"So... there is really no other option?" Maxim asked King Alexander to confirm.

The king nodded. "Unfortunately, yes."

Emmelyn's heart felt so heavy when she heard King Alexander's confirmation. It was like the final nail in the coffin. There was really no other way.

She realized, she was truly unlucky in this life. No matter how kind she was to others, it didn't mean she would get kindness back. 

It was actually in human nature to be selfish. Even one of the Leoraleis who seemed kind could do something so selfish that it hurt other people badly.

Maybe she should be selfish too and only think about herself this once? Didn't Maxim say he didn't mind marrying Elie Leoralei as long as Emmelyn could be free?

Elise was his fiancee anyway. They were meant to get married and it was decided many years ago before they were even born. Besides, Elise didn't look bad. She was beautiful, maybe even sweet and kind. Someday Maxim might be able to love her.

Why didn't Emmelyn become selfish and just ask Maxim to marry Elise? Emmelyn had to think about her daughter. Did she really want to leave Harlow? It's okay to be selfish for her child, wasn't it?

Two thoughts were fighting in her head. She really didn't know what to do.

  "Thank you for letting us know," Emmelyn forced a smile and pretended to look fine. She could no longer eat anything after King Alexander gave her this confirmation. "I came here to look for an answer and now I have found it. It's not the answer that I like, but it's the truth."

King Alexander looked at Emmelyn deeply. His eyes were filled with sorrow when he spoke. "I am truly sorry. On behalf of my wife, I would like to apologize for all the pain and suffering you have gone through so far."

He let out a long sigh. "My wife was in a lot of pain back then. She was not in her right mind. I am sure she would be horrified if she knew what she did to you."

Emmelyn's eyes gleamed with tears when she heard the sincere apology. There was something about King Alexander that made her think the man had suffered a lot too. She just couldn't get mad at him.

So, Emmelyn could only nod weakly. What else could she say? Emmelyn remembered in her dreams, the woman she saw, which she now could confirm was Catalina Leoralei, was crying.

Maybe it was true, Catalina deeply regretted what she did and wished to apologize to Emmelyn.  By 'inviting' Emmelyn to Myreen, Catalina could apologize through her husband, like what King Alexander did just now.

Seeing the pain in Emmelyn's expression, Myrcella and her son exchanged glances. They had talked about this earlier and decided to do something for Emmelyn to compensate for what she had gone through.

"Lady Emmelyn..." Myrcella's voice was gentle and sweet when she spoke. "Alexander and I deeply regret the pain you have gone through because of Catalina's doing. If there is anything you would like to have as compensation, we will try our best to accommodate it."

Emmelyn lowered her head dejectedly. She only wanted her daughter. However, she didn't think the two Leoraleis could give Harlow to her since her daughter was so far away from here.

And even if they could somehow, magically bring Harlow to her... Emmelyn wouldn't want it. She was worried Harlow would experience tragedy if she came to Emmelyn.

Now that she knew the curse would stay, Emmelyn actually thought the farther she was from Harlow the better.

"Thank you for the kind offer," Emmelyn shook her head. "I don't think you can give me what I want."

"You can try..." Myrcella said. "We might be able to make it happen."

Emmelyn laughed bitterly. "I haven't seen my daughter for a long time. She is the only thing I want. However, I can't get close to her because I am cursed. I am worried if she comes near me, I would lose her, just like I have lost my other family members. So, I can only wish to see her, but I don't want to actually see her.

"Oh..." Myrcella's eyes lit up when she heard Emmelyn's words. For her, this wish was actually not difficult to grant. She smiled sweetly and rose from her chair. Myrcella came to Emmelyn's chair and touched her arm. "I can make it happen."

"Huh?" Emmelyn was astonished when she heard Myrcella's statement. This queen dowager could bring Harlow to her????

"I... I don't want you to bring Harlow here, even if you can do it. I told you, I don't want to get close to my daughter." Emmelyn shook her head frantically. "Please, don't do it."

"You won't get close..." Myrcella whispered. "But you can see her. Isn't that what you want?"

"Oh..." Emmelyn pressed her lips in shock. She couldn't believe her own hearing. Did Myrcella really say she could see Harlow without being close to her? She soon heard herself asking the question. "How??"

"I have my way," Myrcella replied. She looked at Emmelyn seriously and said, "Just say the word. I will bring you to see your beloved daughter. You won't be able to touch her and you can't get close to her... but you can see her."

"T-that's what I want...." Emmelyn suddenly felt her heart flutter."P-please...."

Myrcella smiled and patted Emmelyn's back gently. "Very well. After we finish dinner, I will take you to see your daughter."

"I can't eat anymore..." Emmelyn said hoarsely, she was almost crying. "Can we just do it now?"

She became so impatient and politely asked Myrcella to show her Harlow as soon as possible. The longing in her heart suddenly filled her heart to the brim and she couldn't wait any longer.

She must see Harlow. Now.

Myrcella was a mother too. So, she understood how Emmelyn was feeling and wanted to help her. She smiled. "If you want, we can see your daughter now."

"Yes, I want that... I really want to see Harlow..." Emmelyn gushed. Her sad expression was immediately replaced by hope and joy. "Thank you."

Myrcella Leoralei had a crystal ball where she could see people in faraway places. She called it her divination window. Showing a baby to Emmelyn was not a difficult thing to do.

"Follow me, then," Myrcella reached out her hand to Emmelyn.

The girl rose from her seat and took the queen's hand. She turned to Maxim and asked if he wanted to come with her. "Would you like to see Harlow with me?"

Maxim shook his head. He was not yet ready to see Emmelyn's daughter. He was still feeling jealous because Emmelyn had a child with another man.

Even though Maxim said he would raise Harlow as his own, if Emmelyn married him, he still needed some time before he could be at peace with himself.

"No, you go ahead. I think this should be a special thing between you and Harlow. I don't want to disturb your private moment with your daughter." Maxim lied so convincingly. So, Emmelyn didn't really give it a second thought.

"Okay. Then, I will go to see Harlow. We can meet again later after dinner," Emmelyn said.

"Sounds perfect," replied Maxim with a smile. "See you later."

He watched as Emmelyn and Myrcella left the dining room until they disappeared from view. Now, there was only King Alexander and him.

Maxim wanted to use this opportunity to talk to King Alexander about his plan to marry Elise.

.

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

Thank you for giving me ideas to let Emmelyn see Harlow. Myrcella will use her crystal ball to do it.

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