Mars rolled his eyes at Gewen. He thought Gewen was right not wanting to get married or have any children. Fatherhood didn't suit him.
"That's just what babies do," Mars said. He cradled Harlow in his arms and took water for himself. The little bear made some happy sounds that warmed her father's heart.
Gewen narrowed his eyes. He touched his face and whined some more. He couldn't believe this little baby had nails long and strong enough to scratch him.
Now, he could really see how this little bear would grow up to be. She would look like her father, but mannerless and feisty like her mother.
He already felt sorry for the man who would end up with this bear.
"Well, I will prepare for the trip then," Gewen finally told Mars. "When do you want me to go?"
"Let's wait for Elmer and Bruinen to get here. I will make a decision after I talk to them."
"Oh, that's right. We also need to give Ellena her heart back," said Gewen, beaming. "She will be relieved. I will stop by her house and tell her the good news."
"Where is Ellena staying now?" Mars asked Gewen. "Has the duke accepted her again?"
"Yeah.. well, you know how the duke is. He cannot get angry with her for a long time. He has no other child but Ellena," said Gewen. Both he and Mars knew that Ellena was actually Duke Preston's illegitimate daughter, but they pretended not to know it or ever mentioned it around Ellena.
Mars nodded. "Then, I will send Elmer to visit her at the Prestons' residence after he arrives with her heart."
"Yeah, just send word to me, I will pick up Elmer and bring him to Ellena's home." Gewen narrowed his eyes at the king, looking dissatisfied. "Are you not going to visit her?"
Mars thought about it for a while. Then, he nodded. "Yeah. I will see her when I am done with all the meetings I have to attend."
"She will be very happy," said Gewen. He patted the king's back and took his leave. "I will be on my way then. I need to enjoy decent rest before I go back on the road."
He uttered his last words clearly with an unhappy expression, but Mars didn't pay him any heed. He knew Gewen complained but he would do things expected of him with great dedication.
Once the young general left, Mars spoke to Harlow about how her day was. The little baby didn't understand what he was saying, so she only responded with coo coo sounds.
"You are so cute! Do you know that?" Mars touched her cheek with a broad smile. "Uncle Gewen called you 'little bear'. I think that suits you really well, don't you think?"
Harlow responded by lifting her right foot and tried to suck her toe.
"Uff…" Mars gently pulled her toe from her mouth and continued speaking to her. "We might have to see Ellena soon. I have to keep her around me so I can watch her move. I hope you don't mind."
Harlow scratched her father's arm in displeasure. Mars chuckled. "You are acting as if you understand what I'm talking about. By the way, we need to cut your nails."
Harlow rolled her eyes and started pulling her foot again to suck on her toe.
***
It's been four weeks since Emmelyn and Mrs. Adler left the capital. Emmelyn had felt so much better physically, but mentally, she was still a wreck. The heartbreak and hatred mixed in her heart and made her feel numb.
She still couldn't believe that the man she loved, someone she had trusted one hundred percent could really believe that she killed his mother.
How could he see her as the killer? Of all people, he should be the one who defended her. He should have known that Emmelyn loved Queen Elara, even more than her biological mother.
Mars also saw how Emmelyn and the late queen were affectionate toward each other, yet… when people framed Emmely for the crime of killing the queen, he chose to believe other people than his own wife?
Right at that moment, Emmelyn realized she had chosen the wrong man to anchor her heart. She should have known better. The Strongmoors were evil. They were the enemy, and they were responsible for her family's death. She was so dumb for forgiving them…
Look what it had got her. Love had truly made her dumb.
Well.. never again.
Emmelyn vowed to never trust another man with her heart.
"There is a town in front of us, Princess," said Mrs. Adler. "I think this town is called Twig. I stopped by here for several days when I was traveling from Wintermere to Draec."
Emmelyn was moved from her reverie when she heard the old witch's words. Ahh.. she remembered this town. She also spent several days here. She found a brothel where she could get free wine because she knew the owner.
Lyla was a woman in her fifties who used to work as a prostitute but she had saved enough money to build her own business. She treated her employees well and they liked working for her.
Emmelyn got to know Lyla when she saved the older woman from a pickpocket in the market. Back then, Emmeyn was dressed up as a man.
The grateful brothel owner wanted to show her gratitude by inviting Emmelyn for a free night at her brothel, but Emmelyn didn't touch any of her girls, for obvious reasons. She only stayed for the free wine.
"Let's stop by Moonshine Brothel," said Emmelyn with a happy face. "We can stay overnight in there."
"B-brothel, Princess?" Mrs. Adler thought she had misheard.
"The owner is a good friend," Emmelyn explained. "They have rooms too. We can just pay to stay in there. I would rather spend my money on my friend's business, than other people's."
Mrs. Adler finally nodded in understanding. She and Emmelyn had been dressing up as men since the day they left the capital. If they entered a brothel, people would definitely assume they were looking for service.
