The Crimson General Desires no Prince! (GL)
Chapter 51 - 47: Congratulations to the General (VI).

Chapter 51: Chapter 47: Congratulations to the General (VI).

Chapter 47: Congratulations to the General (VI).

"Listen I know I’ve had my fair shares of false rumors before but this time I’m actually telling the truth. It was unexpected but hey, even I wasn’t expecting Rowan to choose the princess instead of any of the available princes on display." The right hand man of the general was a man who loved gossip, sometimes he would join the middle aged women who often talk about the hot topics of the village or just hang out at the bar and gather information. "My general apologies if it was too soon, I really wanted to let Lieutenant Selene know that you’re well... already taken."

Lieutenant Selene Krieg was a woman who liked the general more than friends, it was very clear amongst the others that how she acted around the general is nothing to how you would consider a friend.

"The letter... Does... Selene already knows of this?" (Rowan) asks, not looking too worried.

The soldiers look at one another being a little unsure in what to say to the General.

She was very strict and mean to any other soldier but to General Rowan... That girl could be as soft as a marshmallow and sweet as sugar if she’s there. Often they pray that when the great crimson general visits their training it would take her a few hours of wanting to talk and do nothing but spend time with her making them relaxed- having break time.

"Lieutenant Selene has heard of the rumors but is unsure- just like us, General Rowan we didn’t dare believe it. We steered clear of her as much as possible of how erm... passionately she’s been at her tasks." They didn’t want to tell her how she got even stricter after she was summoned into the capital.

One laughed scratching the back of his head. "She’s excited to welcome you home, General Bonheur."

"We’re sorry, General Rowan for our misbehavior. We won’t chase gossip no matter how juicy they might be!"

"Apologies accepted, no need to worry... while I don’t like that Jonathan is right, sooner or later the village will know. I will make sure to handle all of my unfinished work once I get back into my office." (Rowan) walks back to her horse and hops onto the saddle. "The gates please."

The soldiers straightened their backs, they lowered the gates and their heads down following orders. "We welcome you back home, General Rowan Bonheur. I hope you enjoy the par-"

Before he could even say anything the other soldiers nudged his sides very hard in order for him to not spill the beans.

"Guhk-" He held his sides.

"What he means is-! We hope you enjoy your stay back home!" They all laughed nervously and glared at their friend who almost ruined all of their plans. "Y-Yeah! Enjoy your stay back home, General Rowan!"

Rowan blinks, suspecting nothing and just thanked them. "Thank you."

General Rowan and Jonathan got back into the saddle and rode at the front, their horses’ hooves rhythmically striking the dirt road as they led the carriage inside Rosewood Village. Behind them, the royal carriage rolled steadily, carrying Princess Camille and her ever-diligent maid Sylvie seated beside her.

"What a lovely village." (Princess Camille) looked out of the window to see an empty village that was nothing like the capital city.

There were a few open fields, tall houses and a small river.

Sylvie looks outside as well but she’s not really that impressed. It doesn’t compare to the capital’s tall and more modern architecturally designed building, there’s barely any glass windows. "Indeed... though it’s nothing like the capital city, still it has its charms."

Glass is a rare material for anyone after all, for a humble village that Rowan is running- one would think that she focuses more on village defenses fortification than worrying about how it looks.

"It’s a good thing that we packed every dress that you owned, your highness. I don’t think we can find much in this place that would fit your standards." (Sylvia) crosses her hands. Further back, additional carriages carried the rest of the royal servants, ensuring the princess’s needs would be met even in the countryside.

"It’s really fine, Sylvie. I would prefer having to live a simple life than being married to an old man, you know that. If Rowan had not picked me at that time... where would I even be now?"

...

Rowan inhaled deeply, taking in the crisp, familiar air of home.

It had been a week since she had last set foot in Rosewood. The scent of fresh earth, the distant bleating of goats in the fields, and the gentle clatter of a blacksmith’s hammer striking iron filled her with something she hadn’t felt in a long time...

Peace.

No battle cries, no blood-soaked fields, no sleepless nights spent sharpening her blade in anticipation of another fight.

Just home.

But something was off.

"Jonathan, is it just me or is it too quiet around here?" She could feel it in the way the air buzzed with an almost unnatural energy, the way the streets seemed just a little too quiet despite the occasional whisper of villagers peeking from behind windows and half-open doors.

It was as if the whole village was holding its breath.

It was too peaceful.

"Ah no! You’re probably overthinking it buddy, they’re probably just um..."

Then, just as they passed beneath the main wooden archway leading into the town square, the silence broke.

A deafening cheer erupted from all around them.

"General Rowan!"

"Welcome home!"

"Our hero returns!"

Rowan instinctively straightened in her saddle, her gloved hand twitching toward the hilt of her sword before her mind caught up with her body.

Colorful scraps of paper fluttered through the air, catching the light like tiny stars. Villagers spilled out from their homes, flooding the streets with joyous laughter, waving their arms wildly as they cheered her name.

"Rowan! Rowan! Rowan!"

Rowan blinked, her usual sharp composure faltering as she took in the sheer number of people gathered.

Jonathan let out a low chuckle beside her enjoying the deafening cheers meant for her friend, he really was struggling to keep everything a secret. "I almost lost myself there whew, welcome back home buddy. The villagers asked me to help so I just couldn’t just spill the beans like that hope you could understand."

The whole village raises their hands up, cheering and throwing flowers on Rowan’s path.

"They wanted to surprise you, a celebration for our hero." (Jonathan) smirked, feeling a little proud.

Rowan tilts her head looking at the people gathered around cheering her name, she couldn’t believe that this was all for her. "A surprise...?"

Then it clicked.

The King’s summons had spread through the kingdom like wildfire. Everyone knew she had been called before the royal court to receive a reward for her victory over the Demon Lord. The nobles and the royal family had given her their formal recognition, but the people of Rosewood had something different in mind.

They had planned their own reward for her.

A celebration.

"This is..."

Music filled the air- lively tunes played on flutes and fiddles as a group of villagers began clapping in rhythm. Long wooden tables had been set up in the village square, laden with baskets of freshly harvested vegetables, golden wheels of cheese, and jugs of honeyed mead.

Bakers had prepared warm, crusty loaves of bread, and the rich scent of roasted meat drifted through the streets, making Rowan’s stomach betray her with a quiet grumble.

"I still have to escort the princess..." She barely had time to process it all before an elderly woman rushed forward, shoving a bundle of flowers into her hands.

"Bless you, General Rowan! For keeping us safe, for protecting the kingdom from the demon king!" The elderwoman’s kind smile made Rowan feel shy and embarrassed, thinking that she was just doing her duty there was no need to give her flowers.

A young boy- no older than ten-clutched a wooden sword as he ran up beside her horse admiring Rowan the hero who slayed the demon king. "I wanna be just like you, General!"

More voices followed.

"Thank you, General Rowan! You’re our hero! Rosewood village is proud of you!"

Rowan clenched her jaw, a strange tightness forming in her throat. She had seen parades before. But... These were her people. The ones who had watched her grow, the ones who had seen her leave as a soldier and return as a hero.

Princess Camille who was also shocked to see such a scenery smiles widely, "So many people... They’re all cheering Rowan’s name, it’s certainly deafening."

She wasn’t just a general to them. She was family.

Based on the original story, the heroine touched nothing on the topic of family or anyone else that was close to her. A few instances they did mention her half-sister, father and step-mother.

But nothing much about her biological mother other than her being someone powerful... because in the story people with red hair are considered the devil in some parts of the world because they are the only people who can harness magic.

"..."

Rowan must not have realized her true origin just yet, but that is only because the story behind that will only be uncovered if you pick a love interest.

"Rowan! Rowan! Rowan!" They cheered for her name even louder.

"Ahem." (Jonathan) nudged her lightly with his elbow seeing that she wasn’t saying anything and thought she was just being too sentimental. "Try not to cry, General. I’ll have a hard time not teasing you about it."

Rowan laughed, reaching out to hug her right hand man. "As if- but thank you, it seems all of you were in on it to give me such a wonderful surprise."

But even as she said it, she felt the warmth creeping into her chest, threatening to shatter the walls she had spent years building.

The royal carriage slowed behind her, and the door opened as Princess Camille stepped out, lifting the hem of her elegant gown so it wouldn’t drag against the dirt road. Despite her regal bearing, there was a softness in her expression as she took in the scene before her.

She turned to Rowan with a knowing smile. "You’re loved here."

"Y-Your highness." (Rowan) shyly shakes her head, shifting in her saddle. "It’s just a party... I think."

Gasps rippled through the crowd as all eyes turned toward the regal woman stepping down from the ornate carriage, its polished wood gleaming beneath the royal crest emblazoned in gold. Her presence was magnetic- an otherworldly grace wrapped in an opulent dress that shimmered with every subtle movement. The fabric alone looked worth more than a noble’s dowry.

Could it be...?

The realization struck like lightning.

Without a single word spoken, the crowd fell to their knees as if pulled by invisible strings. The sound of rustling fabric and armor echoed through the courtyard as every person from soldiers, townsfolk, even children lowered their heads to the ground in perfect unison.

A wave of reverence swept across the space, thick with awe and disbelief.

No one dared lift their gaze.

To look directly at the princess- the Princess Camille was to cross a line that had been drilled into them through years of tradition. It wasn’t just about respect; it was fear of overstepping, of being seen as too bold in the presence of royalty.

"It’s her royal highness!" someone whispered in a hushed gasp.

"The royal crest on the carriage... it’s really her!"

"Wait- she’s here with the general?! So the rumors... they were true?!"

Standing before them, regal and composed, Princess Camille descended from the carriage with a grace that felt almost unreal. Her gown shimmered like starlight, a deep sapphire threaded with fine silver embroidery that caught the sun with every step. The royal crest gleamed on the side of the carriage behind her- undeniable proof of her identity. Her posture was poised, her chin held high, but her eyes held something gentler.

Something... human.

She surveyed Rowan’s people, faces hidden from her beneath lowered brows and trembling shoulders. People who were not her subjects- yet.

"Good afternoon to all of you," She said clearly, her voice ringing across the stillness like a bell. "There is no need for you to kneel. Please, raise your heads."

Silence answered her.

No one moved.

Not a soul dared to disobey the deeply ingrained instinct to remain low in the presence of royalty. Even with her invitation, fear and reverence rooted them to the ground.

"..."

Princess Camille paused.

Her expression didn’t falter, but a flicker of uncertainty passed through her eyes. Then, with a deep breath, she let a smile bloom across her face- one that was warm, reassuring, and maybe just a little mischievous.

She raised her voice, not with the command of royalty, but with the heartfelt sincerity of someone extending a hand.

"My name is Princess Camille Nyle Kastil," she announced. "I am well aware of my status- but more importantly, I want us to get along. Anyone who matters to General Rowan... will matter to me."

That stirred something in the crowd. A few heads lifted, just slightly.

She stepped forward, hands clasped in front of her heart. "After all," she said, her voice growing brighter, "I am the general’s fiancée."

A murmur ran through the crowd-

"General Rowan... took the princess as her engaged partner?!"

"Goodness! That’s something even greater than any medal! I suppose congratulations are in order!"

"What in the world- Is this allowed?!"

Shock, curiosity, even joy.

Princess Camille smirked, for once she wanted to forget her princessly upbringing and raised her hand. "From today onward, I’ll be in your care. So I say- why not party all night and celebrate my fiancée’s victory?"

Gasps broke out, followed by scattered laughter and wide eyes.

"Y-Your highness?!" (Sylvie) stammered, as if unable to believe what she’d just heard. The other servants slowly went out of the carriage and were also shocked to hear the usual calm, collected and quiet princess who kept everything to herself was here declaring to party all night long.

Princess Camille only smiled wider, glancing toward Rowan with a glint of affection in her eyes.

"So what do you say, General?"

The royal crest might have brought fear to the hearts of many- but her words began to plant something else.

Hope.