The Cursed Prince

Emmelyn quickly told Edgar what she had heard about Myreen so far. The man listened to her explanation with furrowed brows. Apparently, there were so many things in this world that he didn't know about.

The more he listened to the girl talking, the more he had mad respect for her.

So, apparently, Emmelyn was not just like those regular women out there who only knew how to dress up and giggle, and acted like damsels in distress.

She left her country as soon as she turned 21 and roamed the other continent for over one year until she heard the news about her kingdom being conquered by Draec.

Now, Edgar could understand what his friend saw in this woman. What made the crown prince fall head over heels for her.

Emmelyn was truly one special woman. 

"So... Your Highness heard the talk about Myreen when you were in Atlantea, but you are not sure about the location?" He confirmed to Emmelyn.

The woman nodded. "Yes. I have only heard the name. I actually thought it was just a folktale, not a real place since nobody has ever gone there for over one hundred years. However, last month, Bruinen told me about the family that ruled Myreen and said the kingdom did exist. So, now I want your help to find them."

Edgar felt excited about the opportunity to travel and went on an adventure, but he remembered that Mars asked him to stay behind and protect Emmelyn.

So, how could he left her here and went to a faraway place?

Edgar had never crossed the sea to go to the other continent, but he could tell that it was going to be a long journey. Even the trip to reach Wintermere would take him almost two months if done leisurely, one month on horseback, non-stop. 

Going to Atlantea, to find a mysterious kingdom, would easily take him six months. He didn't know if the prince would allow him to do such a thing, even though it was his wife who asked Edgar to do it.

"Your Highness, I would love to help you, but I cannot go without a clear purpose. Why do I have to find the Leoraleis? You haven't told me the reason." Finally, Edgar decided to ask Emmelyn.

He never questioned the orders given to him by the prince, but for this one, he couldn't just go blindly.  He was a general and this kingdom needed him.

He must not go unless it was a matter of life and death.

"I don't mean for you to deal with them on your own. I want you to find information about Myreen, and the Leoraleis.. And once you find them, you have to send me the news. My husband and I will take care of it," said Emmelyn.

She didn't want to sacrifice Edgar by sending him to find the wizard family and face them. 

No. From the looks of it, the Leoraleis sounded like a very dangerous family. And they might be evil too. They could cast such a horrific curse on Emmelyn without her knowing what she did wrong.

Yeah.. she wouldn't let them target Edgar too. She just wanted to know where they were, so she could find them and face them herself.

Hopefully, by the time Edgar found the information about the Leoraleis and Myreen, Mars would already be back. She and her husband would talk about the best way to face the Leoraleis and make them lift their wretched curse.

Mars could also ask Elmer to help them. Since Elmer was the greatest wizard in Terra, he must be able to fight the Leoraleis if needed.

And don't forget Margueritte The White and Dolores The Firebringer, Mrs. Adler's witch sisters.  They sounded like forces to be reckoned with as well.

Thinking about this scenario made Emmelyn feel a bit relieved. 

She looked at Edgar deeply. "I cannot tell you the details, but I want you to trust me. I need to find the Leoraleis and Myreen, to make sure that Mars and our child can stay safe."

Edgar saw how Emmelyn's beautiful eyes were filled with grief and he didn't have the heart to probe.

It seemed like, if he insisted on asking Emmelyn to tell him the truth, the woman would break down and cry.

Edgar thought about it for a while and, finally, he relented. If Emmelyn said that finding the Leoraleis was crucial to ensure the prince's safety.. then Edgar would do it.

He would search for them, even to the ends of the world.

"When do you want me to go?" Edgar finally asked. "I need to prepare and make sure everything is taken care of in here as well."

"I need you to go as soon as possible," Emmelyn said urgently. "If you take the ship from Asguay, you can arrive in Atlantea faster."

"Hm... We haven't conquered Asguay. It's not yet our domain," said Edgar. "Wouldn't it be better if I go to Wintermere as they have the biggest port? Plus, His Highness is currently going there. If I can meet  him, I can explain to him about my mission."

"I don't think he will still be there by the time you reach Wintermere," said Emmelyn. "If he is successful, he will be on his way home by the time you get there. You will be wasting precious time by going to Wintermere. Asguay is closer. I am sure you can handle crossing their kingdom to get to the port even though it's not under Draec?"

Emmelyn didn't want Edgar to go to Atlantea through the Wintermere route. Not only because her kingdom was much farther, but she also didn't want Edgar to meet Mars on the way there.

She needed her husband to come home and be by her side during the hardest part of her life, when she was giving birth to Harlow.

If Mars found out Edgar was going to Atlantea, he might want to go with him instead of coming hom, and chase the Leoraleis on his own.

No. Emmelyn wanted Mars to be here. Once she had given birth to Harlow, they could make plans to take care of the Leoraleis.

If anyone should come and see the Leoraleis, it would be her. She was the one they messed around with. She must confront them by herself.