The Cursed Prince

"Oh... sounds scary, yeah..." Emmelyn didn't know anything about Margueritte or Dolores, other than their names. So, she was not sure if this was even the same witch.

But, judging from the fact that Dolores was called the firebringer, was it possible that her sister was called white because she was related to ice or snow? They did sound powerful.

Uff.. too bad, Emmelyn didn't ask Mrs. Adler for more details about her witch sisters. There was no way for her to know if the 'snow queen' was really Margueritte and she didn't have the luxury of time to go check something that she was not certain about.

She must immediately find Myreen. If she wasted time looking for the white witch and found out she was not Margueritte, it would take her a long time to see Harlow again.

"Well... if we happen to travel nearby Tempest, I might visit her and see if she is really Margueritte," said Emmelyn. "Thank you for letting me know."

"Yeah.. I cannot know for sure either. I am only a tavern owner who hears stories from my patrons. I am only telling you what I heard," said the tavern owner apologetically. "You seem to be in a hurry."

"That, I am," Emmelyn nodded. "I am looking for this place called Myreen. Have you ever heard of anyone talking about it? I think it's a small kingdom in the central part of Atlantea."

The tavern owner nodded. "Yes. I heard someone was looking for Myreen too. He said he was looking for information about a country called Myreen and the family called Leoraleis."

"You did?!" Emmelyn gasped. Suddenly adrenaline rushed through her veins when she heard from the tavern owner that someone was also looking for what she was looking for.

Who was that person? Was it Edgar?

"Can you tell me when it was and how the man looks like?" she asked with an urgent tone. "He might be someone I know."

"Oh, he is a very handsome man. Quiet. He traveled with three other men. I think they are his subordinates. They looked like knights. I know a knight when I see one," said the tavern owner. "It was probably... two months ago. He asked around and I think he heard some useful information from a traveling merchant."

Emmelyn felt so excited when she heard this information. It must be Edgar!

So, did Edgar get a good lead and he was going to Myreen?

"So.. did you know what the merchant told him?" Emmelyn asked again. Her eyes glint in excitement. FINALLY! There was something good happened in her life.

"I am not sure. They talked for half-hour and then they left," said the tavern owner. 

"Oh.. which way did they go?"

"I think they mentioned going to Summeria and then continued to Myreen. I am not sure."

"Ah, that's fine. Thank you so much for answering all my questions," said Emmelyn.

"Nah.. it's fine. I like helping people," said the tavern owner with a smile. He was a middle-aged man who was stuck in his hometown and loved hearing stories of other people's journeys and adventures.

Emmelyn went back to her seat and poured herself more wine. "I think Edgar is going to Summeria and then Myreen. Once I can get his picture from the painter, I can ask the people we meet in the next towns if they saw him."

"Is he also looking for Myreen?" Kira asked Emmelyn. "What for? Was he cursed by the Leoraleis too?"

"No. He went to look for them because I asked him to."

"Oh.. such a good friend," said Kira. "Do you think he is helping you because he is in love with you?"

Emmelyn pursed her lips when she heard her blunt words. "What are you talking about? He wouldn't dare to fall in love with me."

"Why not? The heart wants what it wants."

Emmelyn hiccuped. "No. He is not in love with me. He did what I asked him to do because he was made to promise to help me whenever I need his help. So, he is only doing it to keep his word."

"Oh..."

Emmelyn chuckled when she thought the reason why Kira asked such a question was that she was feeling jealous. "Edgar is not interested in me. I am married to his best friend."

"Ohh..."

Emmelyn decided to change the subject. She didn't want to continue talking about her scummy husband. It would only make her blood boil.

"I will rest after dinner. You can go out and explore the area if you want."

"Nah, I am good. I also want to sleep early. I miss a decent bed," said Kira.

***

Emmelyn was very happy when she saw the results of the sketch she ordered. The painter was truly a gifted artist. From the rough sketch he created the day before, he had managed to show a lifelike image of Edgar using charcoal.

Emmelyn was so impressed and paid him more money than he asked. It brought a big smile on the old man's face. 

"This looks really good. Thank you," said Emmelyn.

"I am glad to hear you are satisfied with the result, Sire," said the painter.

"Yeah, I am happy." Emmelyn turned around and showed the picture to Kira. "This is Edgar."

Kira narrowed her eyes and looked at the picture attentively, and then she smiled. "He looks good. I like Edgar."

"Well.. let's hope we can find him soon. I think he will like you too," said Emmelyn. "We are going to Summeria. Maybe he is still there."

After she said thank you to the painter, Emmelyn went back to the tavern and checked with the tavern owner. She showed him Edgar's picture and asked whether the man who came and asked questions about Myreen was the same man from the picture.

"Yeah. That's him. Is he your friend?" The tavern owner confirmed Emmelyn's assumption.

"He is my friend, yeah. I will go to Lakeshire now and continue traveling to Summeria," said Emmelyn. "Do you know how far are we from Summeria?"

"It's still quite far. Maybe around one month traveling," said the tavern owner.

"Oh, okay. One month is not too long."

Emmelyn had left Draec for three months now. She wondered how the king and her daughter were doing.