The Cursed Prince

This person looked like he was some kind of adventurer based on his outfit. The person behind Harlow was a dark-haired man with onyx eyes that looked at her with a raised brow when he noticed the arrow. 

He raised a hand and chuckled, "Easy there, princess."

Harlow was startled even further by the man's words and nearly released the arrow at him. She had a Thunder Arrow trained on him. He looked human and didn't have the pointy ears of an elf, so how did he come here?

"Who are you and how did you sneak on me? Why are you calling me a princess?" Harlow frowned at him. She would have attacked him already, but if the man snuck on her, then he could have attacked her prior.

So it meant that this person was not interested in violence… yet. 

Did it mean that this person was an ally or enemy? Harlow didn't know and she was focused on finding out. Still, she found herself begrudgingly impressed that she had been snuck upon twice now.

First were the Elves in the forest and the Crown Princess of Draec promised not to let herself be snuck upon again. It was a terrible thing to be caught unprepared and know that she was defenseless and couldn't protect herself.

However, this was the second time that someone snuck on her, and even though she realized it a bit sooner… Harlow wished that she found him when he was still miles away. The fact that this man did this in an open and barren wasteland was even more impressive.

The Crown Princess of Draec started contemplating the reasons as to why she didn't see him. While Harlow was flying in the air with her Icecube, did she simply not see him because he was a speck? 

That was a possible reason.

He didn't seem to be magical. 

Harlow should have also known that it was a nickname to be called a princess and was even called by other people prior to it but didn't bat an eye when others said it… but the way this man called her was different.

Perhaps he was not a kid like Alexei or a pompous bunch of elves so it felt different. He actually looked a bit dangerous and intriguing so she still found herself asking him the reason why he called her a princess. 

Her reaction might have given something away so she was nervous.

"You look like a princess. It's what I've decided to call you since you haven't introduced yourself to me." The man shrugged carefully and then eyed up Icecube. "Besides, you have this nice dragon with you. He seems like someone who'd follow a princess as well."

Icecube panted happily for a moment as the adventurer reached out and patted him on its hind leg. It was the first time that Harlow saw Icecube actually seem pleased at a person who wasn't known to Harlow.

"Oh…" Harlow frowned at him but was still unhappy. She threw a look of betrayal at Icecube who didn't warn her of this man's arrival, because her ice dragon just seemed relaxed and not at all bothered.

A silence started between the two of them.

"So who the heck are you?" Harlow asked. "You haven't answered my question. Are you some kind of assassin or rogue? Don't you know where we are? This place is dangerous."

"You can call me by the name of Julian, I am an adventurer that has come to visit the underworld and obtain a precious treasure." The man introduced himself politely. "Perhaps you could introduce yourself as well?"

"What?" Harlow ignored the last question in lieu of getting answers from the man. "Precious treasure? We're about to enter demon territory."

"The Demon King rules over the land of the underworld."

"Not the God of the Underworld?" Harlow frowned a bit unconvinced with the man's words.

"Perhaps we can call him by many names? What may appear as God to you may actually be a Demon to someone else after all." Julian chuckled as his eyes shone. "The important thing to know is that he dwells in the underworld and has treasure."

"What kind of treasure?" Harlow was still wary.

"If you could assure me that you won't stick an arrow through my forehead then we can talk." Julian grinned at her. There was a playful and teasing quality to him that kept the princess on her toes.

"I'm currently meeting a stranger while I'm out traveling… why would I put my weapon down?" Harlow frowned at him. 

"You have a powerful dragon that can protect you?" Julian eyed up Icecube. 

Icecube was indeed large and fearsome that when Harlow entered the kingdom of the elves, she ended up trying to soothe him because he kept snarling and blowing ice threateningly at the people.

Harlow shook her head. "My dragon seems a bit compromised right now seeing that he's wagging his tail and panting like some kind of dog. I can't let my guard down at all. You could be lying and waiting for me to lower my defenses."

"That's quite smart," Julian nodded slowly. "I can't blame you for being this way, but if I had any intentions of attacking you or anything unsavory… then wouldn't I have done it now?"

Harlow smiled fiercely at him. "You would wait until my guard was completely down."

"You don't know that," Julian said and looked a bit hurt. "It seems like you're the type of person who can't imagine that people are usually good and don't really mean harm. How do you trust people then?"

"I don't," Harlow smugly said.

"I'm sure that there are people that you do trust, friends, and family." Julian chuckled and extended a hand. "How about we start off as friends first?"

"Friends?" Harlow narrowed her eyes at him.

"I'm pretty sure that if I try to lay a hand on you or hurt you in any way, your beloved ice dragon will chew my head off, right?" Julian said. "Aren't you confident that your dragon cares about you? Whoever gave it to you is a great gift-giver."

Harlow rolled her eyes but she couldn't help but realize that he had a point. She slowly lowered her bow and put away her arrow and grabbed the man's outstretched hand. "Fine. One wrong move and you're iced. My name is Harlow."

.

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From Missrealitybites:

So... do you think this is the prince?

1. Yes

2. No