The Cursed Prince

So... Ellena managed to break the curse?

"Gosh... that is amazing," Lady Athibaud muttered over and over again. She turned to Lady Preston and asked her urgently, "Have you told the queen about this?"

Lady Preston shook her head. "Ellena wants to talk to the prince first and then come together to his parents. I am sure they would want to see her alive tomorrow before they can believe her words."

"Ellena is such a precious girl," Lady Chaucer wiped her teary eyes. "When she left five years ago, we were all so distraught. I can't believe she managed to find the witch and make her lift her curse."

"It's not easy," Lady Preston sighed. "Ellena sacrificed a lot to get the witch to finally grant her that wish."

"Oh.. I can imagine. That witch is evil! I still remember the day like it was yesterday, when she came to the palace and cast her curse. It was very scary," Lady Athibaud shuddered when she remembered Lady Marielle's godmother who turned out to be a very powerful witch.

And Ellena managed to make that witch lift her curse? She could imagine how difficult it must have been for Ellena. Even the king's men couldn't find her after 27 years... yet Ellena did.

The three ladies glanced at the queen and king. Ahh.. the royal couple would be so happy and relieved when they heard this good news!

***

Before they reach the intended restroom, Emmelyn suddenly thought about Mars. He said he wanted to talk to someone. Was it the girl from earlier?

[Who is she?]

Emmelyn couldn't help but feel jealous. Her chest was burned with the fire of jealousy. She was carrying the prince's baby. He shouldn't see other women out of respect to her, right?

She clenched her fists to the sides and was deep in thoughts. Should she look for him and try to find out who she was?

But.. what right did she have?

She was not his wife.

And he was free to see anyone he wanted.

"Did you see where the crown prince went?" Finally, she couldn't hold back her curiosity and decided to ask the maid.

"His Highness went to the library, my lady," said the maid. She pointed at the passageway to their left. "It's the building at the very end of this alley."

"Ah, I see." Emmelyn touched her shoulder and asked her to wait there since she might not know the way to go back to the ballroom. "I forgot to tell him something. I will be quick. Please wait here."

She also intentionally asked the maid to wait for her because she didn't want the queen to see the maid return without her.

"All right, my lady." The maid bowed down and stood by the door. Emmelyn walked in long strides to the library. She wanted to know who Mars was talking to. 

The library was easy to find and Emmelyn tip-toed as she opened the door gently, and walked inside.

Luckily, there was a big bookcase where she could hide after she entered through the door. The people inside wouldn't know she came unless someone checked the door.

Uh... she could hear people talking and recognized some voices. One was Mars and the other was Gewen. Was Edgar there too?

She knew Edgar didn't talk much, so maybe he was there but he wasn't saying anything. And then... there was a girl's voice.

Was it her? Was it the girl from earlier?

Emmelyn's ears perked up, trying to hear better.

"I can't believe you lied to me," Gewen was obviously upset when he found out from Edgar that the crown prince's date for the night was a real woman. He gave the prince a side-eye, showing his protest. "I already told Ellena that you are into men and that your date tonight is the young lord from Glendale. You make me lose face!"

"How could you lose face?" Mars was annoyed when he heard his friend's protest. "It's Ellena you're talking about. She is not judgemental like other people."

"Stil... it's embarrassing," Gewen rolled his eyes and snorted. "Anyway.. Ellena is back. Don't you have anything to say to her?"

Mars turned to the beautiful girl in the lacy dress and stared at her for a good while, unable to say a word. He was still worried that Ellena was deceived by the witch and thought the curse was lifted when it wasn't.

[What if she died because of me??]

"Mars..." Ellena's lips curved up into a sweet smile. "You can hug me. I am really okay."

"No.. what if she lied?" Mars finally found his voice. His body trembled at the thought that his friend would die because of him. How could he live with the guilt for the rest of his life???

Ellena raised an eyebrow and smiled teasingly. "Well.. let's see, I already hugged you earlier at the palace entrance. If the curse is not really lifted, then I'll die tomorrow anyway. So, why not give me a proper hug this time?"

Her voice was crisp and cheerful when she spoke, making Emmelyn intrigued.

Emmelyn poked her head to steal a look at the four friends. She wanted to see the girl clearly.

Now, after listening to their conversation, she could tell that the girl was close to all three men. Was she also Mars' childhood friend?

So, how did they spend time all these years when Mars couldn't touch her?

"I can stay with you until morning, so you can see that I will not die," Ellena chuckled. "Or... if I end up dying in the morning... I want to at least die in your arms. Wouldn't it be fair? Wouldn't you please give me a good death by dying in your embrace? That's the least you can do for me..."

Mars couldn't believe Ellena was so relaxed about the whole thing.

She looked confident that she wouldn't die... 

Was it true.. that the curse was really lifted?

"Tell me... what happened?" Mars finally asked in a hoarse voice. Seeing Ellena after five years made him emotional. 

"I finally found the witch after looking for her for so long, and I begged her every day for exactly one year before she finally relented. She said I was the most stubborn human she had ever met," Ellena explained. "She let me worked for her for four years before she would listen to  my plea."

"Did you... did you suffer a lot while you were working for her?" Mars asked again. "What did you have to do to make her grant your wish?"

Ellena's countenance changed. She tried to keep looking casual, but Mars recognized a slight expression of contempt, hidden behind her facade. 

Did the witch make Ellena do terrible things?

He moved closer and touched her shoulders with his hands. His eyes locked on hers. He felt so touched. This woman cared so much about him that she would do anything to make him happy.

"I am sorry you have to go through a lot for me," he whispered, as he pulled her into his embrace.

Emmelyn's eyes went round when she saw Mars hugged Ellena tightly.

Knowing his curse, she never thought he would ever touch another woman, other than her.

Emmelyn felt furious, jealous, and wanted to charge at them and break the hug forcefully.

[How could you hug another woman? I am carrying your child...]