The Cursed Prince

"Yes, yes.. I am back. I have got some things for you that can help you find that woman," said Lyla. She sat down on her chair and put a wooden box next to her.

She chuckled and facepalmed herself. "But I just realized you haven't really eaten anything. I am such a bad host. You should eat first and then we can discuss the work after dinner with more wine. Then... you can sleep on it and let me know your decision tomorrow. What do you think?"

"Sounds good," said Emmelyn. She had lost her appetite but she forced herself to eat her meal. This was not time to be weak. She had to find the Leoraleis and at the same time avoid being captured.

They continued eating without saying anything. All of them seemed to want to hurry so they could get to the main topic. Once the food was cleared from the table, Lyla motioned Anna and Lucia to leave them and gave them privacy.

"Okay, where were we?" she asked Emmelyn.

"You said you have some things to help me find the woman," said Emmelyn. She poured wine for all of them and crossed her arms on her chest, paying full attention to what Lyla was going to say.

"Yeah, I do." Lyla opened the wooden box's lid and showed the content of the box. She chuckled when she did that. "I have her picture with me. We can easily find her with it."

She took out something and gave it to Emmelyn.

"L-Lyla...." Emmelyn felt her throat choked when she saw what the brothel owner gave her. She swallowed hard.

CLANG

Mrs. Adler gasped and she dropped her cup to the floor. It hit the floor with a loud thud and splashing of the wine.

Lyla laughed so hard when she saw their reaction and waved nonchalantly. "Don't worry about it. We have a lot of cups. Gosh... your reaction just now is priceless. I am sorry for laughing. That was funny as hell."

"Lyla..." Emmelyn put down her cup on the table and gave back the hand mirror that the older woman gave her earlier. She stared at Lyla seriously. "What do you want?"

"I don't want money if that's what you're worried about," said Lyla, still with a huge smile on her face. "I will not sell you out. I just wanted to show you how vulnerable you are to getting found."

She added, this time no longer smiling, "Stop using the name Lestat Sovie, the bounty hunters know your father's name and the fact that you often dress up as a man. If I can recognize you, I am sure other smart people can too."

"Oh..." Emmelyn was really shocked. She had always used the name Lestat Sovie during her travels, but that was before Wintermere became significant after the kingdom was conquered by Draec.

She admitted that Lyla was right. Now that two people were after her, they must provide all details that could make those bounty hunters recognize her. They would provide her picture, her physical descriptions, her habit, and the fact that she could disguise herself as a man.

She gritted her teeth. This must be her husband's doing. The hatred and grudge she had in her heart were burning again.

"Thank you for letting me know. I will stop using the name Lestat. You are right." Emmelyn downed her wine. "When did you know that I am the person they are looking for?"

Lyla shrugged. "I saw the picture and I realized it somewhat looks so familiar. When I heard you came, your name immediately gave you away, at least to me. I think it is fate."

"Oh..." Emmelyn realized her decision to use her father's name was a bad idea now. She decided to change it. Hmm.. maybe her appearance too? "Is there anything else do you have on me?"

"Yeah, most of those hunters have your pictures, so they could kind of figure out the same thing," Lyla said sympathetically. "I think it is for the best if you faked your death. That way both parties will stop chasing you."

Emmelyn almost spouted her wine when she heard Lyla's suggestion.

Faking her death? Again?

Goodness!

"Do you mean, I should give you my personal items and let you put them on a body that looks like me.... and make people think I am dead?" Emmelyn looked at Lyla intently. "Is that what you want?"

Lyla nodded. "Yes. Do you have something on you that no one in the world would have and can be used to claim your identity?"

Emmelyn nodded weakly. "I do."

She still had her wedding ring. She hid it after she was locked up for murder. She hung it around her neck with a leather string. If worse came to the worst... she could fake her death again, and this time she would be convincing because there would be a body.

"Good. Then, you should give it to me," said Lyla. She reached out her hand and made a gesture for Emmelyn to hand over the item she referred to. "I will take care of this matter for you."

Emmelyn didn't immediately give her ring to Lyla. She still wanted to know why Lyla did this.

"Don't you want to get 51,000 gold coins?" she asked the brothel owner sternly. "Don't tell me you don't like money. You could sell me out and become rich. As you said, that much money can buy you a kingdom."

"I did say that..." Lyla nodded. She also looked serious and firm, like Emmelyn. "However, it was a lie. I am rich enough for my standard. Why would I need that much gold? To become a robbery target every day? No, thank you."

"So, what do you want? Don't tell me you are helping me without wanting anything in return."

"Ouch... I am hurt," Lyla pursed her lips. "Sometimes I do help people sincerely, out of the kindness of my heart."

"Are you willing to swear by your life that you really want to help me without a hidden agenda?" Emmelyn narrowed her eyes dangerously. "If you lied to me, you will die a horrible death and your insides will be eaten by dogs and you will be buried in an unmarked grave."

Lyla's eyes widened in fear. "Goodness! You really know how to curse someone. Okay... you win. I do want something out of this."

Emmelyn scoffed and tapped her slender fingers on the table. "I am listening. Tell me your hidden agenda."

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