Ellena thought her luck must be due to her persistence and patience. Yes, she had to take a long detour to achieve what she had now... but it didn't matter.

What's important was the end game.

She could finally get what was rightfully hers.

Ahh... what time was it by the way? She was wondering. She had been waiting in the library for almost eight hours already. She was so damn hungry.

Should she go and eat something?

Uff.. no. She must hold it a bit longer. It would actually work in her favor if she later passed out from hunger. She would look extremely pitiful. Mars wouldn't be too hard on her if she passed out.

Ellena could always eat something later. Now, she must be patient. Like they said, good things come to those who wait.

"My lady, the prince and Lord Gewen just arrived."

A servant's voice moved Ellena from her reverie. She looked up with teary eyes and nodded weakly.

"Thank you. Where is he now?" she said.

"His Highness said he will go to the king's study and wait for you there," the servant replied.

"Ah.. okay. Please show me the way. I am not familiar with the king's study," said Ellena.

She had gone for far too long and didn't know where King Jared's study was located. Back then, she was too young to be needing access to go there before she left the capital to look for Thessalis.

Gewen and Edgar grew to be important people in the royal palace and they sometimes had to meet the king in his study, together with Mars. So, they were used to going in and out of the palace and could find their way in the palace.

However, Ellena didn't have such an experience. She had to rely on the servant to take her there.

While walking toward the king's study, Ellena couldn't help but look at her surroundings. This palace was extremely beautiful.

She knew the royal palace was designed to please the late queen and it had her favorite color all over the place. The walls were specially painted in light grey because she liked that color.

It gave out a calm feeling, Queen Elara often said. Inwardly Ellena thought the colors were too gloomy for today's standard.

The queen's passing somehow made the whole palace turn gloomy and sad. Ellena hated the colors around here. Perhaps, once she became the queen of this kingdom, she could decorate the palace to her liking.

"This is the king's study, my lady. The prince is waiting for you inside." The servant bowed down a little and opened the door to the study for Ellena.

The woman smiled a little and nodded. "Thank you. You may leave."

***

EMERALD TOWER, EIGHT HOURS LATER

"Ellena! I need to talk to you!"

Ellena's heart skipped a beat when she heard Mars's voice roaring from the outside. She turned to look at Gewen who was sitting beside her.

The handsome man nodded and made a sign for her to stay where she was. Meanwhile, he rose from his seat and went to the door to welcome the prince.

"Ellena is here. You don't have to shout," said Gewen as he patted Mars's back. "You're scaring her."

Mars stood still in the doorway. His bloodshot eyes were fixed on Ellena and his jaws were clenched. He looked so emotional.

"Where did you get the letter?" He asked Ellena firmly. "Answer me!"

Ellena bit her lip. She knew this question would come and she was ready with the answer. When she replied to Mars's question, her voice wavered. She, too, was deeply emotional.

"I-I am sorry, Your Highness.. I shouldn't have given you the letter," she cried. "I should have burned it and never let you see it... I am so, sorry... I was too emotional."

Mars looked at the grieving woman and sighed. He lowered his voice and walked toward Ellena. "Please tell me what happened between you and Emmelyn, so that her letter could end up in your hands. I need to know."

Gewen turned to Ellena and nodded. "You can tell him what happened. Let him know the truth. He deserves it."

Ellena looked reluctant, but after Gewen came to her side and held her hand, finally the girl could pull herself together. She wiped her tears and explained what happened.

"Wh-when I... visited her, she offered to write down her confession in exchange for her freedom. She said... if she told you the truth, you will see her for who she really is and you can forget about her." Ellena sobbed. "I was so selfish. I loved you so much and wanted to have you for myself that I gave in to her temptation."

"What did you do?" Mars asked, trying so hard not to raise his voice.

He was worried Ellena would have a mental breakdown if he kept pushing her. The woman already looked so disheveled and pitiful.

"I gave her what she wanted..." cried Ellena. "Please.. please don't tell my uncle what I did. He will punish me so harshly."

"You gave her... what exactly?" Mars' heart was pounding so hard. A little voice in his head told him Ellena was keeping a really big secret. "What did she want from you?"

He knew Ellena already mentioned that Emmelyn offered to write down her confession in exchange for her freedom.

So, what did Ellena mean by giving Emmelyn what she wanted?

Emmelyn was dead. Was that what she wanted?

To die and be free from all this shit?

"I gave her the freedom she wanted," said Ellena haltingly. "She promised that she will go as far away as possible from you and forget about everything between you two. She'd call it even since she had killed your mother and inflict the suffering for you and your father. She talked me into it... And I was so weak... so I said yes..."

"What freedom are you talking about?" Mars balled his fists. "She is dead. Did she want to die?"

Ellena shook her head. "No, she wants to leave Draec and she demanded that I help her, in exchange for her confession. She is not dead."

Mars thought his ears were playing tricks on him.

Ellena said Emmelyn was not dead?

Was she out of her mind?

Mr. Vitas had confirmed Emmelyn's death and they had buried her in the little forest near his castle. What nonsense was this??

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>>>>

From the author:

Hello, I am sorry, I initially wanted to give 5 bonus chapters for the highest tier, but at the last minute, I realized that I would be so busy getting new privilege ready for "The Cursed King". So, it will take me longer to churn 5 chapters for "The Cursed Prince".

Finally, I decided to just give 3 bonus chapters, and to make up for the rest, I will be publishing 3 chapters every day during this week, instead of 2 chapters. I hope it's okay.

And I hoooope by next week I can also publish 3 chapters per day. I can't promise for next week, but I will do my best. I also want to move on from this gloomy situation as soon as possible.

Btw, I have the artwork for you for June's Tier 5 bonus, a picture of Gewen, but the picture of Edgar is still not ready... T_T. The artist is missing in action. I am still trying to get a hold of her. Once I get both ready, I will give you the link to download the artwork.