The Cursed Prince

Emmelyn walked together with Queen Elara, leaving the meeting hall, followed by several maids behind them. The queen was all smiles when she talked to Emmelyn. Everyone could see she was in a really good mood.

"So, this is Mars' old chamber," the queen smiled broadly as she pointed at the huge doors to her right. Two maids immediately opened the doors for them and bowed down as the queen and Emmelyn stepped inside.

The maids closed the door behind the queen and the princess and waited outside for the queen's orders. Meanwhile, Queen Elara took Emmelyn around the huge chamber and let her take a look as she pleased.

The chamber was really spacious and designed in dark colors. The bed was made of the best dark teak wood. It had a nice big mattress and grey sheets with matching curtains.

There was a big couch decorated with gold by the window, a tall black bookcase with many books on history and biography, one elegant desk and work chair, and a beautiful creme rug on the floor.

Emmelyn admired the room and tried to imagine how her husband was living before he had his own castle. Come to think of it, his chamber looked stiff and boring, compared to their castle now.

Emmelyn remembered the castle was also grey and boring before she entered the place and became the lady of the castle.

It looked like Mars really didn't care about where he lived, as long as it was decent and habitable. He only started decorating his place after Emmelyn stayed with him.

Ahh... Mars always said that he spent only very little time at his place, so he didn't see the need to make it nice. He always got up very early in the morning to train his soldiers and do his royal duties and returned late at night, only to sleep.

However, now that he had a wife and a soon-to-be-born child, he realized that his home was not only meant for him, but also for them. That's why he had to make it nice.

"He lived here from childhood until he was 20," Queen Elara explained. "After his twentieth birthday, we thought it would be good for him to manage his own castle, so we gave him one."

"I like the chamber," Emmelyn said. "Perhaps, I only need some colors added here. It looks a bit depressing now."

"You are right! I agree," Queen Elara said. She clapped and two maids came in immediately. The queen turned to them and asked them to take notes of what Emmelyn was saying. "Princess Emmelyn would like to get some colors in this chamber."

"Thank you, Queen Mother," Emmelyn said with a smile. She looked around them and made comments about some furniture that needed replacing or adjusting. The maids took note of everything.

"What are your favorite colors? We will try to incorporate everything with the nice materials and make it your dream chamber."

"Hmm.. I like soft colors," Emmelyn replied. "Light blue, a lighter shade of purple and pink..."

"Sounds good." Queen Elara tilted her chin to the maid and asked her, "Have you taken note of that?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good." Queen Elara turned to Emmelyn again. "By the way, I already asked John to prepare new sheets and a nicer rug for this chamber. We also need a new wardrobe. What do you think?"

"I would like that, Queen Mother..."

"Good. I know you have good taste," Queen Elara chuckled. "That son of mine only knows how to fight and lead his army, he didn't care about fashion or having a tasteful home. I am glad you complement him on that aspect. I saw how much his castle changed in the past few months. It now looks really nice and homely. I am sure it must have something to do with you."

"You are too kind," Emmelyn said with a sheepish expression. Really, she felt so lucky that her mother-in-law was a really sweet and loving woman who doted on her husband and her.

She had heard her older sisters complained about their own mothers-in-law. All three of her sisters didn't get along with their in-laws for one reason or another and they often complained that their mothers-in-law were more like monster-in-laws.

Queen Elara was far from that. She was the sweetest woman, whom Emmelyn considered her own mother now. 

"Well, would you like to sit with me in my lounge and catch up on your news? I don't have anything planned today and I think those men will take a while with their meeting." The queen offered after she and Emmelyn finished their inspection.

"I'd like that, Queen Mother," Emmelyn replied. She was about to follow the queen who was walking out of the chamber when suddenly she felt Harlow move again. "Uff...."

"What's wrong?" Queen Elara immediately came to Emmelyn and held her shoulders. "Are you in pain?"

Emmelyn shook her head and slowly came to the bed and sat there with the queen's help. After she was calmer, she pointed at her belly and said, "I am not in pain... but.. but Harlow just moved."

"Ahh...!" The queen was pleasantly surprised when she heard this. She pressed her lips in awe and her eyes became teary. "Gosh.. how wonderful!"

"Yeah, Harlow has been moving since a few days ago," Emmelyn explained. She was elated to see the queen's reaction. "We name the baby Harlow. I think it's a good name for either boy or girl."

"You are right. It is!" The queen gushed. "So wonderful! I am so glad you will be staying here with me so I can see more of that in the coming months."

She sat next to Emmelyn and raised her hand. Before she touched Emmelyn's belly, she looked at her daughter-in-law and asked her permission. "Can I?"

Emmelyn nodded. "Yes, yes, definitely..."

Queen Elara was brimming with happiness. She was reminded of her own experience when she was pregnant with her babies. Only one survived to adulthood, and she was grateful to see him now would have his own child.

This was the best feeling in the world!

Harlow moved enthusiastically when it felt the queen's hand on its mother's belly. Both Queen Elara and Emmelyn gushed and chuckled when Harlow moved over and over again.

"Harlow is very healthy," the queen commented. "I can't wait to meet Harlow."