The Cursed Prince

The two women ate dinner in silence. Then, they lay down their bodies on the soft grass and rest. The sky was clear and they could see the millions of stars above them. It was a beautiful sight.

"I don't have my mother, growing up," suddenly Kira spoke in a low voice. She still closed her eyes and didn't even turn to Emmelyn, but it was obvious that she talked to her.

Emmelyn didn't respond. She didn't know what Kira wanted by sharing this personal information. So, she just waited.

"It's sad. I was raised and grew up among pirates and I become used to their way of living. Many times, I wish I have my mother with me, to teach me how to be a woman and listened to my questions and..." Kira took a deep breath and when she realized her feelings had become mushy, she quickly added, "I just hope you can go back to your daughter."

Emmelyn opened her eyes and turned to look at Kira. The woman had turned her back to her and pretended to sleep. 

"Thank you, Kira." Finally, Emmelyn replied. She closed her eyes again and thought about Harlow. She knew Kira was right.

For Harlow's sake, Emmelyn must be successful in her mission. She must make the Leoraleis lift their curse from her and then... she would go back for Harlow.

She must not let Harlow grow up without a mother. Her life would be sad like Kira's.

Emmelyn thought she was still a bit more fortunate than Kira because, growing up, she had her mother and her older sisters. Even though the queen of Wintermere was distant, but she had her good moments too.

Emmelyn was taught and educated by several governesses and a teacher. She had role models from other women around her and knew what she wanted and not wanted to be. Without Emmelyn and no Queen Elara, who would Harlow look up to? 

Well, Emmelyn hoped Harlow could see Lily as a role model and mother figure. But.. but.. what if Ellena came into the picture?

Ugh... Emmelyn clenched her fists and tried not to think about it. 

If her scummy husband was dumb enough to still trust his old friend, Ellena, Emmelyn would take Harlow away from him.

No way. Emmelyn wouldn't let her daughter live close to the wicked woman who had killed Queen Elara and framed her.  She would do anything to keep Harlow away from Ellena no matter what it takes.

Oh, Harlow... I miss you very much.

***

Before the sun was up in the sky, the two women were already getting ready to continue their journey. They rode their horses and headed to the west as told by Elora.

They found a small town after riding for three hours and stopped by there to buy food and other supplies. Then, they continued their journey.  In two days, they had left the Glasswell region and entered a new kingdom.

From the shopkeeper where they bought wine for the road, Emmelyn found out that they had traveled so fast that they would reach Lakeshire in three more days.  Which meant they would be two days early to meet Lysander.

"Are you meeting your friend in Lakeshire?" Kira asked Emmelyn. "Is it Edgar?"

Emmelyn coughed when she heard the question. She had been selling Edgar to Kira and it was only natural that Kira was now looking forward to meeting the man. Welp. Emmelyn didn't even know where Edgar is now.

"No, it's my other friend. His name is Lysander. I am bringing a letter for him from his mother in Twig." She cleared her throat. "I told you I have many guy friends."

"Is he handsome and brave?" Kira asked her again.

"Handsome? Yes," said Emmelyn without hesitation. She thought Lysander must be handsome since he was his mother's son. "Brave? I think so."

She considered Lysander a brave man for trying to get a count's daughter to elope with him, even though they failed. 

"Ahh.. sounds interesting." Kira looked happy.

"I think, if we continue traveling at our current speed, we will arrive too early," said Emmelyn. "I don't like waiting. Maybe we can slow down a bit and enjoy the trip."

"I am fine either way," said Kira with a shrug. "I am not rushed. I am all for the adventures."

"Fine. Let's slow down a bit and not force our bodies and horses to go in a hurry."

Emmelyn decided to visit a local painter and have him create a sketch of Edgar. She wanted to use it to look for the man. She believed Edgar was a capable man and his trip to Atlantea months ago must have given him some results.

If she could find out where Edgar was now and meet him, she wanted to know if he had found information about Myreen or the Leoraleis.

"I can finish the sketch tonight and you can come back here tomorrow to get it," said the painter after he created a rough sketch for Emmelyn based on the information she provided to him.

"Sounds good," said Emmelyn. "We'll stay at the inn in the town center. I will come back tomorrow."

"All right. See you tomorrow then."

Emmelyn and Kira came to the only inn in that town and booked two rooms. After they came down to the tavern to eat dinner and drink, Emmelyn decided to try her luck and asked the tavern owner some questions.

If she could find information about Edgar, the two witches that Mrs. Adler asked her to find, or even Myreen, she would consider it a small win. At least she didn't have to rely on tricking the king of Summeria to help her.

"Margueritte The White and Dolores The Firebringer?" The tavern owner furrowed his brows. "I think I've heard one of my patrons mention something about a white witch, but I am not sure about her name. She lives in Tempest mountain. It's covered in eternal snow. Some people call her the snow queen. She is quite scary if you asked me."