"Wh-why did you say such a horrible thing?" Emmelyn asked Killian with a shocked voice. She really didn't understand why Killian could treat her this way. The man was her own brother!

Even if he hated Mars and his family, but Emmelyn was his own sister.

Was she already dead to him? How could he do this to her?

"It's nothing personal, really," Killian replied nonchalantly. "His whole family is cursed. What makes you think the child in your womb is not cursed too? It might not survive, just like his siblings. In fact, what about you? Don't you feel worried that you will be part of their calamity? I thought you are smarter than this."

Emmelyn bit her lip so hard until it bled. She tried not to look away. Any signs of her looking distressed would trigger her husband to come and intervene. She didn't want Killian to get into trouble.

"You are right," finally, she replied. "I am smarter than this. I should have believed you the first time you adamantly said you have no sister. You are no longer the brother I know. I can't believe you change this much. Even if they are your enemy, at least I am still the blood of your blood. How could you treat me like this?"

"Ha. That's right. I don't have any sisters. The last one died, killing herself after Wintermere fell. I am the unlucky one in the family because I survive. I came home as soon as I can, but what little help I could give was of no use when the royal palace, our home, was already burned to the ground."

Killian words touched Emmelyn's heart. She too felt the same thing when she arrived back in Wintermere last year. She was too late.

All she found was a new government and the Wintermere people already started living their life like usual, as if her family never existed.

She was devastated. Even though she was not really close to her parents and her siblings, but the moment she realized they were gone, and she could never see them again, made her feel so alone and lonely.

Her mind was burning with revenge and she made plans to go to Draec and kill their enemy, or die trying.

She could clearly see that it was the same with Killian.

Emmelyn found her peace when she fell in love with Mars and, after so many tumultuous events, decided to marry him and let him make amends and compensate her for her loss.

Emmelyn could finally leave behind her revenge and move on with her life. She had been living in happiness because her husband loved her so much and did everything to make her happy.

And she was finally happy... until today.

"Killian, I am sorry for what you've been through. I cannot do anything for the past, but I can help you move on... If you will give us a chance to make up for what happened." Finally, Emmelyn tried to coax Killian again.

"How will you do that?" Killian asked her.

"My husband is the crown prince and soon he will ascend the throne. He will give Wintermere back to us, to you. You can have it and Wintermere will be a sovereign country but with the protection and special favors from Draec. As his queen, I can ask that much," Emmelyn explained.

"I'm sorry, I don't accept a handout," Killian brushed off her gentle words harshly. Again, his treatment made the wound in Emmelyn's heart bigger. She could only clench her fists to the sides.

It seemed futile to talk to Killian and found a common ground. She didn't know how else she could convince her brother to forgive the Strongmoors, her new family, and move on from the past.

The worst part was, she knew his hatred and grudge were very justified. She was there, in his shoes.

Her journey in grieving and forgiveness was different from his and she couldn't force him to see things from her perspective.

"All right... I understand if you want to cut ties with me." Emmelyn took a deep breath and calmed herself down before she rose from her chair and asked Killian one more time. "Tell me what can I do for you before we go our separate ways?"

Killian didn't reply. He was obviously conflicted. On one hand, he wanted to reject whatever it was that Emmelyn wanted to offer, but on the other hand, he didn't want to die in vain.

"For the sake of our past, I will ask my husband to let you go and you can consider me dead. I will too, or..." Emmelyn took a deep breath before she continued her words. "You can stay as our guest and we can talk about peace."

Killian turned to look at Emmelyn attentively. He didn't expect Emmelyn to offer his freedom so easily.

"If you let me go, I can return and try to kill him again," Killian finally responded.

"My husband is stronger than you think, and so are his people," Emmelyn replied. "They intentionally didn't hurt you because they wanted to spare my feelings. If you try to kill him again, I don't think they will be that lenient the next time around."

"I see... So, you are really one of them now," Killian said. However, he no longer talked to Emmelyn in a mocking tone. His voice actually sounded... sad.

"I guess, I am..." Emmelyn steeled her heart and tried her best to look tough, despite her heart feeling like it was broken into a million pieces.

"Hmm... okay. I will accept your offer." Killian's expression became flat again. He felt ashamed that he gave in to the enemy and accepted their offer to get his freedom.

But... if he was dead now, who would avenge his family's death? He was the only one left. The only sister he had was now a traitor.

"All right. I will talk to my husband," Emmelyn said. She turned around and got ready to leave the chamber. She saw Mars pacing outside the room and quickly halted his steps when he saw her. The man smiled and mouthed his question.

'Are you done?'

Emmelyn nodded and forced a smile.

Mars immediately came running to get her. His face looked so relieved.

Finally, Emmelyn could talk to her brother and sort out the situation between them.

Or so he thought.

"Your Highness, The king is here!"

Suddenly, a soldier came running and bowed down to Mars. He brought the news that King Jared Strongmoor had arrived at his castle.