"So... you are leaving?" Kira asked Gewen haltingly when the man came to her one last time and told her he would leave Castilse the next day.
Kira had gotten used to the man's presence around her for the past month. They were both waiting for Emmelyn to return and it's nice to have someone with a common interest at heart, that was to see Emmelyn reunited with her daughter.
Initially, she thought Gewen was super dumb and annoying, but after a while, she realized the man was just... different.
He led a sheltered life, being the only son of a noble family who never experienced hardships. That's why he could lose money on his first day in a foreign country..
However, he had proven himself to be quite resilient by taking care of his needs without relying on Kira. He hunted for his food and even made some extra money from the animals he captured.
Several times, he insisted on paying back the money Kira spent on treating him to wine on the first night they hung out together.
Gewen was a gentleman who was never used to girls paying for him. So, on their second meeting, to pay back what he owed Kira, he treated her to dinner and wine.
During that dinner, they talked about stuff over wine, and Kira was impressed by Gewen's knowledge of things she was not familiar with.
She found out Gewen was a great archer who was also trained in the military with so much experience on the battlefield. So, he was not really as weak as she thought he was.
What's more impressive about the man was his knowledge of all things aristocratic. Kira learned a lot from him about etiquette and how people of the upper class talked and acted.
Gewen actually knew so much more than her teacher. With his help, Kira could now improve her poise and no longer acted like a thug when they met new people.
After all the hard work she put in into being a proper lady, Kira was so eager to meet Edgar again and showed the man that she could look and act like those noble ladies.
She remembered the moment she was introduced to Edgar and talked to him, she was only embarrassing herself.
Gosh... Ever since then, Kira was determined to never let her be embarrassed again in front of any noblemen.
Yes, Edgar didn't say anything mean to her, and he was actually very polite and respectful, but Kira couldn't help but feel inferior when she compared herself to Emmelyn and Maxim who were so elegant and carried themselves well around Edgar and could communicate with him casually.
Now, months later, she was happy with her progress. Even Lysander had complimented her on her transformation. This made Kira feel good about herself and wished to have a second chance at meeting Edgar and be more confident with herself around him.
By the way, was Edgar coming with the king of Draec to Summeria?
If so, it meant Kira would get another opportunity to meet him.
Ahh... this was the silver lining that she could get from the current conflict between Summeria and Draec. If Mars didn't decide to come and 'attack' Summeria, Edgar might never return to Atlantea, and only gods knew when Kira could see him again.
"Yes, I have to go," Gewen said reluctantly.
He also didn't wish to go, but he didn't see how staying in Castilse would do him good. It was true that now the people in the royal palace didn't bother him because Kira introduced him to them as Lady Emmelyn's friend.
Since Lady Emmelyn was the king's best friend and King Loriel seemed to revere her, they must respect Emmelyn's friends and treat them well.
However, they might start targeting Gewen if the enemy was getting closer and Emmelyn nor Maxim were still nowhere to be found to protect him.
They might think he was a spy and arrest him, like what they did to Edgar's men. This would make his mission turn into a big failure.
"I have been waiting for a long time and I still couldn't see Emmelyn. I cannot tell her what I am sent here for. The longer I wait, the more uncertain things become. It would be better for me to go and meet my friends," Gewen explained.
"Ugh... I understand," Kira nodded. She had overheard some knights in the royal place talked about the incoming war and, knowing how Gewen was from Draec, they might soon suspect him and arrest him for spying.
No, even worse... what if they killed Gewen?
The three men suspected to be spies a few weeks ago, killed themselves before they could be brought in for questioning.
They must be worried about being tortured gruesomely for information. This was a common occurrence. Even Kira knew it too because pirates also did the same thing.
So, looking at this beautiful man before her, Kira felt it was such a pity to see him being tortured to death just to get information out of him.
Gewen looked at her intently. "I hope things don't escalate to a full-blown war, because I know Mars just wants to get Emmelyn back. But, if Summeria acted stubbornly and doesn't want to let Emmely go... our two countries might go into war and we will meet in the battles."
"Don't you think it can be prevented?" Kira asked Gewen. "I am sure once Emmelyn finds out the truth, she will go home on her own. She missed Harlow so badly. She just misunderstood her husband, so she said she hates him. I think she will forgive him when she hears that the second bounty actually came from her husband too."
"Yeah.. I have faith in Emmelyn, but I don't trust that snake, King Loriel Ashborn," Gewen replied, looking disgusted. "He told Edgar that he would do whatever it takes to take Emmelyn, Harlow, and Wintermere from Mars, Emmelyn's husband."
"What? He said that? When?" Kira pressed her lips. This was the first time she heard about Loriel's threat to Edgar. Gewen finally explained to her what happened. Kira massaged her temple after she heard Gewen's story. "Gosh.. no wonder."
"That's why my friend came all the way from Draec, taking the months-long journey. He was calling King Loriel's bluff. He was not scared of anyone and decided to come here first before King Loriel comes to him," Gewen added.
"Oh..." Kira shook her head. "Then, it does sound bad."
Gewen looked at Kira intently, "Kira, if war does happen, would you support Summeria.. or my kingdom?"
"Why ask me that question?" Kira furrowed her brows. "I am not from here. I am also not from Draec. I am stateless and don't intend to involve myself in your conflict. But I will stay wherever Emmelyn chooses to stay. Her country will be my country."
"She is from Draec, so does her husband and daughter. So, with that logic, you should take our side," said Gewen. His eyes lit up when he heard Kira's words.
The pirate princess crossed her arms on her chest. She shook her head. "No. She is from Wintermere. Her country was attacked and conquered by your country."
Gewen sighed. "Can we not talk about that? You are talking about taking sides. Surely you should choose our side since that's what Emmely would do."
"Emmelyn is not here to say so herself," Kira shrugged. "I will wait for her."
Gewen bit his lip, looking defeated. "So... you don't even want to think about going with me to meet my people at the border?"
Kira shook her head. "No. I will stay here and wait for Emmelyn."
"Well.. I can't force you to take our side, and I can't force you to come with me too..." Gewen sighed. "But, if Emmelyn returns, after I am gone, will you be so kind as to let her know everything I told you about what happened? She deserves to know the truth."
Kira nodded. "Yes. I will do that."
"Please... I think we can actually stop or prevent the war if Emmelyn comes home on her own," Gewen said. "Even though that prick, the lousy king wants to take her, take Wintermere and take Harlow from Mars, but if Emmelyn wants to return to Draec, he wouldn't be able to do anything."
Kira nodded. "I agree with you. I will tell Emmelyn everything, and let's hope that can prevent war from happening."
Gewen suddenly felt emotional. He hugged Kira tightly and didn't say anything for a good five minutes.
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I hope you like the two chapters as they are a bit longer than usual ^^. We will meet Mars again in the next chapter!