"Did she tell you why she wanted to meet Ellena?" Mars felt his heart was pounding so hard. There must be something going on. He needed to know everything. "Did she end up meeting Ellena?"

"She said she had a plan and it will involve Ellena," said Lily. "I sent the message discreetly as Emmelyn asked. I told my servant to pay a boy from the market to send the message to Lady Ellena in her parents' home."

She continued, "I am not sure if they did meet. But on the day she gave birth to Harlow, Emmelyn told me she feared for her life. She knew the only reason she was spared from execution was that she was still pregnant with Harlow. After Harlow was born, she thought the Prestons would try to kill her."

Mars clenched his fists when he heard Lily's last words. He understood what must be going on in Emmelyn's mind.

Judging from the king's emotional state and how much he disliked Emmelyn, it wouldn't be surprising that King Jared would order her execution as soon as Harlow was born.

It's just that Emmelyn died before that happened. So, they couldn't kill her.

Mars felt so dejected, thinking that Harlow's birth was as good as a death sentence for Emmelyn.

If she didn't die after childbirth, Emmelyn would die at the hands of the king's executor and Mars would still come home to a dead wife.

Gosh.. he really wanted to stab himself with his sword for leaving her. No words could describe the amount of regret he was having now.

Either Emmelyn killed his mother or not, she would die anyway because Mars was not here to protect her.

Meanwhile, Gewen was upset when he heard Lily's words, accusing Ellena's family of trying to kill Emmelyn after she gave birth to Harlow.

However, he tried to keep calm and didn't say anything. Like Mars said, they needed to hear all sides of the story.

He was sure that Ellena was innocent and she would prove herself before the crown prince. So, Gewen was not worried.

Ellena would never do something like that.

Right?

Gewen tried to convince himself.

"Emmelyn said... if something happened to her, I have to take Harlow in and protect her until you return," said Lily. She then started sobbing uncontrollably. "After she spoke to me... she went to sleep. I went home to change and see my kids. By the time I returned to the Grey Tower, she was already dead."

Athos pulled Lily into his arms and hugged the woman dotingly. He patted Lily's back and tried to console her. "It's okay.. Harlow is safe now. Mars is here. He will protect Harlow."

He tried not to mention Emmelyn's name because that would only make his wife cry harder.

"Yes.. I know, High Highness is here... but... but Emmelyn..." Lily buried her face on her husband's chest and continued sobbing. Her oldest son looked worried and came to hold her hand.

"Mother... are you okay? Who made you cry?" said the little boy with concern.

Lily wiped her tears and shook her head, faking a smile. "No, I am fine, honey. I am just sad about what happened to Harlow's mother."

"Oh..." Louis let go of his mother's hand and went to Harlow's side. He looked at the sleeping baby dotingly and sighed. Then he looked up to his father and asked, "So, Harlow's mother is still not coming back?"

Athos shook his head faintly. "No, Louis. She is not."

Mars was impressed to see Louis looking so smart at his age. The boy could clearly show empathy and he cared so much about his mother and Harlow.

The prince touched Louis's shoulder and gave the boy a smile. "Thank you for caring about Harlow, Louis. You are a good boy."

He really liked this nephew of his. Mars had carried Louis in his arms when the boy was just a baby, and now he had grown to be a young boy. It was amazing to witness children grow up like this.

He hoped Harlow and the Greenan boys could be friends as they grow up together, much like himself and his three friends. So, Harlow wouldn't feel lonely.

If his wife was still alive, Mars could depend on having more children with her to keep Harlow company. But now, it was only a distant dream at this point.

Mars realized that Harlow would be his only child and she would grow up lonely, just like him.

Ahh.. why did Harlow take after him in so many aspects? Not only they looked similar, but they also shared the same unlucky fate.

"I think I have heard what I needed to hear from Lily. I will investigate this case further and talk to Roshan, Ellena, and everyone involved," said Mars to everyone. "Let's finish lunch quickly. I will go and visit my father and talk to him. Then, I will call Ellena and Roshan."

"Yes, let's eat lunch. The food is getting cold now," said Athos. "We need the energy to investigate the case. I will help with whatever I can. You can count on me."

The four adults went back to their seats and continued eating lunch that was disrupted by their conversation earlier. Nobody spoke afterward. Everyone kept their thoughts to themselves.

Gewen didn't want to cause another commotion by speaking his mind. So, he ate his food slowly with furrowed brows, thinking about what Lily said on behalf of Emmelyn.

He knew Emmelyn and Ellena were competing for Mars' love. If Emmelyn intentionally dragged Ellena's name to the mud just out of spite, then Gewen could never forgive her.

But... if Ellena did frame Emmelyn to get Mars for herself, he wouldn't be able to look at his friend the same way again.

Would Ellena do something like that?

Gewen was sure that Ellena wouldn't have the heart to kill Queen Elara.

However, he knew Ellena loved Mars deeply and, knowing Ellena, he didn't think it was beneath her to try to use her adopted father's influence to execute Emmelyn after Harlow was born.

So, in short, Gewen didn't believe Ellena killed the queen, but she might have a hand in Emmelyn's death.