The Cursed Prince

Chapter 876: Bad News From Ashland

Even though it was nearly a year since they actually left the valley, it didn't take too long for both Julian and Rowena to get used to the rhythm of travel once more.

Rowena proved herself to be the expert in logistics when it came to preparing for the journey and Julian served as the expert who kept the two of them preoccupied throughout their journey.

When they stopped by a village or town, they immediately focused on sightseeing and exploring the area. It was also their chance to gather some news about this continent.

So when they reached closer to the North and stopped by one of the cities, it was to their utter surprise that they heard about something or someone they haven't heard of in a while.

As they sat down for a meal in a tavern, both Julian and Rowena saw a large caravan pass through the streets.

There was a multitude of men, all dressed in white robes and scimitars strapped to their backs. It was a strange sight and even the ones who owned the tavern agreed that it was a huge crowd that attracted the gazes of numerous people.

"Can't believe they're actually going around like that. If I were that girl, I would have already been hiding against such buffoons." The tavern owner shook his head and commented at the passing crowd.

"Pardon me?" Rowena asked as she kept her hood on.

"What is it about some girl?" Julian raised a brow and asked again. He felt curious to hear the tavern owner made such comments.

The server who brought them their drinks looked at them oddly. "Have you not heard of the challenge of the king from beyond the sea?"

"What's this challenge? Some sort of quest?" Julian asked.

"No, it's about a young princess who ran away from home. She's probably more grown-up now, but her father, the king is giving a challenge to all of the eligible bachelors across the entire world that if they find her and could bring home his daughter, he'll give them her hand in marriage and the entire kingdom. They said she is so beautiful, even more beautiful than a celestial goddess."

Rowena fell silent, but her heart pounded. Gosh... after all this time, and after traveling to a faraway place, the nightmare that was her father was still following her. Now, he even wanted to sell her to any men who could find her and bring her back to Ashland???

Unknowingly, she lowered her head even more and clenched her fists. Julian noticed the change in her expression and he immediately realized that this girl that everyone was looking for might be his travel companion.

"You know, if the girl ran away before... what makes the bastard—er, that king think that his daughter will come back?" Julian said.

"Something about regretting and missing his daughter?" the server shrugged. "But it's got all the princes and other wishful men trying to search for the girl—"

Crack.

"Woah, are you alright?" The server's eyes widened when she saw that the glass in Rowena's hand shattered. "That's..."

"Row—" Julian immediately stood up and ripped a part of his cloak and reached for a glass of water to clean her wound. "You're bleeding. Stay right there and don't move or you might hurt yourself more."

"I'm fine." Rowena smiled faintly as she dropped the shards on the table and looked at the blood that dripped from her hand. "I wonder how he'd react to something like this?"

"It doesn't matter. Some people really don't know when to just give up, do they?" Julian clicked his tongue as he sat down beside her. "Give me your hand."

"No need to fuss about this," Rowena said as she eyed the door opening.

The crowd of soldiers had already taken shelter underneath some roof and she even saw the door open as two very important-looking people strode in. One of them looked like a prince even and the tavern owner was already bowing.

"Let's just go," Rowena said.

Before Julian could even say or do anything, Rowena quickly pulled up to her feet and then headed for the door. She was about to pass the two men but then bumped shoulders as she tried to rush out.

"Excuse me," Rowena said.

The man's eyes widened and he looked affronted. "You do not just bump into His Majesty, Lord of the Sands—"

Rowena glared at the two from underneath her hood. "If you expect to be given preferential treatment while traveling abroad, just return to your homeland."

"The disrespect—"

"Julian, are you coming or not." Rowena looked over back to Julian who was seated over the table.

"Tsk, what a venomous woman." the young king said. "I've seen far kinder scorpions and rattlesnakes."

Rowena's gaze flickered back towards the men and she gave them a tight smile. Her purple eyes flashed as she spoke.

"Well, stay away if you don't want to see me sting."

Julian immediately hurried over, grabbed Rowena's shoulders, and pushed her to the door.

"Apologies, my friend is a little drunk." He whispered into her ear. "Let's go, before we get ourselves into a mess."

***

Julian watched Rowena with a look of concern.

After much insistence on his part, he managed to make a makeshift bandage on her right hand before th

e two of them left the small city and traveled down the forest.

It had actually been quite a while since Julian had seen Rowena get so angry and furious. The first time was when he stole her purse, but after the years they've been together—he'd never seen such a serious look.

He wished he could alleviate it a little and he chose to make a lighthearted remark.

There was no doubt it was difficult to hear about her father again.

If they hadn't left the valley, perhaps they'd never hear about it... or else they might have gotten too relaxed and gotten captured if there were any nearby princes or knights looking for Rowena.