Note:

This chapter is dedicated to Kelly Goodwin. Whoaa... thank you, thank you so much for gifting this book spacecraft and so many castles today. I woke up to so many gifts and saw TCP on #1 Golden Ranking. It felt SURREAL.

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"Why... are you telling me this...?" Ellena asked again. Her voice stammered and Mars could see the longing in her face.

That was exactly what he wanted by coming to see her in person to invite her to come to the royal gala.

"I told you... it's because you are my friend," Mars said again. "I really want you to come."

"Have you... thought about getting another wife?" Ellena asked Mar, trying so hard not to sound pushy or too curious. "Are you interested in one of Gewen's sisters?"

"No. They are too young for me," Mars replied. "And they are too noisy."

"So.. who?" Ellena asked again. "Do you have anyone in mind?"

"I do," Mars said with a smile. "Please do come. I have something I would like to announce to the public and I need you to be there."

Ellena felt her heart fluttered. She smiled sweetly and finally nodded. "I will. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Thank you," Mars rose from his seat and took his leave. "Thank you for the wine. I will have to get going now."

"Oh... so soon?" Ellena asked. "You just got here. I haven't seen you much lately... I almost thought you are avoiding me."

"No, that's not true. I invited you to the palace twice a week," Mars replied. "I am just very busy."

"Sorry... I don't mean to complain," Ellena said quickly. "I wouldn't say again. I was just lonely. I don't have any other friends growing up, but you and the boys. You are now very busy... Edgar was away for months, and Gewen was sick. I am glad everyone is back now. I can't wait to spend time with all of you soon."

Mars looked at Ellena deeply and forced a smile. He didn't understand why Ellena could be this way. She didn't have other friends growing up, but him, Edgar, and Gewen. He was wondering if that affected the way she saw the world and treated other people.

Would she become a different person if she had more female friends? However, now that he thought about it, Ellena always looked down on those noble ladies in the capital. They didn't like her enough to be friends with her.

"Very well. See you in a few days," Mars nodded and left. Ellena stood by the doorway and watched his back view longingly until the king disappeared from sight.

***

In the next several days, the royal palace was busy with preparation for the king's 28th birthday. John handled everything efficiently and Mars was very happy with how things worked.

John consulted Queen Elara on what needed to be done and how she wanted Mars' birthday to be celebrated.

The royal palace and all the staff members kept very tight-lip about the queen's return. Mars really made sure that the surprise he prepared for the royal gala would work the way he wanted it.

Seeing the palace being decorated and the servants were busy running around to prepare for the gala brought back many nice memories to his mind.

He remembered last year Emmelyn came with him to the gala and that's where he confessed his love to her for the first time, even though later he pretended he didn't say.

It was such beautiful memory. Emmelyn took him dancing on the terrace and for the first time, Mars could experience what it was like dancing with a woman. His heart was filled with warmth to the brim, even though it was such a cold night at the end of fall.

The night was sealed with them making love after he confessed his love to her, this time for real, and Emmelyn accepted him. That was when he finally got the opportunity to propose to her.

It was such a beautiful night.

Gosh... he missed her so badly.

"Your Majesty, everything is ready." John's voice moved the king from his reverie. Mars was sitting in his study, daydreaming. His mind went to a faraway place, wondering how Emmelyn was doing in Summeria.

Did she spend a lot of time with Maxim? Edgar said Emmelyn was looking for Myreen and King Loriel or Maxim was helping her. Where were they now? Did they find it? Could Emmelyn free herself from their curse?

Was she really cursed in the first place?

"Thank you, John. You did great," Mars smiled at his loyal butler. "We better get ready to welcome the guests."

***

MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE THE GATE OF MYREEN.

Emmelyn looked at their surroundings and sighed. As far as the eye could see, there was a vast of nothingness. They had been stuck in the desert for more than one week, or perhaps longer.

"Didn't your mother say I was invited to come...?" Emmelyn asked Maxim. "Why didn't they let me in?"

"Maybe my mother is wrong..." Maxim sighed. "I really don't remember ever going around and around such huge desert when my mother took me to Myreen, but then again I was a small kid back then, and I don't have the best memory."

Renwyck didn't say anything. He had heard about the Leoraleis before, that they were so powerful. That was how they hid their kingdom from the naked eye, but Renwyck didn't know to what extent.

He was a powerful wizard himself, and at least between the three of them, he would be able to break through the barrier set by the family and entered the gate to Myreen. However, after five days of being stranded in this desert, he realized he might not be as powerful as he thought he was.

Now, Renwyck was wondering... If he had to battle King Alexander Leoralei, would he win?

This would make King Loriel Ashborn's life in danger. Uff... he should have suggested King Loriel ask the other two wizards to come with them. If worse came to worst, they would at least be able to protect the king better.

***

THE ROYAL PALACE OF DRAEC

Mars smiled broadly when he saw Ilma came with Harlow in her arms. Lorian walked behind her carrying a small basket with some baby toys to keep Harlow busy.

Both girls wore their best outfits and they looked much more beautiful than usual. However, the most beautiful female in the room was none other than the six-month-old baby that came with them.

Mars was so proud of his daughter.

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From the author:

I can't wait to write about the royal gala and how Ellena got what's coming to her. By the way, since my sleep has improved (I fell asleep at midnight last night, instead of 7 am) and now started my day in the morning like normal people, I think I can write extra chapters today!

Today I will publish 5 chapters all day, instead of 3, yay!!

The two extra chapters are to show my gratitude to Kelly, and to all of you who have shown so much support this week. It's beyond my wildest imagination.

When I said I wanted to end this book by October, I meant to wrap up the story between Emmelyn, Mars, and Maxim, so I can give Maxim (Loriel) and Elise justice in their own story.

I know what to write for "The Cursed King", but Maxim needs to get his closure before he could open his heart for his fiancee.