Mars gave Harlow to her wet nurse and talked to Gewen about their family and friends. They had lunch together and then got ready to meet the Greenans and Ellena for the tea.

"You know, I am happy that you decided to mend your relationship with Ellena," Gewen commented. "She told me everything, how you didn't want to see her when she came to visit you several times."

"Well, she was the one who broke our friendship. She said she was hurt by my treatment and decided to move to the countryside," Mars replied coldly.

"Yes, I know what happened. However, even though she said she wanted to break the friendship between you two, she still cares a lot about you. She is our friend and she couldn't bear seeing you living in misery, especially now that you have a little baby."

"So, what do you want me to do, Gewen?" Mars asked Gewen impatiently. "My wife just died. Do you want me to find another woman and marry her to keep me company?"

"Well.. that's not a bad idea," said Gewen. 

Mars scoffed. "I am not like you who cannot live without fucking someone for a day."

"Gosh... you are so intense," Gewen was offended by the king's words, but he held back because he knew the man was still grieving. So, he forgave Mars's harsh words. "I am just saying... your daughter needs a mother."

He shook his head and continued talking, looking smugly, "I cannot come here every day to coax Harlow when she is crying while you are running the kingdom. I know she likes me a lot and I can surely entertain her, but that precious daughter of yours needs a mother."

"I will think about it," said Mars. "What happened to Emmelyn's body. Have they sent it to the capital?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Gewen replied. His countenance changed and now it looked grim. He saw the body and to this day, he still tried so hard to get the picture removed from his mind. It was so horrible. "You were grieving and I didn't want to bother you. So, I have overseen the proper burial and bury her in the original grave next to her brother."

Mars couldn't blame Gewen for taking initiative and did things according to his own discretion. It was Mars' own fault that he locked himself up for so long, not wanting to meet anyone after he heard about Emmelyn's death.

This time, she was really dead. He had lost the love of his life.

Mars actually wanted to bury Emmelyn in his family grave, but since Gewen had already buried Emmelyn in the original grave, Mars thought it would be disrespectful to her if he moved her again.

She had gone through so much. Maybe it was better for her to be laid to rest next to her brother, the only family member she said who was close to her.

In the future, when Mars' time had come, he would like to be buried beside Emmelyn's grave. So, he could be with her after they died.

"Is there any more news about Edgar while I was away?" Mars asked Gewen, to change the subject. He referred to the time when he was grieving and refusing to meet anyone as him being 'away'.

Gewen understood this and he shook his head. "No. Unfortunately not. I think I will go myself and get him back after you no longer need me in the capital. What do you think?"

Gewen was sent by the king weeks ago to look for Emmelyn and got the secret bounty rolling. However, he had to end his mission early when they found out that the woman they were looking for was no longer alive. 

He went back to the capital to bring the bad news and help his friend while he dealt with it. But now that he saw Mars seemed to slowly pull himself together, Gewen wanted to go and look for Edgar. 

Maybe now was the right time to do it. He would see after the tea if Mars was really feeling better and he could resume life like before all these tragedies happened. He would be surrounded by friends. Lily, Athos, and Ellena would be by his side.

"You want to look for Edgar?" Mars rubbed his chin.

He actually thought it was a good idea. Not only he was worried about Edgar, since the man had been gone for months now, but he was also interested in knowing what information did his friend obtain during his mission.

Emmelyn was always very bothered by what Bruinen called 'the Leoraleis curse' on her. Now, she was gone and it didn't matter anymore, but Mars still wanted to know the truth and got closure.

"Yes. Can I go?" Gewen asked Mars. "I will bring him home and... find out who is the other man who set a bounty for your wife."

Ah, Mars just remembered the content of Edgar's last letter. He said the king of Summeria was giving huge rewards for anyone who could find and bring Princess Emmelyn of Wintermere to him.

His pain and grief were too great to even think about it, but now that his clear mind returned, he also wanted to know.

Who was that other man? What was his relationship with Emmelyn? How did he know her? What did he want by giving those rewards to get Emmelyn brought to him? Did he have any bad intentions?

And most importantly... what would he do now if he found out that Emmelyn was dead?

So many questions were raging in Mars' mind.

If he could go by himself, he would. Unfortunately, he couldn't leave Harlow behind. So, he had to agree with Gewen's suggestion to send him on his stead.

"You can go," Mars replied. "Please always keep me updated. When do you plan to leave?"

"Maybe in a few days," said Gewen.

"Sounds good." Mars nodded. "You can bring enough people and gold for your journey. I will leave everything to you."

Their conversation paused when Mars saw John entered the room and bowed down deeply.

"Yes, John?" Mars asked his loyal butler. 

"Your Majesty, your guests are here. Lady Ellena just arrived and so do Lord and Lady Greenan."

'Ah, it's time', Mars thought.

.

.

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From the author:

I can't wait to write when Gewen met Kira. And of course, Edgar bringing the news that Emmelyn is still alive and he has a magic scarf that could revive the late queen. I imagine Mars must feel overjoyed by all the good news!

APPRECIATION POST:

Dear Bubbles, thank you for gifting the dragon yesterday to this book. You have supported my other books too (even the not popular ones) and I can't thank you enough.

To the ever so lovely Kelly Goodwin, DespinaNY, Therese Johns, AndreaDezan, Rose Hollygolightly, Ogah Marvelous, Lois McGee, Margaret Grahl, Toya Bravo, Pandora  5 200, Lalove, cspits29 , Imah, DiVyA04, Cecilia Portales, Traci Hayes Rankin.

Also, Mina Yener, Sarah Andersen, Avril Caesar, rach2150, Surisuri, t3nnill313, and some others that I unintentionally missed out (I will write more later, otherwise this post will be too long), THANK YOU for your generous giftssss yesterday. They boost this book in many ways, including in Trending and Golden ranking.

- MRB

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