Not so Different

Chapter 2: The Human Princess

A few weeks after the awful news of Baron having to be married to a human of all species, from the kingdom of the humans, Alora, The Queen, King, and eldest daughter came to visit Salhai for a talk between the kingdoms. Baron got dressed and grumbled about the whole situation. He hasn't seen a human ever since that day and never wants to again, but he knows he has to. Baron and his father, the king, wait in the throne room. Baron doesn't plan on looking at the..."guests" in the face.

Eventually they arrive. He looked slightly up to see a dress. The gorgeous light blue and white pearly dress of the princess. How curious, he wonders. And how stupid as well.

"Welcome to Salhai, my guests" Barons' fathers voice booms

"Oh, thank you! We are so honored to be here." The queen of Aloras quirky voice squeals.

They chat for a minute about certain things, before dismissing Baron and the princess to go somewhere private and get to know each other. Baron sucked his teeth and began to walk, expecting the princess to follow. By this time he had still not looked at her face.

They get to the kingdoms library and baron sits by the window and opens a book as if it was nothing. The princess awkwardly sits on the opposite side.

"...uhm...so...you like to read?" She asks. Her voice was smooth and silky, it almost caught him off guard.

"I wouldn't be reading at this moment if I did not." Baron snaps.

"Oh. Right." She clears her throat.

He rolls his eyes as he was about to say another snarky remark as always when he set the book down and looked at her. He was gagged. He couldn't talk for a second.

She was...beautiful. With her long straight blonde hair, small freckles, and long eyelashes. Her dress suited her perfectly. Her hair was so perfect he wanted to touch it for a second. Her ears were rounded. Much different from the Faes.

What stupidity. How could a human be that beautiful? He thinks to himself. It was unnecessary. He shakes it off and continues his nasty remarks. "...could you move a little? You humans stink." He looks back at the book

"..that's quite rude." She answers

"Frankly, I do not care." He says back, snarky.

She stays quiet for a second before talking again.

"I suppose you hate humans" she asks almost as if it was a question

"That is an understatement." He says lowly

"Why is that?" She asks curiously.

"You do not need to know." He says.

She stays silent again and looks out of the window, to the beautiful forest outside. He looks back at her. This was ridiculous. How could he find a human attractive? He stares at her well-rounded ears again. They were curious and so strange. She catches him looking.

"...are you curious about my ears?" She asks, almost sweetly.

He jolts up slightly. "...i suppose you could say that." He scoffs

"I like your ears too. They are very different from mine" she states.

"Of course they are. Faes ears are much better than mere humans." He brags

"...hm. may I..." she hesitates "may touch them-?"

"Absolutely not" He interrupts. A small part of him did want her to though. He tries to push the feeling down

"Hmph... alright." She looks away and another moment of silence fills the library.

Baron sighs. "I never caught your name, princess."

"Oh...It's Serene. And you are Baron, right?"

"Correct....well then, serene, are all humans as naive as you?" He says carelessly, flipping the page of the book in his hands.

"What do you mean by that?" She tilts her head curiously.

"To be quite honest, I could kill you right now if I wanted to."

"Ah. That. Yes I am aware." She moves a strand of her hair behind her ear awkwardly.

"And you aren't the least bit afraid?"

"I suppose not."

"Why's that?"

"I guess just trust that you won't do that."

He stares at her for a moment and blinks twice. 'This human is crazy' He thinks to himself

"You are either very stupid or very brave."

She laughs slightly. "Maybe I'm both."

What...what was that? That noise in his chest. His heart seemed to skip a beat in that moment. Her laugh sent his ears to turn a light hue of pink rather than his normal pale blue color.

No.

No, he would never. He would never be even NEARLY attracted to a human. It must have been the crem-brulee with leaves and mushrooms he had for dessert that was making his stomach churn, and feel like there were butterflies in it. He clears his throat and goes back to his nonchalant and rude behavior. The pink in his ears fading just slightly.

"We should be heading back. Our parents should be done talking. Nonetheless, your human stench is filling up the room."

"Sure." The princess rolls her eyes.

They get up and start walking down the beautiful castle halls. His long legs walk far, so the princess picks up her baby blue dress and walks a little faster.

"Say...are you always this rude?"

"I am not rude, I am honest, princess serene."

"Right." She scoffs slightly.

Baron rolls his eyes and they head back. He ignores the stupid feelings he is...well, feeling. It's stupid. So very stupid.

...right?