The Cursed Prince

Mars immediately hugged his wife again tightly. He was so moved and happy beyond measure that they would have an additional member to their little family. After what happened the last time, he would do things right.

"Of course... I will not go anywhere. I promise," he whispered and kissed her hair. Even before Emmelyn asked, he had promised himself to stay and never let her out his sight, no matter what.

"Okay," Emmelyn wiped the tears from her eyes. Gosh.. this pregnancy was so unexpected, but she was over the moon. She missed so much from Harlow's early life. This time, she didn't want to miss a thing.

After they regained their composure, finally, Emmelyn realized her dress was soiled by vomit and she pinched her nose awkwardly. "Uff... I need to change."

"Yeah. Let me help you change," Mars said. Emmelyn nodded gratefully.

Mars helped Emmelyn unbutton her dress and peel the dress off of her body. Then, he washed up her naked body with the wet towel and cleaned her up from any traces of vomit. Once he was done, he took a beautiful green dress from the closet and helped her wear it.

Emmelyn felt so pampered and cared for, that she was smiling throughout the whole process. 

KNOCK KNOCK

"Who is it?" Mars went to the door and opened it. He saw a young maid come with a tray.

She curtseyed and said, "This is the vitamin from Mr. Vitas. He said Her Majesty can take this to reduce the nauseous feeling."

"Oh, thank you. Let me get it," Mars said. He took the tray and then motioned the maid to leave.

He walked toward the bed and put the tray on the bedside table. Emmelyn was lying down in bed with her eyes closed. Her forehead winced and she looked sick. This made Mars's heart ache.

He touched her shoulder gently and said, "Mr. Vitas sent vitamin for you that could reduce nausea. Do you want to drink it now?"

Emmelyn opened her eyes and looked at him. She glanced at the tray and sighed. She remembered Mr. Vitas very bitter potions. So, she was not looking forward to drinking them. However, she knew better than to say no. She must think about the child in her womb.

Based on her previous pregnancy experience, this might be the start of the discomforts she would be having throughout her first and second trimesters. She would have morning sickness and nausea like today.

If she kept vomiting the food she ate, her baby wouldn't get enough nutrition. Emmelyn got up and reached out her hand, even though her face looked like she was suffering. 

"Give me that," she said in a weak voice.

Mars winced. He could see his wife's reluctance but he was helpless to help her. So, he took the bowl of potion and gave it to her.

"I am sorry. I wish I could drink the potion on your behalf..." he said in a low voice.

"Yeah... if only we can share the discomforts and even the pregnancy itself, it would be great," Emmelyn laughed dryly. She closed her eyes and drank the potion in one go.

Mars quickly gave her water to wash down the bitter potion and Emmelyn down the cup. She batted her eyes and stuck out her tongue. "Ugh... that was terrible."

"Think about the cute and healthy baby in your womb," Mars said with a smile. He took the cup from her and put it on the table, then he sat beside Emmelyn and hugged her waist.

"I love you so much..." he whispered. "Thank you for doing this for our family."

***

Kira told Mars her plan after they all had dinner together. She intentionally waited after Gewen left and Emmelyn went to check on Harlow. She hated Ellena to the core after she met her in prison and wanted her to be punished accordingly.

"I know Emmelyn is too nice. She probably will just ask Ellena to be locked up for life," Kira said with a disgusted expression. "I think differently. You are just wasting resources to keep someone like her alive for who knows how long."

"So...? What do you have in mind?" Mars agreed with Kira and he was interested in knowing what the pirate princess think.

"We should make her work to pay back for her crimes," said Kira with a big smile. "She said she was willing to pay with a lot of money."

She took out the bracelet and necklace that Ellena gave her in prison. Mars's eyes narrowed when he saw them because he recognized them as Ellena's jewelry.

"Where did you get them?" Mars raised a brow. He suddenly looked displeased, thinking that, as a pirate, Kira might have robbed Ellena after he and Emmelyn left her in Ellena's cell.

If that really was what happened, it was really unacceptable! Even his guards didn't take anything from Ellena after they sent her to prison.

"She gave these two babies to me," Kira smiled smugly. "She said this is just the down payment. She promised me more wealth if I could get her out of her prison."

"You are not really thinking you can get her out, aren't you?" Mars asked Kira. He didn't like this woman because Kira gave off the vibe he often got from criminals. However, since Emmelyn and Gewen liked Kira, Mars never said anything.

But if Kira really would free Ellena just because she was offered money, Mars couldn't let Kira get away with it, even if Emmelyn liked her.

"No," Kira chuckled. "but YOU can."

"Huh?" Mars didn't understand why Kira said so. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the woman seriously. "What do you mean?"

Kira cleared her throat and explained her plan. Mars winced when he heard the pirate princess explain what she wanted to do with Ellena and the Prestons. He finally realized Kira was more ruthless than he thought.

"What do you think?" Kira asked Mars after she finished explaining.

The king nodded in agreement. "It's a good idea."

Mars liked Kira's plan, but he thought probably it was better to keep this a secret from Emmelyn. He already promised her the most relaxing pregnancy this time.. So, it would be best to never bring up Ellena again.