm.

"I like her a lot as well, father."

"Well then she should tell his new father goodbye too, call her out for me."

Princess Camille sighs but still does it. "Rowan! Would you come here for a moment?"

Rowan who was just waiting for them to say their final goodbyes didn’t realize that was also kind of required to do that.

"...me?" She points at herself and her beloved fiance nods.

Knowing that the princess doesn’t like to be kept waiting, immediately dashed off to stand next to her looking quite nervous.

"W-What is your highness and his majesty? Anything I can help you with?" The poor little gal was like a shaking deer when it came to meeting her new extended in-laws.

Princess Camille’s siblings were definitely eyeing her in a scary, ’If you hurt our sister we’ll place you ten feet deep underground.’

King Aswold shakes his head being a little disappointed that Rowan didn’t call him father like he asked her to do, he places a hand on her shoulder scolding her. "Now child what have I told you before! You should call me father from now on!"

The royal princes and princesses were surprised to hear that.

"Eh... father? She’s allowed to do that?"

"This is ridiculous... she’s literally the only one that’s allowed to do that."

"Such are the many mysteries in life. Our fiancés are not allowed to call him father." (Princess Colette) pouts.

Prince Montiel was quick to reply to her sister’s complaints. "I mean to be fair, did your fiance save the kingdom from war? Kill the demon lord? Save a few villages from monster attacks? Smoothen out relations in the neighboring kingdom? Is he a legend between commons and nobles?"

The youngest princess thinks it through and shakes her head. "...No."

"Then that’s probably why they’re not allowed to call father well father."

"I never knew that. Elder sister’s fiance is a lot more than meets the eye. I thought she would just be well..." Now she’s wishing that she was the one chosen to be the crimson general’s bride instead.

That much accomplishment can’t compare to any noble man!

...

Rowan lowers her head, doing her best to please the new extended family. "F-Father..."

"Good. I asked Camille here to call you out because my new daughter should say their goodbyes to their father too. You both be safe, do your best and continue your job of being a great General."

Rowan’s eyes glittered with small tears hearing the King say that. She places a hand on her chest giving the King a proper salute. "I will father."

She stops and suddenly becomes a deflated balloon. "You... keep safe as well... I will visit... and bring you... grandchildren... next year."

Princess Camille thought she was finally free from that horrid joke of grandbabies. "General Rowan he’s just joking please-"

But the King thinks for a moment, scratching his chin wanting to make a bargain. "Your fiance said the limit was three but I’m sure you can give me more than that."

Rowan blinks three times before biting her lip thinking of a proper number that might satisfy the King. "Um... w-will five grandchildren be okay? It’ll take us a while but... maybe we can make it work."

The King humms, considering that amount would be enough he agrees. "Mm that works. You can take your time, you know raising children is no easy task. They’ll grow up in a blink of an eye, then you’ll see them being taken away to be married."

[Notification: Heroine is bonding with her new father!].

[Family Bond: +10].

[Wisdom: +10].

[Notification: Heroine wants five children!].

[Happiness: +10].

Princess Camille who was getting fed up with the two of them, takes her fiance by the collar and pulls Rowan away from her idiot dummy of a father. "Enough with both of your teasing! We’re going to leave! Rowan, go say goodbye already!"

"Ah yes-! Farewell, your majesty! I mean- father!"

...

The royal family stood frozen, their eyes locked on the fading silhouette of the carriage as it carried Princess Camille away. Slowly, it disappeared beyond the horizon, swallowed by the distance.

Among them, her younger sisters lingered, their hushed voices betraying a quiet concern.

"There she goes, inside that carriage... and we won’t see her again for months." (Princess Calista) muttered, arms crossed as she watched the road ahead.

Even if they wouldn’t see Camille as often anymore, at least Calista knew- deep down- that her sister would be happier. Freer. Under the care of that woman.

General Rowan Bonheur.

She had caused quite a stir in the grand hall, boldly declaring that she would take a princess rather than a prince. The memory still felt surreal. Princess Calista had never trusted men much outside of her own family.

Even her own fiance... he was not a kind man to be with but she must tolerate for the sake of the kingdom, just as her father told her.

Perhaps, in the end, her sister truly was better off with a woman.

"Sniff...! I hate that she’s leaving," (Princess Colette) whimpered, rubbing her tear-streaked cheeks. "But... I’ve never seen her so happy, don’t you think?"

Princess Calista exhaled softly. "Yes, I guess so..."

A brief silence settled between them before she spoke again, her voice steadier this time. "I’m glad our elder sister finally left, just as she wished. I’ve known for a long time that she wanted out of the title as crown princess."

Ever since they were little, even if Princess Camille completed all of her training of becoming a princess, even excelling at her role- she was deemed to be the best prodigal princess the kingdom has ever gotten but it was clear that she wanted nothing of that life.

"I’ll... try to become a crown princess just as great as she was."

Princess Colette gave a small, encouraging nod. "You might even become an even better crown princess than our elder sister.."

Calista let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head knowing that will never happen. "Oh, Colette... I don’t think so. There will never be another woman as brilliant as her."

...

===

Main Road

===

Once the carriage had put some distance between the city and the open road, the journey came to an abrupt stop at the general’s command.

"Halt."

The royal guards- personally assigned by the King to escort the princess- held their positions, hearing the general’s order. Their destination: Rosewood Village, the General’s home base. It would take a day and a half to travel using horses, they cannot afford to lose daylight.

Rowan dismounted her horse with practiced ease, striding toward the carriage before knocking her knuckles lightly against the door. "Your Highness, you have five minutes."

From inside, Princess Camille’s voice rang out, warm yet hurried. "Alright- thank you!"

"Jonathan."

Rowan tells Jonathan to keep watch as she plans on explaining their plan to the other guards why they came to a stop.

"I’ll keep watch here, you go ahead and do your business." (Jonathan) clicks his tonga adjusting the grip on the reins to have Snowy the destroyer, his horse moves a little closer on the carriage to stand guard, Rowan needs the princess to be safe while she changes her clothes.

The other royal guards that were with them last time were ordered to be brought along as an escort mission, they eyed the general suspiciously for stopping but they know she probably meant no harm.

Sir William Marshall was the head guard and asked Rowan why they stopped, "General Rowan why did you order a halt? Shouldn’t we get going before the sun sets down?"

Rowan nods, "Mm... it will take us a day and a half before we can get there but I would need for all of you to bear with me for a while."

The carriage doors opened, revealing the princess in her new attire.

A pair of finely tailored trousers hugged her form, crafted from the finest black suede, sturdy yet supple enough for long rides. A fitted riding jacket, deep navy with intricate silver embroidery, framed her silhouette with effortless grace. The high collar added a regal touch, its edges lined with delicate stitching that mimicked the patterns of the royal crest. Beneath it, a crisp white blouse peeked through, its fabric light and breathable, yet refined with a hint of lace at the cuffs.

Her polished leather boots rose just below her knees, their buckles glinting in the morning light as she moved with practiced ease. A belt, adorned with an ornate silver clasp, cinched at her waist, ensuring her posture remained as poised as ever.

She pulled on a pair of supple riding gloves, flexing her fingers against the leather.

"My apologies if I have kept you waiting." She smiles at Rowan, who must’ve been waiting with excitement.

Rowan’s eyes gleamed after seeing the princess in her new attire, she was wagging her tail as she lowered her head happily telling her that it was no big deal to wait. Hah! It will never be a big deal when it comes to her indeed!

"Not at all, her highness." (Rowan) replies.

"..." Sir Marshall gave an obvious side eye to this well renowned and feared general across the demon lands who was basically wagging her tail like a loyal dog towards the princess.