The Cursed Prince

They were silent for a few moments. Edgar didn't want to push his opinions on Emmelyn, even though he deeply believed that there was a big misunderstanding between Mars and his wife.

He just wanted to go home as soon as possible, revive the late queen, and find out the truth. If there was really a misunderstanding, he hoped he could help clarify the situation.

Edgar felt saddened by everything that happened and he hoped his friends could find happiness again.

"If I may ask... Your Grace," Edgar finally spoke again. He glanced outside and found Maxim stood in the garden leisurely while chatting with Kira. Edgar really wanted to know what was the relationship between Emmelyn and King Loriel Ashborn of Summeria.

They seemed... close.

"Loriel is an old friend of mine," Emmelyn replied. She still found it difficult to call Maxim by his real name after knowing the man for years as  'Maxim'. "That's all."

"Oh.." Edgar nodded. He thought so too.

Since he had heard about the king's bounty since he landed on Atlantea while Emmelyn was still in Draec, he could assume that Emmelyn and Loriel went way back. He was not nosy and didn't want to probe deeper into Emmelyn's personal life.

Emmelyn knew Edgar was thinking about the rumors that the king of Summeria was in love with her. That's what everyone assumed when they heard about the bounty.

Fortunately, she and Maxim had already covered this subject and they agreed to continue their friendship like it was in the past while Emmelyn was dealing with her problems.

"Well..  is there anything else you would like to know?" Emmelyn asked Edgar again.

Actually, she wanted to know more about his trips and what happened to him these past few months, but she realized this was not a good time to talk about it. 

They were currently in Maxim's private residence and their time was limited. Emmelyn also wanted to see Edgar went home to Draec as soon as possible.

"Is there anything you would like to say to Mars?" Edgar asked Emmelyn. He thought his best friend needed to hear something from Emmelyn, after everything that happened. "I'd be happy to bring a message from you to him."

Emmelyn was deep in thoughts when she heard Edgar's words. It sounded like a plea actually. Edgar seemed desperate to bring good news to his friend.

Emmelyn didn't tell Edgar that she faked her death for the second time and now Mars thought she had died for real.

Seeing this woman before him keeping so much sadness and hatred, Edgar felt so sympathetic and he wished to be the bridge that could connect the couple. He still believed this was all a misunderstanding that could be resolved by talking.

Emmelyn finally nodded weakly. "I've got nothing else to say, Lord Edgar. I wrote him a letter. If he had not yet found it, ask him to look in the book I left in Grey Tower. Other than that, I've got nothing else to say.

Edgar let out a long sigh. "Very well." 

He closed the wooden box and clutched it tightly in his strong hands. He knew how precious the box was and silently vowed to protect it with his life.

"Thank you so much, Edgar. I hope we can see each other again," said Emmelyn, forcing a smile. She reached out her hand to shake Edgar's hand. "Please take care on the way and be safe."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Edgar never felt so emotional in his life as he was today. He bowed down deeply to Emmelyn, knowing that she was supposed to be his new queen after Mars took the throne. "In that case, I will go as soon as possible."

Emmelyn didn't know if Maxim had sharp ears that he could hear their conversation or if he was just so good at reading the situation, but he came back from the garden right after Edgar bid his goodbye to Emmelyn.

"Lord Edgar, I trust that the conversation went well?" Maxim spoke politely. Then he turned to Emmelyn and smiled. "Are you okay?"

He noticed they didn't touch the tea or cakes provided by the servants. It means, Emmelyn and Edgar were very serious in their conversation and didn't have time to enjoy the drinks and delicacies.

Maxim wondered if Emmelyn told Edgar she would someday return to Draec.

"Yes, Your Majesty, everything is great. We had a good catch-up. And now I will have to excuse myself."

Edgar showed his respect to the young king again by lifting his hat. He wondered how old this king was. Must be quite young. Perhaps his age or younger. 

Even though Emmelyn said she and King Loriel were old friends, Edgar didn't get that vibe from the king. The way he talked and acted toward Emmelyn looked like a man to his beloved.

Was Emmelyn really that blind toward this man's affection? Edgar was wondering.

If Emmelyn did tell him the truth, that Loriel was her old friend, that means, she met him first before she came to Draec and then got entangled with Mars Strongmoor.

So... maybe, if Emmelyn didn't meet Mars, she could have ended up with this king. It was obvious that King Loriel loved Emmelyn, that's why he was looking for her everywhere.

Would Emmelyn love him back? The fact was she now stayed here and seemed to refuse to return to Draec where her husband and daughter were.

King Loriel Ashborn was a very attractive and masculine man. Even Edgar, a man, could acknowledge this.

Loriel was tall and buff. His face looked very handsome with sharp silver eyes and a tall nose that made him look arrogant. His ash hair looked messy but it made him look more mysterious and carefree.

Edgar was very worried that Emmelyn would be attracted to King Loriel and really abandoned his best friend. What should he do?

"Lord Edgar, please have some tea first," Kira suddenly spoke with a broad smile. She took a cup and poured tea into it from the teapot. "I insist."

Emmelyn realized that they didn't touch any of the drinks and snacks provided by the servants during their talk. She nodded toward Edgar and asked him to have some tea. "I am sorry for being rude. I talked too much. Please have some tea first before you leave."

Edgar looked at Emmelyn and Kira alternately and finally nodded. "Oh, thank you."

.

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From the author:

This was supposed to be the bonus chapter to fulfill your summoning pens, but I forgot to add the bonus tag.. hahahaa. It's okay, I will do it with the next one. I will publish more chapters for today soon. Thank you xx

PS: I changed the cover today because "The Cursed Prince" got a flash banner on the app, and the frame was cut badly, so I had to whip up a new cover that would look good on the banner.