The Cursed Prince

After they finished lunch, now it was time to go see Killian. Emmelyn rose from her seat and called Roshan who was standing in the corner of the dining room.

"Roshan, could you please take me to see him now?" Emmelyn asked the butler.

Roshan bowed down so deeply. "Yes, Your Highness. Follow me."

He walked outside, held the door for both women, and then closed the door behind him. It was no longer raining, so Emmelyn could walk without having to use an umbrella.

She walked following Roshan's steady steps to the west part of the castle. She knew there was a small pavilion there that was not used.  She wondered if Killian was laid there before the funeral.

Ahh, it looked like her guess was correct. They did walk in that direction.

"This is it," Roshan said as they approached the pavilion. There were three guards standing by in front of the door. They immediately bowed their heads deeply when they saw Emmelyn.

Even though she was not formally introduced by the crown prince to the lowly servants or soldiers, from her expensive and regal dress, they could immediately know who she was.

"Thank you, Roshan. Now, please leave me," she said to the butler.

However, this time Roshan seemed hesitant to obey her order and leave. The prince specifically asked him to be there for Lady Emmelyn and helped her, in case she needed something.

Seeing the man's reluctance, Emmelyn explained the reason. "I don't want to keep you here for too long. You must have other responsibilities. I might be here all day."

"Oh..." Hearing her explanation made Roshan understand what she wanted. Lady Emmelyn wanted to mourn for this man that was allegedly her brother. It was best if he just left her alone.

Finally, he bowed his head solemnly and took his leave.

"Veery well, Your Highness. I will be at the main building. Please send a guard to fetch me if you need anything from me."

"Thank you." Emmelyn turned to the three guards. "Now, I need a moment of privacy. Could you keep watch from a distance, please?"

The three guards nodded immediately and said yes. "Yes, Your Highness."

Emmelyn watched until Roshan left and was out of sight before she entered the pavilion. Mrs. Adler followed behind her. The guards secured the perimeter but not stay too close to the pavilion.

Emmelyn simply didn't want them around her while she was mourning her brother. They were, in fact, part of the enemy. Even though she didn't blame them for Killian's death, it was hard for her to accept their presence around her brother.

Mrs. Adler didn't know who died. Nobody told her anything. She only assumed it was someone important to Emmelyn. She was surprised when they entered the pavilion and saw the body of a young man was laid down on the slab.

He was already cleaned and worn a nice outfit. The wounds on his neck and chest had been cleaned as well, and he didn't look like he was dead. If Mrs. Adler didn't know the man was dead, she would think he was sleeping.

"That's my brother," Emmelyn said to no particular person. The old witch guessed Emmelyn was talking to her. She gasped in surprise. Her face was now filled with sympathy.

Now, she remembered that she also lost her older sister quite recently. Her sister passed away from an illness. She was already very old. Whereas this man was still young and looked quite healthy when he was still alive, judging from his physique.

So, he must not die because of an illness. Could it be that he was... killed?

The thought made Mrs. Adler shudder.

So young, yet so dead.

***

Mars walked briskly toward his father's study. The king was waiting for him there, together with the queen. Today was the moment of truth.

He would tell his parents that he and Emmelyn loved each other and were already married. He hoped when his father heard everything, he would be reminded of his young self.

He was a man in love too once, and he defied his father by marrying Elara, the woman he loved. So, he must understand what his son was feeling, right?

Besides, Mars didn't really lie to his parents. His mother was in it from the beginning. She knew who Emmelyn really was and she gave them her blessings by keeping Emmelyn's identity a secret from her husband.

The only thing that Mars regretted was that he didn't include his mother in his wedding plan. Queen Elara might feel sad, knowing that she didn't witness the wedding of her only child, even though she actually approved Mars and Emmelyn's relationship.

He would apologize to her today, and hoped she would understand.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Mars bowed down to his parents. King Jared sat on the throne-like chair and Queen Elara sat gracefully on a small sofa to his right.

"Hmm..." King Jared took a good look at his son and knew immediately that Mars hadn't got a night of proper sleep.

The prince seemed to change recently. He had been looking fresher and happier, something that was evident if he could get good sleep.  So, the king thought his son's sleeping problem was gone.

But apparently, it had returned. 

"Didn't you sleep last night?" He asked Mars. 

"I slept a bit, Your Majesty," said Mars politely. "I have so many things in my mind, but I tried to rest."

"It didn't seem working," the king responded. "What about the potion from Mr. Vitas. I thought it works?"

"I haven't taken the potion for months, Your Majesty," Mars admitted. "After Lady Emmelyn came to live at the castle with me, I have been sleeping better and I no longer need the sleeping potion."

He added, "However, last night was an exception."

"So, she is quite useful to help you sleep?" The king asked Mars.

The man nodded firmly. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Aren't you worried to keep her near you, knowing that she is a princess from our new colony that might want to seek revenge?" The king asked again.

Mars looked at his father intently. Where did his father know about Emmelyn? Did his mother tell the king?

Or did someone else spread rumors about it?