King Jared sank in his chair and had to calm himself down with a bottle of really strong wine.

Now, after he was left alone to reflect on what just happened, he was disappointed at himself for treating his son that way. He ordered Mars to be arrested and locked up because of a moment of anger.

Deep inside, the king knew what Mars said was right. However, it was a bitter pill to swallow. It was not easy for him to admit that he was wrong and his ways had hurt so many people.

He was the king after all. He couldn't be seen as weak and wrong by other people.

Thirty-five kingdoms bowed down to him and he was almost like a god in this continent. His words were law and his power was absolute. The feud with the witch and the Bellevars was the only thing that had been a stain in his otherwise perfect domination.

No. Even though his son was right, what good would it do now? Lady Marielle was dead and no amount of self-humility and begging for forgiveness could change the course of history. King Jared had lost 4 children, seen his wife suffer for years and his son cursed.

He would make sure they would get what they deserved for their audacity to bother his family. If not, it would create a precedent for other people.

They would think they could bother the royal family without getting severe consequences.

No fucking way!

KNOCK

KNOCK

The king looked up from his wine cup and turned to the door. He suspected it was his wife who knocked as no other people would dare to come or ask permission to enter without he summoned them.

"Come in," he said.

At that moment, he just remembered that he told his wife he would come and see her in their chamber to drink together with her to calm her distraught mind. However, he forgot about it because he was furious and ended up drinking in his study.

Queen Elara opened the door gently and entered. She looked around and didn't see her son, so she assumed the prince already went home to his own castle.

"Your Majesty, why are you drinking wine in here?" she asked with her soft voice as she walked closer to her husband.

She noticed the wine bottle and knew it was the strongest wine they had. King Jared didn't usually drink it casually. So, did something awful happen that he drown himself in liquor?

"I was waiting for you, but you didn't show up after over two hours," she said. "It's already past dinner time. Do you want to eat now?"

King Jared only nodded. He downed his wine and pulled her to his lap. Queen Elara sat gracefully on her husband's lap and rested her head on his shoulder. He liked this very much.

She had that feminine gracefulness in her and the way she seemed to always rely on him and needed his protection made him dote on her endlessly.

He felt like the strongest and most valiant warrior when he was with her.

He loved this woman very much. He would do anything for her, and he would punish anyone who dared to hurt her.

He didn't know if she knew this, but to him, she was his world.

"Yes, my love?" King Jared rubbed her arm lovingly. All the anger and self-loathing had dissipated as soon as he saw her enter.

"Are you not hungry?" Queen Elara asked again. "Don't drink that wine with an empty stomach."

"I am sorry. I have a lot in my mind today," King Jared replied. He let out a long sigh and nodded. "I forgot to see you to drink together and end up drinking alone. I am sorry for letting you wait that long."

"It's okay, Your Majesty. I took the time to rest," Queen Elara said. "I feel slightly better now."

"Hmm.. I'm glad to hear that." King Jared patted his wife's arm and the queen rose from his lap. The king then followed suit, rising from his chair. "Let's eat now."

Queen Elara waited for him to reach the door before she started walking behind him, as per the royal custom. However, this time, the king halted his steps and waited for her, then he reached out his hand and took her hand in his.

Holding her hand like this gave him a sense of peace. He could justify his ruthlessness because he did it all to protect this fragile woman that he loved wholeheartedly.

Queen Elara lowered her head and smiled faintly. The stunningly beautiful woman walked beside her husband as they went to the dining room together.

They both sat down facing a table filled with delicious dishes, prepared freshly by the royal cooks. Nobody said anything as they enjoyed dinner. Only after they were done, King Jared remembered that his son had not eaten food from the afternoon.

He motioned John, the butler, to come and ordered him to bring food to the Grey Tower. When she heard her husband's conversation with John, the queen's ears perked up.

She turned to him with furrowed brows and asked him who was the food for?

"Your Majesty... who are you holding in the Grey Tower?" The queen asked. "Anyone I know?"

Suddenly she had a bad feeling. She realized her son never left without saying goodbye to her. Yet, when she entered her husband's study, Mars was not there. She assumed the prince already left in a hurry and didn't have time to see her and bid her goodbye.

Now, she was suspicious that King Jared and Prince Mars had a disagreement that led to her son being locked up.

Didn't they have an argument this morning about Emmelyn?

Gosh.. did they argue again? What was it this time?

She looked at her husband in horror. His lack of response only confirmed her suspicion.

"Your Majesty... why don't you answer me?" she asked again. "Who are you holding in the Grey Tower?"

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From the author:

The new book is already out of the vetting process. Yeay! Go click my profile and find "The Cursed King" in my ORIGINAL WORKS section and add it to your library.

It's a sequel to "The Cursed Prince" which I will write alongside each other. How exciting is that?!!

Let's win Webnovel's biggest competition together!