"You will love this place," Gewen told Kira. His handsome face was beaming with happiness. He was too weak and didn't continue ignoring Kira after they landed in Wintermere as suggested by his friends.

They told him that he shouldn't show his affection openly because women loved mysterious men and would feel curious if he suddenly ignore them after showering them with attention.

Blah blah blah...

Gewen didn't take their suggestion to heart because... let's be real. One had only one relationship his whole life and was a virgin until he was 27 years old. 

The other one was not a serial dater. He had only dated how many women in the past? Two at most? And they all ended in failure because.... well, Edgar was not talented when it came to women.

Gewen decided he should trust himself on this matter. After Edgar stayed behind to be with Clara, Gewen no longer had a competition.

Well, there was no real competition in the first place because Kira's crush on Edgar was one-sided. Everyone who knew Edgar well knew that Kira was not his type. 

Edgar liked a feminine woman who was meek and knew how to look beautiful. Kira... well, no matter how hard she tried to present herself like a noblewoman, people could see the awkwardness and immediately tell that she was a commoner.

Even after Gewen trained her with how the ladies from the upper class walked and talked, Kira didn't always remember to apply the knowledge to her day-to-day life. Gewen was surprised by himself because he didn't care that Kira didn't act or talk like a noblewoman.

He was surrounded by such women for so long, he found Kira's brashness to be refreshing. That's why he liked being around the girl.

Now that they had reached Draec, he couldn't wait to show Kira his hometown. He would take her places. There was this famous forest where he usually hunted with his friends. He thought Kira would like that.

He could take her to Southberry and see the vineyard. The farmers would harvest their grapes at this time of the year. She should try the best wine in the world which was only found in Southberry. He could take her to see his family. His mother was a kind woman and she would treat Kira kindly.

Perhaps, Kira would love his mother because she never felt a motherly love herself since her mother passed away when she was little. She was also an only child. Gewen had two younger sisters. They would become Kira's friends in the capital.

They would accompany her shopping, have tea with her, and introduce her to their friends, fellow noblewomen. Ahh.. it would be so exciting!

"Why are you grinning?" Kira asked Gewen with pursed lips. She was not happy that Edgar chose to stay in Wintermere and almost decided to go back to her father's ship, but at the thought of Emmelyn and Harlow, she decided to stay with them. 

Her main objective was to come with Emmelyn to see her home, spend time with Harlow and find a new refreshing scenery before she went back to pirate life. Getting to spend some extra time with Edgar was just an added bonus.

So, Kira had tried to find nice things to do in Draec. Well, maybe until Edgar came home to Draec and brought news that his courtship failed.

Well... that could happen, right? Never say never.

Until then, Kira would be patient.

"I am grinning because I am happy," Gewen said truthfully. "I am happy to have you in my hometown. What do you want to do next? I can take you hunting. We have many forests with good games available."

Kira shrugged. "Can we just explore the city and get a drink somewhere? I am in the mood for good wine."

"Definitely. Mars, Edgar, and I have this tavern that we frequented. I'll take you there," Gewen said.

"I'd like that."

"Ahh... then, let's go!"

***

Emmelyn loved Mars' chamber as soon as she stepped inside. She realized he made it as closely as possible to their chamber in his old castle. Being here felt so familiar and she immediately plopped her butt on the soft matters and cast her glance around them.

"I like this place," she murmured. 

"You do?" Mars was beaming when he heard her words. He intentionally made his private chamber look like their old chamber so he could imagine her being here with him when he thought she was dead.

It helped a bit when he was missing her so badly. Well.. fortunately, he could have her back. So, he could vent his longing to his wife whenever he missed her.

The young king crouched down at the foot of the bed and helped her take off her shoes. Emmelyn fluttered her lashes when she saw how much he doted on her. Ahh.. he didn't change. Maybe he became even more attentive.

"Thank you," she said with a big smile on her face. She lifted her legs and lay down on the bed. It felt so good to rest here, in their own place. Mars smiled back. He also took off his shoes and climbed the bed to be by his wife's side.

He pulled her to his arms and snuggled her. "You must be so tired. You should rest. I will wake you up for dinner."

"Hmm... I'd like that," Emmelyn murmured. She turned around and rested her head on his chest. Her arms wrapped around his waist and hugged him back. 

Emmelyn closed her eyes. She loved his scent, combined with the fresh sheet. It's good to be home.

***

The next day, the royal palace was filled with many important people. Queen Elara came without her husband because Emmelyn asked Mars not to invite his father. She still couldn't bear to see the old king. So, Mars told his father that he was still not welcomed in the royal palace.

The Greenans came with their three boys and Athos' parents. The Athibaud also came with Gewen. Their daughters were not invited because Mars still remembered that Lorian tried to kiss him once and that caused Emmelyn to feel so jealous.

So, to avoid any unnecessary drama, he told the Athibauds that Lorian was also not welcomed in the royal palace ever again. Ilma didn't want to come without her sister.. So, in the end, only Gewen came.

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