The Crimson General Desires no Prince! (GL)
Chapter 45 - 41: My Home is your Home (IV)

Chapter 45: Chapter 41: My Home is your Home (IV)

Chapter 41: My Home is your Home (IV)

Truth or Dare is a classic party game where players take turns choosing between answering a personal question or doing a challenge.

If you pick "Truth," you have to answer honestly, no matter how embarrassing the question is. If you choose "Dare," you have to complete whatever challenge you’re given, which can be anything from funny to a little risky. It’s a fun way to break the ice and get to know people better!

"I’ll give you an example, we’re going to stay three facts about ourselves. It can be something the other party knows or something you never shared before." (Princess Camille) smiles, moving a little closer to Rowan’s space.

"I come from another world, I fear snakes And-" She stops for a moment wondering if her next words would be safe to say... but since they are supposed to get to know one another she shrugs. "I once had a crush on one of my servants."

Rowan looks down hearing the options she was given and frowns. "...is the lie the very last one?"

Princess Camille shakes her head, "Nope, the lie is I fear snakes. I adore snakes and love them. They make quite a good pet if you know what to do."

Ding!

[Notification: Heroine is Sad].

[Happiness: -30].

"Oh um... are you upset?" She asks.

"No... I am erm... rather... maybe... a little disappointed." After all Rowan is rather a complicated character to judge, she is only meant to love one person after raising her flag.

The princess raised it too early in the story and the system seems to now view her as the new love interest. "I realized that after all these years, I knew that I never stopped loving you but I never considered that what if you are currently in love with someone else now?"

"I don’t have anyone in particular whom I’m interested in at the moment besides if I did I wouldn’t have agreed to come here with you." (Princess Camille) slowly reaches out to hold Rowan’s hand, seeing her sad face her heart contorts with guilt. "You’ve... really stayed loyal with your feelings after that many years?"

The crimson general nods, "I vowed to myself that I would never marry, men or women I couldn’t even think of forcing myself to be with other people."

Many have tried.

That she knew.

Maidens and gentlemen far and wide kept their place in line, hoping that they could be the one who’d break the crimson general’s heart. They send money, flowers and even letters containing their words of love!

Yet she denied all of it.

For one woman.

"I... never looked at any other person the way that I look at you, your highness." (Rowan) clenches her hand, looking straight at the princess’ green emerald eyes and confesses once more. "I love her highness after all."

"I... I guess my heart still needs to get used to you saying that. I never got a confession from a girl who’s liked me since the day that we met."

"You need not reply, your highness. I am happy with the way things are now." (Rowan) rubs her thumbs over the skin of her palm looking nervous, how does one try to romance another woman?

They are to be wedded but surely it’s not that easy... to make someone fall in love.

"W-Well that’s how the game works! It’s your turn to give me two truths and one lie." (Princess Camille) breaks the awkward feelings in the air by finishing the last instructions needed to play the game. "How about you try and give me two truths and one lie? I’ll be the one guessing this time."

Rowan nods following the princess’ instructions. "I am allergic to not only alcohol but... also to soybeans, I have a really nasty scar on my abdomen and I can sing really well."

Princess Camille smirks, "The lie has got to be that you’re allergic to soybeans."

"Your highness is correct."

"I knew it-! When you lie you take your time thinking, you think a lot after your alcohol allergy. Oh! So you really can sing well!?"

"A few of my other comrades have taught me how to sing and control my voice on some notes, we sing merry ballads and songs written by bards who often perform at bars."

"Will I be able to hear the great crimson general perform tonight?"

"I’m... shy."

...

The two played some more after a few more hours in the night, they started talking about the random things about their stories in the past.

"I can speak almost five different languages, I can do a backflip and in middle school I used to be really popular." Especially the princess who had a very interesting past life back on earth.

Where she lived as just any other ordinary girl in school.

However, Rowan doesn’t know what middle school was. "What’s a middle school?"

"Imagine it is similar to an academy of this world but instead of studying magic we poke our noses at match, science and history. Anyone can go to this academy for free because it’s a public one." She explains with great detail and care that Rowan hums finally knowing the right answer for the princess’ two truths and one lie.

"I see... The lie is the backflip. Her highness has told me of her origin, that is no lie and the way you spoke of the third one seemed nostalgic in your eyes... and well I don’t believe her highness can do a backflip."

"You guessed it right. You’re getting good at this game, and I learned so many fun facts about you." (Princess Camille) laughs, her body relaxing onto the bed of the tent. "This has been fun, hasn’t it?"

"Mm."

Rowan lays beside her, awkwardly making sure that they have enough space.

"So do you want to sleep now? Sorry if I kept you up this late, I really wanted to have a sleepover like this in yead. The other noble ladies in this world don’t have this concept..."

"...I learned a lot from Her Highness today. I’d like to do this again. I like... that you smile a lot when we’re together like this." Rowan turns her head slowly, meeting Princess Camille’s eyes.

Princess Camille exhales softly, wanting to be vulnerable once more, to let go of her mask and tell the heroine of her worries. "Can I be honest with you, Rowan?"

As Princess Camille calls her name with no title of the general of course she could only say yes.

"Yes, Your Highness."

A shadow passes over Camille’s face. "My greatest fear... is losing my home. In my past life, before coming here, I lost everything. And in the end, I died because of my own selfishness." She looks away, voice quiet but steady. "My parents were wonderful. They loved me, spoiled me when they could... but their faces are fading from my memory. All I have left is the warmth of their love and the moments we shared."

She pauses, then glances back at Rowan. "You asked me before what my parents did for work, right?"

Rowan nods.

"My mother was a freelance artist. She took commissions from clients all over the world, always giving her best to every piece she created. Actually..." Camille hesitates, a wistful smile touching her face. "Princess Camille Nyle Kastil... This body and face was based on my real self. My mother helped bring this character to life."

"I remember... getting so angry when they were both too busy with work. They missed one of my recitals. I told them it was fine, but... it wasn’t." Princess Camille’s voice trembles, her fingers tightening in her lap. "I lost the only home I ever knew."

Rowan watches her carefully, her chest tightening at the sorrow in her voice.

"My home is with you now, right?" The princess whispers, turning toward Rowan with wide, uncertain eyes. "I can always go back to the palace, but that place... it’s never safe. I love my family, but I know what my fate will be if I return."

She’s to be wedded to an older man, old enough for him to be her grandfather for the sake of the kingdom.

Rowan reaches for her hand, steady and warm. "My home is your home," she says firmly. "You are safe with me. I will never force anything upon you, and I will protect you. Her Highness is very important to me."

Princess Camille exhales shakily, gripping Rowan’s hand like a lifeline. "Thank you... for being so kind to me. For being good to me."

"You need not thank me, Your Highness." Rowan’s voice is gentle but resolute.

Princess Camille relaxes slightly, exhaustion settling over her.

A small, wistful smile tugs at her lips. "I can’t wait until we have our own house... maybe adopt a few puppies, some cats... maybe even horses."

Rowan chuckles softly. "That sounds like a dream worth chasing."

Princess Camille leans her head against Rowan’s shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper. "...Goodnight, Rowan."

Rowan squeezes her hand lightly, her heart full. "Goodnight, Your Highness."

===

Home: Rosewood Village

===

Nestled within the embrace of rolling green hills and bordered by the whispering woods that gave it its name, Rosewood Village was a sanctuary of charm and resilience. The air carried the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, mingled with the distant hum of life- a melody of hammers striking anvils, children laughing, and the occasional neigh of horses from the village stables.

"So do you think the general is coming back today? We haven’t had a word of what happened in the capital city, our hard work would be for nothing if she doesn’t get here soon." A local villager tends to his horse, brushing its fur as they gossip with one another. "I can’t believe the whole village is planning to give her a grand surprise when she gets back."

"Relax, my friend. We’ve gotten news from a messenger bird that they’re travelling back to the border with someone very important! It came from Lieutenant Jonathan himself, we have no reason to doubt." His friend pats his back.

"Someone important? Could it be an official coming to take a look at how we’re doing? After all, even after the war is over the border is still tense."

"I don’t know who the letter didn’t stare at. I’m excited for what we have in store."