The Cursed Prince

Mars remembered what happened. The Bellevars was very close to the Strongmoors in the past. The Duke was friends with King Jared Strongmoor's father, that they decided to match their children: Prince Jared and Lady Marielle.

The Bellevars had a majestic castle not far from the capital and they had a great life. It was all gone after their only daughter killed herself.

The pain was too great that the family didn't want to set foot in the royal palace ever again.

They hated prince Jared for breaking their daughter's heart and causing her death, but there was nothing they could do.

The royal family had all the power, and the Bellevars was just its subject. So, they had no choice but to bury the hatred within themselves.

Nobody expected that suddenly, the witch, who was Lady Marielle's godmother came to the palace in her rage and cursed the royal family, especially their newborn child. It was such a commotion.

Duke and Duchess of Bellevar were scared of the retaliation and punishment from the king, they immediately disappeared in the middle of the night. Nobody knew where they went, and there was no news about them until today.

"Yes, so I tried to find their tracks through their old servants. And I found one. She didn't know who I was and gave the information willingly," Ellena replied.

"How?" Mars asked.

"Well... let's just say, I have my way, that your father's men don't have," Ellena replied.

She was hinting that people tend to trust women more than men. That was why she got better luck in finding information than the king's spies who were all men.

Ellena was also a sweet talker and could convince people to do what she wanted. Now, Mars could really see how it worked out. He didn't doubt Ellena's capabilities to find information.

However... how did she convince the witch to lift her curse?

"And then... what happened?" Mars asked with interest. "So, you found the Bellevars? Where are they now?"

Ellena shook her head. "I can't say. They really needed their privacy. However, I can only say that they are still on this continent, in one of the kingdoms that are not ruled by Draec. They lived a quiet life until Lady Bellevar passed away. I don't know if her husband is still alive now."

There were only a few kingdoms in the Terra continent that still had their sovereignty. Mars could narrow down the list later. He must trace down Ellena's tracks and find the witch the same way as she did.

"Did they tell you about the witch?" he asked Ellena again.

The girl shook her head. "Of course not. She is like a family to them. From what I've heard, the witch was Lady Bellevar's childhood friend. They wouldn't give her away. So, they'd rather leave the capital and Draec entirely than being forced to give up her location."

Mars became so impatient. He wished he could read minds, so he could immediately know what happened and what was on Ellena's mind.

Unfortunately, he couldn't. So, he had to wait for Ellena to share whatever she was willing to share, and, hopefully, it was enough for him to piece together the clues and find more information.

"So... you tricked the Bellevars to tell you the witch's location," Mars concluded. "And then... you went to see the witch and worked for her?"

Ellena nodded. "I hid my identity in the beginning. I worked for her and tried to gain her trust. I was such an obedient servant that after three years, she started letting her guard down."

"Do you think she really trusted you?" Mars asked probingly.

He could see it happening, however, it must be really hard on Ellena to work as a servant for that long. She was a lady, raised in a wealthy home, and had dozens of servants for herself.

"I do. Maybe she never expected that someone would be so stubborn in their disguise to last that long as a servant, so I did make an impression on her," Ellena said with a smile. "You know I can get anything I want if I put my mind into it."

"Yes, you're right," Mars agreed with her. He let out a sigh and stared at her intently. The prince finally asked her bluntly. "So... if she trusted you, did you pretend to take her side... or are you now really on her side?"

Ellena went silent for a while when she heard his question. She didn't look offended by his words. Instead, she looked sad.

"I know you are suspicious of me. I was gone for five years and suddenly I came back and brought home the news that I managed to get the curse lifted," Ellena smiled faintly. "You make me heartbroken by asking me that question. The old Mars that I knew would never doubt me."

Mars realized Ellena was, again, trying to guilt-trip him for suspecting her by using such words.

First, she used the word 'interrogate' and now she said 'the old Mars would never doubt her.'

"Ellena, you should know me well enough by now to know that I take my family's safety seriously. I need to know everything," Mars replied her in a calm manner. "You don't have to feel sad or heartbroken if you are not in the wrong. Instead, you would want to make sure that I get all the information to get peace of mind."

Ellena bit her lip. She lowered her head and finally replied with a low voice. "I've always been on your side. Always have, and always will. I hope you know that."

"Thank you, that's what I need to hear," Mars replied. "So, if you are on my side, would you mind telling me what is it that the witch asked from you in exchange for the curse? I know there is no such thing as free lunch."

Ellena bit her lip. She looked conflicted about her answer, but since Mars kept looking at her with that question mark on his face, Ellena knew the man would not stop until he got something. An answer.

"She made me kill someone." Finally, she told him the truth.