Mars called out to his mother when the old queen continued her walk. "Mother, I've got a letter for you… It's from Emmelyn. She wanted you to read it."
Queen Elara's steps halted. She turned around and looked at her son with clenched jaws. Her body was shaking as she reached out a hand, asking him to give her the letter.
Mars quickly took out the box from his coat pocket and respectfully gave it to his mother. "It's in this box."
The queen received the box without saying a word. Then she continued her walk to go to her chamber. Their old butler faithfully helped her until she reached the place.
The old queen sat on her bed with a distraught expression. She wiped her tears with her sleeves and put the box on her lap, ready to open the lid. John immediately took a silk handkerchief from the closet and respectfully gave it to the queen.
"Please use this one, Your Grace," he said gently.
John was really shocked to see the queen but he had no time to think of the technicalities. He was just happy that their sweet queen was back.
Things should start getting better now, he thought. John really hoped so. He had witnessed how the old king and King Mars had suffered so much after the queen died. The little princess also had never met her grandmother.
Queen Elara accepted the handkerchief and wiped her face that was wet with tears. She was shocked, angry, and heartbroken at the same time. She felt very sorry for Emmelyn and couldn't wait to read what her daughter-in-law had to say.
"John, Please get me wine or something," Queen Elara turned to John. "I need to calm down my nerves."
"Will do, Your Grace," said John respectfully. He was about to leave the chamber when the old queen called him again.
"Also, please get Mr. Vitas. I need to see him," she added.
"Yes, Your Grace."
After John left, Elara Strongmoor took a deep breath and took out Emmelyn's letter from the box. Her hands were trembling when she opened it from the scroll and started reading.
—————–
Dear Queen Mother, this is Em.
I am writing this letter from Castilse, a city in Summeria, very far away from Draec. I hope this letter will get to you and you can read it.
I was forced to flee Draec because everyone thought I killed you. We both know it's not true, but they don't. Ellena did it. And she did it because she made an agreement with Thessalis Morelli, the witch that cursed your family.
The truth is, I am actually related to the Bellevars through my mother and I didn't know it until recently. Apparently, Duke and Duchess Bellevar went to Wintermere and asked for my family's protection after their daughter killed herself.
That was the real reason why my father never surrendered to Draec when we were attacked. I know them as Grandpa and Grandma Sovie. To me, they are family.
I also met Thessalis once when I visited them and I believe that's when the witch decided to hurt your family further by making Ellena promise to kill you.
When we met, Thessalis knew I was cursed with bad luck and she gave me the idea to come to Draec and try to kill the crown prince, knowing full well that his curse wouldn't affect me. And the rest is history.
—————-
Queen Elara furrowed her brows, trying to process all the information she just received. This was too much for her. Her poor brain was still feeling foggy, but she forced herself to continue. She needed to get to the bottom of everything.
So, she read again.
—————-
I was betrayed by our butler and Ellena could frame me. Your husband would have killed me if I wasn't pregnant with a royal baby.
I was locked up in the Grey Tower for months before I could finally escape. I faked my death after I gave birth to Harlow and managed to fool everyone into thinking I was dead.
Mars returned soon after but I am very disappointed because when he found out I was not really dead, instead of looking for me, he set up a bounty for my head. I had no choice but to fake my death again and left as far away as possible.
I met an old friend on the way and I have been staying with him ever since. He will help me find the Leoraleis who had put the curse on me. I don't want Harlow to suffer the same fate as my other family members.
I am also lucky to meet a powerful witch and her son who claimed they could revive you. If you are reading this letter now, it means their words are true and it would make me feel very happy. That would also mean my husband finally knows that I am innocent.
When Mars chose to believe other people instead of me, I feel heartbroken and angered. His lack of trust simply hurt me so deeply and I don't think I can ever forgive him.
I hope you understand why I make this decision.
You are the kindest and sweetest mother-in-law any woman could dream of having, and I feel lucky to have met you. I am sorry things didn't end up the way we wanted them to be.
If there is the next life, I wish you could be my mother or my mother-in-law again.
Love, Emmelyn Rosehill.
—————-
Queen Elara pressed the letter to her chest and cried despondently. Emmelyn's letter was short but it conveyed her feelings very well.
Elara thought she, too, would feel the same pain and anger if she were in Emmelyn's shoes.
Ahh… did Emmelyn say she couldn't forgive Mars? So… did this mean Emmelyn would never return to Draec?
Who was her friend she was staying with? Were they in a relationship? Would Emmelyn marry that man? Who is he??
