Chapter 364: Devastated

Mars was wondering which other little princess John could possibly be talking about. However, he didn't think too much about it because his brain was so tired. The man could barely think anymore. He was physically and mentally exhausted.

Fortunately, the warm water slowly had started to relax his body. As he closed his eyes, the man tried to empty his mind from any wandering thoughts that would hinder him from getting proper rest.

Mars soaked in the hot water for twenty minutes. Then he cleaned up and took the sleeping potion provided on the small table next to the bathtub. He didn't feel hungry, but he knew he had to eat something to regain his energy.

He decided to get dressed and get out of the chamber to call a servant to prepare food for him. The prince was surprised to see John and one servant were standing in front of the door with a tray filled with warm food.

There was delectable soup, bread, and roasted meat. There was also a cup of wine and water to drink. This gesture made Mars feel glad to have such a reliable butler in the royal palace.

John could predict how much time Mars would take to do his bath and prepared food for him after he finished washing up. So, by the time Mars was done, he could immediately eat.

This was what made John a great butler. He knew what to do without being told and did it in a timely manner. Mars made a mental note to gift John a nice reward, once all this was over.

"Please eat something, Your Highness," said John.

He motioned the servant to prepare the meal on the table inside the chamber. The efficient servant did as he was told and in less than five minutes, Mars already sat down to eat.

Even though the food looked amazing, they all tasted bland to him. However, he forced himself to finish them all because he needed to nourish his energy.

Tomorrow was going to be a long day. He just knew it.

The servant and John waited on Mars until he finished his meal and then they cleaned up the table. It was a perfect time because the sleeping potion's effect had started to kick in.

Since Mars asked John for a double dose of the potion and added to the fact that he was exhausted, the prince could immediately close his eyes and fall asleep.

***

"Oh no!"

Mars was jolted awake from his deep slumber by a shocking realization.

He had another nightmare when he slept and suddenly John's words rang in his ear.

"The little princess is so young and already has to suffer so much..."

John was definitely not talking about Emmelyn. But who?

Mars instantly went into a panic. He was too tired to think clearly last night. He knew there was something off with the way John spoke and expressed his sadness. However, he couldn't force his brain to think and make assumptions.

But this morning, it was different. His clear mind had returned and he was alert. A good night's rest, despite having one nightmare, managed to restore his vigor.

"Which little princess?" Mars muttered to himself.

His instinct told him that it was not Emmelyn, but his brain couldn't think of any other alternative.  Emmelyn was now eight months pregnant.

Surely, John was not talking about their child, wasn't he?

Was it a girl?

But she was not due yet. 

Wait... what if Emmelyn gave birth early???

That's a possibility, right? Especially if the mother was under a lot of stress. It could trigger early labor.

Did Emmelyn give birth already? Was it a daughter?

Was John talking about THEIR little princess?

Oh, my god... 

This can't be happening!

Mars hurriedly got down from the bed and walked out of his chamber. He wanted to find John and asked the butler to tell him everything.

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Now, no matter what happened, Mars was ready.

He would ask John and then go see Emmelyn.

***

"Oh, Your Highness..." John pressed his chest when he heard Mars' question.

So, it seemed, the prince didn't know that his wife had given birth early and...

And that she died after childbirth.

This was so heartbreaking.

John didn't know how he could explain to the crown prince what happened to Emmelyn and Harlow. 

"John, where did they keep Emmelyn?" Mars repeated his question because John didn't answer him the first time. "I want to see her now."

Mars thought he was finally ready to hear whatever happened in the capital during his absence. That's why he came to find John and asked him about Emmelyn.

But why did the butler not want to give him an answer?

Mars finally became impatient. He grabbed John's shoulders and shook the man vigorously. "ANSWER ME, JOHN!"

"They... they buried her in the small forest near your castle, YourHighness...." Finally, John blurted his reply. "That was her last request."

Mars thought he misheard his butler. Did exhaustion affect his hearing?

"Come again?" He asked John to repeat his words. "What did you say just now?"

"Princess Emmelyn gave birth three weeks ago and she died after childbirth...." Now, John couldn't hold back his sadness anymore.

It was not only the fact that Emmelyn died and Harlow became motherless, but also seeing the change in the prince's expression, that made John feel devastated.

From shock to understanding... then denial, Mars's face showed how his mind processed the information he just received from the butler.

And finally, his expression showed grief.

"Wh-what did you say?" Mars's eyes bulged and his body staggered.

Right at that moment, Gewen came and saw the scene.  He quickly approached the two men and supported Mars who was about to fell to the floor. 

"Hey! What happened?" Gewen was in a panic. Did his friend finally show a reaction to his mother's death? He turned to John and asked the butler with his eyes.

"Emmelyn..." Mars muttered to himself. He pushed Gewen away and walked out with a stagger.

Gewen was surprised to hear Mars mention Emmelyn's name. He was wondering, did something happen to Emmelyn?

"John! What happened?" Gewen grabbed the butler's collar and demand an explanation. He needed to know all facts before he chased after his friend. So, he would know what to do.

"Princess Emmelyn was locked up in the Grey Tower for killing the queen. She was so stressed and it triggered early labor..." John explained haltingly.

He added, "The baby survived but the mother passed away not long after. She was buried in the small  forest near the crown prince's castle."

"Oh my god..." Gewen pressed his lips in shock.

Now he understood why Mars could act that way. This grief that he was experiencing was so much worse than what they thought initially.

So, Mars didn't just lose his mother to murder... but his wife died too?

Gewen felt devastated for his friend. He thought no man deserved to suffer this much, especially not a man who was kind and loyal like Mars.

"Mars! Wait for me!" Gewen quickly turned around and chased after Mars who already disappeared behind the door.

He found the prince when Mars just got on his horse and left the palace courtyard. Gewen assumed  Mars must be going to his castle and see Emmelyn's grave. 

He waved impatiently and shouted at a guard to get him another horse. 

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