Note:

This chapter is dedicated to Kelly Goodwin. Thank you, thank you so much for gifting three castles to The Cursed Prince today. You made my WEEK. T_T

I wrote two chapters in one go for you.

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Edgar was dumbfounded when he saw Emmelyn, of all places, in the king of Summeria's private lounge. He let the woman hug him and held back from asking her anything. He could see Emmelyn was feeling quite emotional.

"Your Grace," he finally greeted her after Emmelyn let go of her hug. "How are you? I hope you are well."

He checked the woman's condition and looked relieved when he saw Emmelyn seemed fine. Edgar was patient and not used to talking much, unless necessary. So, he waited until Emmelyn spoke to him.

"I am fine, Edgar. How are you? I missed you and am so glad to see you again." Emmelyn wiped the tears from her eyes and it made Edgar feel surprised. He didn't expect Emmelyn to cry like this.

Now that he observed her again, he noticed there was something different about her. What was it?

She was wearing a beautiful dress, given to her by the maids of the palace on Maxim's order. She looked just as beautiful as Edgar remembered. Except for...

Gosh, how could he miss that? Edgar scolded himself.

Now his focus was fixed on Emmelyn's flat stomach. He just realized that Emmelyn was no longer pregnant. What happened? Did she give birth already? Where was her baby?

And most importantly...how did she end up here?

"I am very well, Your Highness..." Edgar looked up and stared at Emmelyn with a questioning gaze.

He actually wanted to ask Emmelyn to speak in private, but quickly realized that he was not in Draec. He was a guest in this palace and it would be rude to tell the host to leave him and Emmelyn to speak alone.

Edgar turned to Maxim and bowed his head slightly. "Your Majesty. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Edgar Chaucer from Draec. I am a good friend to Princess Emmelyn Rosehill of Wintermere. Thank you for having me here today."

"Lord Edgar, it's a pleasure to meet you," Maxim nodded back.

Earlier, he was a bit annoyed when he saw Emmelyn hug Edgar. However, seeing how she was deeply moved by the reunion, Maxim realized Emmelyn and Edgar just really had a good relationship.

She treated Edgar like a friend. He remembered how Emmelyn also hugged him and was in tears when she saw him in Lakeshire. So, Maxim set aside his jealousy and welcomed Edgar with open arms.

He thought Emmelyn's friends were his friends too.  Just look at Kira. She was annoying, but Emmelyn liked her, so of course, Maxim tolerated her too.

Now, Emmelyn needed Edgar to send a message and the scarf, to revive her mother-in-law and cleared her name. This was something that obviously would make Emmelyn happy. So, Maxim accepted Edgar's presence with a smile.

"Lord Edgar, This is King Loriel Ashborn, a good friend of mine," Emmelyn took the initiative to introduce the people in the lounge. She started with Maxim who was closest to her. Then she continued with  Kira. "And this is Kira Grim, my travel companion. She is a good friend."

"Hallo, Miss Grim," Edgar lifted his hat toward Kira and smiled.

For a few moments, the pirate princess was at a loss for words. Emmelyn was right! Edgar was more handsome in person. 

She already liked his buffed physique, his overbearing impression, and his handsome face. Kira knew right away that Emmelyn got good taste.

She was finally moved from her reverie when Emmelyn cleared her throat and touched her arm. "Kira... Edgar was talking to you."

"Oh... hi, L-Lord Edgar.. Pleased t-to meet you," Kira greeted Edgar in a stammer. She was overwhelmed.

Suddenly, Kira felt bad about her background. She didn't learn any etiquette like those noblewoman and didn't know how to carry herself in a setting like this.

All this time, Kira was traveling with Emmelyn and Maxim in a very casual environment and she didn't feel the pressure of having to speak or act a certain way.

However, now they were in a royal palace, both Maxim and Emmelyn suddenly seemed to transform into royalties. The way they spoke, acted, and even stood looked so elegant and poised in Kira's eyes.

Secretly, she was embarrassed for being a commoner, especially now, seeing that Edgar came from the same level as Emmelyn and Maxim.

"Did cat get your tongue?" Emmelyn teased Kira.

She could tell that her friend was interested in Edgar. This made her feel good. So, she was not wrong in using the man as bait to get Kira to travel with her in the first place.

"N-no... ahaha... I was just..." Kira tried to curtsey and smiled. "My name is Kira, my lord. Emmelyn has told me a lot about you."

Edgar smiled and nodded respectfully. He could tell this woman was not from an aristocratic family. His sharp eyes quickly noticed a bit of Kira's snake tattoo from her exposed wrist.

The young lord was wondering how did Emmelyn end up with a woman with a snake tattoo who looked like she ate thugs for breakfast and the king of Summeria.

He was really impressed by Emmelyn. He already knew that this woman was special, but she didn't cease to amaze him.

Now that they had gone through the pleasantries, Edgar wanted to ask Emmelyn what happened to her baby and... and how she ended up here.

"Do you want to have a private conversation? Feel free to use this lounge. I will return in one hour," suddenly, Maxim spoke.

The king tactfully suggested Edgar and Emmelyn speak in private to be on Emmelyn's good side. In addition to that, he also wanted her to feel at home and made herself comfortable in his palace.

"Oh, Max—uhm.. your Majesty, thank you so much for your kindness," Emmelyn said to Maxim. Her tears were forming again in the corners of her eyes, ready to drip. The king immediately took out a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to Emmelyn.

This sight made Edgar furrow his brows. He thought the gesture was too intimate. Now he was wondering what was the actual relationship between this king and his best friend's wife.

"No need to thank me. I want to show Kira around the garden anyway." Maxim gave Kira a side-eye since the girl stood still in her place, staring at Edgar with her mouth agape, completely unaware that Maxim had just told Emmelyn that she could speak with Edgar in private.

The king shook his head and patted Kira's back to force her to leave the lounge. "Ahem. Shall we see my garden, Miss Grim?"

"But I—"

Maxim didn't pay her any heed. He grabbed Kira's arm and made her walk with him to go out of the lounge. Finally, the pirate princess realized what Maxim wanted and followed him.

"I just need to have a moment with Edgar, Kira. We will talk more later after Edgar and I are done," Emmelyn smiled at Kira and watched her and Maxim as they left the lounge and went toward the garden.

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