The Cursed Prince

Maxim replied without batting an eye, "I was on my way to find you. After you left, I have been looking for you everywhere. Unfortunately, my father fell ill and then passed away. I was summoned to return home because my mother needed me. So, I had to stop my search. Now that things are under control, I can continue to look for you."

"Oh..." Emmelyn looked at Maxim in awe. She didn't know that all this time Maxim was looking for her. She could imagine how he must be feeling so worried about her.

??

Gosh... she really regretted the fact that she didn't leave him any notes and made him worried for a long time. Emmelyn felt so lucky to have such a good friend who cared so much about her.

Just when she thought she had lost everyone dear to her and got no more friends, Maxim returned to her life.

It's true. She felt lucky after she left Draec and stepped on Atlantean soil. This seemed to be where she belonged.

"I found you here just when you are about to go to Summeria. I guess it's fate." Maxim looked at Emmelyn deeply. His lips no longer smiled because he did feel so worried about her.

Now that he thought about those days when he couldn't sleep, thinking Emmelyn was captured by the enemy when her kingdom fell and her family was slaughtered, his chest felt so heavy.

This prompted him to step forward and pull her into his embrace.

"I was so worried..." he whispered. "You have no idea."

Emmelyn was dazed at this gesture and didn't know how to react. She let Maxim hug her and slowly her tears fell down to her cheeks again. She cried without a sound. Emmelyn felt so touched.

"Thank you..." was all she could say after she could get a hold of herself. "I should have sent news. I am sorry."

"Yeah... it's okay. I now know that things were very hard for you. I am sure sending news to Atlantea was the least of your worry. You don't even know where my home is," Maxim finally let go of her and forced a smile. "Soon, it will change. I will show you my home and let you know everything about me. You will be able to reach me anytime you wish."

Emmelyn only nodded. She suddenly felt Kira's gaze was piercing at them. When she stole a glance toward Kira, she realized the pirate princess was looking at them alternately with a confused look.

Great. Now Kira must misunderstand Emmelyn's and Maxim's relationship.

Maxim quickly noticed Emmelyn's discomfort and decided they should get Emmelyn and Kira to their own rooms so they could rest. He walked toward the inn owner and said something in the local language which Emmelyn didn't understand.

She almost forgot that Maxim knew many languages and only when he spoke in the local language did she believe that he was a local Atlantean, and not from Terra.

She couldn't understand what Maxim and the inn owner were talking about, but the inn owner was all smiles. He even looked at Maxim in reverent.

Emmelyn realized Maxim had such charisma and he was so likable that anyone who met him would seem to want to do whatever he asked of them.

So, did Maxim just use his charm on the inn owner to get them something? Maybe a better room?

The man tapped his fingers on the counter and then nodded. He turned to Emmelyn and said, "They happen to have two empty rooms. You and Kira can rest in your own room."

"Ah.. that's good. How much is it?" Emmelyn got ready to fork some coins out of her pouch. However, Maxim winced his forehead as if Emmelyn's words gave him physical pain.

"No... your money is useless when you are around me," he said firmly.

"Huh?" Emmelyn looked at the man and remembered the old days when they traveled together and had to hunt small animals for food, or stole money from evil noblemen because they were broke.

She honestly thought Maxim came from a humble background who just happened to be quite educated and was street smart. However, now he acted like he was some kind of wealthy man?

"What? You have money now?" Emmelyn chuckled. "Or did you offer the inn owner some type of non-monetary compensation?"

Maxim shrugged and smiled broadly. "I told you my father passed away, right? He left behind a little money for me to afford a decent life. I am not too shabby."

Emmelyn looked at her precious pouch and Maxim alternately. She didn't want to owe anyone anything. However, she also wanted to save her money as much as possible. Who knows how long they would need to travel to find Myreen and the Leoraleis?

"Okay, you can pay for the accommodation. I will pay for our meals," she added, "I insist."

Maxim sighed at her stubbornness. "Fine. Let's get you to your room. I will let you rest and then we can have a nice dinner and talk about our plans."

He nodded toward the inn owner who waved at a servant and talked to him to bring Emmelyn and Kira to their respective rooms.

"See you later," said Emmelyn before she followed the servant to the second floor.

Maxim looked at her back view with a faint smile. Once Emmelyn disappeared from sight. he motioned the inn owner to bring a jug of wine to his room.

He needed something to drink and process everything that happened today.

Finally... he could find Emmelyn after looking for her for so long. However... she was no longer the same woman he knew. She was now married and had a daughter?

What should he do with this information? Did his feelings change because of this new development? Should he keep pursuing her? Or maybe it was time to see the reality and become just friends?

After he downed the first cup, Maxim sat sluggishly on the small couch in the corner of his room. His mind wandered to the past.

After he thought about it for a long time, he realized that, no, his feelings didn't change.

He was still in love with Emmelyn as much as he did two years ago.

So, what should he do with his feelings? Also... would his mother approve if she knew Emmelyn was once married and already had a child with another man?

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