The Cursed Prince

[Geez .. how could I think that far? Isn't Em just a weak girl? Hmm .. no, I mean she's not really a weak girl. She's quite good at using her sword. But I think, she won't be able to hurt me with her skills.]

[Mars, you are too much. Why are you afraid of this little woman?]

[Tsk...]

Mars shook his head as he made up his mind after arguing with himself.

"What happened to you?" asked Emmelyn who thought this prince was quite strange.

"It's okay," said Mars. "I agree with you."

He then raised his hand and gave a signal for his soldiers to step aside. Obediently, the twenty soldiers immediately retreated and disappeared to the side of the castle. Now, there were only Mars and Emmelyn with their two horses.

"Let me help you," said Mars, holding out his hand to Emmelyn. The girl could actually ride on horseback easily on her own. She usually would always mock the men who offered to help her ride a horse.

However, seeing the sincere attitude of the man in front of her, Emmelyn could not bear to refuse. She just nodded and held out her hand to Mars as the man helped her up to her horse.

Only after making sure that Emmelyn was properly seated on her horse did Mars also get on his horse. The man was riding his beloved horse which was black and had a long mane.

He had this horse as his birthday present five years ago and their relationship was very close. Mars would never go anywhere without this horse, and once or twice, the horse had saved his life.

"Come on, Snow, let's go," said Mars, patting his horse gently.

"Snow?" asked Emmelyn in surprise. "Your horse is called snow? I've never seen black snow."

She asked as she patted her horse to walk leisurely beside Mars. The two animals seemed to know each other very well, for they soon appeared to be walking in a familiar manner together.

"He didn't get his name because he looks like snow," Mars explained patiently. "He just really likes snow. That's why I call him that."

"Oh .."

[What a weird horse. Just like the owner. What is there to like about snow?]

Emmelyn said no more. She enjoyed their walk out of the castle. The air was not too cold because there was no wind and they also wore quite thick coats.

The scenery outside looked very beautiful because the trees were now covered in orange and yellow leaves. Lots of fallen leaves filled the ground. Along the path, they saw many plants with yellow flowers blooming.

Emmelyn was surprised to see those flowers were still around during this time of the year.

"They are autumn flowers," explains Mars. "It's called Aryeri. I don't think it grows in other countries outside of Draec."

"Oh ... so, it's like Wintermere flowers," said Emmelyn. "The flowers actually bloom in winter when other plants die from the snow. It's so interesting and I think they only exist in Wintermere."

"Oh is that so? Is that why your kingdom is called Wintermere?" asked Mars with interest. "Because of the flowers?"

Emmelyn nodded. "Yes. Maybe... Well, I don't know. My ancestors weren't very creative when it came to giving names."

"Haha... What are the flowers like?" asked Mars again.

"It's small, about the size of a coin, and only had four petals," said Emmelyn. She felt her clothes. "Wait... I think I can show you how it looks."

"..." Mars was very surprised when he saw Emmelyn take out a knife inside a sheath from under her clothes.

[Geez .. apparently it's true, she will try to kill me ...]

Emmelyn saw the change in the prince's expression. She narrowed her eyes with a dangerous look. She suddenly felt suspicious about what the man did.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She pursed her lips.

Mars didn't answer. He stared at the knife in Emmelyn's hand and the girl's face alternately.

Was Emmelyn really that desperate to kill the crown prince now?

"Hey! What's wrong with you???" Emmelyn waved her hand in front of Mars's face, which looked shocked at seeing her knife. "Have you never seen a knife before? Why are you acting so weird?"

"No... it's nothing. I am just surprised." Mars shook his head, then asked Emmelyn in a very earnest tone of voice. "Why did you take out a knife?"

Emmelyn then drew her knife and showed it to Mars. "I told you I was going to show you the Wintermere flower."

"Oh..." Only then did Mars let out a sigh with relief. He brought her face closer to look at the blade, and then he understood what Emmelyn meant.

On the handle of the knife, Mars saw a small carving of a flower with four petals. The shape was very simple.

Was this Wintermere flower? It looked so simple yet so nice.

"So, this flower only grows in Wintermere?" asked Mars. He looked at Emmelyn attentively.

Emmelyn nodded. "That's right. I don't mind winter in Wintermere because I can see these flowers. They look so beautiful. The winters must be dull in here without those flowers."

She sighed. She obviously was missing her country.

Mars didn't argue with Emmelyn's words. He actually thought winter was no different from any season. He could still work, train and do many things. However, it may be different with Emmelyn.

The girl seemed to dislike winter and snow. However, she was joyful when she talked about the flower. After he heard Emmelyn talk about Wintermere with sparkling eyes, Mars's heart ached for her.

He wanted so badly to take Emmelyn to Wintermere ... but sadly, he couldn't.

Not yet.

"Do you... miss Wintermere?" asked the man in a low voice.

Emmelyn just shrugged, unwilling to answer.

[Of course, I miss Wintermere. Is he stupid or what?]

Mars could understand that Emmelyn didn't like to talk about her hometown for obvious reasons. Finally, he didn't talk about Wintermere anymore.