Mars closed his eyes. His mind was conflicting about what he should do.
He thought deeply about what happened and, finally, his longing for Emmelyn won. No matter what was written in the letter, he wanted to see her handwriting. He missed her so badly. Any words from her would mean so much to him.
Those words, written in her letters were what kept him going during his travel to Wintermere. He kept her letters he received with him, and he read them over and over again.
So, it was hard not to read this one. Finally, Mars relented and opened the letter.
Two drops of tears fell down on the letter as he started reading.
>>>
Dear Mars. I am sorry that you have to know this through a letter but I have no other choice. Before I go, I want you to know the truth. Yes, the final truth.
I came to the capital to get my revenge. You know this.
I never love you. You don't know this.
I guess now you do.
I pretended to love you back and forgive your family's sins toward my family, with the sole purpose of getting closer to you and your mother.
It didn't take long because I could do it in less than four months. I actually didn't mean to kill your mother. She was kind of sweet. Initially, I just wanted to kill your father.
However, after I thought hard about it, I realized, losing the person he loves would be a better punishment for his crime. Death is too easy for him.
That's why I decided to kill Queen Elara. Now, Jared Strongmoor will understand loss... and pain. He will finally know what I have been feeling, what the Bellevars have been feeling, when we lose the people we love dearly.
It's an eye for an eye. Life for a life.
I am sorry if you are hurt in the process. However, you are not innocent too in this whole scenario. I believe, you deserve what is coming for you.
I do, however, feel bad about involving a child in this revenge mission. Getting pregnant was never in my plan, but I guess, it's inevitable.
I don't hate this child, but I also have no love for it. I know you need a child, so I will just leave the child with you. Please just tell them I'm dead or something.
I have no intention of burdening myself with a child. I have accomplished my mission and now I have to go. I need to start over my life and forget about the past.
Now, I will consider us even.
Please, don't look for me. Our business ends here. If you dare look for me, I will not stop until one of us is dead.
I mean what I said.
Emmelyn.
>>>>
Mars gripped the letter so hard that he almost tore it. Every single word stabbed his heart mercilessly and he couldn't believe what he was reading.
This... this can't be Emmelyn's letter, can it?
Emmely would never do this to him.
Maybe he misread the content.
So, Mars wiped the tears from his eyes and re-read the letter. As he read word by word for the second time, he couldn't even finish reading.
Everything was clear as day.
He recognized Emmelyn's handwriting. This was her letter. But... when did she write this letter? What was her plan? Did she write this under coercion?
Was she okay when she wrote this?
Mars gripped the letter and put it back in the scroll. He needed to chase Ellena and interrogate her to find out how Ellena could get her hands on the letter.
"Ellena!!" He roared when he slammed the door behind him and walked briskly to look for Ellena. His face was red with anger, that the servants all stepped back in fear when they saw him.
"Your Highness.. what can I do to help you?" Only John was brave enough to approach the prince and asked him what he was looking for.
"John, where did Ellena go? Did you see her?" Mars asked impatiently. The butler nodded and pointed in a direction.
"Lady Ellena went out to the emerald tower and Lord Gewen was chasing her."
Mars only grunted his response and dashed toward the emerald tower. It was the prime minister's office.
He assumed Ellena was going there to meet Duke Preston who was in charge of the royal affairs in place of Lord Ackton. Good. If he could meet Duke Preston together with Ellena, he could quickly sort everything today.
"Your Highness." Two guards bowed down in respect when they saw Mars arrived in front of the emerald tower. Mars waved his hand and they stepped aside to give him way.
"Ellena! I need to talk to you!" he roared as he stepped inside.
***
TWO HOURS BEFORE
Ellena took a deep breath. She paced back and forth inside the library with the scroll in her hand. She was only allowed to stay in the library while waiting for the crown prince to arrive.
She wondered what took Mars and Gewen so long. Didn't John say they left at 7 am? That was really early, wasn't it?
She was sure they would go to the crown prince's castle first to see Emmelyn's grave. Ellena just knew it. And then, once he saw Emmelyn's grave, he would definitely see his child. That means, he would go to the Greenan's castle.
Ellena knew everything that was going on in the royal palace and around it because of the spies her father planted in the capital. He had his men in every corner to ensure that he could keep power without any meaningful opposition.
So, Ellena knew Lily took that small baby with her after Emmelyn was buried.
It was perfect.
Ellena couldn't believe her luck when she knew the baby was born female. This would make her plan go smoothly.
She didn't need to kill the child because a daughter would never inherit the throne or take over power.
Mars would still need a son. At least, if he didn't want to, the prime minister, all the other ministers, and lordships would demand him to have a male heir.
So, he would have to marry again to get a male heir. Ellena would be there for him, when he needed her.