The Cursed Prince

"Welcome to Sommeries Castle," Lady Evelyn Chaucer rose from her seat and opened her arms to welcome Clara. The girl's eyes twinkled at the warm reception.

She saw a man in his sixties, sitting next to Edgar's mother. he was looking a lot like Edgar but with grey hair and wrinkles on his face.

She could tell that Lord Chaucer must have been a handsome man in his youth, seeing Edgar now. He had big broad shoulders, sharp grey eyes that looked intelligent but warm, and his voice was deep, even though not as dark and deep as his son's.

"Lady Clara Langley, hope you had a nice journey and my son here is treating you well," Lord Chaucer also rose from his chair and nodded at Clara. His wife had rushed over and gave the young girl a hug.

Lady Chaucer's eyes were sharp and they had quickly checked her future daughter-in-law for any abnormalities. She was very happy to have found none. In fact, she could see that Clara had a healthy complexion with a nice body and child-bearing hips.

Even though Lady Chaucer was not as pitiful as Lady Athibaud because she already had several grandchildren from her older sons who made her such a happy grandmother, but she still wanted to get more babies from her youngest child, Edgar.

Lady Athibaud always said she was jealous of Lady Chaucer. She had been craving grandbabies in their family for a long time but she couldn't force Gewen, her only son, to get a wife and have children.

"You look healthy," Lady Chaucer commented with a happy smile after she pulled away from Clara and now she stood before the young woman, checking her out. "I can't wait to hold my grandchildren from you."

Her words managed to render Clara speechless. She batted her eyes awkwardly, suddenly didn't know what to do. Meanwhile, Edgar coughed violently and had to pat his chest several times to get rid of his embarrassment.  "Mother...!"

"What? Are you not planning to give me grandbabies soon?" Lady Chaucer pouted. She turned to her older children who came to join the special dinner with their spouses. "Edgar thinks just because you already gave me grandchildren he is off the hook." 

They all laughed and threw Edgar a meaningful look. His oldest brother, Arkan, raised an eyebrow and advised Edgar to pity their old mother and gave her happiness by giving her grandbabies soon.

Edgar stole a glance at his future bride and saw Clara's face was beet red. She didn't look offended by their words, despite her shy countenance, but mostly amused.

It was obvious that she was happy with their reception on her visit. Edgar was happy because his family managed to give a first good impression on Clara.

And what's more... she didn't seem to take offense to his family jokes on the baby part. Still, Edgar wanted to let her know that he didn't approve of his mother and brother teasing her about making babies.

She was only eighteen. She might want to enjoy life before deciding on having children.  Even though at his age, Edgar felt he was ready, he would understand if Clara wanted to wait.

He came to her side and whispered, "Don't listen to them. You don't have to have babies for my mother's sake. She already has so many grandchildren and she will never have enough. My mother is greedy like that."

Clara glanced at him and smiled. She nodded slightly and then turned toward his family at the dining table. Her face was still beet red when she spoke, but her voice sounded extremely cute. "Edgar and I will do our best."

Then she bowed her head a little.

This time, it was Edgar who was dumbfounded at hearing her words. 

Eh? What did she say?

She and Edgar would do their best?

They would do their best to... make babies?

The man suddenly choked and coughed more violently than before. Fortunately, before he could grab a glass of water, Albert had come to his side with a tray and handed him a glass of water.

Edgar downed his drink and still coughed for a while, trying hard to suppress his embarrassment. Clara became worried and rubbed his back affectionately. "Are you okay?"

Edgar bobbed his head and let out a weak reply, "Yeah... I'm okay."

His family was amused to see Clara's and Edgar's different reactions. They decided at that moment that they liked this young woman and felt happy that she joined their big family.

"Come on, you two. Take a seat, so we can eat," Lady Chaucer said with a chuckle. "I am sure Clara must be hungry after the trip. She deserves to eat good home-cooked food after enduring the long journey."

Edgar nodded. He took Clara's hand and took her to sit beside him. They started dinner in a pleasant atmosphere. Edgar introduced his older brothers and their wives to Clara, and his two younger sisters too.

Over dinner, they talked about the journey that Edgar and Clara took to reach Draec. They also discussed the couple's plan to throw a spring wedding.

Lord Chaucer was very happy to know Edgar had asked the king's blessing for his wedding plan and Mars had expressed his willingness to officiate Edgar's and Clara's wedding.

This was such an honor because it would be King Mars Strongmoor's first time ever to officiate a wedding after he took the throne. 

"All sounds good," Lady Chaucer was excited. She loved planning for weddings and baby showers. Secretly she felt sorry for Lady Athibaud. She would have to share Edgar's wedding plan soon and she was worried it would only rub salt on her friend's wound.

Between all of them, Queen Elara's son, which was previously predicted would never marry and have children, now was happily married to Emmelyn. Lady Chaucer's sons and daughters were all married too, only Edgar was left.

So, if Edgar now also got married, it would leave Lady Athibaud as the only one among them who still didn't have a daughter-in-law and grandbabies.

After the incident with Ellena, they no longer included Lady Preston. So, she didn't count.

Gosh... she needed to find a nice way to announce Edgar's wedding, without hurting Lady Athibaud's feelings.