The Cursed Prince

Harlow answered his question though. "Some Seventh Prince from Cretea decided to sprinkle some magic dust on humans? That story?"

Julian's expression faltered a little but he nodded. "Yes, so you've heard! It was actually intended to make humans stronger… but even some objects, nonliving items started to become magical which is incredibly fascinating, don't you think?"

"I guess." Harlow nodded. She thought about his words and agreed that it was indeed fascinating.

"Then let's just put Icecube as an example." Julian chuckled and then glanced over their shoulders to see Icecube. The dragon snuffed out beautiful snowflakes from his nose and wagged his tail, seeming to be in a fantastic mood.

Julian cleared his throat again and rubbed the dragon's back. "The origin of dragons is fascinating. Did they come from lizards, snakes, or something else? They're magical creatures and quite rare, right?"

"Well, I don't think the sprinkle of magic dust affected them though," Harlow pursed her lips and started remembering her beloved Phoenix that disappeared due to that stupid Ice Prince. "Or did they?"

Julian smiled at her. "Now that's a question for you to ponder on."

Harlow sighed loudly but couldn't help but smile a little. This person's way of thinking and incredible fascination with magic was enough to get Harlow interested too. She was always interested in magic but never really got the opportunity to learn.

"So do you know how to use magic?" Harlow asked him. "If you're always meeting with people like them. You eventually learn how to use a few tricks, right?"

"Perhaps." Julian chuckled and then winked at her. "But that's a secret."

Harlow rolled her eyes. "Sure, keep your secrets."

"If I reveal all my cards to you, I'm sure you would find it boring." Julian chuckled. "A little intrigue and mystery keep a person guessing and on their toes, right?"

"Ah… so this is all intentional?" Harlow frowned and pointed between the two of them. "You know, what? Nevermind. Maybe you do have a point… but I have one last question for you."

"Will I get a reward if I answer it?" Julian teased.

"No." Harlow deadpanned. "But are you really just living out your life here to find magical artifacts, meeting witches and warlocks, and then do that some more? Is there nothing else that you want to do? A goal?"

Julian's expression shifted a little and he cleared his throat. For a moment, he started to slow down his steps and his swagger disappeared suddenly. He smiled a little sadly. "A goal that dictates all my actions and connects them with everything? That's quite a huge thing to ask."

"Is it?" Harlow softly asked. She noticed that this was the first time that he was finally lowering his guard and saying something without pretenses and she did not want to stop him from speaking.

Julian glanced at Harlow and eventually kicked a random pebble along the way. He was silent for a long time that Harlow thought he was not going to answer. Maybe this was really a hard question to answer or maybe it was too personal for him. If that was the case, the princess would have understood.

However, Julian eventually answered. He fixated a strong look on her face while he spoke.

"If I tell you that everything I'm doing now is to find a way home… Would you believe me? Meeting wizards, witches and finding artifacts, and meeting special people is for me to go home and meet my mother again. What do you think?"

His gaze was strong, piercing and it was enough to make Harlow at a loss for words. When he looked at her with those eyes, the princess thought she could see the whole world in them.

"I… Well, I can believe that. You're a human who lost their way and came to the elven realm right? It's hard to find a portal to get you back…" she admitted.

Harlow's face morphed into slight horror that she didn't notice how Julian's expression became a little amused when she used the word human. Actually, she had not really thought about how she could find her way home after she accomplish her mission.

The princess of Draec had found her way here through the help of others.

Like those people who got lost or accidentally entered another realm by accident because they encountered portals, she might not be able to find the correct portal home.

"Oh no, how am I going to find a way home?" Harlow whispered to herself. She was struck with a sudden panic that never crossed her mind. It was easy to return when she was still in the human realm.

Well… maybe she could just threaten Raphael to send her back? The guy had been sending her birthday gifts every year without fail, so he must know the way… right?

But what if he refused and… intentionally did not want to help her so he could keep her by his side?

"Are you alright?" Julian asked as he looked at her face and eventually noticed that the sun was going down and the night was approaching a lot faster than he expected. His expression started to shift but he focused on Harlow. "You're as pale as a ghost, do you want to rest?"

"Rest?" Harlow looked at him in surprise.

"It's getting late so how about you make a camp? We can continue our way to the underworld realm tomorrow. I'll see you when the morning sun arrives, okay?" Julian flashed her a grin.

"See me in the morning?" Harlow blinked. "We're not sharing a camp."

"Do you want to share a camp with me?" Julian smirked. "Do you trust this rogue adventurer to be with you at night when you're asleep?"

Harlow narrowed her eyes at him and thought about it. No, of course not. They had just met. She would rather spend the night with Icecube, than Julian.

"No," she said flatly.. "I'll see you in the morning then."