The Cursed Prince

The food came longer than expected. Gewen already felt very tired and sleepy. The cold temperature also didn't help. Slowly, his eyelids felt really heavy and he finally fell asleep.

KNOCK

KNOCK

When the innkeeper knocked, Gewen didn't hear him and couldn't open the door for him. So, the innkeeper invited himself in with the key he had. The man brought a bag with a jug of wine and some food with him. He put them neatly on the table and came to wake up Gewen.

"Milord.... please, wake up... the food and wine you requested are here." The innkeeper took the candle from the table and approached the bed. He tugged the blanket to wake up the guest. "Milord... the food is ready."

When he saw Gewen from up close, the innkeeper was astounded. His brows furrowed in confusion. Was this the same guy? He wondered. Wasn't he an ugly man? He looked so dirty and disheveled earlier.

However, this man here was so good-looking, that he actually looked like a woman. Were they really the same people??

Right at that moment, Gewen's eyes suddenly opened. He could feel the light above him and immediately wake up.

Gewen knitted his brows when he saw the confused innkeeper stood in his place, with bulged eyes.

"What are you doing over there?" Gewen grumbled. "Take the candle back to the table. I want to eat."

He pulled his blanket and tossed it to the side, getting ready to eat. He completely forgot that he was not wearing anything under the blanket. When he did... it was already too late.

"AAHHHH!!!"

Both men shrieked in horror when Gewen's naked body was exposed without a single thread on it.

When he realized he was naked and the innkeeper had seen him in his birthday suit, Gewen instantly snatched the blanket back from the bed and covered his lower body with it.

The innkeeper suddenly looked awkward. He thought now he understood why this guest was not interested in the prostitutes he offered earlier. He was too handsome to like women. Perhaps, this beautiful man swung in the other direction. 

"What are you looking at???" Gewen chided the man.

With the blanket wrapped his body from the waist down, he walked with difficulty toward the table and sat on the chair. The innkeeper was staring at him all along.

"I-I'm sorry, milord... I was just surprised," the innkeeper finally replied, looking embarrassed. "I hope you enjoy the food and wine. They are from the best restaurant next door."

"Hm..." Gewen poured wine into a cup and had a taste. It was okay, he thought. Not as good as wine from Southberry, but better than most other wine he had ever tasted. Then, he took a bite of the grilled meat and clicked his tongue in satisfaction. "They are good. Thank you."

The innkeeper was happy to receive the compliment. Before he left, he decided to ask Gewen if he needed anything else. "Milord, I will leave you with your dinner. By the way, is there anything else you need, milord?"

"Can you get me clean clothes? I will need them for tomorrow. Mine is soiled and I want to throw them out," Gewen explained. "Money is not an issue."

He took more silver from his bag and gave them to the innkeeper.

"Understood, milord."

The innkeeper's face was beaming with happiness when he received the coins from Gewen. His respect grew for this man before him. Gewen was very generous with his money.

The innkeeper suddenly asked, "Uhm... by any chance, do you want me to get you... a handsome male-whore to keep you warm tonight, milord? We are quite progressive here in Castilse."

Gewen, who was busy munching on his grilled meat, almost choked on his food when he heard the innkeeper's suggestion. "Huh?? What did you say?!"

"I was saying... if you need—"

"I KNOW WHAT YOU WERE SAYING," Gewen snapped. "I am not deaf. What makes you think I'm into men???"

"Oh... you're not?"

"Jeez...!!"

"Oh no... I am so sorry, milord...!!" The innkeeper immediately understood his mistake.

He dropped himself to the floor and begged forgiveness, not because he felt so guilty or that he thought Gewen had a higher status than him, but because he didn't want to lose Gewen as a customer who had been so generous to him.

In such a short amount of time, he had received so much money from this guest. He didn't want to lose this good tipper because of the mistake he just made. So, he decided to apologize profusely. The innkeeper was a businessman who knew when to lower his pride. 

"Apologies for being presumptuous, milord. I have a dirty mind. I hope you will forgive me. I will not mention it ever again."

Gewen wanted to kick him and taught the innkeeper a lesson, but he realized he was a stranger in this foreign country and he still needed new clothes.

If he lashed out at this innkeeper for his honest mistake, he would have to find clothes by himself. He really didn't want to wear his soiled clothes again and go out to buy new ones.

Besides, the innkeeper only made that mistake because he was trying to be helpful. So, for that, Gewen could forgive him. The man grunted and waved his hand. "You may leave. I expect the clothes in front of my room tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, milord. I will do as you said," said the innkeeper, feeling so relieved. He liked this guest even more. Not only he was generous, but he was also forgiving.

The innkeeper got up and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Gewen continued his dinner. He finished the meal in no time and emptied the wine jug. He had been craving good food after weeks of suffering.

The food and wine made him in a really good mood that he quickly forgot about the incident with the innkeeper earlier. He was so full and happy. The wine helped a lot in fighting the cold. After he finished his dinner, Gewen went back to bed and curled up under the blanket. 

Tomorrow. he would start exploring and meeting Edgar's men.

***

When he woke up the next day, Gewen took some moments to realize he was no longer on a dragon's back. The man whistled happily as he sat up in bed and cast his glance around him.

The sun was up and he could see his chamber more clearly.  The design was simple but it was very comfortable and spacious.

From the big window next to the bed he could see snowflakes falling down gently. It felt magical.

He decided to get up and checked outside of his door, to see if the innkeeper had put the clothes he requested in front of his room.

"Ah... nice," Gewen muttered when he saw two sets of clothes were stacked on the floor, outside his chamber.

He took them in and checked the size. They were his size and the model was quite decent too. He remembered seeing many men in Castilse wore something similar to these.

He was in a good mood this morning. He put on his clothes and admire his appearance in the mirror. He almost looked like himself again. 

Now, he must get breakfast and then explore this city.