The Cursed Prince

"Do you guys know each other?" Emmelyn turned to look at Edgar and then Clara. She was surprised to see Clara's reaction and could only assume that both people knew each other or had met before.

If they did meet before, where and when did that happen? She was wondering. As far as she knew Clara grew up in Wintermere and Edgar was always in the capital or traveling around for invasion work.

The chance of these two people met probably happened when Edgar and Mars came to Wintermere to attack this kingdom. But, it was a long time ago, and back then Edgar was 'the enemy'. 

Also, Clara was only fifteen when the war happened. Surely a fifteen-year-old didn't hang out with a man by ten years older?

Meanwhile, Edgar narrowed his eyes and looked at the young girl attentively. Her face looked familiar, but who was she?

While Edgar exerted his memory to remember where he saw Clara before today, the beautiful girl smiled shyly and then lowered her head. She was a very attractive young woman with blonde wavy hair a pair of brown eyes.

Kira raised a brow when she saw Edgar finally seem to remember Clara. A sweet smile curved up on his face.

Somehow, the scene made Kira feel annoyed. So, Edgar really knew Clara? The pirate princess pursed her lips and balled her fists, trying to hold back from showing any reactions, but it was so hard.

"Ahh... I remember you. You are that girl," Edgar gushed. He stepped forward and stood before Clara with a pleased smile. "You are a grown woman now. I am glad to see you are well and healthy."

Lord Langley looked at his daughter and then Edgar and furrowed his brows. He touched Clara's arm and asked her, "Honey, how do you know Lord Edgar?"

The duke's voice sounded happy and surprised. He knew Lord Edgar Chaucer was the king's best friend and he was from the capital. If his daughter was acquainted with this general, it would surely be good for their family. That's why he asked his daughter urgently if she knew Edgar personally.

"Lord Edgar saved my life three years ago, father." Clara raised her face and looked at her father.

Then she turned to Edgar and curtseyed, looking really elegant when she did it. Even Emmelyn thought she was not this graceful even though she was herself a royal princess and was trained royal etiquette. Clara was a real lady through and through.

"We meet again, my lord," Clara spoke with such a soft voice but still clear to anyone around her. "I can't thank you enough for saving my life back then."

"Oh..." Lord Langley's eyes bulged and he immediately bowed down his head to show his respect to Edgar. "My lord. My daughter has told me that she was saved by a valiant knight when she was attacked by robbers in the countryside while visiting her aunt. Please allow me to express my gratitude."

Edgar immediately held the old man's shoulders and pulled him up, "Lord Langley, please... no need for formalities. I was just doing my job as a man when I saw evil people try to attack the innocents. I am just happy to see Lady Clara safe and is doing well."

"Oh..." Clara gasped and pressed her lips, looking pleasantly surprised. She gushed, "You still remember my name, my lord..."

Edgar wanted to say that he just found out her name because Emmelyn greeted her just and Lord Langley also called Clara by her name.

However, seeing the twinkle in her eyes, the man realized Clara was so happy because she thought Edgar did remember her. So, he decided to not say anything and just smiled.

"No, please... let us show our gratitude," Lord Langley insisted. "Clara is my only child and if something happened to her, my wife would die. I also could no longer live. So... when you saved her, you saved our family. We owe you our lives and I would love to show you how much we are feeling grateful. Please... don't say no to our gratitude."

Mars remembered three years ago after they conquered Wintermere, he sent Edgar and Gewen to explore the cities and areas nearby to check their newly acquired colony.

On the third day, Edgar returned with bloodied clothes and he told Mars that he bumped into a group of thugs in the countryside.

He didn't say anything about saving anyone, but it was actually typical of him. Edgar never told people if he did something good. Usually, people would find out on their own.

"Yes, my lord, please allow us to repay your kindness," said Clara sincerely. She looked at Edgar with such adorable puppy eyes and this made the man dumbfounded. 

He never helped people to get compensation and back then he also didn't know that the fifteen-year-old girl he rescued from the hands of the robbers was a noblewoman. Back then she was wearing the clothes of a peasant girl.

He could tell that Lord Langley must have sent his daughter under disguise as a commoner to her aunt's place in the countryside to avoid the war since Wintermere was being attacked by Draec.

Who would have thought that Lord Langley's daughter would be saved by a general from the enemy?

And what's more unexpected was, three years later they all would meet again, and they were no longer enemies.

Seeing the duke's persistence, and how Clara looked at Edgar with such adorable puppy eyes, Mars decided he had to intervene and tell Edgar to let the Langleys pay back his kindness.

The king cleared his throat and patted Edgar's shoulder, "Lord Langley, My best friend here is a true knight. He is valiant and kind. I know he must have helped Lady Clara without any intention to get compensated."

He added, "So, don't take it personally if he refused your expression of gratitude. So, please refrain from mentioning any gifts to compensate his good deed."

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Of course, I don't forget about Edgar... hehehehe. I hope you like Clara.. She is a nice woman and exactly Edgar's type.