Mars was distraught by what just happened. His intention was to expose Ellena's crime publicly and at the same time clear Emmelyn's name.
He already announced his marriage to Emmelyn before the guests that consist of all the most important people in the capital, because he believed it would make things easier for him to bring back Emmelyn and gave her the status she deserved, the rightful queen of Draec.
"Gewen, please bring Harlow back to her chamber," Mars told Gewen. "Don't let her see blood. I don't want her to be traumatized. I will be with you shortly."
"Okay," his friend replied. Gewen held his breath and hurriedly brought Harlow with him to leave the ballroom.
The baby pouted her lips and wailed, reaching out her hands toward her father. When she felt they were getting farther away from Mars, she started kicking up a fuss and scratched Gewen.
"Oh no... she wants you," Gewen halted his steps, wiped his forehead in frustration, and then he turned around.
The man was still shaken by what just happened and couldn't handle Harlow who started scratching his face viciously with her long nails. He complained, "Why are her nails so long?"
Edgar looked up and motioned Mars to take care of his daughter because he would help Mr. Vitas to care for his father.
"Harlow needs you," Edgar reminded his friend. "Let us handle it here, you go ahead pacify your daughter."
Mars looked at his father who was lying in the pool of his own blood, being treated by Mr. Vitas whose calm demeanor finally managed to stop Queen Elara from crying.
The young king realized Edgar was right. He was not good at treating wounds, so they didn't really need him there. It would be better if he took Harlow with him and calmed her down.
"Very well..." With that in mind, finally, Mars got up and walked toward Gewen to take Harlow from his arms.
As soon as her father's strong hands touched her body, Harlow stopped crying. Now, she just sobbed pitifully as she reached out her hands to grab her father's arm.
"Sssh... don't cry, Sweetheart," Mars raised Harlow's body and let her head lean on his shoulder. He turned around and looked at his mother apologetically. "I am sorry, mother... things didn't happen as I predicted. I will bring Harlow to her chamber and wait for her to sleep. I will soon be with you."
Queen Elara nodded weakly. "Go. Your father will be okay..."
Her words didn't sound convincing, but she forced herself to smile to calm down her son.
Mr. Vitas was the best physician and herbomancer in this kingdom. His healing ability was second to none. If there was anyone who could heal Jared Strongmoor, it would be...
Wait a minute...!
Suddenly, a crazy thought came to Queen Elara's mind. She got up and ran out of the ballroom. Before she reached the door, she turned around and told Mr. Vitas and Edgar to bring her husband's body to her chamber.
"Please take him to my chamber as soon as you have cared for his wounds...!!" She blurted. Then, she turned around and left the room in long strides. Her face paled and her breath was panting.
Elara Strongmoor suddenly remembered how she was revived from death. After thinking about it for days, she realized she wasn't really dead when Ellena stabbed her. She actually went into a long coma.
Because she was only half-human, her elven system protected her body and got her into a deep sleep, and only after the magic scarf summoned her soul, she went back.
As days went by, after she was revived, Elara slowly remembered some visions where she saw a magical world in her long dreams. She thought it might be the elven realm.
Elara had never met her biological father, but her mother told her he was an elf. She found the mysterious man heavily injured in the forest and nursed him back to health. They got together for several years before the man suddenly disappeared.
The mysterious man and Elara's mother became linked romantically and resulted in pregnancy. Unfortunately, the man never explained who he was. Suddenly, he went away without a trace.
Elara would have never believed her mother's words, saying that her father was an elf, if she didn't physically look like she was a part elf.
Her unique hair and eyes, and other physical features, were clear signs of her origins. Her elven beauty was both her curse and her blessings.
So many wealthy and powerful men came to harass her and force her for marriage when she grew up to be an extraordinarily beautiful woman.
However, it was also a blessing because she could attract the crown prince's affection who later became her husband of almost thirty years. The man loved her deeply and he was a devoted husband who would do anything for her.
Since Elara didn't know anything about her elven background, she and her entire family didn't know that her body went through a mysterious process to protect itself after a fatal attack. They assumed she was dead when her heart stopped beating.
If Jared Strongmoor was not so stubborn and did everything he could to preserve her body...
If he relented and listened to people's demand to hold a royal funeral for Elara, maybe... maybe today Elara would be truly dead. No amount of magic from Raphael could help her.
This thought made tears streamed down harder from her eyes. Her husband was not a good man, he was selfish and ruthless... but he loved her to death and he was devoted to her.
No matter how angry she was at Jared, Elara couldn't deny that she loved him so much. After thirty years together, he had proven himself to be a devoted doting husband to her.
He was harsh to their son, and he had committed so many grave mistakes toward their daughter-in-law, but Jared had admitted his mistakes and he was sorry...
He was now willing to do whatever it takes to redeem himself...
Elara Strongmoor couldn't let her husband die...
Maybe...
Maybe the magic scarf could help?
She didn't know for sure, but she thought there was no harm in trying.
Maybe the scarf was gifted by someone who was a healer... Elara would ask Emmelyn in more detail once she met her daughter-in-law again.
Maybe Emmelyn would know the answer.
Elara finally reached her chamber with panting breath. She went to her closet and looked for the wooden box that her son gave to her last week, together with Emmelyn's letter.
"Oh... there you are..." she murmured when she found the scarf. The queen clutched it in her hands and pressed it to her chest. "Please heal my husband too... Please, heal my husband... Please...."