"Emmelyn would never say something like that," said Mars stubbornly.
Ellena shook her head in contempt. "Yeah, of course, you would think that way. Because you are in love with her, she is always right in your eyes. She is perfect. She is your everything. She can never be wrong!"
She clenched her fists to the sides and stepped forward to challenge Mars, until their faces were only inches apart.
Her eyes were fiery and filled with anger and hurt and she spoke through gritted teeth.
"Your Highness, the fact remains, she killed your mother in cold blood, and she doesn't love you like the way you love her. You are only a tool for her revenge. She doesn't love you that she could easily toss you back to me, thinking I would take you…"
Ellena's tears were streaming down harder. "Well, guess what? She was wrong! And if you also think I am here to pick up your broken little pieces and soothe you… you are wrong too! I don't love you anymore. Not after how you treat me…"
She turned around and headed to the door.
Right at that moment, the door was opened and Gewen entered with a servant, carrying a new pot of tea.
"Hey.. what's wrong?" the handsome man asked Ellena and furrowed his brows when he saw her tears.
Gewen then turned to Mars and asked the prince with his eye, what was going on. He only left for twenty minutes and things had changed dramatically. What happened when he was out?
"Ellena! Don't go, I still need to talk to you," said Mars.
"Fuck you! I don't want to talk to you if you are just going to doubt everything I say. You can go ahead and make your own conclusion. Think whatever you like, there is no point of me staying here and talk to you, telling you what happened…" Ellena lashed out at the prince so fiercely that Gewen was stunned.
This woman didn't sound like the Ellena he knew. What made her this angry?
"Ellena, watch your words, he is the crown prince," said Gewen. "I know you are angry, but you must not lash out like that."
"So, what?! He can kill me if he wants. I am already dying inside anyway. I have enough of this shit," said Ellena. She wiped the tears from her eyes, but they kept flowing profusely.
Ellena walked through the door in long strides, but as soon as she passed the door, her steps were halted. She turned around and looked at Mars with hurt in her eyes.
Ellena's voice wavered when she spoke for the last time. "I was thinking of sparing your heart and keep this a secret because I did care about you. Well… not anymore. Read this for yourself and see if you still think I am the liar between me and her."
Ellena took something from the pocket under her dress and tossed it toward Mars. Then she turned around and left while sobbing despondently.
Mars was surprised to see Ellena toss him something. He quickly moved forward and caught the item that turned out to be a scroll of parchment.
"What is this?" He narrowed his eyes to see the scroll better. "Hey, Ellena! Wait!"
Before he could chase Ellena, Gewen touched his arm and shook his head. "I think you should leave her alone. I have never seen Ellena so angry like that. Give her time."
"Yes, but what is this?" Mars asked. He finally decided to just tear open the scroll and read the parchment to see what's inside.
"It's a letter," Gewen muttered. He tilted his head and tried to read what's written on the parchment. His eyes immediately went round when he saw the writing. "Wait…"
Gewen shrieked and gripped Mars's shoulder as soon as he could read the name 'Emmelyn' written at the bottom of the page.
"Is it really Emmelyn's letter?" He turned to Mars and looked at the prince intently. "How can Ellena have her letter?"
Mars shook his head. His voice sounded very tired when he replied to Gewen's question. "I am as confused as you are, Gewen. I don't know."
"Oh, okay. I am sorry," said Gewen apologetically. Seeing how much his friend look sad, Gewen decided to step back and give him privacy.
If this was really a letter written for him by Emmelyn, Mars must want to read it by himself and not answer Gewen's stupid questions.
"I will go and talk to Ellena," said the young general with a low voice. He patted Mars' back and took his leave. "Just call me when you need me."
He walked to the door and went out. After Gewen left, Mars closed his eyes and tried to calm down his mind.
His hands were trembling, holding the letter. Mars didn't want to answer Gewen's questions earlier, because his mind was in a mess, but he could immediately recognize Emmelyn's handwriting.
This parchment that he was holding in his hands was a letter written by his wife.
What did she write in there? And why did she give the letter to Ellena?
Was Ellena telling the truth? Was it true that Emmelyn asked her to come so Ellena could help her escape and she would give Mars to Ellena?
So many questions that badly needed answers.
A little voice in his heart told him not to open the letter, because it would just open Pandora's box. What if the letter exposed the truth that he actually wanted to avoid?
Was he ready to hear from Emmelyn herself that Ellena was telling the truth?
If he tossed the letter away, he could think what he wanted to believe. As Ellena said, he loved Emmelyn so much and always took her side no matter what.
He could never believe whatever other people say about her, even though the whole world told him Emmelyn killed his mother to get her revenge.
If he threw this letter away, he could keep making his own conclusion and think what he wanted.
However, once he read this letter and he found out Emmelyn really killed his mother… and she really did it out of revenge, he couldn't keep lying to himself.
Should he read this letter?
Should he just burn it?
