Emmelyn missed her daughter badly, but she suppressed her feelings because she didn't want to look weak around her travel companions. They would feel worried if they saw her sad or looking weak and she didn't want that.

To distract her mind from thinking about Harlow, Emmelyn talked to Maxim a lot. She asked him about his family, his hometown, and whatever happened to him after they were separated. Maxim explained everything lightheartedly.

​​

He told Emmelyn that his father passed away not long after she left him. So, Maxim had to go home and take care of his family matters.

He explained that his older sisters and their husbands all tried to take over the inheritance left by his father because they all hated him.

"Actually, I couldn't care less about the inheritance," Maxim said when they stopped for a break and enjoyed lunch together. "But my mother and my little brothers will be in danger if I let my sisters do whatever they want. You know my mother is my father's second wife and his other children from his first wife, my sisters, hate my mother and us."

Emmelyn sighed. She felt sympathy toward Maxim. The man had his own problems to deal with even though he always looked so carefree and happy. Emmelyn couldn't imagine if she had to treat her siblings like enemies. It must be so hard.

"So, is everything okay now?" Emmelyn asked Maxim. "How is your mother doing?"

"Yeah, it took me a while to sort things out, but everything is fine now. My mother is getting better and healthier," Maxim replied with a smile. "You can meet my mother and see for herself how she is doing."

Maxim couldn't wait to show Emmelyn to his mother. He hoped his mother could see what he saw, a beautiful woman, inside and out, his kindred spirit who made him happy and content.

This was the only woman he loved and dreamed of spending the rest of his life with. Having Emmelyn sitting beside him, enjoying her meal, Maxim couldn't help but think about the future.

Once he helped Emmelyn sort out her problems, Maxim planned to ask her to stay with him. He would take back Wintermere for her if she wished it. Of course, he thought she was better off with him in Castilse.

She could enjoy his power and wealth with him. As the king of the greatest empire on this continent, Maxim's power expanded throughout Atlantea and people kneeled before him. He would give the world for her, and compensate her for everything that she had lost.

"Hey... I am talking to you," Emmelyn's voice moved the man from his reverie. He looked up and smiled at Emmely who pursed her lips and stared at him in disbelief. "What are you thinking? You are not listening to me."

"Hm? What did you say?" Maxim quickly apologized. "I got distracted by something. I am sorry..."

"I was telling you about my dream," Emmelyn shook her head in annoyance.

She was sharing what she saw in her dreams several times. She saw a place that was totally foreign to her. She suspected the blue tower she saw in her dreams was located in Myreen and asked Maxim for his opinion.

However, the man was not listening to her. He was busy with his own thoughts. Emmelyn didn't want to repeat her words. So, she stopped talking and waited until Maxim returned to earth.

"What dream?" Maxim asked her.

Emmelyn looked away. "Forget it. It might mean nothing anyway."

She finished her lunch and got up. She thought it was better to continue their journey than to talk for a long time. She couldn't wait to reach Mount Tempest.

Maxim felt guilty for not listening to her earlier. He never did it before. His mind was just too excited about the future, so he was daydreaming while he was with her. The man made a mental note to always pay attention to her words going forward.

"Is the dream has anything to do with the curse that they cast on you?" Maxim asked gently when they got ready to continue their journey. "Did you see any signs?"

Emmelyn halted her steps and turned around to see Maxim. "I don't know for sure. Mrs. Adler had her own assumption, but we don't know if that is the truth. She said the dream is an invitation to come to Myreen. And somehow I start to see things change in my life after I landed in Atlantea. So, I can't help but believe it."

"The dream is an invitation?" Maxim furrowed his brows. "That's very interesting. What makes you think it's true?"

Emmelyn smiled when she replied to his question. "Well, after I arrived in Atlantea, my bad luck starts to change. I met Kira and now I also found you, when I am not looking. I haven't experienced any major issues with thugs or other bad people. Everything seemed easy and nice."

Emmelyn added, "And the most amazing part is, your mother knows about Myreen and she might even be able to give me directions on how to get there. I feel so lucky after I met you again."

"Oh, that's good. I am happy that you think meeting me brings you luck," Maxim smiled broadly. Emmelyn's words put him in a good mood. "Let's hope the luck won't wear off until we free you from the wretched curse."

"I hope so," Emmelyn really thought Maxim brought her good luck. She was wondering if she had stayed with Maxim back then, would her life turn differently?

She brushed off the thought and got on her horse. They should ride for another half a day to reach Dustfal. They planned to rest there for the night and then continued the journey tomorrow early morning.

***

The small group had a good rest in Dusftal and on the next day they left their inn right after breakfast. Eight days later, they finally arrived at Mount Tempest.

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From the author:

Sorry for the delay in publishing this chapter and chapters for "The Cursed King". I am still resting my hands after publishing on average 6 chapters (across 4 different books) every day in July.

I also fell down the rabbit hole today and learned to make video teasers for my books. You can watch the videos on my:

Instagram @missrealitybites

Facebook Page @Missrealitybites

Discord (bit.ly/missrealitybites)

TikTok @missrealitybites, etc.

They look really good. Feel free to check them out. I already made two videos each for TCP and TCK.