Emmelyn gave Mr. Ato ten gold coins. She didn't know how much usually a painter was paid, but she figured ten gold coins was a lot and he could live comfortably for a year with it.
The man looked shocked by the amount that he received and thought he was dreaming. He didn't say anything for a few moments and made Emmelyn confused.
"Is that not enough?" she asked him. "I am very sorry. I will give you more."
The old man quickly shook his head vigorously. Ten gold coins was A LOT for his standard. He didn't want this kind lady to give him more. The crown prince might think Mr. Ato intentionally acted that the money was not enough to make the lady give him more.
No, no.. he shouldn't let it happen.
"No, Your Highness.. this is a lot of money already. I am humbled by your generosity," he took the gold looking extremely happy. "I am sorry, I was just shocked. Your Highness don't need to give me anything. I am very grateful."
"Ah, okay. Thank you for your help," Emmelyn said. "Maybe we will ask you to come back and take our family portraits in the future."
"I will gladly do it, Your Highness," Mr. Asai Ato bowed down again.
He was shaking in excitement when he packed up his gears into his bag and got ready to leave. Emmelyn was smiling when she saw his reaction.
***
Mars told Emmelyn everything that he had heard from his spy and asked for her opinion.
"So, the Bellevars were hiding in Wintermere??" Emmelyn was very shocked to hear the information. She wasn't even born when the incident happened.
If the Bellevars came to her parents as noblemen, maybe the king and queen of Wintermere would give them protection, and her family might even know them personally. However, now, it was hard to know.
All her family had perished... except for Killian.
Maybe that's how Ellena came to know Killian? Did they meet in Wintermere through the Bellevars?
"Have you ever heard of the Bellevars while you were still living in Wintermere?" Mars asked Emmelyn. He looked at her intently.
The girl shook her head. "I have never known anyone called Duke and Duchess Bellevars in Wintermere. Maybe they hid their identity and lived as commoners?"
Mars nodded in agreement.
"Or perhaps, they changed their identity entirely. They had a lot of money and jewelry to start a new life somewhere else under a different identity." He tapped his long fingers on the desk and tried to think of all possibilities.
"Are you sure they went to Wintermere?" Emmelyn asked him.
"Yes, my spies are quite skilled. They wouldn't tell me the Bellevars went to Wintermere if they are not certain."
"Hmm..." Now, it was Emmelyn's turn to feel distraught.
If only she still had her family and her kingdom, it would be easy to track down the Bellevars and, eventually, the witch.
However, now she didn't have anything. She could only rely on the crown prince's men.
She also had no choice but to stay in the castle and wait for any development since she couldn't go out. Her pregnancy was entering the fifth month soon and it was hard for her to go around and about.
"Didn't you say you will invite Ellena and her 'friend' to come here for tea?" Emmelyn finally asked Mars. She really wanted to see her brother again.
If Ellena agreed to come and brought Killian with her, Emmelyn could really make sure that Killian Snowden was her brother.
"Yes. Edgar and Gewen will be here too. I have sent Roshan to the Preston's castle and invited Ellena to come for tea tomorrow. I will hear Ellena's response soon," Mars replied.
Emmelyn bit her lip. "Can I come too?"
Mars shook his head. "I am sorry, Honey. I can only let you take a peek to see the man clearly and make sure he is your brother, but you have to hide. I cannot let you join the tea."
Emmelyn understood why.
Mars still didn't want Ellena to know that Emmelyn was not just a woman that the prince 'hired' to bear him children, but he was in love with her.
If Emmelyn came to the tea, Ellena might become more suspicious and she would refuse to talk. Mars didn't want to alert her. Besides, as much as possible, he wanted to avoid a confrontation.
"I will hide in the next room and take a peek inside," Emmelyn let out a long sigh and finally agreed. "But.. if he is really my brother, please don't do anything to him. I don't want Killian to hate you more than what he already does."
"I know," Mars replied. He pulled her into his arms and rubbed her hair. "I will not hurt anyone of your family. They are my family too now."
Emmelyn was very relieved when she heard his words.
Mars added reassuringly, "I promise."
"Mm... thank you." Emmelyn hugged him back. "That's all I need to hear."
***
Roshan returned half an hour later and brought news that Ellena happily accepted the invitation and would come for the tea.
Mars and Emmelyn exchanged glances. Tomorrow was such an important day.
"Will she come with her friend, Killian Snowden?" Mars asked Roshan.
The butler nodded with respect. "Yes, Your Highness. Lady Ellena said Lord Killian will leave in a few days and will be happy to come and see you tomorrow."
"Great!"
Mars felt his heart pounding with anticipation. He would prepare his men to keep guard around his castle during the tea and make sure Killian wouldn't do anything reckless IF he was really Emmelyn's brother and he came to get his revenge.
Mars could imagine the worst possible scenario if that was the case. Killian only accepted the invitation because he thought he could find an opportunity to kill the crown prince with a close-range attack.
Mars had promised Emmelyn that he would never hurt her family, so he wouldn't give Killian the opportunity to attack him. If Killian tried and failed, he was as good as dead.