"If people find out who you are, I will protect you."

Those words were like a cold shower on Emmelyn's weary and tired self. It was so refreshing. She looked at Maxim deeply and found seriousness in his eyes. Gosh... she knew he meant what he said.

​​

Suddenly, Emmelyn felt there was something different from the way Maxim was looking at her. Why didn't she realize this before?

He looked... smitten. Was this real? Or was her mind playing tricks on her?

Emmelyn looked away and muttered, "Thank you."

She couldn't keep looking into the man's eyes without having this weird thought that maybe... maybe Maxim was in love with her.

Don't think too highly of yourself, Emmelyn chided herself.

She was not an arrogant girl who thought the world revolved around her and that all men would fall in love with her.

Even though she was currently mad at her husband, but the fact remained, she was still a married woman. She shouldn't think about other men.

Maxim was her good friend and they were close. That's how they had been since two years ago. So, of course, Maxim would do anything to help her.

He cared about Emmelyn because they were best friends. Emmelyn would also do anything to help Maxim should the man ever find himself in her shoes.

Meanwile, Kira, who already got on her horse, noticed the scene with furrowed brows.

What's with these two people? she thought in bewilderment.

"He is right. It will look weird if you keep your disguise and ride your horse with him," Kira spoke her mind. "Besides... that ugly 'birthmark' of yours always gives me the creep. Better if you just remove it."

Emmelyn rolled her eyes when she heard Kira's blunt words. Gosh... the pirate princess really didn't hold back.

Grumbling, Emmelyn took the handkerchief that Maxim gave her and wet it with water. Then, she rubbed it hard on her skin to remove the charcoal mark. She also let her hair down and wiped her face to clean it.

In no time, Emmelyn looked like a fresh young lady again. She raised an eyebrow and asked both Kira and Maxim what they thought. "Happy now?"

"Very happy," Maxim replied with a broad grin. He patted the horse's back and made a motion for Emmelyn to get on top. "Here, let me help you."

Emmelyn let Maxim help her and soon the three of them were riding leisurely toward Lakeshire. Since Maxim had been there, it was easier for them to find the way to the small town.

"This place looks so peaceful," Emmelyn commented when they entered the town center. It had nice cobbled streets and a really small market, the only place in Lakeshire that was filled with people. There were tall houses on the left and right sides of the streets and very few people walking outside. Overall, it looked lazy.

"It is quite peaceful, yes," Maxim agreed with her. That was exactly the reason why he asked Lysander to write in his letter to meet Emmelyn here. He didn't want a commotion should people in big cities recognize him.

They stopped in front of a small inn at the end of the market. It was small but very clean and was decorated with many flowers in front of the inn.

"This is where I am staying," said Maxim. "I think they still have some rooms for you and Kira."

He made sure the inn owner set aside one nice big room for Emmelyn for when they met again. However, Maxim didn't know that Emmelyn would be traveling with a female companion.

Hmm... should he ask Emmelyn to share a room with Kira? Or, he could ask the inn owner to kick out one of the other guests.

Maxim got off the horse and waited until Emmelyn got off too, then he waved at a young man by the door to take care of their horses. "Please feed the horse and take care of them."

"Will do, Sir," said the stable boy. He quickly took the reins from Maxim's and Kira's hands and led the two horses to the stable at the back of the inn.

"Let's go in," Maxim smiled at Emmelyn and opened the door for him.

As soon as they entered the inn, a man in his late twenties immediately greeted Maxim solemnly.

"You're back, Your Maj—" His words halted in mid-sentence when he saw Maxim glared at him.

The man tilted his head and looked at Maxim in confusion. When he saw the woman who walked behind Maxim, realization quickly dawned on him and he could only mutter, "Y-you're back..."

"Yes. I am back." Maxim's countenance relaxed. He knew Lysander was quick-witted. And that's why he liked the man.

"How was the lake? Was it nice?" Lysander immediately read the situation and asked Maxim a question casually.

"I had a great time sightseeing," Maxim replied. "I happened to meet my old friend. This is Emmelyn."

Lysander's eyes bulged at the mention of Emmelyn's name. He thought no wonder the king made all these efforts to come here immediately. Apparently... THIS was Emmelyn.

Maxim turned to Emmelyn and introduced Lysander to her. "This is the man I told you about. His name is Lysander. Is he the one you are looking for?"

Emmelyn cast her gaze on Lysander and looked at him attentively. She could really see his physical similarities to Lyla. The man was quite handsome with thin lips and bright green eyes that looked exactly like his mother's.

"Are you... Lysander?" she asked the man with furrowed brows.

Lysander glanced at Maxim and after he received his silent approval, Lysander nodded and smiled. "That's me, my lady. I sent you a letter to The Singing Cat. I hope your trip was pleasant."

"It was. Thank you," Emmelyn smiled back. "I bring your mother's letter for you. It's in my bag."

"Can we save the formalities for later? You should get a room and rest. We can meet him later for dinner and talk," Maxim waved his hand and motioned Lysander to back down.

The knight nodded and saluted them. "Great idea. I happen to be going to the tavern to have some drinks. I will see you here after sunset, then. Have a good day!"

"Thanks. I will get your letter and we can talk later," said Emmelyn. She watched Lysander left the inn and then turned to Maxim. "By the way, I forgot to ask you. What are you doing in Lakeshire?"

.

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Do you think Maxim will tell her the truth, or he will lie to her?