The Cursed Prince

When the crown prince finally returned, he saw the anxious butler was waiting for him behind the door. 

"What's wrong? Why are you looking so distraught?" Mars asked Roshan. "Where is Lady Emmelyn?"

"Your Highness, she was crying for hours because you didn't come home for dinner," Roshan said carefully. "I did manage to convince Her Highness to eat something before she went to bed. She also took her potion."

He didn't want to seem to interfere with the couple's business. That's why he worded his report carefully.

"Oh..." Mars immediately went to their chamber to find Emmelyn. He was worried when he heard from Roshan that she was crying. 

Gosh.. he really forgot to send someone to notify her that he couldn't come home to have dinner together.

Something happened and he was just too excited. The surprise that he had been preparing for Emmelyn for a long time finally arrived. And he wanted to make sure that she received it.

He thought she would understand that he was caught up by something and could not come home for dinner. He didn't know this would upset her so much that she was crying.

The prince opened the door softly, careful not to wake Emmelyn if she was already asleep. The fireplace was still lit and the chamber looked warm and inviting. 

He saw Emmelyn in bed, closing her eyes, with the blanket covering her body all the way to the chest. He thought she was sleeping.

However, the tears that fell down from the corners of her eyes made him aware that she was still awake. She was crying silently and seeing it pained his heart immediately.

Oh my god... what have I done? he asked himself, feeling distraught.

"Honey... are you still awake?" He whispered to her ear softly, 

Emmelyn turned to the side and now her back was facing him.

Okay, so it was obvious that she was not yet sleeping and she was mad at him. Mars sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her back.

"Honey, I am very sorry I forgot to send someone to let you know that I got caught up by something urgent," he spoke softly. "I didn't know you will feel very upset. I will never do it again."

Emmelyn didn't respond. However, her tears kept streaming down her cheeks. The prince was now in a panic.

He was speechless because he didn't expect something like this to happen. Was this caused by her pregnancy hormones? But she was not this clingy in the past two months.

Did something happen recently?

Ahh.. he must talk to his mother or Mr. Vitas to find out what was actually going on.

"Honey... are you that mad at me?" he asked again. His voice was audibly worried. "I will make up for it. I will do whatever you want me to do. Please forgive me..."

He kept rubbing her back gently. His effort paid off because ten minutes later Emmelyn turned to him and opened her eyes. She pursed her lips and stared at him with tears in her eyes.

"I was waiting for you..." she said in a hoarse voice. "I hate waiting."

"I know, I am sorry. I completely forgot to send someone to tell you that I got caught up in something," Mars replied. "I won't do it again."

"What is so important that you didn't remember to let me know that you couldn't come home for dinner? Is there anything more important than me?" she asked again. 

Actually, if she wasn't crying, Mars would think she looked so adorable with her lips pouted and her doe eyes gleaming. She was an adult woman but her expression now looked like a spoiled little girl.

Inwardly Mars was thinking if they had a daughter, she would look like Emmelyn and would often show this expression. How adorable!

"No, nothing is more important than you in this world," the prince coaxed her. "In fact, I was caught up in something because of you. I was preparing a gift for you but it took me too long to get it ready."

"Oh..." Emmelyn's tears stopped dripping. She sat up and looked at the man probingly. "A gift? For me?"

"Yes, sweetheart... a gift for you," Mars smiled in relief after he saw her reaction. Initially, he wanted to keep it a secret for a bit longer. However, he didn't want her to stay mad at him for it.

"What gift?" Emmelyn touched his arm and begged him to spill more. "What did you get me?"

"I cannot show it now,  it's late, but I promise that tomorrow, first thing in the morning, you will see it," Mars replied. "So... I hope when you see it, you will be able to forgive me."

Emmelyn crossed her arms on her chest and pursed her lips. "We'll see."

"Have you eaten dinner?" Mars asked her. "What about your potion?"

"I have," Emmelyn replied. "What about you. Have you had dinner?"

Mars shook his head. "No, I haven't. I will have a quick supper and then join you here."

"Oh..." Only then did Emmelyn realize that Mars was really busy that he forgot to inform her about his coming home late. He didn't even have time to eat.

What was he actually doing?

"You haven't eaten anything? What were you doing all day?" Emmelyn shook her head and scolded the man. "What if you got sick?"

Mars laughed when he saw her looking so concerned. "No, I am a man. I can go without food for days. I will be fine. But I am happy that you are worried about me."

"Go, eat something," said Emmelyn. "And come back here quickly."

"Will do, Ma'am," Mars kissed her lips and then walked out of the chamber. He realized that Emmelyn was still upset. That's why she didn't offer to stay with him while he ate dinner.

He decided to eat quickly and returned to their chamber so he could rectify his mistake. Once the prince left the chamber, Emmelyn massaged her temple.

She didn't know why she was so clingy today and easily upset. She didn't like this feeling and the fact that she was crying so much for a trivial matter.

Meanwhile, Mars called Roshan and asked him to prepare a simple dinner. He wanted to eat quickly so anything would do.

"You can even bring me leftover from tonight's dinner," said Mars to Roshan. "I will eat it."

Roshan was astonished when he heard him. This can't be. The crown prince was their future king. He should only get the best food and prepared fresh with all the best ingredients. However, just now he asked Roshan to serve him leftovers?

"But, Your Highness..."

"Didn't I make myself clear to you? It's already very late. I will only eat quickly and go to sleep." Finally, Mars had to look displeased, then Roshan did as he was told.

Mars sat down on the dining chair and ate whatever dishes provided for him. After this, he would take his sleeping potion and skipped the regular warm bath. It would take too long for the servants to prepare the bathwater.

He could make do without his ritual for just one night, couldn't he?

Ten minutes later, he was back in their chamber.

"I have had dinner and washed up. I am now ready for bed," he reported for duty.

Emmelyn nodded and patted the side of the bed to her right. "Then, you better sleep now."

Mars took off his shirt, climbed to the bed, and snuck under the blanket. Emmelyn let him hug her under the blanket.

"I am sorry for tonight," Mars whispered to her ear.

"Hmm..." Emmelyn only responded with a 'hmm'. She thought it would be better if she didn't say anything since she was not mentally stable today. She was worried she would say things that were hurtful.

These darn hormones were really annoying. She didn't want to be upset and angry but she couldn't help it.

"Good night."

"Hmm..."

***

Mars was so excited when he woke up the next day. He had been preparing this surprise for Emmelyn for months and couldn't wait to show it to her. He thought she would definitely like it.

He climbed down the bed and put on his shirt and coat. The temperature felt really cold after he left the warm bed as there was no more fire in the fireplace.

He quickly opened the window to check the scenery outside. What he saw put a big smile on his face.

"Why are you opening the window?" Emmelyn opened her eyes one by one and turned to him. She could feel the side of the bed to her right was empty.

"Good morning, Honey. I am checking something," Mars replied. "You should come here and see it."

Emmelyn suddenly remembered that Mars told her last night about some gift that he wanted to give her.

Was this it?

She was curious. What could it be?

A new horse? Or... some pet rabbits? 

Feeling really curious, Emmelyn climbed down from the bed and walked to the window.

"What is it?" She rubbed her eyes and sat on the sofa, next to the prince. She tilted her head to see what was so interesting outside their window. 

"What do you think?" Mars asked Emmelyn with a beaming face. "Do you like it?"

Emmelyn was dumbfounded. 

She pressed her lips and no words came out of her lips.

This... this is perfect, she thought to herself.

Right at that moment, she felt so touched; Tears slowly streamed down her cheeks again.

"Oh, no.. why are you crying? I am showing this to you so you will be happy, not sad..." said Mars, looking worried. "Is there something bothering you?"

Emmelyn shook her head. "No... These are not sad tears... They are happy tears."

She was feeling really moved by the gesture that Mars showed to her today, and couldn't help but cry again.