13 - Question


"Monroe," Harry started, remembering a question he had been meaning to ask his Blutbad friend, "do you know anything about those who claim to rule over a city?"

His friend blinked, surprised at the sudden question; "You mean in Wesen terms?"

The wizard nodded distractedly, as he took the vegetarian quiche out of his oven.

"Well, yeah, Wesen have rulers too. Royalty. Most of them live back in Europe, though – those who rule over a city or territory are usually Princes. They are generally the ones in charge of the entire Wesen population there – anyone who breaks their rules tends to meet a nasty end." Monroe told him, taking a seat at the table. "That looks good."

Harry regarded the table; salad, carafe of water, two glasses, homemade quiche. He nodded in satisfaction and sat down as well, dividing the quiche between them.

"Why do you ask, anyway?" the wolf asked, though his attention was more on the food before him than on Harry.

"The Prince of Portland came to see me" the wizard answered with a shrug.

His friend's head snapped up to look at him: "Woah, man, what? Are you sure?"

"That's who he claimed to be, I guess." Harry said with a small shrug. "I believe him – I couldn't tell what sort of Wesen he was, but I could tell that he was something. Powerful."

That seemed to be the start shot for his friend to start panicking: "Are you alright? What did he say? Are you in trouble? We can get Nick and maybe... well…" the Blutbad floundered, "well, we'll think of something we can do."

It was obvious from his friend's doubtful expression that he didn't think there was much they could do. Monroe exhaled loudly. "Jeez, man, a Prince? I didn't even know Portland had a Prince. Well he can't be happy that he's got not one but two Grimms in his territory. Man. As if those Reapers aren't enough trouble. An honest-to-God Prince."

"Hm…" Harry hummed thoughtfully, adding some salad to his plate. He didn't bother to point out that he was not, in fact, a Grimm – Monroe didn't quite believe him and now did not seem to be the best time to get into another discussion about Harry living in denial.

"Are you in trouble?"

The wizard met his friend's concerned eyes: "No. I don't think so. Don't worry about it, Monroe. I was just curious, that's all."

"Yeah, well. I'm calling Nick."

"I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"Why not?" The Blutbad asked, even though he didn't seem inclined to listen to any argument Harry would make, because he didn't pause in digging out his phone.

"Oh, just something the Prince said – Nick doesn't know about him and would rather keep it that way for now, apparently." Harry cocked his head. "What do you think, though? Should we tell the detective?"

"The Prince actually ordered you not to tell Nick?" the wolf repeated, letting go of his phone as if it burned him; "Yeah, that may not be such a good idea then."

"Are you sure?" Harry frowned. "If you think Nick should know…"

"You would go against a Prince? Do you even know how powerful they really are? They rule over all of the city's Wesen. That's no job for a pushover, man. He's not someone you want to piss of."

"If Nick needs to know, than he needs to know." Harry said easily – as if it was the most obvious thing it the world. "I don't think the Prince means him any harm , but I'm not exactly an expert on these matters."

Monroe stared at him for a long moment, eyes wide, expression assessing – as if fully seeing him for the first time. Then the man blinked and the intensity of his gaze disappeared.

"Why don't we wait and see, for now…" the wolf finally said. The edge of panic was gone from his voice and the hint of fear had left his eyes. What was left was a tense, but steady calm.

And Harry trusted Monroe, and Monroe's friendship with Nick. And if this is what he truly thought, without fear or panic clouding his judgement, then Harry could agree with that.

Because a large part of him believed the same – had seen something in the police captain's eyes that made him think that the man truly did seek to police and protect his city – and all of the people in it. Especially his detective.

Once upon a time, Harry would have told his friends regardless. Once upon a time, he would have sought out the Prince and demanded to know everything.

But Harry was not that person anymore. He was not that person here. Not the hero, not the mystery-solver.

Not the Grimm.


(Word Count: 800)