The Cursed Prince

When she heard Emmelyn's question, Lyla could only shrug. "Unfortunately, the identity of the person who is offering the second reward is shrouded in mystery."

"Then, how do we know that he is serious and the money is there?" Emmelyn asked.

"He is serious because he is vouched by several top knights for hire," Lyla explained. "He already paid 2000 coins to those people just to spread the bounty announcement. That's how my girls got the info actually. Those knights for hire would prefer to keep this among themselves and search the woman in private."

"Oh..." Emmelyn felt her stomach churn. Why was she so unlucky? She was cursed by a family whom she never met, and now a mysterious person was so adamant in capturing her that he was willing to spend that much money on her?

This was crazy!

"So, how do you wish to get 51,000 gold coins, Lyla?" Emmelyn asked. "I don't understand. Both the king and the mysterious client want the same woman. You cannot clone her and send her to each of them, can you?"

"Well, we can actually," said Lyla with a smirk. "Both people want the same woman, but one wants her dead, the other wants her alive. Can't you see how we can win both?"

"No," said Emmelyn.

"When we capture her, we strip her of everything she has that could identify her as herself and we put them on a cheap dead body. We'll tell the king that the woman who killed his mother had got what she deserves. Death." 

Emmelyn looked at Lyla with a dumbfounded expression. She was shocked to hear the brothel owner's enthusiasm.

"Aren't you worried that the king will punish you if you deceived him?" She asked Lyla in disbelief. 

"He will never know," said Lyla. "Unless you betray me. Nobody knows this plan but you."

"What about the other guy?" Emmelyn asked again.

"He can have that woman alive. I am sure he wouldn't prance around and announce to the world that he has her since he wants to keep it a secret," Lyla replied.

The brothel owner seemed so sure of herself. Emmelyn had to admit that Lyla seemed to know the people in the underworld better.

Maybe she knew what she was doing?

"All right. I am not one hundred percent convinced, but I want to listen more. What plan do you have in mind and how do you want me to be involved in it?" She asked Lyla.

The middle-aged woman snapped her fingers. "I want you to work for me and find that woman. I can pay you in advance. You can use my money to fund your trip to Atlantea, get the manpower you need, and bring her back here."

"So, you will pay me some money, and then when I can find her, you will keep the money to yourself?"

"Well.. not exactly," said Lyla with a laugh. "I will keep 70% but you can keep the rest. I am not a heartless bitch. I think it's fair if I make more since I pay for your trip, and without me you won't know about the secret bounty in the first place."

"That makes sense," Emmelyn finally nodded.

"So, what do you think?" Lyla asked her again. "Will you do it with me?"

"Hmm.. I will think about it. I am not into an intense new project. I just want to take things easy in life now. However, I do have to admit that the money is very attractive."

"Well, you should sleep on it and let me know your decision tomorrow morning," Lyla had finished her wine and started eating dinner. "I do hope you will say yes."

"What makes you trust me so much, by the way?" Emmelyn suddenly asked Lyla. She decided to probe the woman further. "I can just take the woman with me, run away from you, and keep the reward for myself."

"Ah, you can try, but I don't think it's wise to make an enemy out of me, young man," said Lyla seriously. "I like you because you saved my life once and I trust you. But if you are thinking of betraying me, you will regret it for sure. I know important people."

She added, "Besides, you will need me to give you access to those knights for hire who know the client. It will only serve you well if you do as I said."

The mysterious client's identity was really intriguing to Emmelyn. She was curious to know who was willing to pay that much money for her. Was this her husband's enemy?

"All right, I understand now," said Emmelyn. "So, how do you think you can catch her? Do you have any leads other than she is leaving for Atlantea? Is there any ship that is taking her there? Do you have her picture or something?"

Lyla nodded. She got up from her seat and patted Emmelyn's back. "Wait here. I have something for you."

When Lyla left them in the dining room, Emmelyn and Mrs. Adler exchanged glances. They both were very worried by this development but tried hard not to show it.

They had not heard about the second bounty during their time on the road. Perhaps it was also due to the fact that they tried to avoid crowded places and didn't talk to many people.

This was really bad, Emmelyn thought. So, now, not only she had to get away from the royal family's spies and bounty hunters, but another mysterious person also wanted her and he was willing to pay so much more money.

"This is bad..." Emmelyn muttered under her breath.

"I am really sorry that you have to go through so much," Mrs. Adler whispered sympathetically. She has also lost her appetite even though she was feeling so hungry just now.

" This must be the damn curse," Emmelyn said. "I have truly become the unluckiest person ever walked this earth."

"The Leoraleis must be so powerful that they could curse someone they have never met to experience this much calamity in one lifetime..." said the old witch with a sigh. "I really hope we can meet my witch sisters soon and consult them on this situation."

"Yeah... that's what I hope too," said Emmelyn. She quickly smiled and waved at Lyla when she saw the brothel owner return. "Lyla my dear. You're back!"