Note:

This chapter is dedicated to Rose Hollygolightly. Thank you so, so much for gifting a castle to this book earlier today. You are so kind and I am very grateful. xx

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KNOCK

KNOCK

John entered the queen's chamber with a tray of wine and put it on the small table next to the bed. He poured the wine into a cup and gave it to her with respect.

"This is the wine, Your Grace," he said politely.

Queen Elara thanked him and took the cup. She took a big sip and closed her eyes. Her mind was a mess. When she opened her eyes, she said to John, "Please tell my son to come here. And ask him to bring my granddaughter."

John bowed down and replied. "Yes, Your Grace."

The butler took his leave and went directly to Harlow's chamber. He found the young king sitting dejectedly in the corner of the chamber with Harlow on his lap.

Harlow just woke up from her nap and she was already fed too. So, normally, she would be happy. However, it seemed she could sense her father's stress and her chubby face looked upset.

Her red lips pouted and her hands grabbed Mars' right arm, planting her nails on it. Mars didn't feel any slight pain because he was distraught, thinking about what Emmelyn wrote in her letter and how his mother would react.

"Your Majesty, queen mother wants to see you," John showed up at the door and conveyed the queen's message. "She asked you to bring the little princess." 

"Oh..." Mars's heart pounded when he heard John's words.

What would his mother say? At this point, he knew he made mistakes. Hearing the same thing from his mother wouldn't change anything. It would only make him feel worse.

"Lord Edgar and Lord Gewen are also waiting for you," John added. "Should I tell them to go home? Lord Edgar looked really unwell." 

"No, let Edgar rest here for a bit, while I speak to my mother. After I am done, I would like to talk to both of them," Mars replied. "Tell them to stay for dinner."

He was worried that Gewen would come to Ellena to confront her about what happened. This would ruin everything. Mars needed to make sure Gewen and Edgar keep it a secret until he could make plans to out and punish Ellena.

"Very well, Your Majesty. I already prepared a chamber for Lord Edgar. I will ask him to rest there."

"Thank you, John."

Mars got up from his chair and carried Harlow to see his mother in her chamber. Deep inside, he felt relieved that the queen asked to see Harlow. He hoped seeing Harlow would make his mother feel better.

Who could stay upset when they had Harlow around? This baby was too adorable! 

While Mars went to see the queen, John came to see Edgar and Gewen who were talking in a low voice. They both turned to see John when they heard his footsteps.

"My lords, His Majesty said he needs to talk to you both and asked you to stay for dinner," John informed them. "I have prepared a chamber for you to rest, Lord Edgar. Please come with me."

Edgar and Gewen exchanged glances. It seemed, Mars really wanted to talk to them about what happened. So, they decided it would be best to wait. 

***

Mars knocked on his mother's door and entered when he was told to come in. The king felt really sad when he saw Queen Elara sat on her bed looking despondent. He was wondering what Emmelyn said in her letter.

Queen Elara looked up to see Mars and was immediately stunned at the sight of Harlow. She thought the baby looked very much like Mars when he was still a baby.

"Harlow?" Queen Elara asked with a choked voice. She instantly got up and took Harlow from Mars' arms. Mars was astonished to see his mother's vigor. She excitedly carried Harlow.

He thought Queen Elara's body was supposed to be really weak after lying down for months without moving.

Ah... his mother was truly a special woman. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she was half-elf?

"Gosh... Harlow..." Queen Elara whispered. "You are so cute..."

She looked at the baby lovingly and then caressed her head. "You have so much hair already, just like your father."

Harlow looked at the queen with her big round eyes. She was wondering who this woman was. Her chubby pink cheeks and her adorable face made the queen feel all warm inside, she finally smiled.

Then, Harlow smiled back. She had two small dimples on each cheek and made her look even more adorable, and suddenly the queen's anger dissipated.

"You are the most beautiful baby I have ever seen in my life," she said.

Queen Elara kissed Harlow's hair and looked at her deeply. Her voice was hoarse when she turned to Mars and talked to him again.

She said, "I feel torn after reading Emmelyn's letter. I understand how she was feeling and if I wasn't your mother, I would have supported her to leave you."

"What...? S-she said she wants to leave me?" Mars's voice sounded choked. He gripped his mother's hands and begged her to tell him the content of Emmelyn's letter. "What else did she say? Please tell me, mother."

"She didn't say much but I could feel how much she had been hurt and feel betrayed," Queen Elara replied. She looked utterly disappointed. "Emmelyn has suffered so much because of our family and her feelings are justified. I won't be able to look her in the eye because of what your father has done to her."

Mars went silent. He knew his mother was right. Thinking about how much Emmelyn had suffered always made him feel really upset and guilty.

He wished he could make up for what happened. He hoped it's not too late.

Mars wanted to go to Summeria as soon as possible and beg for Emmelyn's forgiveness. He would do anything she asked as long as she would return to him.

He would sacrifice everything for Emmelyn. He would even leave his kingdom behind and gave it to her if that could bring Emmelyn back to him.

"Mother... she actually misunderstood me when she thought I was hunting her like an animal. I have always believed her, even though the public thinks otherwise. I tried my best to protect her and bring her back to me safely." The king lowered his head dejectedly. 

Mars knew his mother didn't know the whole story. When they were on the journey from the ice cave to the palace, he only explained everything briefly.

Now that his mother had read Emmelyn's version of the story, Mars added more details including the fact that he pretended to hunt Emmelyn to please his father and the ministers, while secretly he was working hard to find her and protect her.

Queen Elara let out a long sigh. What an unfortunate situation, she thought.

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