The Cursed Prince

"Father..." Mars came to his father and called him. The grieving king looked up and stared at him with a deadpan expression.

The prince took the initiative to hug his father. When his hands touched the king's shoulders, King Jared was suddenly moved from his daze. He returned the hug.

He couldn't say anything but both knew their silence meant more than a thousand words uttered.

They hugged for several minutes to vent the sadness they experienced for losing the woman they loved. Queen Elara was the sweetest woman they were blessed to know and losing her hurt the men deeply.

"Father, you look unwell," Mars said after he let go of his father from his hug.

The king wiped his wet eyes and shook his head. "I am fine."

Mars knew many people wanted the king to hold a proper burial for the queen so the people could mourn her passing, and then moved on.

He wanted that too. However, when he saw his father looking so much older than his real age, and the deep grief on his face, Mars didn't have the heart to discuss the funeral.

Besides, he actually felt grateful that his father was so stubborn and didn't want to bury the late queen, because that meant Mars could see his mother for one last time before she was buried.

He knew that the ice cave was a special place that could preserve human bodies. His mother's body should still be in good condition now.

Gosh.. so many things happened in one day, that he had not even had time to pay his respects to his mother.

"I am happy to see you home," said the king with a hoarse voice. He got up from his chair and headed to the door. "We should have dinner."

Mars didn't have any appetite, but he obeyed his father. He knew he had to eat something to regained his strength.

There were still so many things he needed to do. And not to mention he had to be healthy so he could care for Harlow.

So, even though he was in deep grief, Mars would force himself to eat and rest, for his daughter's sake. 

Father and son went out of the king's study and entered the dining room. John looked so happy to see his masters get together and now they were ready to eat dinner.

Yes, not seeing the queen with them ached his heart, but seeing how father and son seemed to support each other during these tough times, made John feel so relieved.

He really hoped King Jared would listen to his son and give his wife the royal funeral that she deserved. If the prince couldn't talk to his father, then no one could.

John and two staff served dinner for King Jared and Prince Mars and waited on them until the two finished dinner.

"You should see your mother tomorrow," said King Jared after they finished dinner and walked out of the dining room. He said, "She must miss you terribly."

Mars halted his steps when he heard his father's words. He, too, missed his mother terribly, but that was because he was still alive. 

He was sure that his mother could no longer miss him since she was already dead. However, seeing how serious his father was about it, he didn't have the heart to refute the king's words.

"Okay. I will go there tomorrow," said Mars.

"Good." The king patted his back and left. Mars only watched his father's back view as the king walked toward his private residence and soon disappeared.

After his father was gone, Mars remembered the purpose of his visit to the royal palace was to get Emmelyn's letter. He needed to read it again and this time with more understanding of what happened.

Actually, when he heard that his father was in the study, Mars was worried the king would find the letter. However, when he arrived in the room and saw his father's calm expression, he felt relieved.

King Jared must not see the letter. Besides, Mars kept it in the drawer, not in the open. So, unless the king checked specifically for it, he wouldn't see it.

Mars entered the king's study and went to the said drawer to get the letter. He took it out and sat to read it again.

This time, tears no longer streamed down his face. When he read it for the first time, he only saw it as a confession for Queen Elara's murder. Now that he knew Emmelyn faked her death and left, this letter served as a farewell.

"Oh, Emmelyn," Mars let out a long sigh. "Where are you now?"

He felt guilty toward his mother for still missing Emmelyn. However, the heart wants what it wants.

CREAK

The prince looked up from the letter when he heard the door was opened from the outside.

"Father?" Mars furrowed his brows when he saw his father stood in the doorway. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I left something behind." The king stepped closer and touched the letter in his son's hands. "What is this?"

Mars was frozen on his spot when he realized the letter had now left his hands. 

"Father... that's a—" He wanted to snatch the letter away from his father's hands, but he knew better than to agitate the king. So, he waited.

"... " King Jared read 'Emmelyn's letter' in silence. Slowly, as he read the handwriting, his emotions became a mess, and his body trembled, that he had to lean on the desk with one hand, while the other hand gripped the letter.

Mars was worried about his father's reaction. What would his father do now?

"Do you know about this?" King Jared looked at Mars deeply. "Tell me."

Mars knew there was no use in lying. His father could easily find out from other people that actually he received the letter from Ellena today.

"I do, father," said Mars.

"Have you sent people to hunt her?" the king asked through gritted teeth.

"No. I just received it myself." Mars replied. To him, Emmelyn was not an animal to hunt.

"Then, you must immediately tell your men to look for that wench," said the king. "I have been so lenient and let her live until your child was born. But she dared to scheme our family?"

"But, father...!"

"That is an order."