After her husband left, Emmelyn rested her chin on her hand as she stared at the garden from her window. She was telling the truth when she said looking at the garden made her feel calmer.
It especially because she knew her husband asked the gardener to decorate the garden with many beautiful flowers just for her. In the past, this castle ground was barren and didn't show any signs of a lady living inside it.
Mars started the project by planting her favorite flower, of all plants. Just weeks ago, the whole garden was filled with Windermere flowers. She loved those flowers because they really brought home to her. Her beloved Wintermere Kingdom by the sea.
Now, come to think of it, Emmelyn wondered if the Wintermere flowers were the reason her identity was known, that Ellena found ways to get her brother to come.
Judging from the way they interacted with each other, Emmelyn could see that Ellena and Killian seemed to know each other quite well. This part had always been a puzzle to her.
So, did Ellena really meet Killian when she visited the Bellevars in Wintermere? Who were they actually if they no longer used the name 'Bellevar'?
Was it just a lie on their part? Killian did say that the Bellevars were his family's distant relatives. Was he lying about it?
Gosh.. thinking about it made Emmelyn's head hurt.
Emmelyn pressed her temple and closed her eyes. She had to see Killian for the last time and pay her respects. After that, she needed to discuss with Mars the burial option for her brother. It was more urgent.
Other things could wait. At this point, she had lost everything. Surely, she couldn't hit lower than rock-bottom, could she?
KNOCK
KNOCK
Two hours later, two knocks were heard on her door. Emmelyn assumed it was Roshan, bringing news about Mrs. Adler's arrival. She went to the door and asked the butler if her assumption was correct.
"Is Mrs. Adlear here?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Roshan responded from outside with a very respectful voice.
"I will be out in a moment," Emmelyn replied. "Please treat her well and serve her tea and cakes."
"Will do, Your Highness," was Roshan's response.
Emmelyn took a long deep breath. She had to steel herself and got ready to face the day.
She went to her cupboard and chose a black dress to wear. She was actually surprised that she did have one. She remembered when she saw the black outfit among her many colorful dresses, she was wondering if she would ever wear it since it was the color of death.
Fate was a funny thing. Now, she did have to wear it. Without the maids to help her get dressed, it took Emmelyn a while to get changed and put on a new dress.
When she was finally out of the chamber, Emmelyn was surprised to see Mrs. Adler was waiting for her by the door.
"Oh... you're here?" Emmelyn said with a surprised voice. "I'm sorry I must have taken forever to get ready."
"It's okay, Your Highness," Mrs. Adler curtseyed and added, "I am just happy to see you again."
Somehow, just seeing a familiar face in this foreign country to her, that was not her enemy, made Emmelyn's heart feel slightly better. Without reservation, she came forward and hugged Mrs. Adler.
The old woman was stunned to receive her embrace. She didn't hear Emmelyn cry or shed any tears, but she knew this princess was devastated. Her body was shaking, even though there was no sound came out of her mouth.
The old witch let Emmelyn hug her and took out her silent grief for as long as she wanted. As a commoner, she didn't dare to hug the princess back. It would be presumptuous for her to even touch Emmelyn.
"Thank you for coming." Finally, Emmelyn pulled herself together and released her hug. She didn't shed any tears, but she looked more devastated than a woman who was crying a bucket of tears.
"I am honored that Your Highness is willing to see me," Mrs. Adler replied. "I came here as soon as possible."
"Thank you," Emmelyn replied with a smile. She then turned to Roshan and said, "Roshan, we would like to eat lunch together. Could you please prepare it?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
After Roshan left them to get the cooks to prepare lunch, Emmelyn turned to Mrs. Adler. "You must be hungry. It's already past lunchtime. Please have lunch with me."
Mrs. Adler looked stunned by the kind gesture. From the black outfit that the princess was wearing and the obvious sadness on her expression, she could tell that Emmelyn was mourning. But mourning whom?
When the butler came and hurriedly asked her to go with him to the crown prince's castle, she didn't know why Princess Emmelyn invited her to come, and so suddenly.
Now, she could kind of guess what happened. Maybe Emmelyn was mourning the loss of someone dear to her and needed company?
If that the case, Mrs. Adler was the perfect person to stay by Emmelyn's side. She just lost her older sister a year ago. So, she knew the feeling and the devastation that Emmelyn was experiencing.
Emmelyn furrowed her brows when she saw her hesitation. "Why are you looking at me like that? Have you had lunch and don't want to eat with me?"
Mrs. Adler quickly bowed her head and waved awkwardly. "No... it's not it, Your Highness. It is an honor to be invited to have a meal with you. I am not worthy of such honor."
"It's okay. It's just food," said Emmelyn. She motioned Mrs. Adler to follow her and together they walked to the dining room, with Mrs. Adler walked two steps behind Emmelyn.
The cooks were very efficient. They got the food ready in no time and, soon, Emmelyn and the old witch had lunch together.
They didn't say anything during the meal. Mrs. Adler was so impressed by the food that she couldn't say anything, while Emmelyn was too sad to talk.