The Cursed Prince

Lily furrowed her brows and turned to look at Mars, looking confused. "I know Lady Emmelyn faked her death the first time. I know about that. But did she fake her death again?"

Mars shook his head. "No, Lily. That's not what Ellena meant."

Lily pressed her chest that suddenly turned heavy. The past few months were a rollercoaster of emotion for her and her family, not only for Mars.

When she found out Emmelyn apparently faked her death to escape from the Grey Tower, she felt betrayed because Emmelyn didn't trust her enough to share her escape plan with her.

After a while, Lily could get over that feeling and was only hoping that Emmelyn would survive out there. She didn't even know about the secret bounty that Mars had set up for Emmelyn.

It took Lily a long time to be able to forgive Mars for hunting his own wife because his father demanded it.

And suddenly, Gewen came with the news that Emmelyn's body was found and now she was truly declared dead. Lily was feeling devastated.

However, seeing how much the news destroyed Mars, Lily didn't have the heart to continue harboring resentment. She had witnessed how Mars truly loved Emmelyn and her death made him heartbroken.

Besides, how could Lily keep her anger and stay away from the royal palace when there was Harlow?

"What I was trying to say is..." Ellena looked at Lily sternly. "She faked her death to escape punishment and she didn't even tell you about it. How could you think so highly about yourself, that she trusted you with her daughter?"

Lily was a princess and she had her pride and normally she wouldn't let other people insult her without repercussion, however, this time, Ellena's words cut her so deep, because it was true.

She thought Emmelyn considered her a friend, but Emmelyn didn't trust her enough to share her plans with Lily?

This was hurtful and if Emmelyn was still alive, Lily might not want to be her friend again.

"Ellena, please be considerate with your words," Mars warned the woman.  He felt bad seeing the look on Lily's face. He understood what his cousin's wife must be feeling. So, he reprimanded Ellena for her cruel words just now. "This might be the last tea we have together if you can't behave."

Ellena lowered her head and nodded weakly. "Pardon me, Your Majesty."

They continued drinking tea and eating cakes without saying anything. The atmosphere turned awkward after the two women showed hostility toward each other. Athos rubbed his wife's back to soothe her. Then, he poured more tea into her cup.

Lily thanked her husband and started smiling again. Seeing their affection for each other, Mars felt his heart ached. He missed his wife dearly.

He remembered how he and Emmelyn were affectionate toward each other too, and his friends had to endure being thrown dog food when they were traveling together to Southberry.

Now, he understood what it felt like. After being at the receiving end of being thrown dog food by Athos and Lily, he realized how awful it must have been for his friends.

He especially admired Edgar who could always keep a straight face, unlike Gewen who decided to retaliate by packing up PDA with just any noblewoman he could find.

Gosh, Mars did miss Edgar so much. He hoped his friend was doing well and could return to the capital very soon.

"I have thought about your suggestion, Ellena," Mars said suddenly. "You are right. I need a noblewoman to help me taking care of Harlow."

Ellena raised her face and looked at Mars with a beaming face. "So, Your Majesty, you agree with me?"

Mars nodded. "I do. That's why I will do as you suggested. Lily is great, but I don't have the heart to add to her burden. She already has three boys to raise and the youngest one is still very little."

"I actually don't mind, Your Majesty," Lily looked at Mars pleadingly. "Please... let me help you with Harlow."

Her eyes were gleaming, as she was holding back tears. She would rather be exhausted with four kids under her care than seeing Ellena waltz in to enter Harlow's life.

"No, I am not heartless, Lily," Mars shook his head. He turned to Gewen and asked the man seriously. "Can you come tomorrow with your sisters? I think they will be perfect for the job if they are interested."

"Huh?" Gewen batted his eyes when he heard the king's request.

So, Mars wanted Harlow to be taken care of by his younger sisters?

Hey, that was actually not a bad idea, he thought. Both his sisters were highborn ladies who were raised well and educated to be good mothers to their husband's children. They were young, single, and had good manners.

They could surely keep Harlow company while the maids and servants did all the heavy lifting. They could sing Harlow lullabies, read her stories, and later taught her etiquette.

"You want my sisters to help you raise Harlow?" Gewen asked the king, just to be sure he didn't mishear him.

Mars nodded. "Your mother has expressed her desire to help me by sending her daughters a while ago. Now that Ellena has given me such important advice, I think I will take your mother up on her offer."

Ellena's face turned red from anger, but she forced a smile when Mars mentioned her name.

Shit. She suggested Mars find a noblewoman to help him raise his daughter, but she didn't expect Mars would choose the Athibaud sisters for the role.

She looked at Mars with narrowed eyes, trying to guess whether the man was doing this intentionally to make her angry or...

Lily had heard about Gewen's sisters and didn't have any bad impression on them. So, she nodded in support of Mars' decision. 

'Any woman would be better than Ellena,' she thought.

"That is such a good idea, Your Majesty," said Lily with a smile. She threw Ellena a side-eye. "I have heard about the Athibaud Sisters. They seem like very wonderful young ladies."