The Cursed Prince

Emmelyn was enchanted when she heard his solemn promise. She felt like her life with him was so good.

Well... too good.

It was too good that it scared her.

She was an optimist who had a sunny personality, but she had seen the world and faced tragedy.

She had lost everything before she turned 23 and she couldn't accept that something could be so good in life that there was no catch in it.

Suddenly, she was reminded of that darn prophecy again.

She had buried that thought at the back of her mind and tried not to think about it for days, but now that things were going so well, she couldn't help but think about it again.

"Mars..." She raised her face and looked at him intently. "If... someday, I bring you bad luck... will you still want me?'

The prince was puzzled at the sudden question.

"What do you mean by bad luck?" he asked her to clarify what she meant. 

"I mean... if I caused something bad to happen to you or this country, will you still love me?" Emmelyn asked in a halting voice.

Mars didn't understand where the question came from but he didn't want her to worry, so he touched her shoulders and looked at her lovingly. His voice was firm when he answered her.

"I love you for who you are, with everything that makes you, you. I don't know why do you suddenly think that you will bring bad luck to me, but I promise you, I'll never stop loving you."

He sighed and continued his words.  "Some people might see my mother as the cause of bad luck for our family. After my father chose her, my family was cursed. For several years, those talks and accusations hurt my mother deeply."

"She blamed herself for the curse that befell her children, which means she thought she was responsible for their deaths and the fact that I couldn't touch women. It was heartbreaking because she shouldn't take the blame for someone else's crime. She was the victim, but some evil people made her think she was bad luck..."

Mars clenched his jaws, looking resolute as he uttered his next words. "I learned from my family history, that if anything similar happened to us, I will never let you blame yourself. Never. It took my father a long time to understand that my mother was guilt-ridden and she blamed herself for years... I will not make the same mistake."

"So, my love... you are never bad luck. Ever since you come into my life, I finally understand what it's like to be truly alive." He stroked her hair and smiled reassuringly. "Do you understand?"

Emmelyn finally nodded weakly. This man was so good to her. His love seemed bottomless. And he always managed to say all the right words.

She knew she had fallen in love so deep with this man. So deep and beyond help. Now, she might actually love him more than she loved herself.

Mars was wondering what Emmelyn was thinking when he saw her eyes looking conflicting. Was she hiding something that she didn't want him to know?

"Is there something wrong?" He asked her softly. "You seem troubled by something. Would you mind sharing it with me?"

They were doing just fine earlier. They cuddled, drank glow wine together, and discussed their wedding plans.

However, suddenly Emmelyn was asking such questions. Mars couldn't help but wonder if there was something bad going on that he needed to know. 

Emmelyn looked at the man and saw his earnest expression. She didn't want to hide anything from him again.

He had told her everything and was always honest with her. So, it was only fair if she did the same.

"Someone told me I have a really dark aura and I will bring bad luck to you." Emmelyn finally spoke. Her voice was hoarse but she tried to sound calm. "She said I will be the cause of a great war."

"What?" Mars was dumbfounded.

This was all too sudden. What bad luck? What great war? Their life was just starting and things were looking good.

The only thing he needed to take care of now was the witch, but it wasn't something new. They had always had that problem even before Emmelyn entered the picture.

She definitely didn't bring bad luck!

In fact, everything became better after she came into his life.

"Who spouted that nonsense?" Mars was annoyed when he heard her words. He could see that Emmelyn was genuinely bothered by it, but he thought she should have known better. 

Emmelyn raised her hands and touched his arms to calm him down. "Please don't be angry. She only told me what she thought she saw. She might be wrong and you shouldn't blame her for it."

"Who is she? And why are you defending her?" Mars stared at Emmelyn intently. "Where did you meet her?"

"She is just a village witch. She is old and sickly. I came to her when I was—" Emmelyn's voice halted. She remembered that the reason she came to visit Mrs. Adler was to ask her help to make potions so she could conceive twins or triplets.

"Yes?" Mars was waiting for her to continue her words. However, Emmelyn was now feeling embarrassed. "Are you hiding something from me? Is it something bad?"

Emmelyn pursed her lips. She glanced at him and finally responded meekly. "Uh, not bad... but.. well, I went to see her since she was famous in the village to help with pregnancy and labors. So... I wanted to ask  her if she could help me conceive twins or... triplets..."

The chamber suddenly turned silent. Only the crackling of fire from the fireplace was heard.

Mars' eyes went round when he heard her explanation.

Why.. would she want to have twins or triplets?

His mind quickly went to work and realized what she planned to do.

"You...! Did you want to have multiple babies to end our agreement as soon as possible?" He asked her with a shocked expression.