Chapter 4: [Error Found] (I).
The reward has been revealed to all, such a relationship is taboo but- instead of donating to commoners it might be better for the royal family to have the general's wishes to be fulfilled. After all, the king has two more daughters to be spared in politically arranged marriages.
"To a joyous occasion! To my daughter, the crown princess and the young general! All of you raise your glass!" The King raises his full wine glass to a toast, with everyone else following. "To the two we celebrate your union!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"..." (Rowan)
"..." (Princess Camille)
The party went on and the general awkwardly approached the princess, five years they haven't seen or talked to each other face to face.
"Your highness I- um… how have you been?" (Rowan) asks.
Crown Princess Camille eyes her figure, from head to toe before softly smiling.
How tall she's grown the last time they've seen each other at the party, though she was also there to watch her at her military entrance exam and graduation.
"Not too terrible after your sudden proposal. It's been a long time since I've seen you, you've certainly made a name for yourself." She commends Rowan for her success, her destiny to follow wasn't an easy task.
Though… everything is not following according to the script.
"The only reason I wanted to be in the military was to repay my debt to you."
"A debt?" The crown princess raises her eyebrows at those words, she never knew this girl owes her something.
What debt could it be?
"When you saved me from my bullies when I was younger, I don't know if you remember but I was really scared at that time of losing my hair. This was the one thing that my mother left of me." She holds a stand of her hair, remembering the mother figure who loved her very dearly. Rowan was thankful to the princess for saving her hair that day. "So um… you know you never really left my mind after all these years and decided to enlist in military work to make you notice me."
Rowan was not aware that her hands were fidgeting.
Crown Princess Camille notices this and places her chin to the palm of her hand leaning to the side. "Wait- are you nervous, General?"
Rowan lowered her head, heart beating out of nervousness and she wasn't able to look the crown princess in the eye. "I… I think I am. My apologies, your highness, I don't know what to say."
Princess Camille felt sympathetic for her nerves, well who wouldn't be after freshly being engaged with no choice?
"Well then why don't we make you a bit more comfortable with some dance." She offers her hand to Rowan with a wide smile. "Since we are both women there is no rule that a man should ask first, may I do the honor of asking you to dance with me?"
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Rowan chuckles looking at the many guests in the ball who were dancing, their moves elegant, poise and with grace.
Something she lost the habit of keeping…
"I have forgotten how to dance for years." She tells the princess who shrugs.
"Don't worry it's not a problem, why don't you leave it all to me?" She insists on dancing, one more nudge to make the pretty general agree. "I'll lead and you follow."
Rowan looks a little shy as she takes her hand in hers. "Well… if you insist, your highness."
A few people have asked her to dance before but this was the first that made her heart jump through the roof with happiness.
"Well if we're to be married why don't you call me by my name?"
"Y-Yes, Princess Camille."
"That's a step forward."
The two went into the dance floor in the middle, heading to the sound of music leading to dance.
Rowan didn't know who would hold the waist since that was the man's part. The crown princess did as she promised and guided her hand to wherever she needed it. "You can hold my waist, general."
"R-Right." The crimson general awkwardly held her waist as her palms started sweating.
Jonathan who was at the buffet ate like a King and watched his buddy have the best night of her life. "Mm this steal is incredible, but you know what else? Having a free show! Hah!"
He laughed to himself and placed more food onto his plate. The crimson general truly is one of the luckiest gal for scoring a princess for free!
"..."
"..."
The two girls didn't mind the other dancers who were enjoying themselves- they were on their own worlds as they swayed.
"One, two, three… and a one, two, three step to the right and slide." (Princess Camille) never left her stare at Rowan who was glaring down at her feet. "You're doing great."
"Thank you, Princess Camille." The crimson general was praying that she doesn't stomp on the crown princess' foot and make a humiliating mistake.
"..."
Rowan focuses on dancing, soon she picks up the pace and relaxes on the princess' arms. As they move to the corner to dance she couldn't help but overhear the whispers of the guests giving them such intense stares.
"Wow, the two are actually dancing together. Are all military women interested in women as well?" A woman holding her fan leans over to her companion who scoffed.
"No… we're just becoming a lot more open minded it seems. I have no intention for that kind of progress, really."
A count behind them overhears, joining the conversation. "It's the King's fault. A man should only be with a woman, not whatever this crap is. I can't believe he'd allow it and the princess is a fool for accepting it."
Rowan felt guilty and wondered if all of their words were true… should a woman be only with a man?
And was the princess a fool for accepting her proposal?
"..."
"Don't listen to them. I really don't mind, I am actually happy that this arrangement has been done. If not, my father would've married me off to a foreign nobleman." (Princess Camille) assures the general that her proposal is a surprise, but it was a welcome one. "And you seem to be the better option."
"I um… yes. I will… be… a good wife… to you, your highness."
"..." The awkwardness of the heroine was so adorable the crown princess thought she was going to die. Her heart had a moment of grief realizing what she had done to this world, they weren't to happen and she needed to be truthful.
"Honestly I wasn't an option to choose from. I'm not like my brothers, is it because I saved you back then that you liked me ever since?" She asks the crimson haired girl who laughs softly trying to hide her reddened cheeks.
"I just… my heart couldn't help it. I realized something that day, a calling… your kindness I want to repay it back by protecting you or the things you cared about. The Kingdom is one of them, so I risked everything to win the war because I know… you'll be safer that way."
"O-Oh is that so?" There was a silent pause and the princess coughs, continuing. "Well you know, even years of not seeing you. I still think your hair is beautiful."
"Thank you, your highness."
The two danced for a few more songs, Rowan adapted on the art of waltz and kept her pace with the crown princess who hums satisfiedly with her poise and steps. "Well look at you being a natural at dancing. Your feet haven't forgotten the steps."
"I am just thankful that I am not stepping on her highness' feet." (Rowan) slowly dips her down, staring at her lovely blue eyes.
How come… she's still so beautiful?
How come after all these years… she's still the woman who can keep making her heart race?
"I'll forgive you even if you do step on my feet. So tell me what are you going to do after this?" (Princess Camille) asks, as she stands straight looking forward for the girl's answer. After all, once their marriage is settled they must have a specific goal that they must do.
If she's to be married to a mariochiness… of the new noble house of Bonheur, there's not much room for her being an heir to the royal crown. It will now be passed to her younger sister, and the next person to arrange a marriage for the throne.
"Soon I'll no longer be the crown princess, because I'll be your wife. My father has given you rewards that could last us decades if you're responsible and careful with it. A whole village to be gifted is no cheap thing." She tells Rowan who thinks about the future for a moment.
"I… never thought of getting married. I really just wanted to be your personal knight and guardian. But now I don't think the King would like the idea of that since he's keen on me continuing my duties as the general."
"Oh father certainly won't like it if you kept your attention on me, but it is sweet of you to do so." Truly this woman was a kind girl, she doesn't deserve this route opening- not… she doesn't… deserve it.
"I think… I'll decide to… keep off work for a few months and get to know her better. I want to… take walks with you, ask you a few personal questions and… eat together?" That took a lot out of her to ask, making the first move is not her forte.
"You want to get to know me better as a couple would do?"
"I do."
Hearing Rowan's answer the two of them stopped dancing, Princess Camille looked serious and for a second it seemed like a part of her mask had fallen off. "Let me ask you something general, when you get to know me better… I wonder if you'll be able to accept the real princes?"
Rowan nods, a little confused.
"Yes, your highness."
"Then follow me, I'll show you something I haven't shown anyone before."
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