The Cursed Prince

Harlow was fashionably late and the prince from the kingdom of Torrenhall was already sweating buckets after seeing King Mars.

Imagining that Mars Strongmoor was going to be the father-in-law was already terrifying for most.

However, the entire continent was aware and knew how charming Princess Harlow Strongmoor was. She was the type of princess that any young prince or knight wanted because not only was she beautiful, she was also talented, intelligent, and without a doubt, an adventurer.

There was also the fact that the idea of becoming the husband of Princess Harlow was a challenge. And more importantly would open a way for them to the throne of Draec, the biggest kingdom in their continent.

A lot of young men actually wanted to prove themselves up to the task. Each one of them brought countless gifts, presents and even wrote letters or ballads of love.

One time, even Emmelyn started to cringe because the so-called Prince Bard who wanted to relay his promise to love Princess Harlow did it through a poem.

Harlow ended up yawning so wide during the meeting with the man and left the sensitive man in tears. At long last, Harlow entered the throne room and the expression of the prince lit up.

He actually had a multitude of gifts just for the princess and even an entire parade had come bearing his regal presence and insignia.

He looked so happy to see the beautiful process enter the throne room, secretly feeling happy that Harlow was more beautiful than what he had heard.

Right now, there was even a rose in the prince's hand that King Mars nearly wilted off with his glares, but the prince quickly bowed in front of Harlow and said, "My greetings to you, Your Highness. I have come from afar to gaze upon thine beauty…"

Harlow batted her eyes at him and then glanced at her mother and father. She sighed and tapped her foot impatiently. 

She'll go through the rejection quickly and so smiled at him. "I'll let you know that I don't only have a beautiful face, but I also have a strong personality too. So if you expect me to sit still on the throne and be your wife, you can leave now."

The prince looked at her shell shocked and Harlow strolled up to her parents and gave them a frown. She crossed her arms and muttered. "I really should have tried to go to Summeria and visit their Archelaus Library."

***

"You didn't even give the poor lad a chance to confess his feelings." Emmelyn pointed out the incident earlier, during their family dinner. 

There was only one night left before her daughter's eighteen birthday. So, the family mildly discussed the topic of marriage. It was around this age that people started contemplating relationships and love more.

Knowing someday that their daughter would grow up and find a partner meant that it was an important conversation. Especially when Harlow didn't show a hint of interest whatsoever. 

In Emmelyn's own opinion, those men who came to show their interest in Harlow were not all bad. Some were very good-looking, many were brave, a few looked smart, and most of them were polite and well-educated as royalties or noblemen.

"Well, I don't want to give him hope." Harlow cut her steak and placed some meat in her mouth. She chewed and looked at her father. "We need to be upfront with what we want, don't we, Father? You once told my mother that you'll make babies with her right?"

King Mars Strongmoor choked on his own wine and Emmelyn smiled ruefully. She chuckled at her husband and nodded. "Yes, he did just that. I thought he was so obnoxious before and a devil."

Harlow Strongmoor grew up and actually enjoyed hearing the love story between her parents. Instead of feeling disgusted about hearing people older than her discuss their own romances, she sighed wistfully.

"If my partner isn't going to be like my father when he did his best to woo you, then I wouldn't want to get married to anyone," Princess Harlow seriously said. "I mean it."

Mars finally chuckled and smiled smugly. "Well, it'll be difficult to find someone just like me. I'm unlike anyone else. So, you'd be hard-pressed to find a man as good as me."

"Don't be ridiculous." Emmelyn rolled her eyes. She looked at her daughter. "When the time comes, Harlow. I'm sure that you'll meet the right person that you'll want to be your partner. You don't have to get it right the first time…"

"We have to find the perfect match for her," Mars insisted. "There's no need for her to meet other men as long as she meets her destined partner. That way, we don't have to see another man trying to pry her attention."

It wasn't like they brought it up ever so often, but memories of Maxim also pursuing Emmelyn were something that Mars still found distasteful. Even after eighteen years, he still didn't like the memory of it.

The king of Draec could accept that his wife was a wonderful woman that many men also fell for, but if he had a choice, he just wanted his daughter to have a peaceful relationship where she meets just one man and it all worked out great.

Emmelyn rolled her eyes. "You say that as if men and women can't be friends."

"Do you really think men would just be interested in being friends with my daughter if they could be her partner?" Mars answered back. "I am sure most men would only want to approach Harlow to marry her."

Emmelyn shrugged. "People can surprise you. You don't have to judge them by their appearances or rumors."

He shook his head and exhaled loudly. "Well, it can't be helped when all of these men come here hearing stories about my daughter and then thinking they could marry her or request her hand in marriage from me? It's ridiculous."

"At least they're a lot more polite about it."

.

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From Missrealitybites:

This is the 5th chapter in the mass release. The next five will be published at night time in my place (or next morning your time).. I'll be working all day at a conference and won't have time to edit the chapters before evening.  T_T