"Lady Chaucer was very distraught when I saw her. Edgar had not sent any news for weeks. He usually sent so updates through the rchants or our officials in the provinces he passed by." The man winced his brows and added, "She said Edgar must be intentionally sent away by Emlyn so she could do whatever she planned to do."
Mars had heard this too from so ministers, and especially Duke Preston when they talked about the case.
This aggravated his father even more, so that to uphold peace, Mars finally relented to their? demands when they insisted that the queen's killer must face justice. That was why the bounty was set up for Emlyn.
However, even though he seed to give in to their demands, Mars actually had other plans.
"I understand," Mars said. He tapped his fingers on the table and was deep in thoughts. Gewen looked at the man attentively, waiting to hear what the new king had to say.
"Do you have sothing in mind?" Gewen asked him.
"Actually, yes." Mars looked up and stared at Gewen. "I have received a report from Damien that Roshan's older brother, which he claid to be sick in the village, was not sick at all. It ans, when Roshan left my castle, he lied to the servant about the reason why he went."
"Why do you think he lied?" Gewen asked back.
"Rember how he died?" Mars asked Gewen. "I am sure you have heard the report."
Gewen nodded. "Yeah. He died a horrible death."
"Soone wrote the word 'traitor' on his arm," Mars added. "And if Emlyn was still around by the ti Roshan was killed, I am thinking, maybe she killed him."
"Oh... because Roshan testified against her?" Gewen winced his forehead at the thought that a noblewoman could kill soone in cold blood.
But, hey, wasn't Emlyn accused of killing the queen in cold blood too? If she could do such a heinous cri of killing the kindhearted queen, of course, killing the butler was no big deal.
"I think so," said Mars. "To be honest, Roshan's attitude was quite suspicious on the day that he died. I actually interrogated him several hours before. I took him to Emlyn's grave and check Ellena's story about Emlyn faking her death."
"Suspicious how?" Gewen asked. "Do you think he was involved?"
"Well, he was the last person to see both the queen and Emlyn before my mother was found dead," Mars explained. "I asked him to share in detail about what happened. However, when he saw that the casket was empty, he beca so paled and spoke in a stamr. It was as if he was scared of sothing."
"Do you think he was scared that Emlyn will hunt him down to get her revenge because she is apparently not dead?" Gewen started to see the connection.
"Yes. I think Emlyn was after him," Mars smiled. "That ans she was still around the capital by then."
"What about now? Do you think she is still around here? I saw many soldiers went to the market and searched for her. They also announced the bounty of 1000 gold coins. I heard from one of them that you have sent couriers to all provinces to spread the news." Gewen shook his head. "I never imagine things would end up this way for you two. It's such a sha."
" neither, Gewen," Mars sighed. " neither."
"Sigh... I thought she and your mother were close. How could she do this to the queen? Queen Elara is the kindest and sweetest woman I have ever t. Even if I had to choose between Queen Elara and my own mother, I will choose the queen," Gewen wiped his teary eyes when he rembered the late queen. "I hate Emlyn with all my heart."
Mars shook his head. "No, don't hate her, Gewen. She didn't kill my mother."
"What?!" Gewen never felt this angry before. He pulled the king's collar and spoke with gritted teeth. "I know you love her too much that it has blinded you! But I cannot... I CANNOT LET YOU disrespect the queen by defending her killer."
Mars touched Gewen's hand on his collar and pushed it down. "I am not defending my mother's killer."
"But you just said Emlyn didn't kill your mother!" Gewen was furious. "How dare you!!
Gewen really liked Queen Elara and her death affected him too. He saw her as his second mother because he spent so much ti in the palace with the prince since they were little, and the queen practically treated him and Edgar like her sons too.
Mars pushed Gewen away from him and fixed his collar. His face remained calm. He understood where Gewen was coming from and he appreciated that his friend stood up for his mother.
However, Gewen's anger was directed at the wrong person. At least, that's what Mars believed in.
"Listen to ," said Mars calmly. "I have thought about this deeply and even if Emlyn did use her knife to kill my mother, I will not think of her as the killer. If anything, the bla should be directed on , because I was the one responsible for her family demise."
He continued his words, "If we never attacked and conquered Winterre, Emlyn would not lose her family. She wouldn't hold such a deep grudge toward my family and wanted to kill my mother. So, I am the one responsible for the calamity that my family experienced."
"..."
Gewen couldn't believe his own hearing. What? This is crazy!! Mars actually blad himself?
"However, I actually don't believe that Emlyn used the knife to kill my mother," Mars said again. "She must be frad."
"But you heard what the witch said!" Gewen really thought the king had lost his mind. Now, he was glad that he was never in love. He didn't want to beco crazy and lose his rationale like what happened to Mars.
"Do you think we should believe Thessalis... or Lily?" Mars asked back. "Lily believes in Emlyn. I also believe in Emlyn."
"But Ellena said..."
"Ellena spent four years living with Thessalis, in case you forgot," Mars added.
Gewen was at a loss for words.
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