The Crimson General Desires no Prince! (GL)
Chapter 59 - 44: Congratulations to the General (III).

Chapter 59: Chapter 44: Congratulations to the General (III).

Chapter 44: Congratulations to the General (III).

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The Tent

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At the sound of men waking up early to prepare packing their things, Rowan opens her eyes, feeling someone moving beside her.

"...adorable."

It was Princess Camille who was still sleeping soundly, they had some fun last night getting to know each other. She thought that being able to spend time with the princess that saved her life back then was only a dream.

Now she has her by her side.

"Nngh..." Princess Camille’s arms slithers around to hold Rowan’s waist suddenly after feeling a shift of movement by the bed.

"...!" (Rowan) bit her lip as she felt the small, slender figure beside her shift, pressing closer. A soft, warm breath ghosted against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

She tensed, her heartbeat quickening. The gentle rise and fall of Princess Camille’s breathing, the delicate way she nestled against her- it was almost too much.

Then in a sleepy murmur she tells her fiance. "I’ll be right with you, princess." (Rowan) whispered, her voice barely above a breath, as if speaking any louder might break the fragile moment between them.

Rowan carefully takes the wrapped arm around her waist and slowly brings it back to the princess’ chest. Her heart aches in pain of how they can’t stay there for a few more hours but she knows that as her duty as the general the party must move and get back to the border as soon as possible.

The tensions of the war are still ongoing.

The crimson general is expected to still do her responsibility as the new hero of the kingdom and new tasks will be given by the King in the future that she has to get ready.

She wore new paddings and her armor.

At the very last glove she makes sure that everything is proper and clean. "..."

Rowan could feel someone approaching the tent and didn’t let her guard down for a moment. "Excuse me... is anyone awake? May I come in? I’m one of the princess’ servants."

Rowan turns back to the princess, the servant must be a maid here to help her get ready. "Yes, you may come in. The princess is still sleeping, please keep your voice down."

It was the former crown princess’ maid and most trusted servant. She lowers her head, doing a proper and poised curtsy as she introduces herself.

"Goodmorning, Marchioness Bonheur. My apologies if I am imposing but at this time. My name is Sylvie Grey, it is my duty as a maid to help her highness to change her into her new attire and fix her hair." She explains to the general of her duty and Rowan nods.

Sylvie looks up at Rowan’s face and realizes for a woman she has quite the handsome face.

’No wonder the princess is quite into this type, she seems to be a calm, quiet and charming person.’ She recalls how Princess Camille was always giddy for romance, especially the mysterious type.

Rowan walks over to the sleeping Princess Camille who was drooling a little, her little puppy tail droops down realizing that she really needs to get back to work and can’t stay by her side of the bed any longer.

She turns to the maid and asks her to not wake her up just yet, "Please be gentle when you’re going to wake her up... Maybe give her five minutes more. She had a bit too much fun last night, she’s bound to be tired."

She doesn’t want to leave the princess, not at all but she can’t just leave the work all to Jonathan and the others...

’Had too much fun last night...?!’ The maid’s ears perked up and nodded in understanding.

Ah the princess is a liar! She said they wouldn’t do anything of that sort but look at her snoring without a care in the world right after such an intense night it seems!

"Leave it to me, milady."

Rowan awkwardly shakes her head, not wanting to be called milady or Marchioness just yet.

"General is fine, I’m not fully acquainted yet with my noble title after so many years... ah... I should go. Please tell the princess I will be waiting outside once she wakes up, I’ll handle the troops and help organise things around."

"Yes, General Bonheur."

Rowan lingered, unwilling to move, her gaze fixed on the sleeping princess. The soft rise and fall of Camille’s breath, the quiet little mutters she made in her sleep—it was a sight Rowan wanted to memorize. To keep.

A loose strand of hair had fallen over Camille’s face, and without thinking, Rowan reached out, tucking it gently behind her ear. Her fingers brushed against warm skin, lingering for just a second longer than necessary.

A part of her ached to stay.

But then-

"General?"

The voice of the maid, Sylvie, pulled her back to reality. Rowan blinked, forcing herself to straighten.

"I-I’m going now," she murmured, her voice quieter than she intended.

Before turning away, she reached out hesitantly, brushing back a loose strand of Camille’s hair. A fleeting touch. A final moment.

"Let her sleep for five more minutes," she said before stepping away, though her heart remained behind.

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Outside

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All of the other soldiers were already up and about, including Rowan’s right hand man, Lieutenant Jonathan Smithers.

"Come on boy!" He presses his two fingers together and places it into his mouth, whistling very loudly.

"Tweet!"

A messenger bird leapt from one of the trees, it was a falcon. He cleans his feathers before tilting his small little head at Jonathan. "I need you to deliver this message for me. It’s not long before we get back to the borders, I’ll owe that grumpy bitch Selene a favor."

Ah Lieutenant Selene Krieg the strict woman who just won’t stop butting heads with him, not only that-! She’s low-key obsessed with Rowan!

"Ugh..."

Just thinking about it gives Jonathan a headache.

"Alright, get going!"

...

Jonathan returned to the camp, spotting the others already up and moving. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and lingering smoke as they hurried to pack their belongings. Someone kicked dirt over the dying embers of the fire, while another rolled up the last of the bedrolls. Horses shifted restlessly nearby, their breaths visible in the cool air.

Yawning, Jonathan stretched his arms. "Up this early? Did I miss something?"

One of the soldiers glanced up while tightening the straps on a saddle. "Orders came in. We’re moving out sooner than planned."

Jonathan groaned. "And here I was hoping for a slow morning..."

He groaned, running a hand through his hair as he watched the camp stir with activity. His hopes for a slow morning were officially crushed.

As he adjusted the strap of his satchel, his gaze drifted to the side, and there she was- Rowan.

She stood slightly apart from the others, near the edge of the camp, arms crossed, eyes scanning the horizon. The soft glow of the rising sun caught the edges of her armor, making it gleam as if it carried the first light of day itself. Her hair, usually tied with military precision, had a few stray strands slipping loose, tousled by the morning breeze.

"Ah, General! What a lovely morning!"

Rowan narrowed her eyes, stretching her arms with a tired sigh, she saw Jonathan walking towards her looking quite chipper.

"Morning... Did you do something while I was gone, Jonathan?"

Jonathan laughs, shaking his head. "Little old me? No, why would you ask?"

"The grin on your face is suspicious. Did something good happen?" She was onto him, Jonathan was a happy go lucky type of person but he’s not that happy to the point his smile is reaching up to his eyelids.

"Oh, you know, I just sent a messenger bird recently... to my family. You know me, big family man."

Rowan smiles warmly hearing of Jonathan’s parents. It’s nice that he would send them a letter from time to time, back in their military days she would often crash at his home when it was summer vacation.

She became part of the Smithers family unexpectedly, "I miss Uncle and Aunt. How have they been?"

Jonathan chuckled, leaning against a nearby tree. "Still asking when we’re getting married."

"Pfft- " (Rowan) covered her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh.

"Don’t laugh too much," Jonathan groaned. "I’m hoping once they hear you’re already engaged, they’ll finally back off, and I’ll be free from those painfully awkward dinner conversations when I visit."

Rowan crossed her arms, amused.

"Besides, I can’t marry you. I only see you as my very cool little sister."

"I did hear from Aunt that you always wanted one."

"Well, growing up with five older brothers meant I was always the target of their teasing. Being the youngest was a nightmare." His face sours after remembering all the things he had to do for his older brothers, taking over chores- cooking, cleaning and being blamed for their messes... but now!

"Hah! Now I have a very amazing sister who’s not only- successful, leading an army, and working under the best boss and best friend." (Jonathan) smirked, gesturing to himself. "The pay’s good, the ladies love me- life’s great."

Rowan rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a smile. "Let’s visit next month. Clear a schedule. I’ll bring them a few souvenirs."

"You’re too kind, milady." He gave her a dramatic bow before grinning. "Gosh, it still throws me off sometimes. You’re an actual noble now. That part was expected, but does it have to be so formal?"

"Mm... I’m still me. I don’t think much of titles, you don’t need to call me milady." Rowan admitted, hoping that Jonathan won’t treat her any differently. "Though, I won’t lie- it does make getting around easier. I was once a noble before getting disowned by my father for leaving to pursue life in the military. I know what power his title held- how much respect and fear he had. Guess I’ll be reacquainting myself with my roots."