The Cursed Prince

Emmelyn sat still in her place, thinking about what Mrs. Adler told her. She had no magical powers and didn't know any witch but the old witch sitting across from her now. Magic was a foreign world to her.

If she was really cursed by the Leoraleis, then the only way to get freedom from the curse was to find the family and ask them to lift their curse.

Emmelyn didn't even know how and why she offended them so much to deserve this horrific punishment. She must find out what happened.

But how...?

Emmelyn was currently pregnant with Harlow. Even though she was healthy, she couldn't take risks for her baby. She was a first-time mother and really didn't know what to expect.

Lily had explained to her about some technicalities, but still.. it was different from woman to woman and she had not got her own real-life experience to know it.

Even the symptoms, the cravings, physical discomforts that she had been experiencing were different from what Lily experienced.

And the same woman could even have different pregnancy and labor experiences with each baby that they gave birth to.

For Harlow's sake, Emmelyn wouldn't venture into any danger.

But.. how would she get the curse that befell her lifted?

"What are the names of your witch sisters?" Emmelyn asked Mrs. Alder.

Even though she still didn't know what to do to find those witches, at least she could have their names and details. Maybe, she could send someone to look for those witches to help her?

That was one way to do it. She would discuss with Mars about her situation after her husband returned, and then they would work together to break the curse.

Now, Emmelyn could really understand and feel sympathetic to Mars's condition in the past.

So, this was how it felt like to be cursed and see your loved ones suffer.

Mars lived for 27  years seeing his mother suffer so much sadness, losses, and pain.  And Emmelyn now realized that her family and the people who were close to her suffered from the curse that befell her. 

The feeling of helplessness, unable to do anything when our loved ones suffered, was truly the worst feeling in the world.

That's why her parents and siblings died, that's why her teacher's son got captured by pirates, that's why Wintermere fell, and maybe... that's why Mars' curse was lifted so he would fall in love with her and soon suffer greatly.

Emmelyn still didn't know what kind of suffering that he would go through because of her... but the thought was enough to make her feel distraught and despondent.

She must find help as soon as possible.

"They are called Margueritte The White and Dolores The Firebringer," said Mrs. Adler. "At least, that's what they were known as before they embarked on the journey to Atlantea, decades ago."

Emmelyn was impressed by the names. She knew that usually powerful witches and wizards were only known by their first names and their nicknames. So, this showed that Margueritte and Dolores, Mrs. Adler's witch sisters, were powerful witches.

She wondered what those two witches were capable of, and if they ever cast any spell, equivalent to the curses that Mars and herself were suffering from.

"Okay.. so, if I met them, or if I sent someone to look for them, should I mention that I know them from you?" Emmelyn asked again.

Mrs. Adler smiled sweetly and nodded. "Yes. Tell them you know them from Alexia Adler. That's my name. They would know that we are friends. Even though I was not an official disciple, they treated me as one of them. They were very kind and helped me a lot. I think they would be willing to help you."

Emmelyn felt the heavy burden on her chest was slowly reduced. At least, now she already got something.

From Bruinen, she found out that she was possibly cursed by the Leoraleis of Myreen, and from Mrs. Adler, she could get the link to two powerful witches in Atlantea who might be able to help her find the Leoraleis.

Ah... didn't she also know someone in Atlantea? She spent five months on the road with that guy, Maxim. He had been traveling across the continent for a long time and knew so much.

Maybe, Emmelyn could also find him and ask for his help to get to Myreen?

Okay.. now she just had to find someone that she could trust enough, to go to Atlantea and find those people.

And then.. she would see.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Adler. This means a lot to me," she wiped her teary eyes and gripped the hem of her dress, looking determined. She must handle this curse as soon as possible before anyone close to her fell victim.

"Mrs. Adler..." she looked at the old woman and spoke with a sad expression. "I initially wanted to ask you to help me during childbirth..."

Mrs. Adler looked up to her when she heard the princess said she wanted the old witch to help her during labor. For someone like Mrs. Adler, a mere village witch, helping a princess, the future queen of Draec, giving birth was an unthinkable honor. So, her face immediately lit up.

"Your Highness..." Mrs. Adler pressed her lips in disbelief.

This was an honor, she thought.

Never in a million years did she think a princess would consider her worthy of that role.

"I feel more comfortable with you around when I am giving birth..." said Emmelyn. However, her voice sounded dejected. "But.. unfortunately, now I have to rethink that decision. I don't want your help anymore."

"W-why...?" Mrs. Adler was disappointed to hear Emmelyn's words, but she kept her countenance calm and polite. "I don't understand, Your Highness."

"I also don't want you to come here again..." Emmelyn added. Tears slowly dripped down to her cheeks. "I consider you a good friend, and I don't want you to get bad luck because you are close to me."

The old witch felt like she was showered by really cold water. She could understand why this princess looked so despondent.

Apparently, Emmelyn didn't want people who were close to her to suffer because of her curse.