The Cursed Prince

Gewen didn't realize his 'just one cup of wine' had turned into five cups, and for the first time in his life, he was drinking his pain away.

Normally, he only drank for fun and he could control his wine intake so he wouldn't get drunk in public. He was, after all, a young lord from a respectable noble family and a renowned general in Draec. He had an image to keep.

However, tonight he drank his heart out in this tavern. Gewen had never experienced feeling this sorrowful before that he couldn't stop chugging wine after wine.

Meanwhile, Kira looked at the tipsy guy with a raised eyebrow.. She shook her head, clicked her tongue, and then complained under her breath, "I don't want to let a woman pay for me my foot!"

"The wine is decent..." Gewen said almost in gibberish. "Thank you for the wine... I needed it..."

He had such a bad day. After losing his money to a pickpocket, he almost got killed by the vicious wolves, and now his self-worth was close to zero since the only woman he was attracted to was apparently didn't consider him worthy as a man.

The only good thing that happened today was the fact that he finally got a contact directly to Emmelyn.

He hoped Kira would believe his words when he explained the misunderstanding between Mars and Emmelyn and she would decide to help him to meet Emmelyn and coaxed her to go home.

"You were telling me that there was a grave misunderstanding between Emmelyn and her husband regarding the bounty... Continue." Finally, Kira tapped the table impatiently and demanded Gewen to speak. "What misunderstanding?"

"Oh... ahahaha.. that's actually a really funny story. The first bounty and... the second bounty.. verrry funny..." Gewen chuckled.

He furrowed his brows and tried to remember what was so funny about the bounty, but even after exerting all his brainpower, he couldn't remember what it was. He became frustrated. 

"So...?" Kira raised an eyebrow. "You said you wanted to clear the misunderstanding but all you have been doing is drinking wine and nothing else. If you are just looking to waste my time, I will make you understand that I am not one to mess with."

She pulled out the handle of her sword to show Gewen that she didn't hesitate to kill him.

"No... no, no, beautiful, I am not trying to mess with you. I just forget what I wanted to say..." Gewen pursed his lips. "Please bear with me."

Kira rolled her eyes, crossed her arms on her chest, and gave Gewen a disdained look.

She was not a patient person, to begin with, so dealing with a drunk man she considered stupid was really testing her limit.

The only reason Kira didn't use violence on Gewen or leave him here on his own was that he said he was Emmelyn's friend through her husband.

What if he was really connected with Emmelyn for whatever reason?  Wouldn't Emmelyn feel disappointed in Kira if she knew Kira hurt the people she was acquainted with?

In addition to that, Gewen also said he brought important news from home that could clear a misunderstanding between Emmelyn and her husband.

What if it was true? Kira couldn't take that risk. She liked Emmelyn too much.

"You have drunk enough," said Kira. She snatched Gewen's cup when the man was trying to pour more wine into his cup. "If you can't tell me what is it that you need to tell me, I will go."

"Oh.. that's right, I do have something to say to you..." Gewen looked at Kira with a sheepish smile.

She furrowed her brows, being stared at by this really handsome man with gleaming eyes. Nobody had ever stared at her this way, with eyes filled with adoration. This made Kira feel dazed. "Yes?"

"Ahh.. you are so cool. Do you know that?" Gewen gushed. "You are the coolest woman I have ever met, and trust me I have met A LOT. A LOT of women. So, I know what I am talking about..."

Even though Gewen talked almost in gibberish, Kira was surrounded by drunk people often enough to understand how drunk people spoke. So, she could comprehend what Gewen was trying to say to her.

"..."

No woman disliked compliments.  Kira was no exception. Her nose crinkled when she heard Gewen called her the coolest woman he had ever met, and she felt her heart flutter.

Yes, this man was silly and weak, but he was extremely handsome. And judging from the way he carried himself, he looked like he was from a noble family.

Kira noticed how many women stole glances at Gewen when they walked together to this tavern. And even until now, so many female patrons were looking at Gewen to admire his good looks, to the point of ignoring their male partners.

Some of them were even staring daggers at her because they were jealous to see Kira could sit together with the most handsome man they had ever seen. Kira could tell they thought she didn't deserve the honor since she was not stunningly beautiful.

So, Gewen, this handsome man called her the coolest woman he had ever met? Haha...

Kira couldn't stay mad at Gewen, even if she wanted to. She cleared her throat. "You really think I'm cool?"

Gewen nodded enthusiastically. 

"Why?" Kira asked again.

"Why not?" Gewen shrugged. "You are pretty, you are strong, you have a no-nonsense attitude, and you are impressive. The way you killed those wolves back there... Wowzaaa!! I have never met a woman as interesting as you."

While talking, Gewen stood up and tried to mimic Kira's movement when she slew those wolves in the Grey Wolves Forest. His body swayed here and there and he looked really silly. 

Kira chuckled, looked away, and finally laughed heartily. She turned to look at Gewen again and smiled warmly.

No one had ever told her those words before. Not even an ugly man. So, this moment meant a lot her.

Seeing how drunk the man before her was now, Kira realized Gewen must be telling the truth. This put her in a good mood.

"You must be a skilled womanizer," she muttered. "You have a way with words."

Kira shook her head and poured wine into her cup and downed it in one go. She thought she needed to drink more too. 

"I am not a womanizer," Gewen pursed his lips. "In fact, I haven't slept with any woman for a long, long, long time..."

He plopped his butt on the chair and looked at Kira with a pitiful expression.

"Really?" Kira was surprised to know this.

She was sure Gewen was an expert womanizer from the way he talked and seduced her just now with his words. But apparently, this man had not touched a woman for a very long time? How impressive.

"Really..." Gewen replied. "I am practicing abstinence. I haven't had sex for a long, long, long time."

Kira looked at Gewen with a newfound respect and asked him, "How long?"

Gewen looked at her and sighed. His eyes were gleaming, filled with sadness. "Too long. It's been almost two months."

Needless to say, Kira rolled her eyes so hard, they almost fell out of their sockets.

"Bastard," she cursed under her breath.