The Cursed Prince

"What happened to King Alexander?" Maxim was curious to know.

He didn't expect people from this powerful wizard family to get sick or even dying young. Aunt Catalina died after she gave birth to her daughter and now her husband was really sick? Weren't they supposed to be strong and powerful?

Myrcella didn't seem to appreciate his question and nodded at Tides to take the two guests to their chambers to get some rest. "Tides, the guests are staying for dinner. Please help them settle in their chambers to clean up and get some rest."

"Understood, Your Grace," said Tides, bowing down his head deeply.

"Uhm... I brought someone with me," Maxim quickly spoke. "His name is Renwyck and he is my trusted aide."

"He is taken care of, Your Grace," Tides replied respectfully.

"Thank you. Then, we will follow you now so we can wash up and rest," Maxim decided to follow Myrcella's request. He was looking forward to meeting King Alexander and talking to him. Hopefully, they could find a way to solve the problem between them.

He bowed down to Myrcella and took his leave. Emmelyn did the same. She curtseyed to Myrcella and forced a smile.

"Thank you for the tea," she said politely.

Myrcella only nodded. She looked at Emmelyn and Maxim's back view until they disappeared with Tides behind the door. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, thinking about Catalina.

It's been a really long time.

***

"Please enjoy your rest, our servants will come soon to bring water for you," said Tides politely to Emmelyn after he took her to a beautiful chamber in Blue Tower.

Emmelyn recognized the tower from her dream. She was brought to a chamber on the third floor and when she opened the windows, she could see the whole magnificent garden where Myrcella was still sitting with her tea.

This reminded her of her dream when she saw Catalina Leoralei. She realized now the girl whom she saw dancing happily in the garden from the window in her dream was Elise Leoralei.

At that time, Emmelyn couldn't see her face, only her back view, and her long hair. Now that she had seen Elise's painting, she realized Elise was really beautiful. The girl looked so gentle and sweet.

What was she like as a person? Did her personality match her appearance? Emmelyn was wondering.

She remembered so many women who were wicked and vicious even though in appearance they looked sweet and gentle. Ellena Greystorm was a perfect example.

Ellena looked meek and sweet, but look at all the wickedness and heinous crimes she had done!

'Uff... what do I care if Elise was good or evil,' Emmelyn thought to herself. She turned around and smiled at Tides. "Thank you, Tides."

Maxim translated her words to the butler and the old man nodded at Emmelyn. He went out of the chamber and waited for Maxim outside.

"You can rest and wash up, I will come for you in several hours so we can talk," Maxim said to Emmelyn. His face looked tired and distraught and Emmelyn knew the man wanted to discuss their situation.

She could only nod. "See you later."

Maxim forced a smile and left her chamber. He closed the door behind him and followed Tides to the chamber prepared for him. It was located at the other end of the hallway.

"Please rest, Your Grace. Our servants will come and bring water for you soon," Tides said as he opened the door for Maxim. The king nodded and said thank you.

After Tides left, Maxim went to the windowsill and sat there. He could see the same garden they were at just now. He could see several jacaranda trees in one corner. This made him realize that in his kingdom, the jacaranda trees only grew in the royal garden. It was not a native plant in Summeria.

Maybe his mother took the jacaranda seeds and planted them in Summerian royal palace when she married the king? She did say that the oldest jacaranda tree in their garden was planted when Maxim was born.

The Jacaranda trees they had in Myreen's royal garden were much bigger than the ones they had in Summeria, and since it felt like summer in Myreen, all the trees were filled with blooming flowers. Some of the flower petals even flew with the wind and reached this window.

Maxim opened his palm and caught some purple petals. He could smell such a sweet fragrance around him.

***

Meanwhile in Draec,

Edgar paced back and forth and then looked at the king with a confused expression. He said, "This has never happened before."

"I know," Mars replied. His voice sounded tired. He didn't need Edgar to tell him that this had never been done before.

But did he have a choice?

Harlow suddenly went really ill on the day Mars was supposed to leave for Summeria. He was all ready with his men and his massive army. They were prepared to go for the long journey and fight a war.

Mars thought he could leave his daughter behind with his mother and the Athibaud sisters. Not to mention, Lily Greenan would be around too.

Lily was Harlow's favorite person after Mars and Gewen. So, Harlow should feel happy to have Lily with her, right?

Now, her grandmother was back too and they slowly started to have a good relationship. Queen Elara Strongmoor spoiled her to bits.

But, on the day Mars wanted to leave, he was shocked by his daughter's high temperature. Harlow was literally burned with fever and her body turned red. It was so horrifying and Mars had to delay his departure.

After losing his wife when he went away to kill Thessalis, he was traumatized and couldn't imagine losing his daughter when he went to Summeria to get Emmelyn.

No way. He wouldn't risk anything for Harlow.

So, he waited. Once Harlow recovered, he set to leave again, and surprisingly the same thing happened again.

Harlow would get really, really sick if he planned to go.

So, finally, after three failed attempts, Mars decided to just go and bring Harlow with him.

Edgar couldn't believe his decision and kept telling him that it had never been done before.

Mars agreed with Edgar. This thing had never been done before.

But he didn't really have a choice, did he?