The Cursed Prince

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Gewen narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Is there something  on my face?"

Bruinen shook his head. He was conflicted about whether he should tell Gewen about his suspicion or not. He and Gewen were not particularly close. So, he didn't have the obligation to let Gewen know if he was cursed nor to help him.

Besides, if he told this to Gewen... the man might become distraught and couldn't focus on his seemingly very important mission. If the king sent him to the enemy's land and Gewen was ready to die for it, it means the mission was extremely important.

Bruinen thought saying something bad now would just distract Gewen and could end up jeopardizing the mission or impacting him badly. So, finally, the young wizard decided to keep it to himself.

"Nothing on your face," Bruinen replied nonchalantly. "I am wishing you luck on this journey. If you really died and cannot come back to see the little princess, I will make sure she remembers you."

"You're not helping, Bruinen," Gewen rolled his eyes. "What were you reading just now? Sounds interesting."

"Oh, nothing special... just a book about some spells."

"How boring," Gewen commented.

He turned to look at Harlow and his eyes were tearing up again. Gosh, this baby always reminded him of everything he didn't have: a wife, kids, and basically a family.

Why did he take a long time to realize this?

Maybe death had this effect on people? They suddenly reflect on their life and realized they had not made the best out of their lives because death was approaching?

Dying with regret was the worse kind of feeling, he thought.

Gewen kept thinking about his sweet mother. He spent a lot of time with her this week because he didn't know if he could live to return to Draec after he landed in Summeria.

Lady Rose Athibaud was really happy to see her son latched on her all week. Usually, he was never home. Gewen would rather spend his time with all those women, sleeping around and fooling around.

Her beloved son had been fooling around for so long that she was wondering why there was no woman came to their home already and claimed to be pregnant with his child.

Wait.. maybe Gewen was infertile?

This thought scared her so much that she immediately went to the river and offered some offering to the earth goddess, who was also the goddess of fertility, when that thought came to her mind for the first time.

"I will leave you with Princess Harlow," Bruinen nodded his head. "I will check on the old king's condition."

"Hmm..." Gewen replied flatly. Actually, he was worried about the old king too, but he was more worried about himself.

Soon, he would depart with the dragon and this might be the last time he could see his friends and this lovely palace. That's why, today, he decided to tour this place a little bit, while spending time with Harlow.

Edgar had brought him to see Sand yesterday and introduced them. Gewen thought the dragon was majestic, a bit arrogant, but overall amazing.

If not for the possibility that he would die soon, actually he would have felt excited to ride the dragon.

***

KNOCK

KNOCK

"Come in," Queen Elara told Bruinen to enter when she heard the knocks on her door. When the young wizard entered, he immediately caught sight of everyone there.

His master, Elmer the wizard, together with his younger brother, Mr. Euclid Vitas, the young king - Mars Strongmoor, Lord Edgar Chaucer, the old queen herself, and... the old king.

Bruinen's eyes widened when he saw how the old king was awake and looking well.

When did he wake up? Did the magic scarf really work?

"You're here, Bruinen," said Elmer with a smile. It was obvious that he was in a really good mood. "I was right about this artifact. It does contain healing magic. King Jared just woke up."

"I can see," Bruinen nodded.

He saw the scarf on the old queen's lap. She clutched it tightly, and her face looked emotional. All of them realized how valuable the scarf was. Now, they became more intrigued to find out the story behind it.

Jared Strongmoor was teary-eyed when he looked at his wife longingly and squeezed her hands gently. "I am so happy to see you again, my love."

Elara smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I feel the same. I am disappointed in you... but I love you. I can't imagine life without you in this world," she said with a soft voice. "However, I still think you have to redeem yourself to our daughter-in-law. She has suffered so much because of our family."

Seeing his wife alive and well, and the magic scarf on her lap, Jared felt such profound gratitude to Emmelyn who was responsible for bringing back his wife to him.

When he remembered how horribly he treated her back then, the man felt so ashamed of himself. His heart ached when he remembered how he slapped her when Emmelyn was brought back by the king's guards from the village, the day after Elara was attacked.

Jared Strongmoor was blinded by his anger and sadness and if John and Mr. Vitas didn't drop to their knees and begged him to spare Emmelyn, perhaps... she was a goner now.

Jared wouldn't have his adorable granddaughter... and his wife would be dead for real.

"You are right, honey... as always," he said with a low voice. "I need to beg for forgiveness from our daughter-in-law. I am such a horrible father..."

"I am glad you have understood where you did wrong," Queen Elara took a deep breath. She looked at her son and spoke to him in an urgent tone. "When will you get her back?"

"As soon as possible, mother," Mars replied. He was moved to see his father's change of attitude toward his wife. He added, "I will send Gewen today, and in a few days I will go with my people. I promise to bring Emmelyn home."

"Ahh.. that's good." Queen Elara smiled.

She was happy to know they slowly sorted their issues one by one. Her health had recovered, her husband was now a changed man, Mars would soon get Emmelyn home... they had a beautiful and healthy granddaughter.

What else would she want in this life?

She just wished to see Emmelyn return and live happily ever after with her son. Perhaps, they could bear more grandchildren. Having two or three more children as adorable as Harlow would be good.

As a grandmother, she could only hope.

"When you go, I will take care of Harlow for you," the queen exclaimed. "Your father could take care of the kingdom."

"Uhm... about that..." Mars smiled apologetically. "I have appointed Athos to be my regent while I'm gone. I cannot change my mind suddenly. I hope father won't feel offended. I figured he wanted to enjoy a slow and relaxing life with you, mother."

Mars would never trust his father with power after he stepped down from the throne earlier this year. He was worried Jared's way of doing things wouldn't be aligned with what he wanted. He would prefer to have Athos rule on his behalf.

His cousin was trustworthy and a good statesman. Mars would have peace of mind if he left Draec under Athos' control while he was gone.

Heck, he would have given the throne to Athos so his cousin could become the king while Mars enjoyed a quiet and relaxing life with Emmelyn.

That's how much he trusted Athos Greenan.

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All your requests are heard and Jared Strongmoor is given a second lease on life. He will beg for forgiveness from Em when she returns.

Thank you, dear Kelly Goodwin for gifting a dragon to this book earlier. You are so kind and I am grateful! xx

PS: I just talked to the NovelFull higher-ups and they promised to arrange some special benefits for books that are high in Golden ranking.  So, crossing fingers this book will get more features and can be seen by more readers.

I can't thank you all enough for your support and for gifting your golden tickets to this book. I will keep working hard. ^^