Mars stepped back out of instinct. Suddenly his mind was dragged back to reality.

Even though the face looked like Emmelyn, but he could hear the voice croaked like the voice of the scary old woman he saw earlier. That was really Thessalis Morelli.

Mars instinctively pushed the woman with all his might.

"You are lying!" he shouted.

BRAAGH!!

Thessalis Morelli was suddenly sent flying to the window. The old witch was caught off guard and didn't expect the man to push her out of rage.

She crash-landed on the floor after she hit the window that was protected by Elmer's magic. Right in that instant, the illusion magic was broken and Mars could see the ugly old woman again.

He was filled with so much rage that he couldn't control his actions. The prince's mind was in a mess and all he could think about was his mother.

He had felt uneasy the moment he saw the witch but other than the fact she was his worst enemy who was responsible for all his sufferings, he didn't know what else could make him feel that way about her.

Now he knew.

Even though he wanted to deny it with all his heart, a little voice in his head told him the witch was telling the truth. She... she killed his mother?

His mother was innocent! She was the kindest and most loving woman who didn't deserve to suffer all this shit!

SWOOSH!

Nobody expected that the calm and always collected man suddenly turned into a beast who jumped toward the fragile-looking old woman and swung his sword with rage. The prince was too fast. Even Elmer couldn't see what happened.

By the time everyone realized what happened, Mars's sword had slashed the witch's neck and her head fell down rolling to the floor.

Blood spurted from the headless neck and Gewen felt shivers ran down his back. He was reminded of the scene when the hydra's head was cut off one by one by the same sword. Blood also spurted from the headless necks.

It was not for the faint-hearted.

Mars stood frozen in his place for a few moments. The sword in his hand was bathed in the blood of the enemy. Blood was dripping from the tip. It also splattered on his clothes. He was in a daze.

After he was moved from his daze and realized what happened, the man suddenly roared in rage and heartbreak. Mars dropped to his knees and bawled his eyes out.

He had never felt this much sadness in his whole life. And he didn't think anything would ever top what he experienced today.

No... not my sweet mother... he cried despondently.

The witch could have cursed him again. He would accept it.

He would take anything... As long as his mother was spared.

He didn't mind if he could never touch any woman or have any heir. Those now didn't seem to matter anymore.

The only woman he had always loved, the one who stood by him from the beginning and sacrificed so much for him... was his mother.

He couldn't accept the evil witch had killed her.

"Aaaaahhhh...!!!!"

Mars got up with difficulty and forced himself to walk out of the mansion. Gewen's touch on his shoulder was dismissed. Mars pushed his friend to the side and walked toward his horse. He had to go home.

The witch was dead and there was no use to stay here longer. He must immediately find out what happened to his mother.

"Mars!"

Gewen's call was in vain. The prince had got on his horse and dashed the animal to climb down the hill toward the haunted forest.

He didn't remember how long he was riding his horse. His mind was empty except for the witch's words.

"I KILLED THE HOMEWRECKER WHO HAD DARED SEDUCING MY GODDAUGHTER'S FIANCE AND CAUSED HER TO KILL HERSELF!"

"I KILLED YOUR MOTHER!"

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"You have killed Emmelyn's parents. So, she was more than happy to work with me to kill yours."

"A life for a life."

"Isn't it only fair?"

Those sentences kept repeating in his head over and over again, even though he tried so hard to get rid of them.

He heard it in his head. He heard it around him. He heard it close to his ear, over and over again.

"Aaahhh...!! You damn witch!" Mars cursed under his breath. He was trying so hard to stop listening to those voices. His chest was heavy and his head hurt.

"Oh, mother..." he cried again. "I hope the damn witch was lying..."

He tried to tell himself that Thessalis intentionally said those words to provoke him to kill her in his rage.

Maybe she was really lying.

How would she know Queen Elara died?

This place was very far from the capital. There was no way she would know.

Ah.. that's right. She must be taunting him. His mother was safe and happy in the royal palace. She was protected by so many king's guards. Nobody could come near her to hurt her. Unless...

He bit his lip when his mind thought the unimaginable.

Nobody could come near the queen to hurt her. Unless... it was someone she trusted.

[Oh, my god... please, not Emmelyn...]

***

Elmer told Bruinen and Gewen to bring half of their men and immediately chased after the crown prince while he stayed behind to deal with Thessalis' corpse and made sure she was really dead.

If she kept her soul in horcruxes, Elmer would want to find out and stopped her from going back to life. He would also take care of the old Duke Bellevar and brought him back with them.

Before they reached Wintermere, Mars had discussed with his trusted men, Elmer, Bruinen, and Gewen about bringing back Duke Bellevar to Draec so he could have his status and wealth reinstated.

Mars kept thinking about the old man, being alone in Wintermere after his wife died, and felt sorry for him.

At least, if the duke returned to Draec, he could be reunited with his side of the family and even visited his daughter's grave. That was the least the crown prince could do for the poor old man.