"War?" Jared Strongmoor furrowed his brows. He was curious to know how his son suddenly mentioned war. He had been haunted by the fear of the great war from decades ago, but nothing really happened so far.

Instead, his kingdom expanded and now they ruled almost all lesser kingdoms in this continent. Whenever they went into battles, his army always came out victorious. However, seeing his son's serious expression, Jared knew Mars was talking about a real war...

Did he mean they might go into war against Summeria? That would be bad.

Summeria was Draec's equivalent in Atlantea. They were both big powers.

So... was his nightmare in the past referred to this upcoming war with Summeria? How did they end up like this?

"What is she doing in Summeria and what does she have to do with you getting ready for war?" Jared Strongmoor asked Mars to clarify.

"It's a long story," Mars felt sorry to see his father's distraught expression. He could feel the remorse felt by his father, added to shame for treating Emmelyn horribly. "I can share with you what I know over wine. Let's not bother mom."

Jared looked at the door to his wife's chamber and let out a long sigh. He missed his wife so much. He visited her every day in the ice cave just to see her face and talked to her. Today, she was alive behind this door.

Now, he could see her, talked to her, and touched her and she would respond. This made his heart flutter and filled with warmth to the brim. He felt grateful to be given a second chance to see his wife alive again.

Even if she hated him now, he didn't mind, as long as she lived well and was healthy. He would bear her hatred and resentment until he could prove himself worthy of her forgiveness.

"Honey... I am so glad you are back," he spoke in a hoarse voice to Elara behind the chamber door. "I am so sorry... I will make up for what happened. Please eat well and rest well. You have to take care of yourself."

He wished he could enter the chamber and talked to her. He would hug her and coax her to forgive him. However, the shame and guilt that overcame him were too great, that he thought it was best not to show himself before Elara until... until he could redeem himself.

"Follow me," Mars said. He turned around and walked to leave the place. Jared followed him and they walked side by side in silence toward the king's private lounge. John quickly entered with a servant and brought them wine in a tray.

"Thank you, John," said Mars after he sat on his chair. He waited patiently until the servant poured wine into two cups and then left them to talk in private.

Mars took his cup and started drinking. Even though he already had some wine during dinner with his friends, he thought he needed more. Talking with his father in this setting needed a lot of patience and compassion.

He hated what Jared had done to Emmelyn and him, and he resented his father for making him set the bounty for his wife that led to the biggest misunderstanding between him and Emmelyn.

If it was up to him, he would just cut ties with his father. However, he couldn't bring himself to do it. His mother raised him too well for that.

After both men calmed down, Mars slowly recounted everything he knew to his father. Jared Strongmoor listened attentively. He didn't say a word. He finally realized that the great war that had been haunting him for so long was starting to materialize, and it was actually his fault.

"I will hold an emergency secret meeting tomorrow with our generals and representatives from our colonies. I will consolidate power and get as many ships as possible to cross the sea to Atlantea. I know in your dream we are fighting the enemy in our home, but I will not wait for them to attack us first. We will do everything swiftly and secretly and get to them before they expect it."

Jared looked at his son in astonishment. The word 'war' kept ringing in his mind. His heart pounded and his mind was filled with worry.

If they wanted to challenge Summeria, they must get ready to exert all their powers. Summeria was no joke. It was nothing like those small kingdoms they attacked and colonized previously.

"I will ask John to prepare a celebration next week. We will celebrate my next birthday with a royal ball," Mars added. "I will expose Ellena's crime and punish her and her entire family."

Jared nodded. He liked this plan too. "What can I do to help?"

Mars shook his head nonchalantly. "Nothing, father. Just don't get in my way. I will handle everything and you can watch from the sideline."

Jared went silent. He wanted to help and contributed something, but his son only saw him as a burden and asked him not to get in the way. He felt so useless.

"If you don't want my plans to fail, the best you can do is sit nicely and don't bother me," Mars said again. "I want you to go back to your mansion and live your life like usual as if nothing happened. If you do anything unusual, Duke Prestons and his allies would be suspicious. I don't want that."

Jared sighed. This was a blow to his ego. He was deemed useless by his son that Mars didn't want him to do anything to help.

However, he didn't want to ruin his chance to be forgiven by his wife by getting into a fight with Mars.

Jared could only nod. "Understood."

Mars didn't say anything else. He had told his father everything Jared needed to know. After he finished his wine, he bid his father good night and he went to see Harlow in Elara's chamber.

Jared had no choice but to go back to his mansion near the ice cave.

***

"How did it go?" Elara asked Mars when the man entered her chamber. Harlow was sleeping in her loving arms. The baby's mouth was wide open and she looked so adorable.

"It was okay," Mars replied. He sat beside his mother and rubbed Harlow's hair. "Did she make a fuss today?"

Elara shook her head and smiled. "Not at all. She is so sweet and adorable."

"Ah... that she is." Mars nodded with a smile. He reached out his hands to take Harlow from his mother's hands. "Let me bring her to her chamber. Usually, she will be hungry again and will need to be fed by her wet nurse."

Elara gave Harlow to her son and she looked at the father and daughter duo lovingly.

She loved Harlow so much. Seeing the baby reminded her of Mars when he was still a baby. This brought so many sweet memories to her mind.

"I will hold a royal gala next week," Mars said to his mother. "I want you to come and testify in front of everyone about what Ellena did to you. I hope you don't mind."

"No, of course not. In fact, I'd be glad," said Elara. "That little witch needs to be punished so severely."

"I agree, mother," said Mars.

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Okay, based on popular demand, we will read chapters about the royal ball and Ellena's punishment first, before we continue with Emmelyn and Maxim going to Myreen.