The Cursed Prince

"We brought this wine from Athos's winery," Mars said after he sat on his chair and put a beautiful jug of wine on the table. "He said they have an exceptionally good wine from five years ago."

"How nice," Queen Elara said. She motioned the servant to take the jug from Mars and served the wine for them. "Please serve this for today's lunch."

"Yes. Your Majesty," the servant said. He took the jug from the crown prince and poured wine into the four cups. 

"Just a little bit for the princess," Queen Elara told the servant when he was about to pour wine into Emmelyn's cup. 

The servant nodded and stopped pouring when the cup was half-filled.

"This is such a beautiful day," the queen commented as she raised her cup and motioned everyone to raise theirs. "I would like to welcome Emmelyn into our family."

Emmelyn was feeling so moved when she saw how warmly she was welcomed by her mother-in-law, that she couldn't care less about the king.

"Thank you..." she whispered while lowering her head. She didn't want them to see her teary eyes. Yes, she had lost her entire family, and the last one was killed last week. However, now with the queen's warmth and the prince's love, she felt like she had found a new family.

These two people were worth the world to her. And not only them.. she would also have her baby soon.

Now, Emmelyn felt like all her misfortunes had been compensated. Maybe it was time for her to get her happy ending.

"To Emmelyn," Mars added. He smiled at his mother and thanked her with his eyes. Queen Elara was truly god sent. She managed to keep the king in check while making Emmelyn feel accepted.

The king didn't say anything, but he raised his cup too and drank with them. Emmelyn finally looked up and smiled at the queen, before she sipped her wine.  She wiped her eyes after she put her cup down.

The lunch went well and the queen asked the newlyweds details of their wedding. It was obvious that she was disappointed and sad she wasn't there to witness it, but she didn't press on the matter.

She asked how the Greenans were doing and trivial matters about the winery in Southberry and their journey. Mars explained everything briefly. He wasn't comfortable speaking the details while his father was around, knowing his father didn't like Emmelyn.

He thought later he could talk in private with his mother and told her everything. Most probably after he returned from Wintermere. The queen seemed to understand that and then changed the subject on Emmelyn's pregnancy.

"How far are you now in your pregnancy?" She asked Emmelyn with a beaming face. "Do you have any cravings or complaints?"

"I am already five months in, Your Grace," Emmelyn nodded with a smile. "I eat a lot lately, but no special cravings, and I don't think I have anything to complain about. His Highness takes good care of me."

"Well, he should. You are doing all the carrying of the baby, and suffering so many discomforts for nine months," the queen said. "Taking good care of you is the least he could do."

Mars and Emmelyn exchanged glances. The queen was right.

King Jared barely spoke during lunch. He didn't really like Emmelyn, but if his wife wanted to treat the homeless princess with kindness, he wouldn't stop her.

That was one of the qualities that he loved about his wife. Not only she was beautiful on the outside, but she was also beautiful on the inside.

King Jared wouldn't force Elara to treat their daughter-in-law badly, just because he didn't approve of the marriage.

When the lunch ended, Emmelyn already felt like she was with her family. She felt accepted and belonged. Mars was truly happy to see her glowing and beaming. This was the woman that he knew and loved.

She had been suffering from so much sadness lately that her smile became a rare treasure. But, today she had smiled many times.

He hoped that she would keep improving and when their baby was born, she could truly be happy again. Then, they could start a new life together, building a happy family.

"Your Majesty, Elmer The Wizard has arrived," John reported the news after the monarchs and the crown prince and his wife finished their lunch.

"Good. Tell him to wait for me at the meeting hall. I will go meet him soon," said King Jared. He turned to his wife. "It's been ten years, right? Do you want to see Elmer with me?"

Queen Elara nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. It's been a long time. I would like to see him."

"Very well."

Mars helped Emmelyn rise from her chair and whispered to her ear, "That's the wizard I told you about. Do you want to come and see him too?"

Since his mother would come with the king to meet Elmer, Mars didn't want to leave Emmelyn behind. She would be alone if all three of them went and she was not invited. So, he asked her if she would want to come with them.

"Oh.. can I?" Emmelyn asked back. She had heard from Mars how Elmer single-handedly killed three dragons when he was attacked by another powerful wizard who was sent by a king from one of the kingdoms they were at war with twenty years ago.

She wanted to meet such an amazing wizard. Maybe Elmer wouldn't mind sharing about his experience and adventures. Such a powerful man must have many stories to tell.

"Your Majesty, can I bring my wife to meet Elmer?" Mars turned to his father and asked him calmly. "I have told Emmelyn about how much Elmer has helped us and she is very interested in meeting him."

King Jared didn't need to turn to see his wife to know that she was watching his every word. The king nodded reluctantly and said, "Yes, she can come."

Right at that moment, Emmelyn realized that King Jared was truly a weak man when it came to his wife.