The Cursed Prince

Harlow had been so nervous about meeting with the King Alexander of Myreen because of the warnings given by the White Witch that she was shocked to see the king in a good mood. It was almost as if the loss of her daughter didn't actually happen.

Or perhaps it did, but there was someone else who was helping fill in the void. 

King Alexander Leoralei was seated on the throne when Harlow and Alexei arrived in the throne room to meet with the king. While the crown princess of her kingdom curtsied and knelt respectfully to the powerful wizard, Alexei was something else.

He strolled forward and actually approached the older man seated on the throne in a relaxed manner. This young man acted so casually around King Alexander.

Was it because they were close? Or did Alexei think he was above the king because of his claim earlier that he was god? If this wasn't the most egomaniac thing that Harlow had ever heard, it was a pretty close second.

First place? Of course, none other than Raphael himself.

Nobody could really beat the presumptuousness of the Ice Prince who thought he could claim her for marriage without her approval. What kind of man assumed that he could send gifts for sixteen years and then send her a letter and call himself her destined husband?

That was such arrogance!

Just thinking about the Ice Prince infuriated Harlow so much that she clenched her fist and gritted her teeth. The man was still aggravating no matter how much time had passed and she came all the way from Draec to find him.

If he really even wanted to be her husband in the first place, why didn't he just come to Draec and find her? Seriously, this Ice Prince was so shameless! Harlow hated him so much even though she hadn't even seen his face or even met him.

"You must be the daughter of Queen Emmelyn Strongmoor, it is good to see you, Princess. You mother came here many years ago. How is she doing now?" King Alexander smiled kindly at Harlow and spoke with a clear and friendly voice.

For a moment, Harlow was impressed. This king must be quite a powerful wizard, she thought. Bruinen had told her that very powerful wizards could defy aging so they would look younger than they actually were. 

She could tell that was the case with Marguerite and now it must be the same for King Alexander Leoralei. He looked like a man in his early thirties, which was impossible because his daughter should at least be a few years younger than Emmelyn, Harlow's mother.

So, this man must be AT LEAST sixty. Yet, he looked so young, formidable, and full of vigor.

It would be really nice to be powerful and look young like these people, Harlow thought to herself.

"What brings you to Myreen?" King Alexander Leoralei smiled and greeted Harlow. His gentle voice moved the young princess from her reverie.

Harlow looked up in surprise but then smiled and nodded respectfully. She unclenched her fists and gave a gentle curtsy. She was in the presence of powerful royalty and yet the Ice Prince still distracted her even now.

Even just thinking about the man was already giving the princess such bad taste. If she had a chance to punch him in the face or kick him in the groin, she would really do it.

For now, Harlow portrayed the etiquette training that she and Ava learned from Aunt Clara. The crown princess gave King Alexander a respectful smile.

"I give my greetings to His Majesty of Myreen, I come a long way from Draec to look for someone who you probably know. This person is said to have been someone who healed you in the past."

For once, the expression on King Alexander's face turned a bit gloomy and he nodded. "Yes, I believe I know who you are referring to. Speak, child."

Harlow didn't know why everyone she met, from the White Witch to even the King of Myreen, looked sad at just the mention of the Ice Prince. It was so strange of them to be sad for a person who practically ruined Harlow's childhood.

No. Harlow was not trying to be overly dramatic here. It was true. She LOVED her birthdays and it was always the day she looked forward to every year because of those amazing gifts she received from the mysterious sender.

However, ever since she found out the sender, and the reason for all the gifts, she felt like her memory of those birthdays was tarnished.

If she could count correctly, when her mother met Raphael, the man was around… eighteen? So, that was almost eighteen years ago. That meant he was now thirty-six. An uncle.

How could an uncle even think about marrying such a young woman practically half his age?

Did he have a fetish for much younger women?

So, how many other young women did he give gifts to as he did with Harlow?

"Healed you in the past?" Alexei's eyes bulged and looked at King Alexander in surprise. A certain realization came to his face. "Wait, you don't mean the God of Heal—"

Harlow couldn't help but cross her arms and pursed her lips. Apparently, the Ice Prince was known by so many names that it was starting to annoy her. 

However, if she was going to give him one, then he was a literal devil for tricking her mother.

King Alexander cleared his throat and interrupted the young man and lectured him as if he was talking to his own grandson. There was a patient and even doting look on his face. It was clear to see that the king held grandfatherly concern for the boy. 

"Alexei, you must learn how to not be so rude when there are guests around. God or not, you are still young and you have been left in my care," the king said.

Alexei crossed his arms but grouchingly nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

King Alexander sighed and then glanced in Harlow's direction. "Perhaps I may be wrong. I do not truly know unless you specify, but I assume that you are speaking of Raphael."

"Yes, I'm talking about Raphael or some people call him the Ice Prince, Your Majesty," Harlow said a bit grumpily. "I've come here to find his whereabouts so I can meet with him and discuss something important."

"Huh? You actually look like you're going to stick an arrow into his butt if given the chance," Alexei pointed out with a grin because he noticed the bow and bag of arrows on Harlow's back. "That would really be fun if you can actually do that."

Compared to raising Elise, Alexei held such a straightforward and bold personality. King Alexander shook his head in slight dismay and then looked at Princess Harlow. "Forgive me for having such an unruly grandson…"

"Wow, you see me as a grandson? I'm touched, Your Majesty." Alexei grinned at the older man.. It was obvious that out of all the mortals that the young god encountered, he was actually the most fond of the king.