The Cursed Prince

The four people ate dinner heartily. Maxim was right when he said the tavern had good food. Emmelyn who hadn't eaten well for weeks was happy and ate a lot. 

Ahh... everything was nice. The only thing missing was probably a good wine from Southberry, she thought. She had never tasted wine better than the ones produced by the wineries in Southberry.

"What do you think about the food? Is it good?" Maxim asked Emmelyn with a smile. He loved seeing the woman enjoying her food. She no longer looked sad like what he saw earlier today.

"The food is great," Emmelyn replied. "You made the right decision by taking us here."

"Well, I was here once. So, I know." Maxim sipped his wine happily. He also still remembered Emmelyn's favorite dishes. She must be enjoying this dinner because the cooks prepared most of the food that she liked, as per Maxim's order.

"I haven't eaten food as good as here for maybe months..." Emmelyn admitted. "Or maybe I didn't really have an appetite before. Now, I feel hungry and excited. I could eat a horse!"

Maxim understood what she meant. She must be feeling sad about her situation and didn't feel like eating anything. This made his heart ached. He took the wine jug and poured wine for all of them to lighten up the atmosphere.

"I am glad to know you like the food and you have got your appetite back," he said calmly. "Here, drink more wine."

While Emmelyn and Maxim ate merrily, Lysander became uneasy when he saw the king pour wine for him too.

He felt so unworthy to receive such treatment because he was just a commoner. Being allowed to eat at the same table as the king was already considered a great honor for him, but now the king served him wine too?

Whoaa.. this was unthinkable! This was something he would look back with fond memories when he was old. Perhaps, if he had children, he would keep recounting this story to them.

However, he tried so hard to hide his uneasiness because the king didn't want Lady Emmelyn to know who he was yet. That means Lysander had to act casually in front of the monarch.

"Thank you," Emmelyn down her wine and smiled broadly. She looked so much more beautiful with a smile on her face. Maxim thought frown didn't suit her.

Emmelyn then turned to look at Lysander. Now that they had rested and eaten dinner. It was time to talk about their plans. She must let Lysander know that she won't be coming with him to meet the king.

Since she had met Maxim and found out his mother could give her direction to find Myreen, she didn't see the need to trick the king to help her.

"Lysander, have you read your mother's letter?" Emmelyn asked the man. 

Lysander nodded respectfully. "Yes, my lady. Thank you for bringing her letter to me. I've missed my mother deeply."

Emmelyn cleared her throat. "I know you said you will ask her to move with you to Summeria after you make a name for yourself and have decent wealth. However... I am afraid I cannot go with you to meet the king."

At this statement, Lysander could only bat his eyes in confusion. Lady Emmelyn said she didn't want to meet the king?

But the king was here...

Lysander stole a glance at the said king and tried to see his reaction, wanting to understand how he should react based on the king's expression.

However, the king was an expert in hiding his true feelings. He looked nonchalant and focused on his wine, pretending not to notice Lysander's confusion.

"W-why... if I may ask, my lady?" Lysander asked carefully. "I will follow your wishes."

"Well..." Emmelyn looked at Maxim and then turned to Lysander to explain her reasoning. She felt sorry for the man because he had gone through a long journey to come and see her, only for her to bail on him at the last minute.

She imagined Lysander was already thinking about the reward he could get from the king. Ahh... he would be disappointed. Lyla would be disappointed too since her dream to meet her son would not come true.

This made Emmelyn feel guilty. She took a deep breath and then spoke gently, "I am afraid, I am not really the woman that your king is looking for. I am sorry for deceiving you..."

"..." Lysander didn't know how to respond to her statement. How could Emmelyn say she was the wrong woman when the king was sitting right beside her and showed all signs that he had found the woman he had been looking for?

Emmelyn quickly added, "I know you must have told the king that you know the woman named Emmelyn and you will take her to him. He must be waiting for your return with the said woman."

Lysander cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes, something like that, my lady."

"Well... I think it's better to come clean and tell the king that you are mistaken about the woman, than going to see the king by bringing the wrong woman," Emmelyn said.

"Huh?" This time, it was Kira who spoke. She didn't know Emmelyn came to Lakeshire and meet Lysander because she promised Lysander to meet some king?

Wait a minute...

Those knights they met previously talked about looking for a woman from Wintermere. Was this the same woman?

She looked at Emmelyn suspiciously and asked her, "Is he also looking for that woman from Wintermere?"

Emmelyn cleared her throat and replied. "Yes. Lysander is looking for the same woman. And before you ask, no, I am not the woman the king of Summeria is looking for. We only share the same name. Besides, that woman might not even be using her real identity."

"Care to explain?" Kira furrowed her brows. She felt a bit disappointed because Emmelyn didn't tell her everything before they traveled together and she had to find out bits and pieces of the information after they were on the road.