The Cursed Prince

What was happening? Harlow didn't understand the situation. She knew from firsthand experience that Raphael had the ability to transform his frightening demon servants into appearing like humans.

So… was the princess mistaken here?

Was the person Harlow was seeing right now just someone who now looked like Julian? Was it by chance and only a huge coincidence that Raphael cast the magic and the demon gardener suddenly appeared like the adventurer?

That must be it, right?

No.

Harlow couldn't help but glance over back to fake Julian. He was just standing there and minding his own business. Right now, his back was turned towards them as he pretended to fuss over the roses. 

He was even holding shears! He must be the real gardener and Harlow's vision was enchanted into thinking he was her travel companion.

As if feeling Harlow's gaze on him though, Julian quickly glanced over his shoulders and gave her a wink before he resumed pruning the golden rose tree! The princess's jaw dropped and she felt herself stammer a little.

So… I-it wasn't a fake-Julian?!

Harlow doubted a demon servant would wink at her. It was so presumptuous for a mere castle worker to flirt with the woman announced by the demon king himself as his bride to be.

So, it must be Julian undercover. But… if that was the case, why was Raphael not reacting at all? Based on Julian's appearance, he was already a gardener in Harlow's eyes so why didn't Raphael register him as one? 

What was happening right now? 

Harlow was so puzzled out and didn't know if the Demon King was blind or just didn't pay attention to Julian. She looked at the golden rose stalks in her hand and could see that they were completely real.

When she sniffed them, she could detect the subtle hint of their flowering scents.

Raphael glanced at Harlow and his brows immediately furrowed in worry. His heart pounded as he gestured at the rose tree and asked her. "Is there something wrong, Harlow? Do you not like what you see? Is there anything strange with the plant?"

"No. It's perfect and wonderful." Harlow slowly gripped the golden rose stalk and then lifted her gaze. She met Raphael's gaze and spoke calmly. "Actually, I wish to thank the gardener right now for taking care of these wonderful roses. May I?"

Since Raphael didn't seem to care about Julian's presence, she might as well take this opportunity to approach the adventurer and make sure it was really him.

"We can do it after lunch then." Raphael smiled. "I'm sure that you are hungry right now. The gardener is busy anyway, he is currently out of the castle and is out to get some special fertilizer if I remember correctly."

"No." Harlow shook her head and then pointed at Julian who was still tending the plants. "Let me thank the gardener over there."

Raphael's expression became blank as he stared at the rose tree standing alone under the castle window. 

"Which… gardener?"

"That one over there," Harlow repeated her words, this time her voice was weak and laced with doubt. Was she really only seeing things and Raphael didn't see the man she was referring to? She added unsurely, "The guy with shears beside the rose tree."

"I… don't see.... anyone.. by the rose tree," Raphael spoke slowly as he focused his gaze on the rose tree and then turn to Harlow, shaking his head.

"You… you don't see your gardener?" Harlow asked Raphael again. Her voice started to tremble.

Raphael shook his head and spoke kindly to her. "No. I've told you that he is currently preoccupied right now, Harlow."

"Didn't you have two demon gardeners when I looked out the window yesterday?" Harlow batted her eyes in confusion and tried to make sense of her situation.

Was Julian just showing himself to her and not to Raphael? Was he using magic to hide himself from the demon king? She cleared her throat. "W-where is the other one then?"

Was there only one gardener and she mistook the identity of the other one? Even then, shouldn't Raphael notice her confusion at Julian?

It didn't make any sense to Harlow but she was still trying to gather her wits and remain calm, though it's hard when she thought she had gone crazy for seeing things.

Harlow closed her eyes and took a deep and shaky breath. She must focus and get her mind to work.  She remembered looking out her window when she first came here and saw two demon gardeners about the garden who were working together.

So, even if one of the gardeners was gone, it meant that there was another one left. She was sure of it.

"I only have one gardener and the rest of them are helpers." Raphael's expression became grim as he stared at the rose tree. "None of them are here, Harlow."

Harlow's expression started to break down a little.

"But…" Harlow looked at Raphael with a defeated and helpless expression.

Did Raphael just not bat an eye at Julian because he wasn't the real gardener? Shouldn't Raphael still acknowledge Julian even if he was not the main one?

Argh! The princess didn't know what to do when she was clearly seeing Julian sweating hard at work. He was pruning the roses diligently.

What if she was dreaming? Or what if she was enchanted and what she saw was not real?

Harlow laughed in frustration and rubbed her eyes. Was the Demon King already toying with her? She was only a human princess who did not have an ounce of magic ability. So, if she was seeing an illusion right now, then she wouldn't even know!

Harlow was only questioning the situation right now because none of it was making sense.

"Is this the backlash from having too many magical incidents happening around me?" Harlow asked herself and then looked at the Demon King. "Raphael, am I seeing things now? Did you cast a spell on me? You did, right? Am I spellbound, right now?" 

"Harlow…" Raphael's expression broke at the sight of the princess. "I would never do that to you."

"Then I'm starting to go crazy." Harlow laughed and she tugged at her hair, taking a step away further from the Demon King. "Is this why it's dangerous to head to the demon realm? If I stay too long, do I start getting enchanted by the entire place? I'm seeing people that aren't here."

"Harlow..."

Before Harlow could take another step and confront the Julian she could see, Raphael suddenly came to her and pulled her in a tight hug. Tears slowly dripped down on his cheeks. 

His shoulders shook and his arms gripped her back so tightly.

"I'm sorry…" Raphael muttered and gently rubbed the princess's head with one hand. He was trembling even as he held her. "I'm so, sorry. Wifey… it's all my fault. Please forgive me."

Harlow batted her eyes and felt even more confusion.

When the princess looked at the rose tree, all she could see was Julian still standing there with the shears for gardenings. He waved at her to come over. He acted like he didn't see the demon king was right there with Harlow and was hugging her.

If Julian was actually in front of Harlow right now though, the man wouldn't have dared to act presumptuously or even do anything that could get Raphael's attention.

And likewise, Raphael wouldn't let Julian flirt with his bride-to-be. He would probably turn the adventurer into a nice ice statue to decorate his castle, the minute he saw Julian wink at Harlow.

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From Missrealitybites:

So, yes... it's confirmed that Raphael couldn't see Julian. And... soon the mystery will unfold one by one. I know you have some theories. These are some that I have gathered. Feel free to add yours in the comment.

1. Raphael and Julian are twins and they compete over Harlow's love

2. Julian is a magic user and he can hide himself from Raphael

3. There is no Julian. He is only Harlow's imagination.

Which one do you think it is?

PS: Thank you Nicole Ecggs for gifting a dragon to this book today. I was immediately reminded of Icecube.. ^.^