The Cursed Prince

Mars was amused when he heard Emmelyn's explanation about the Langleys. He remembered how Edgar wouldn't inherit his father's title and land because he had two older brothers. However, it actually wasn't a big deal for the man.

Edgar never seemed to care about all those since he was happy with his life and position as a general in the capital.

Besides, as the king, Mars already had some plans to reward his best friend with land, gold, and many other things to ensure Edgar would have a good life.

Edgar didn't know this and Mars only planned to tell him when they had reached the capital. The king really appreciated Edgar's dedication and service throughout the years.

That's why Mars wanted to show his friend how much he was valued, and how much he meant so much to the king.  However, seeing the scene earlier between Edgar and Clara, Mars suddenly thought it would be good for Edgar to find a wife like her.

He started thinking of ways to open the door for Edgar and Clara to get to know each other better and perhaps allow love to blossom between them.

"How long do you want to stay in Wintermere?" Mars asked Emmelyn when they reached their chamber. Harlow was already asleep in the chamber next to theirs, accompanied by two maidservants.

"Well... I am not in a hurry," Emmelyn replied. "If it's up to me... I want to stay here longer."

"Longer than one week, you mean?" Mars confirmed.

Emmelyn nodded. "Yeah..."

She had left her homeland for such a long time. Two years ago she went back from her travels only to find her family was killed and their home was taken by the enemy.

She was mourning for weeks at Duke Bellevar's home in the countryside and finally decided to get her revenge by going to Draec.

Emmelyn passed by Wintermere again a year later on the way to Summeria after she faked her death and wanted to escape punishment for the crime she didn't commit.

Truth be told... she missed her homeland so badly.

So, yes, if it was up to her, Emmelyn would like to stay in Wintermere longer to reminisce her memory childhood memory and visit her family's graves.

She also would love to visit her favorite places in this country, like the beach, some traditional markets, forests, and perhaps visit both Duke Bellevar whom she called Grandpa Leroy, and Mrs. Adler.

"Sure. We can stay here for a long as you want," Mars agreed. "We are not in a hurry. Plus, Wintermere is very far from the capital. It's not easy to come here as often as we want. So, it's better if you enjoy our visit to the max."

"Ahh.. in that case, let's do two weeks," Emmelyn's face was beaming in happiness. "And then we can decide to extend longer or continue our journey to go home."

"Very well," Mars said with a sweet smile. "I will do as you want."

Emmelyn looked at the man deeply. "Are you sure though? Don't they need you in the capital? I mean... people will criticize you if they knew we are staying here longer because I wanted you to extend."

"That's fine," Mars replied flatly. "I haven't taken any leave from my duties to the kingdom since I started serving this country many, many years ago. I don't think anyone would mind if, for once, I chose myself and my family over the kingdom."

He added, "Besides, I appointed Athos as my right hand to take over state issues until I return home. You must know how reliable he is. So, yeah... I can take a longer holiday to be with you and see what your hometown looks like."

"Ah... I am so happy to hear that," Emmelyn gushed. She tiptoed and kissed her husband on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you more." Mars pulled Emmelyn into his embrace and planted a kiss on her lips, deeper and more passionately. When he finally let go of her lips, he whispered huskily, "Let's think of this as our honeymoon. We had not got one after we got married."

"I'd love that," Emmelyn smiled happily. She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him again. "You make me so happy today."

***

Emmelyn spent the next days visiting places in Wintermere that were dear to her. She happily showed Mars her favorite places in the royal palaceand the forest where she usually hunted with her brothers, which was located near Duke Bellevar's home.

They made a point to visit him to check on his condition. When they came, the former duke was sleeping on his bed, looking so frail and old.

The maid who was assigned to take care of him said the duke had been sick for months and the local physician said he wouldn't live for much longer.

"This is bad." Mars sighed. "I actually thought of bringing him to the capital so he could see his daughter's grave, but now I don't think he is strong enough to endure the journey, even if we would take it slow."

Emmelyn sighed too. Now that she already knew her Grandpa Leroy was actually Duke Bellevar, some memories from the past came back, flooding her mind.

Now Emmelyn remembered how Grandpa Leroy and his wife several times expressed their sadness for losing their daughter at such a young age and regretted the fact that they couldn't see her grave even after she died.

"I guess, some things are not meant to be, even though you want it to happen so badly," Emmelyn finally said softly.

She could see how much her husband feel guilty for the loss that Duke Bellevar experienced and he wanted to make up for it, even just a little.

The duke was innocent but he had to pay the price of losing his daughter and his wealth, and lived as a fugitive, together with his wife.

"Emmelyn...." The duke suddenly woke up and opened his eyes. He had caught sight of the beautiful woman and her husband. "Is that you?"

Emmelyn quickly wiped her tears and came closer to Grandpa Leroy. "Grandpa... it's me."

"Oh... it is really you," Duke Bellevar tried to sit up with difficulty. Mars quickly helped him before the man struggled. "I am so happy to see you again."

"I am happy to see you too, Grandpa," Emmelyn said emotionally. Tears were slowly dripping from her eyes. "How are you doing?"

The old duke closed his eyes as if trying to exert all his power to get better so he could answer all Emmelyn's questions. When he opened his eyes again, he managed to force a smile. "I don't think I can live for much longer."

Duke Bellevar only repeated what the physician told the maid, that he wouldn't live to survive the winter this year. So, he only had probably several months to enjoy life.

Emmelyn sat on the edge of the bed and held the old man's hand. "Don't say that, Grandpa... I know you can get better. You are a strong man."

The duke shook his head weakly. "Please don't be sad, Emmelyn dear. I am actually looking forward to being reunited with my wife and daughter. I miss them so badly..."

The old man's words hit Emmelyn right in the feels. She was just recently reunited with her daughter and husband and the year-long separation was so hard, that she just wanted to die.

But Duke Bellevar had endured it for much longer. Almost for three decades. Emmelyn could understand how much the man must have suffered.

That's why... at this point, he actually looked forward to death so he could meet all his loved ones again.

.

.

***************

From Missrealitybites:

Sorry for not updating TCP yesterday. I was sooo busy with work and I didn't get enough sleep, I fell asleep in front of my computer. It was really an uncomfortable position to sleep.. ahahaha.

Anyway... I have finally published the new werewolf book on NovelFull. This is the synopsis:

THE KING'S WIFE IS THE ALPHA'S MATE

The king, or the alpha?

When she jumps over the academy walls to escape from her bullies, Sophie falls straight into the arms of Nicholas, the kingdom's crown prince with a sweet and sunny disposition. Sparks fly and love blossoms between the poor orphan and the prince.

But... suddenly, Leland, the dangerous new alpha of the most powerful werewolf pack in the kingdom claimed her to be his mate?! Sophie is torn between two men. One calls her his wife, the other claims her his mate.

The prince is warm and sweet, his love is burning like the sun. The alpha is cold and overbearing, his love is as heavy as the mountain and as cold as the winter.

Which one will Sophie end up with when both sides wage war over blood, hatred, and revenge?

Leland will burn the entire kingdom just to get Sophie and avenge his race. On the other hand, the newly crowned king, Nicholas, strives to drive out the werewolves that the kingdom deemed as monsters while keeping a dark secret within himself – He is also a werewolf.

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You can search the book by the title <The King's Wife Is The Alpha's Mate> and add it to your library, or you can click my username and go to my reading lists called "Missrealitybites Books" and find it there.

PS: Thank you, Harriet Moskowitz, for gifting a dragon to The Cursed Prince earlier today. xx