The Cursed Prince

"I love you, Lily..." Emmelyn laughed with tears in her eyes. "Thank you so much for everything. Your friendship means the world to me."

"Likewise, Your Majesty..." Lily wiped the tears from her eyes and laughed too. Emmelyn felt weird hearing Lily call her 'Your Majesty' but she knew she would have to get used to it from now on.

No matter what, she was now the queen of this country because her husband was the king. Looking back, never in a million years, the youngest daughter of King Rosehill from Wintermere, a small insignificant kingdom by the sea, someday would become the queen of the biggest empire in their continent.

Life worked in a mysterious way, she thought. Now, instead of hating the oppressor, she was married to them and called Draec her home. Maybe, if she still had her family members left, they would criticize her choice, but since she was now all alone, she could live her life without having to feel the guilt all her life.

Emmelyn had learned to forgive and forget. Well... not all, but she was trying her best to live her life and be happy. After everything that she had been through, didn't she deserve happiness?

Emmelyn and Mars spent time with their closest family and friends during the feast, exchanging news. The atmosphere was warm and filled with laughter. Everyone was happy to see the young king come back with his wife and Harlow had grown to be really big and healthy.

She loved playing with her three cousins who were also her biggest admirers. Louis and Loran took turns giving her piggyback rides.

"Harlow is a big girl already," Elara Strongmoor gushed when she saw Harlow rolling on the floor laughing because Louis said something funny. Emmelyn raised her eyebrows when she heard her mother-in-law's words.

"Big? She is only seventeen months old if I am not mistaken," Emmelyn said. After taking so many trips, she kind of lost track of time and needed to guess how long had passed since she gave birth to Harlow and then left her behind.

"No, you are right. She is seventeen months old. I count every day after her supposed to be first birthday. I miss her so much." Elara smiled and poked Emmelyn playfully. "I am sorry... I was just thinking about the future. Harlow is so beautiful. Time will fly so quickly and suddenly she will grow up to be this young woman whom many men are fighting to get."

Emmelyn looked at Harlow with the three boys and realized her mother-in-law was right. Now, Harlow was surrounded by her male cousins, but in the future, she would be surrounded by many admirers.

Gosh.. she was not ready for it. Emmelyn massaged her temple. Why did her mother-in-law have to remind her of such a thing? Now, Emmelyn couldn't help but think about it a lot.

Would Harlow be able to find a good man in Draec? She was the crown princess of this empire and anyone who married her would take the throne with her and rule this country together.

That means, when the Strongmoors were looking for a son-in-law, they had to be really careful and make sure the man was a king material. They couldn't let a stranger take power and later ruin the kingdom just because he was a lousy king.

But.. who would be good enough for Harlow? A prince from one of the lesser kingdoms? A nobleman from the capital? Or perhaps, someone from across the ocean?

"What are you thinking?" Mars came to his wife and rubbed her back. He could see her gloomy expression and wondered what happened. Wasn't this supposed to be a good time for them to meet their family and friends? Why was she looking worried?

Emmelyn whispered her concern to her husband, and now both Mars and she were watching Harlow with worried eyes. 

"Ahh.. you are right," Mars massaged his temple. "She will find a hard time getting a good husband because of her status."

Emmelyn agreed. Harlow had so much responsibility, being the oldest child of the royal family.

"Well... if she didn't want the throne, it would be easier for her," Mars commented finally. "She can have a much-relaxing life and enjoy doing whatever she wanted in life. However, for that to happen, she needs to have siblings to pass over the throne and the responsibility."

"Well... she is an only child," Emmelyn replied.

"No, if we work hard for it," Mars chuckled. His eyes glint playfully as he turned to his wife and looked at her dotingly. "You said you didn't want to get pregnant while we were still traveling home. I understand the hassle and how inconvenient it would be. However..."

Emmelyn lowered her face and her cheeks flushed red. Why was her husband such a pervert? She was worried about Harlow's future, but Mars' mind worked in a way that he could divert their worry for their daughter into a request to do a baby-making work.

Seriously!

Mars cleared his throat and continued his words. "Now that we are home, don't you think it's time for us to work hard and make more babies to share our happiness together? I love you so much and I want to have more children with you. I promise to be a good father and a supporting and loving husband to you."

Emmelyn was at a loss for words. Her heart fluttered when she listened to his sweet words. It felt like he proposed to her all over again.

What were the words he used back then?

Ah.. yeah, he said he wanted to compensate Emmelyn for her loss by giving her his kingdom. However, he had one condition. If Emmelyn wanted Draec to compensate for her kingdom and her family's death, she must take Mars because he was part of the package.

Ahh.. this man really had a way with words, she thought. He could say all the right things when he talked to her, not because he had a sweet mouth, like Gewen, but because that was just how his mind worked.

He was a good man and he was sincere with everything. He was not perfect and he made mistakes, but he tried hard to do what was right.

And Emmelyn believed him if he said that he would be a good father and a loving, supportive husband.

"Okay..." Emmelyn finally let out a barely audible reply.

"Okay?" Mars's face beamed in happiness. "Okay as in... you want to work with me to make more babies?"

"Ssshhh!!!" Emmelyn immediately covered his lips in a panic. Her eyes bulged in surprise. "Not too loud, okay? Everyone can hear you... Jeez..."

"Hahaha... why worry about them?" Mars laughed heartily. "Of course they know we want to have more children. Just look at Harlow! She is so beautiful and cute. People would think we are dumb if we don't make more children like her."

Emmelyn coughed violently and waved at a servant to bring her wine. Once she got a cup of wine in her hand, she downed it in one go. 

"You and your baby-making projects," she muttered and shook her head.. "You don't change at all."