The Cursed Prince

Emmelyn understood what Kira must be thinking. She had taken advantage of Kira's presence for protection during her journey since she realized how dangerous it was to travel by herself to a country that was foreign to her.

Emmelyn didn't tell Kira about the bounties because Kira was a pirate who only cared about making money. Emmelyn was worried that Kira would be tempted to sell her out for money, land, and title from the king if she found out the king was after Emmelyn. 

"As I said, I am not that woman. The king set a bounty for people to find the woman who shares the same name as mine. There was a misunderstanding earlier, Lysander thought I am her. So, I am here to clear that out with Lysander," Emmelyn explained.

"Ah..."

"I initially wanted to go with Lysander to the capital of Summeria because I wanted to ask for the king's help to find Myreen. I thought I could offer him my help to find that woman. That's it."

"Oh.. now you no longer want to visit their capital?" Kira asked again. "What about your friend Edgar? Don't you want to meet him?"

"Yes, I do. I still plan to travel to Summerian capital but this time I don't want to meet the king. I no longer need his help," Emmelyn replied patiently. "Maxim said his mother had been to Myreen and she could help me to find the hidden kingdom. Maxim lives in the capital, so we will still go there. We just won't see the king."

"Oh, I understand now," Kira nodded. She still had her suspicions but didn't press on the matter. She sipped her wine and observed the conversation between Emmelyn and Lysander.

Emmelyn was worried that Lysander would get angry or at least disappointed by her sudden change of plan. Worse was, the man would feel taken advantage of. He came all the way from the capital for nothing. 

Emmelyn knew the journey from the Summerian capital to Lakeshire took around one month. Lysander must resent her for doing this. However, she really didn't have a choice.

"I understand, my lady," Lysander replied tactfully. "I will tell His Majesty that I got the wrong person because the information I received is not accurate. I am sure the king will understand."

"Huh? Do you think he will understand just like that?" Contrary to what she expected, Lysander was very cool about the whole thing. This made her feel relieved. However, what about the king? Would he be cool too?

Emmelyn said worriedly, "I heard the king is quite ruthless. So, I thought he will get angry and think you have schemed him."

Lysander quickly shook his head. "No, no... the king is very kind. He will definitely understand if I told him that I got the wrong lead. That happens."

"You seem to know him well," Emmelyn commented. "Have you met him in person?"

"Yes, I have, my lady."

"Hmm... how does he like? Is he good or bad?" Emmelyn started to feel curious. Initially, she didn't ask around about the king since she thought she would see him in person once she arrived in Summeria.

However, now that she had canceled the plan to come to the king, she wouldn't get the chance to know what kind of person Loriel Ashborn was in real life.

She was interested in finding out from Lysander because the man said he had met the king in person. Wasn't the king still young? He just ascended the throne in recent years. Age-wise, he might be the same age as Mars, her husband.

"Well... the king is very young, but he has seen the world, so he is wise beyond his years," Lysander replied. "I was fortunate to meet him in person several times and his wisdom and bravery impress me."

Lysander was telling the truth. He was not kissing ass because the king was here. Lysander sincerely thought King Loriel Ashborn was an impressive man.

"Oh, really?" Emmelyn became impressed too. She also had heard from the knights for hire that they liked their new king because he was young and ruthless, unlike the previous king who was sickly and considered weak.

"Is he handsome?" Kira blurted her question.

Lysander nodded affirmatively. "He is. He doesn't lose out to Maxim over here."

He turned to the king who was sipping his wine calmly and smiled. Maxim only raised an eyebrow when he heard Lysander complimenting his looks. However, he couldn't help but take a glance at Emmelyn to see her reaction.

Did Emmelyn find him handsome too? Maxim couldn't care less if Lysander thought he was good-looking. Only Emmelyn's opinion mattered.

"Ahh... really?" Kira looked so happy. From her response, Emmelyn knew how the pirate princess was excited about the potential of seeing another handsome man with culture, something that had been her obsessions after leaving her father's ship.

She turned to Emmelyn and pursed her lips, "Too bad we won't be meeting the king."

"Well, you can go see him if you want," Emmelyn responded curtly. "But I will go straight to Myreen after we meet Maxim's mother. I have another priority."

"Will Maxim go with us to Myreen?" Kira asked again.

"Yes, he will."

"Ahh, then, it's fine." 

Emmelyn massaged her temple and glanced at Maxim. The man just chuckled and poured more wine into her cup.

"Have some more," he said dotingly. "Why are you so curious about the king? Are you interested in him?"

Emmelyn accepted her cup and sipped it. Then, she explained her reasons. "No, I just wanted to know if Lysander will get into deep trouble if he returns to the capital without the woman he promised the king. If the king is good, then he might be able to accept Lysander's explanation."

"Ah, you don't have to worry, if that's your concern," Maxim said. "I am a Summerian and I know the king too. I can assure you that Lysander will not get in trouble."

"Ahh... good. Then we can just go to Myreen directly after we meet your mother." Emmelyn was relieved. As long as Lysander was okay, she could go to Myreen with a light heart.

Perhaps, she could compensate the man a little for his troubles. Emmelyn still had many golds which she took from Roshan. At least, if Lysander could get some money, enough to buy him land and a home, he could invite Lyla to come and visit him in Summeria.

"Lysander, your mother helped me a lot and I told her that I will pay back her kindness by helping you. I am sorry I cannot go and see the king as I have promised you, but I have some gold here to compensate you for your troubles."

She took out the pouch from her coat and poured its content to the table. There were twenty gold coins there.

"Please take this gold as a token of my appreciation," said Emmelyn sincerely. "I know it's not much compared to what the king promised to give you, but at least you can use it to buy a plot of land and invite your mother to visit you."

Lysander was stunned when he realized the gold was for him. His face turned pale. No way! He wouldn't take money from Emmely. The king would kill him if Lysander dared to 'rob' the woman he loved.

"No... no need to give me anything, my lady..." said Lysander haltingly. "I am fine."