Emmelyn tried to hold back. She really wanted to come barging in and hug Killian to ask him how he was doing. Oh how much she missed her brother.

She had to clench her fists to keep herself from moving. No, she must not make a sound, and she shouldn't come inside and make a scene.

Gosh....it was so hard to do.

Emmelyn could only bit her lip as tears dripped down her cheeks, waiting for Ellena to respond.

"Is that why you have been avoiding me?" Ellena rose from her chair, looking offended when she heard Mars' words. "So, it's because you wanted to give me time to calm down from my traumatizing experience and, when you think I'm ready, you will ask to see me and interrogate me again? Is that the real reason why you invited me to tea today?"

"Ellena, I don't understand why you are feeling irritated. I have told you that I `was busy during winter, so were Gewen and Edgar," Mars replied calmly as before. He was not incited by Ellena's reaction. "You should know that so many things happened while you were away."

He added, "We have so much more responsibility now to the kingdom. We are no longer those teenagers spending more time for fun than for our obligations. Gewen and Edgar are now generals, and I have taken up so many responsibilities myself. I am sorry if you feel left out. That's not our intention."

"If you are still my friend, I will have to ask you to take my side and proof to me your loyalty. You know how much the witch has made my family suffer." Mars looked at Ellena intently. "Why don't you tell me the truth where did you meet the witch and what did she ask you in return for her to lift the curse?"

"I told you she made me kill someone," Ellena was now in tears. She looked really disappointed. "Didn't you realize what I have sacrificed for you? I can't believe you even question my loyalty."

"You told me that much, yes... but you left out so many details that I didn't know how to make of them," Mars replied. "You were gone for five years... like I said, so many things have happened and I would like to know where you stand."

Edgar and Gewen looked uncomfortable, being stuck in the middle. Mars was right, but they hated seeing Ellena cry.

She was like a sister to them since they were little. At this point, they prefer to watch from the side and not interfere with the questioning.

Gewen honestly thought Mars was too harsh, but he understood where did that attitude come from. King Jared was just like Mars when it came to his family. He could be really strict and unforgiving.

Killian rose from his seat and touched Ellena's shoulder. He shook his head to her and made a sign that he would talk on her behalf, seeing how much Ellena looked distraught.

"Your Highness, please allow me to answer your questions," Killian said as he turned to Mars. "What is it that you want to know about me and Ellena?"

Mars cleared his throat and repeated his question. "I want to know where did Ellena meet you and what's your relationship?"

"Lady Ellena and I are friends. We met at a family friend's home. You might know them as Duke and Duchess Bellevar," Killian replied calmly. "They had not used that name for decades, because they are too scared of your family."

"What?" Mars couldn't believe his own hearing. "YOU know the Bellevars?"

"I do. the Duchess is my mother's distant relative," Killian replied. "We helped them settle down in Wintermere."

"Do they know anyone in Wintermere?" Mars asked again. "Why didn't they move to Asguay?"

"They actually stayed in Asguay for one year. Unfortunately, one of their servants there found out who they were and wanted to betray them by sending the information to your father, since he offered a lot of golds for information about them. That's why they had to flee again," Killian replied.

His expression turned cold as he added, "The family had suffered enough. They could finally rest after they moved to Winteremere. There, they bought a small land and lived in peace.""

"We never heard any news about the Bellevars staying in Asguay," Mars said. His face looked doubtful when he heard Killian's reply.

"My family's guard killed the servant to protect the Bellevars, so the news never reached you," Killian explained.

There seemed to be no guilt on his face as he talked about the fact that his family killed a human being to protect the Bellevars.

Killian looked at the crown prince intently. "You would do the same. Don't pretend you won't. Besides, we only did it because The Strongmoors were chasing our relatives."

Mars was silent. He knew Killian was right. He would do anything to protect his family and his friends.

This revelation was quite shocking. Mars didn't expect that his plan to invite Ellena and Killian to tea was proven to be a good idea. Now, he got to hear more details from them.

This was really good.

However, he was not prepared to receive the flood of information at once.

Ellena was finally admitting that she found the Bellevars and she met Killian while she was at their home.

So, these two people knew about the witch and the curse!

It must not be a coincidence that Killian suddenly came to Draec. What was his intention to come all the way from Wintermere to Draec's capital?

"I will be blunt with you, Lord Killian. Does that mean you know the history between our families?" Mars asked Killian. "Do you know the witch too?"

Killian shook his head. "I only knew the story, but I don't know her. She is Duchess' Bellevar's childhood friend. My family doesn't have anything to do with her. We only helped the Bellevars because they were mistreated by your family."

Mars couldn't deny Killian's statement. From the outsiders' perspective, it was true that his family had been chasing the Bellevars for the curse that was inflicted by the witch, since she was Duchess' Bellevar's friend.

People would think the Strongmoors were mistreating the Bellevars.

"I will gladly meet the Bellevars and apologize in person for the misunderstandings between our family and try to make peace with them," Mars finally said. "It's been 28 years. I think it's time to forgive and forget, don't you think? Their family had suffered, and so did mine."

Killian smiled in contempt when he heard Mars' words. Now, Mars felt like he could recognize the man from the picture. His gaze looked piercing and his expression was cold.

"They didn't deserve the suffering inflicted on them," Killian said. "I would suggest you never try and find them. Let them live in peace."

"My siblings also didn't deserve all the sufferings that were inflicted on them," Mars replied.

He gritted his teeth with seething anger. When he remembered the sadness his mother experienced for so many years when one by one his younger siblings died, he couldn't forgive the witch.

"Fine. As you said, both families have suffered," Killian responded coldly. "Now, you are even."

"But I don't want even. I want closure," Mars insisted. "I believe, I can find closure if I can see the Bellevars."