The Cursed Prince

"Lady Chaucer was very distraught when I saw her. Edgar had not sent any news for weeks. He usually sent some updates through the merchants or our officials in the provinces he passed by." The man winced his brows and added, "She said Edgar must be intentionally sent away by Emmelyn so she could do whatever she planned to do."

Mars had heard this too from some ministers, and especially Duke Preston when they talked about the case.

This aggravated his father even more, so that to uphold peace, Mars finally relented to their  demands when they insisted that the queen's killer must face justice. That was why the bounty was set up for Emmelyn.

However, even though he seemed to give in to their demands, Mars actually had other plans.

"I understand," Mars said. He tapped his fingers on the table and was deep in thoughts. Gewen looked at the man attentively, waiting to hear what the new king had to say.

"Do you have something in mind?" Gewen asked him.

"Actually, yes." Mars looked up and stared at Gewen. "I have received a report from Damien that Roshan's older brother, which he claimed to be sick in the village, was not sick at all. It means, when Roshan left my castle, he lied to the servant about the reason why he went."

"Why do you think he lied?" Gewen asked back.

"Remember how he died?" Mars asked Gewen. "I am sure you have heard the report."

Gewen nodded. "Yeah. He died a horrible death."

"Someone wrote the word 'traitor' on his arm," Mars added. "And if Emmelyn was still around by the time Roshan was killed, I am thinking, maybe she killed him."

"Oh... because Roshan testified against her?" Gewen winced his forehead at the thought that a noblewoman could kill someone in cold blood.

But, hey, wasn't Emmelyn accused of killing the queen in cold blood too? If she could do such a heinous crime of killing the kindhearted queen, of course, killing the butler was no big deal.

"I think so," said Mars. "To be honest, Roshan's attitude was quite suspicious on the day that he died. I actually interrogated him several hours before. I took him to Emmelyn's grave and check Ellena's story about Emmelyn faking her death."

"Suspicious how?" Gewen asked. "Do you think he was involved?"

"Well, he was the last person to see both the queen and Emmelyn before my mother was found dead," Mars explained. "I asked him to share in detail about what happened. However, when he saw that the casket was empty, he became so paled and spoke in a stammer. It was as if he was scared of something."

"Do you think he was scared that Emmelyn will hunt him down to get her revenge because she is apparently not dead?" Gewen started to see the connection. 

"Yes. I think Emmelyn was after him," Mars smiled. "That means she was still around the capital by then."

"What about now? Do you think she is still around here? I saw many soldiers went to the market and searched for her. They also announced the bounty of 1000 gold coins. I heard from one of them that you have sent couriers to all provinces to spread the news." Gewen shook his head. "I never imagine things would end up this way for you two. It's such a shame."

"Me neither, Gewen," Mars sighed. "Me neither."

"Sigh... I thought she and your mother were close. How could she do this to the queen? Queen Elara is the kindest and sweetest woman I have ever met. Even if I had to choose between Queen Elara and my own mother, I will choose the queen," Gewen wiped his teary eyes when he remembered the late queen. "I hate Emmelyn with all my heart."

Mars shook his head. "No, don't hate her, Gewen. She didn't kill my mother."

"What?!" Gewen never felt this angry before. He pulled the king's collar and spoke with gritted teeth. "I know you love her too much that it has blinded you! But I cannot... I CANNOT LET YOU disrespect the queen by defending her killer."

Mars touched Gewen's hand on his collar and pushed it down. "I am not defending my mother's killer."

"But you just said Emmelyn didn't kill your mother!" Gewen was furious. "How dare you!!

Gewen really liked Queen Elara and her death affected him too. He saw her as his second mother because he spent so much time in the palace with the prince since they were little, and the queen practically treated him and Edgar like her sons too.

Mars pushed Gewen away from him and fixed his collar. His face remained calm. He understood where Gewen was coming from and he appreciated that his friend stood up for his mother.

However, Gewen's anger was directed at the wrong person. At least, that's what Mars believed in.

"Listen to me," said Mars calmly. "I have thought about this deeply and even if Emmelyn did use her knife to kill my mother, I will not think of her as the killer. If anything, the blame should be directed on me, because I was the one responsible for her family demise."

He continued his words, "If we never attacked and conquered Wintermere, Emmelyn would not lose her family. She wouldn't hold such a deep grudge toward my family and wanted to kill my mother. So, I am the one responsible for the calamity that my family experienced."

"..."

Gewen couldn't believe his own hearing. What? This is crazy!! Mars actually blamed himself?

"However, I actually don't believe that Emmelyn used the knife to kill my mother," Mars said again. "She must be framed."

"But you heard what the witch said!" Gewen really thought the king had lost his mind. Now, he was glad that he was never in love. He didn't want to become crazy and lose his rationale like what happened to Mars.

"Do you think we should believe Thessalis... or Lily?" Mars asked back. "Lily believes in Emmelyn. I also believe in Emmelyn."

"But Ellena said..."

"Ellena spent four years living with Thessalis, in case you forgot," Mars added.

Gewen was at a loss for words.