Emlyn felt so sad to see the old man. She could hear the deep longing in his words and that made her shed tears uncontrollably. Ahh... Duke Bellevar had suffered so much, she thought. Seeing his devastation broke Emlyn's heart.
The man just wanted to die.
"Oh, grandpa..." She hugged Duke Bellevar and cried on his shoulder. She didn't have any more living relatives but her Grandpa Elroy. So, once the old man passed away, Emlyn would definitely be alone, except for her husband and child.
Even though Emlyn had gotten used to being an orphan, the thoughts that her only living relative wanted death still made her floored. However, she tried to be understanding since she could empathize with Duke Bellevar's suffering.
She refrained herself from saying words to make the duke see that the world was still worth living, because in his case, it was not.
The old duke returned Emlyn's hug and patted her back gently. He didn't say anything because he also didn't have any more words to express his feelings.
Both were venting their emotions for a few monts, while Harlow was looking at them in confusion.? Mars watched the emotional scene and his heart felt so heavy with guilt and regret.
It was hard to be in his position. On the one hand, he knew his father was at fault for breaking off the engagent with Lady Marielle. If Jared Strongmoor didn't do such thing, there would be no problem whatsoever between the two big families.
However, on the other hand, if his Jared didn't do it and didn't fight for his love for Elara, Mars would never be born.
So, Mars could only stand there with Harlow, looking at Emlyn and Duke Bellevar were crying without words. His heart was deeply touched by the scene.
When Emlyn finally let go of her hug, Mars was ready with a handkerchief and gave it to his wife. Emlyn mouthed her thank you and accepted the handkerchief.
She sat on the chair and looked away, to hide more tears from flowing down her cheeks. It was such a sad and emotional mont and she didn't want to ruin the atmosphere.
Mars and she ca here to pay Duke Bellevar a visit, not only for Emlyn to see the old man, but also for Mars to convey his family's long overdue apology.
After the situation between Emlyn and the duke cald down a little bit, Mars decided to approach Duke Bellevar and sat by his bed. He smiled and held the old man's arm.
"Granpa Elroy. My na is Mars Strongmoor. I am Jared and Elara's son. You've t last year when I ca to see Thessalis Morelli," he said in a gentle voice.
Duke Bellevar turned to him and looked at the king deeply. Ahh... he rembered this handso man. Last year he almost lost his mind because his beloved wife just passed away, and he ca to stay with Thessalis.
Mars ca to Shadowend and killed Thessalis and...
Now Duke Bellevar realized that after Thessalis's death, he was picked up and brought to Winterre capital. He was given a nice place to stay and soone to care for him. After he got over his grief and started accepting his wife's death, slowly his clear mind returned.
Was Mars Strongmoor the one who ordered the people to take care of Duke Bellevar in Winterre? Seeing his expression now, sohow the old duke realized that it was the case.
"Yeah..." The duke nodded. "I rember you."
Mars smiled and uttered the apology that his parents owed to the Bellevars. "Grandpa, I am also Emlyn's husband. So, I hope you don't mind calling you grandpa too."
At the ntion of Emlyn's na, the old duke finally smiled. "I don't mind."
Actually, the fact that this handso man called him grandpa tore an old wound in Duke Bellevar's heart. Because... Mars should actually be his grandson if only Jared Strongmoor married Marielle, the duke's daughter.
This young king could have been Marielle's son, Duke Bellevar thought to himself.
The old man smiled bitterly, but he tried hard to hide it. A really long ti had passed. Now was not the ti to think of the what ifs. He should forgive and forget, so he could finally move on and die in peace.
"Grandpa, on behalf of my parents, I would like to apologize to you for what happened in the past between our two families. We know that what my father did was wrong and it was dishonorable," Mars tried to stay calm when he spoke, but seeing the old duke was tearful... he beca teary-eyed too.
He glanced at Harlow, his sweet daughter, and realized that if any man dared to hurt his baby girl, he would kill or die to make that man pay for his sins. Being the monarch of this country, Mars was in a position where he could do whatever he wanted and punish anyone who hurt his daughter.
However, Duke Bellevar couldn't do the sa thing because his status was lower than Jared Strongmoor who was the king back then.
And not only he couldn't avenge his daughter's death, but he was also chased out of Draec and had to live in sufferings for decades, away from ho. It was not fair.
If he put himself in Duke Bellevar's shoes, Mars really felt deep empathy for the old man. The suffering and injustice he experienced in Jared Strongmoor's hands were too much.
Mars felt sorry for the old man and deep in his heart, the young king made a promise that he would not abuse his power. He wouldn't do things as his father did.
Now that he had apologized to Duke Bellevar, Mars hoped to break the vicious cycle and his family would rebuild their life again.
Duke Bellevar looked up and was surprised to see the young man was crying too. He could see the sincerity in Mars' words and his expression. Whatever hatred still left in his heart, was now gone and the old duke gripped Mars' hand gently.
"It's not your fault," he said to the king with a hoarse voice. "I never bla you."
"But still... my family is responsible for your family's suffering throughout the years. So, I still need to apologize," Mars said. "I actually planned to bring you back to Draec so you can spend your old days in your own ho and you can visit your daughter's grave."
The duke smiled faintly and shook his head. "You have a good heart, Your Majesty. You are the right man for Emlyn. However, I am happy to stay here and be buried next to my wife."
"Don't you want to see Lady Marielle's grave?" Mars asked again.
"My daughter is not there," the duke sighed. "I can only visit her bones there. And what are bones for? Nothing. She is already dead. If there is an afterlife, I can't wait to go there so I can et my wife and daughter again."
Mars was silent when he heard the duke's words. It sucked that he couldn't do anything to make up for his father's mistakes. No matter how much he wanted to make things right, there was nothing he could do now. It was really too late.
He could only watch the old man slowly fade away and then die. Life was not fair.
"If you want to make up for what happened," Duke Bellevar suddenly spoke up, as if reading the king's mind from his gloomy expression. Mars looked at the old man intently, so he wouldn't miss his every word. He wanted to know how he could make up for his family's sins.
"You should make Emlyn happy. That is the only way to make , this old man feel happy," the duke smiled faintly. "She is the closest I could ever get to having my Marielle. She calls Grandpa Elroy, but she is like a daughter to . So, her happiness is my happiness. Please treat Emlyn well, protect her, and cherish her for as long as you live."
Mars took a deep breath. Duke Bellevar's words were soothing and made the heavy burden in his chest slowly disappear.
"I promise with my life," Mars said solemnly. "I will love, protect, and cherish Emlyn until the day I die."
"Good." Duke Bellevar tuned to Emlyn and smiled in relief. "I am happy you found a loving husband. You are a good woman, Emlyn. I am rooting for your happiness."
***
The journey back to Winterre palace was quiet. Both Mars and Emlyn were still feeling emotional after their eting with Duke Bellevar. The physician confird it again that the old duke didn't have much ti left.
So, it was a good decision on their part to co and visit him today. Emlyn could say her goodbye and Mars could apologzie for his family's wrongdoings. Both got the closure they needed.
Still, it was not easy and made them feel really sad.
"We should just rest tomorrow," Emlyn said after their carriage stopped in the palace courtyard. "Let's not go anywhere."
Mars nodded. He felt ntally tired too after the eting with Duke Bellevar and agreed with Emlyn. Perhaps, after they both felt better, they could continue exploring Winterre and then visit Mrs. Adler.
***
Three days later, when Mars and Emlyn just finished breakfast, they received news that Duke Bellevar passed away in his sleep. The old man finally found his peace.
Mars and Emlyn were mourning together. They attended Duke Bellevar's funeral the next day. The man was buried next to his wife's grave.
.
.
************
From Missrealitybites:
Thank you so much for all? your support for TCP. I hope you will support my new book, "The King's Wife Is The Alpha's Wife". It already has 11 chapters on Webnovel. Please read it and let know your thoughts ^^.
PS: Thank you, DespinaNY, for gifting a dragon to TCP yesterday xx
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