Emmelyn spent a relaxing week in Castilse. She was pampered and treated like a queen and that made her feel slightly bad. He felt like a freeloader who was leeching off Maxim's resources.

"Stop thinking that way," Kira shook her head.

She was enjoying sliced fruits served by the maids on a silver platter. She and Emmelyn were sitting leisurely on a big balcony outside of Emmelyn's chamber. The view from this balcony was so beautiful.

They could see the lake in the middle of the palace compound with so many swans swimming leisurely. Several jacaranda trees with blooming flowers were swayed by the gentle breeze and sent some light rain of flower petals in their direction. It was bliss.

"Huh?" Emmelyn looked at Kira. "I do feel that way. When I met him, I didn't know he is THIS rich and powerful. Now that I am at my lowest point, I am taking advantage of his kindness without contributing anything."

"Well, you were a princess yourself. Shouldn't you be used to this kind of lifestyle?" Kira asked Emmelyn. "He seems so in love with you. If I were you, I would have married him in a heartbeat. Gosh... imagine if you married him, you can have all this...!"

She got up and spread her arms to show their surroundings. From this balcony, they could see the vast and grand palace compound. Emmelyn remembered they would need to take a carriage just to get to the gate. Walking would be too tiring.

And she also understood that when Kira mentioned 'all this', she meant the whole kingdom, not just the palace. If Emmelyn married Maxim, she could own this kingdom too.

She would be the queen.

Ahh.. that reminded her of when her scummy husband proposed to her. He said he wanted to compensate Emmelyn for her losses by giving her his kingdom. She could have Draec as long as she took him as part of the package.

Ahh.. he looked so serious and sincere back then. Emmelyn already fell in love with him and was trying to get rid of her feelings for the man. Yet, when he proposed so sincerely like that, she melted and couldn't say no.

He was so sweet and kind to her. Why did he have to change? Emmelyn missed her old husband very much. Soon, he would meet Edgar and his mother would be revived, and Mars would finally learn the truth that Emmelyn was innocent.

When that day came... what would he do? Would he come to Summeria and begged for her forgiveness?

Too late for that, Emmelyn thought bitterly. She was already hurt so deeply. And the thought that her husband didn't trust her enough when Emmelyn was framed told her that their relationship was shaky and it was not as true and pure as she thought it was.

What if the same thing would happen in the future? If he didn't trust her once, he might not trust her again when a conflict arose between them.

That was not the life she wanted. Any problems would make her feel on the edge and she had to tiptoe, worried about his reaction.

The royal palace was a really bad place to live because it was filled with backstabbing people.

Just look at what Ellena did to her.

Emmelyn sighed and cast her glance to a faraway place, trying to imagine what Harlow looked like now. Her voice was emotionless when she spoke, "If I can choose, I just want to be a regular person. A commoner. Their lives seem so uncomplicated."

Kira, who was a commoner, wanted to disagree with Emmelyn. She thought her life was complicated and she had her own issues.

In fact, if she could choose, Kira wished she was a princess so she could have the confidence to be around noblemen like Edgar and didn't have to embarrass herself. However, seeing Emmelyn's sad countenance, Kira didn't say anything.

Why argue over an opinion? The grass is always greener on the other side, people know that.

"Just... let the man do something to help you. You don't always have to return the favor. Just say thank you," said Kira finally. "By the way, when will you and Maxim.. ahem, King Loriel leave for Myreen?"

"Tomorrow," said Emmelyn. "I have rested long enough and now I feel fresh and healthy. It's time to continue my journey and get things over with."

"How long will it take you to reach Myreen?" Kira asked again.

"Maybe two weeks. We will take things slow since we are sharing a dragon," Emmelyn replied. "And you? What will you do while I'm gone?"

"Well..." Kira smiled sheepishly. "I will explore the capital with Lysander and his friends. They are nice people."

"Huh? You made new friends already?" Emmelyn was impressed. "Are they good?"

"Well, yeah.. They are Lysander's friends. They are impressed when I told them I am the daughter of Serpent Grim." Kira sighed. "But they seem to be treating me like I am one of them boys."

"Oh... you mean, they don't see you as a woman?" Emmelyn felt sorry for Kira. The pirate princess was beautiful, but she was too rash and didn't have any womanly charm where they looked meek and acted like a damsel in distress, which usually attracted men.

Kira looked like she ate thugs for breakfast. So.... yeah.

"Yeah." Kira nodded but she quickly brushed it off. "That's fine though. I get along well with them."

"Ah, as long as you are happy, I am glad." Emmelyn smiled. "I will be gone for a month probably. I hope you can enjoy Castilse and have a good time. We will see each other again soon."

"Be careful on the way," said Kira. "I hope you can meet the Leoraleis and kick their butt for giving you so much suffering."

Emmelyn laughed out loud when she heard Kira's words. This pirate woman was too funny, she thought. Emmelyn pressed her lips and realized she hadn't laughed like this for a long time.

"Thank you, Kira," she said, patting Kira on the back.

Emmelyn looked at the beautiful sunset and enjoyed the peaceful view. Her well-deserved break was over, and tomorrow she would start the journey with Maxim to go to Myreen and confront the Leoraleis.

She hoped they would be successful.

.

.

******************

I will publish two more chapters soon. In today's chapter, Edgar will reach Draec and Mars will hear the truth about Emmelyn. Yeay!!