Emlyn gave Mr. Ato ten gold coins. She didn't know how much usually a painter was paid, but she figured ten gold coins was a lot and he could live comfortably for a year with it.
The man looked shocked by the amount that he received and thought he was dreaming. He didn't say anything for a few monts and made Emlyn confused.
"Is that not enough?" she asked him. "I am very sorry. I will give you more."
The old man quickly shook his head vigorously. Ten gold coins was A LOT for his standard. He didn't want this kind lady to give him more. The crown prince might think Mr. Ato intentionally acted that the money was not enough to make the lady give him more.
No, no.. he shouldn't let it happen.
"No, Your Highness.. this is a lot of money already. I am humbled by your generosity," he took the gold looking extrely happy. "I am sorry, I was just shocked. Your Highness don't need to give anything. I am very grateful."
"Ah, okay. Thank you for your help," Emlyn said. "Maybe we will ask you to co back and take our family portraits in the future."
"I will gladly do it, Your Highness," Mr. Asai Ato bowed down again.
He was shaking in excitent when he packed up his gears into his bag and got ready to leave. Emlyn was smiling when she saw his reaction.
***
Mars told Emlyn everything that he had heard from his spy and asked for her opinion.
"So, the Bellevars were hiding in Winterre??" Emlyn was very shocked to hear the information. She wasn't even born when the incident happened.
If the Bellevars ca to her parents as noblen, maybe the king and queen of Winterre would give them protection, and her family might even know them personally. However, now, it was hard to know.
All her family had perished... except for Killian.
Maybe that's how Ellena ca to know Killian? Did they et in Winterre through the Bellevars?
"Have you ever heard of the Bellevars while you were still living in Winterre?" Mars asked Emlyn. He looked at her intently.
The girl shook her head. "I have never known anyone called Duke and Duchess Bellevars in Winterre. Maybe they hid their identity and lived as commoners?"
Mars nodded in agreent.
"Or perhaps, they changed their identity entirely. They had a lot of money and jewelry to start a new life sowhere else under a different identity." He tapped his long fingers on the desk and tried to think of all possibilities.
"Are you sure they went to Winterre?" Emlyn asked him.
"Yes, my spies are quite skilled. They wouldn't tell the Bellevars went to Winterre if they are not certain."
"Hmm..." Now, it was Emlyn's turn to feel distraught.
If only she still had her family and her kingdom, it would be easy to track down the Bellevars and, eventually, the witch.
However, now she didn't have anything. She could only rely on the crown prince's n.
She also had no choice but to stay in the castle and wait for any developnt since she couldn't go out. Her pregnancy was entering the fifth month soon and it was hard for her to go around and about.
"Didn't you say you will invite Ellena and her 'friend' to co here for tea?" Emlyn finally asked Mars. She really wanted to see her brother again.
If Ellena agreed to co and brought Killian with her, Emlyn could really make sure that Killian Snowden was her brother.
"Yes. Edgar and Gewen will be here too. I have sent Roshan to the Preston's castle and invited Ellena to co for tea tomorrow. I will hear Ellena's response soon," Mars replied.
Emlyn bit her lip. "Can I co too?"
Mars shook his head. "I am sorry, Honey. I can only let you take a peek to see the man clearly and make sure he is your brother, but you have to hide. I cannot let you join the tea."
Emlyn understood why.
Mars still didn't want Ellena to know that Emlyn was not just a woman that the prince 'hired' to bear him children, but he was in love with her.
If Emlyn ca to the tea, Ellena might beco more suspicious and she would refuse to talk. Mars didn't want to alert her. Besides, as much as possible, he wanted to avoid a confrontation.
"I will hide in the next room and take a peek inside," Emlyn let out a long sigh and finally agreed. "But.. if he is really my brother, please don't do anything to him. I don't want Killian to hate you more than what he already does."
"I know," Mars replied. He pulled her into his arms and rubbed her hair. "I will not hurt anyone of your family. They are my family too now."
Emlyn was very relieved when she heard his words.
Mars added reassuringly, "I promise."
"Mm... thank you." Emlyn hugged him back. "That's all I need to hear."
***
Roshan returned half an hour later and brought news that Ellena happily accepted the invitation and would co for the tea.
Mars and Emlyn exchanged glances. Tomorrow was such an important day.
"Will she co with her friend, Killian Snowden?" Mars asked Roshan.
The butler nodded with respect. "Yes, Your Highness. Lady Ellena said Lord Killian will leave in a few days and will be happy to co and see you tomorrow."
"Great!"
Mars felt his heart pounding with anticipation. He would prepare his n to keep guard around his castle during the tea and make sure Killian wouldn't do anything reckless IF he was really Emlyn's brother and he ca to get his revenge.
Mars could imagine the worst possible scenario if that was the case. Killian only accepted the invitation because he thought he could find an opportunity to kill the crown prince with a close-range attack.
Mars had promised Emlyn that he would never hurt her family, so he wouldn't give Killian the opportunity to attack him. If Killian tried and failed, he was as good as dead.
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