"So, where did he go?" Mars asked again. This didn't sound like Edgar at all, to leave behind his duty.
Gewen who was observing the two men while they discussed what happened, slowly raised his hand. His face looked very uncomfortable.
"What is it, Gewen?" Mars asked him impatiently.
"Maybe… Emmelyn intentionally sent Edgar away using one excuse or another to get rid of him," said Gewen haltingly. "Look, I know you don't want to hear this, but what if it is the truth?"
He added, "Emmelyn was accused of murdering the queen. She has the motive, the murder weapon and she was running away when the guards caught her. She also sent Edgar away…"
Gewen looked at Mars seriously. There was determination in his eyes. "I believe I have the obligation to provide you with an unbiased opinion. You are at the state where you can't think straight."
Mars had known Gewen his whole life. He knew Gewen wouldn't wish him ill. Gewen understood him and had always supported him throughout the years.
"We need to hear it from Edgar personally. Don't make an assumption," said Mars. "Maybe something urgent came up and he had to leave."
"You are in denial," said Gewen in frustration. "I know you love Emmelyn so much because she is the first woman for you. That's why her clutch on you is so deep and strong."
He continued his words. "I was like you when I was 14. I was infatuated with Lady Cocker. She was the one I lost my virginity to. At that time, I thought I was in love. I was addicted to her warmth and body and everything. I followed her around like a lost puppy…"
Mars furrowed his brows. He didn't know why Gewen suddenly brought up his first sexual experience. Mars remembered that time. Gewen was an early bloomer and he was the first one among them to experience sex.
He lost his virginity to an older woman, a beautiful lady from the lesser nobility whom he met during a royal ball. For the whole three months, all he talked about was Lady Cocker this, Lady Cocker that.
Gewen followed that older woman everywhere and did whatever she asked of him, that it became so embarrassing to see. Fortunately, her hold on Gewen didn't last too long.
When Gewen was sent by his family to his uncle's home in Glendale over the summer, he met two young girls who became his new obsession.
They had so much fun together throughout the summer, that he no longer thought about Lady Cocker.
Imagine the woman's surprise when Gewen returned home in the fall and treated her indifferently. Lady Cocker had lost her power over the young lord.
From that point on, Gewen was slowly building his reputation as a womanizer. His charm was so evident and all women wanted to be with him.
Gewen had never fallen for any woman ever since. He enjoyed this lifestyle so much that he did whatever he could to avoid getting married, despite his mother's pressure.
And now.. he was comparing Mars's relationship with Emmelyn to his situation with Lady Cocker? This made Mars want to smack his friend.
"She is NOT Lady Cocker," Mars blurted impatiently. "And I am certainly not you."
"Of course you are not," Gewen waved his hand to calm the prince down. "I am not saying you and I are the same. What I meant to say is, you have no experience with women. She is your first, and this fact might cloud your judgment. You always defend Emmelyn and think that she is innocent when she is not."
"She was awaiting trial when she died," said Mars. "We don't know yet if she is guilty or not. We still need to collect evidence and witnesses."
"I am not saying she is definitely guilty or if she is innocent," Gewen continued. "My point is, you are biased. You will always see her through a rose-colored lens because you think you love her, just like I thought I loved Lady Cocker."
Gewen added, "MAYBE you do love her, but it will only make my point, that no matter what questions you ask and the answers you receive, you will think she is innocent."
Mars was silent when he heard Gewen's words. His friend did have a point. Even from the moment he heard Thessalis said Emmelyn was sent to Draec to seduce him and find ways to kill his mother, he already told himself that he wished Emmelyn would tell him she didn't do it, even if she had to lie to him.
He hoped she would lie to him, if she did kill his mother.
"Now, please tell me if you wish only to hear good things about her, then I will forever hold my thoughts and will not share my opinions regarding this case," said Gewen. "I don't want our friendship to be destroyed because I accuse the woman you love of murder and you don't want to accept it."
Mars looked down and sighed. He knew Gewen was right. He was so partial toward Emmelyn. He loved her so much that he would look the other way even if she committed such a horrific crime.
But what about his mother? Shouldn't he seek justice for his birth mother who had suffered so much for him?
If Mars wanted to get his mother justice, he shouldn't be partial against one person. If Emmelyn was really guilty, he needed to know.
"No, Gewen, you don't have to hold your thoughts and keep your opinions to yourself," said Mars finally. "I will hear all sides of the story. I will not be partial."
Gewen looked so relieved when he heard Mars's reply. He patted the prince's back and smiled. "Thank you."
"Your Highness."
Suddenly Lily spoke.
She had listened to the men talking about the case and now she felt compelled to share what she had heard from Emmelyn before she passed away.
Lily believed Mars needed to hear Emmelyn's side of the story too.
"Yes, Lily?" Mars turned to Lady Greenan and asked her. "Do you have something to say?"
"I do, Your Highness." Lily cleared her throat before she continued her words. "Emmelyn told me… before she died that… Lady Ellena Greystorm killed your mother."
