The Cursed Prince

Harlow could see a crowd start to gather and surround the two men. However, contrary to what she expected, they did not try to stop the fight.  The crowd started egging on and encouraging the two men to continue fighting.

  "Oh, my gods!! Someone has got to stop them." Harlow exclaimed.

She glanced up at Icecube. If not her ice dragon then perhaps she could send a warning shot with her bow to stop the fight, couldn't she?

However, before the princess could even do anything, Julian already intercepted.

Or at least, Harlow thought the adventurer would.

The handsome man strode toward the crowd and made his way into the center. However, he did the exact opposite of what the princess planned.

"Okay, everyone who's betting for the lycan or tiger demon? I'll collect them!" Julian announced with a wide grin. "Betting starts at one copper and if you win, you get double what you bet."

"Huh….?" Harlow's jaw dropped as the demons started giving money to Julian. She needed a few moments to assure herself that she didn't mishear.

Her travel companion was opening the bet for the fight? 

Julian was immensely focused on gathering bets for the tiger and lycan as the two demons started to brawl.  Even the harpy who looked a bit put off by what Julian was doing still tossed some coins in the man's direction.

Harlow couldn't believe her eyes and she started to walk up to the adventurer and hissed at him slightly.

"What do you think you're doing?" she muttered at him.

The princess was really pissed but she didn't want to attract more attention to them, so she spoke low in a low voice, barely moving her lips.

"Making money. What else do you think I'm doing?" Julian shrugged. He started to list down the bets on a notepad he happened to have against Icecube's back. 

"W-why?" Harlow was flabbergasted.

"Do you have money, princess?" Julian raised a brow and then grinned. "We're low on funds. So, unless you want to sleep out in the open, we have to make money."

"..."

Harlow batted her eyes, taking in all his words and thinking about them carefully.

She realized the man was right. She didn't have any more money and they were now in the city. If she wanted to sleep well and eat good food, she would need the local money… which she didn't have.

Would she want to sleep on the street?

No… no… she was a princess.

"Pffft... fine, do your thing." Finally, she scoffed in displeasure, couldn't argue any longer.

"Thank you."

Even though Harlow got annoyed with the man's words earlier, she somehow understood what he was trying to do. It was obvious that the one who collected the bets could earn more than the ones betting.

Playing house was a lot more profitable. Harlow had learned that one time from Gewen when she was younger… or from his wife, rather. Auntie Kira was no stranger to gambling, plundering, and human trafficking… She knew all the trades of the underworld.

Kira told Harlow there was a reason why gamblers could never become rich. The House had what was called the House Edge or the House Advantage.

It was a term used to describe the mathematical advantage maintained by gambling operators that ensures the house will always end up making money, and betters or gamblers losing money.

So, Julian taking the role of the house almost immediately only showed the man's quick wit in taking advantage of the situation.

Harlow eyed Julian collecting so much money from the crowd of watchers and even the folks who actually stopped to see the commotion that was happening. From the looks of it, the man was no stranger to gambling.

"Tsk. Julian is unbelievable," Harlow muttered to herself.

She and Julian couldn't be more apart in how they thought and operated. Yet the princess couldn't help but at least admire his ability to think fast on his feet.

Julian was grinning and looked pleased with himself. He was doing a great job at presenting himself as the official house that none of the demons batted an eye. They just tossed him the money, hoping their champion would win the brawl and they could win some extra money.

Harlow would have stopped the fight herself or attempted to do so because she felt it was unnecessary violence but as she watched the men fight and be encouraged, it almost seemed like a tradition.

She had no choice but stood where she was and watch the ensuing fight. After several minutes passed, she became worried as she watched the progress of the ongoing match between the werewolf and the tiger demon.

The werewolf guy was starting to lose the fight and getting beat up. He had already been tossed back by the much bigger tiger demon. Everyone now already started betting on the tiger to win the match.

That wasn't good for the house at all. If the tiger won, Julian would have to pay everyone double what they betted on. Did he have the money?

Harlow tossed a nervous look at Julian. However, the man didn't at all seem bothered whatsoever. So, she stepped towards him and whispered underneath her breath.

"You'll end up in debt if this tiger guy wins. You promised to double everyone's money."

Julian nodded. "I know princess. I got it covered."

Harlow batted her eyes in confusion. "What? How? Do you have the money?"

Julian raised a finger to his lips and winked at the princess before he came closer to the two fighters.

Harlow didn't know what the man was trying to do at first but then it became very clear. Julian started to catcall the tiger.

"Hey, pussy!" Julian laughed and waved a hand at the tiger demon. "Come and take a look over here you stinky fish breath. Yoohoo!!"

The princess couldn't believe that the adventurer was going for provocation. It was obvious that everyone was already yelling so Julian shouldn't be heard.

However, it actually worked well.

Maybe a bit all too well.

The tiger narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Julian with a ferocious expression. Harlow's heart was racing. What if the tiger came at them and beat them up?

Stupid Julian. Didn't he clearly tell Harlow early NOT TO ATTRACT ATTENTION???

Then why was he provoking the obviously angry tiger demon???