The Cursed Prince

During the trial of Ellena and the Prestons, Emmelyn was spared from the whole process. Mars only told her the bare minimum because he already promised to make her second pregnancy as relaxing as possible.

He did let her know that Gewen killed Ellena when she was trying to escape her punishment and Kira helped set everything in motion so the Prestons could be punished and pay for their crimes.

"What do you think?" Mars asked Emmelyn when they were in bed, after he finished recounting all the information. She just finished taking her potion prepared by Bruinen.

"I am glad everything is behind us now," Emmelyn said softly. "I wish to move on with life and hopefully someday I can forget all the bad things from the past."

"I agree," Mars said. "By the way, Edgar asked me to let him buy our old castle so he can live there with Clara but I actually wish to just gift it to them, you know, as a wedding gift. What do you think?"

"Why are you asking me?" Emmelyn removed her shoes and climbed the bed to sit beside her husband. "It's your castle. Didn't your parents give it to you as your 20st birthday present?"

"Yes, it's mine, but you are my wife. What's mine is yours too," Mars reminded her. "That's why I want to know your opinion because the castle is just as much as yours as it's mine now."

Emmelyn turned to look at her husband and she found the handsome man's sincere gaze. This scene somehow felt so familiar.

Ahh... it reminded her of the moment when he took her to his study and gave her the key to his treasure chest when she asked him to give her some money for shopping. He did say back then that his money was hers.

Now, Mars was reaffirming that whatever he had was hers too. That's why he didn't want to make the decision to gift his old castle to Edgar without consulting his wife.

This made Emmelyn feel so touched. She didn't know she could love this man even more than she already did. She smiled sweetly and touched his cheek, and said, "I like that. Edgar is your best friend and he has been through thick and thin with us. I also want him to have a good life with the family he would raise together with Clara."

Mars smiled and touched her hand on his cheek. "So, do you agree?"

"Yes. Besides, we don't use the castle anymore. The royal palace is more than enough. We also have many other properties."

"That's wonderful! They are moving in tomorrow, but Edgar is still actively looking for a new place so that after the wedding he and Clara could have their permanent home. I will tell him immediately that he no longer needs to do that."

"Yes. Save them the hassle and stress of looking for a new place," Emmelyn agreed. "I hope Clara will like the castle. Ultimately, what's important is her opinion. She will be the one staying there and raise their children. She must like her home."

"I am sure she will. The castle is big, comfortable, and it has many Wintermere flowers planted in the garden as well. She will truly enjoy winter here."

"Ah.. sounds good!" Emmelyn was really happy to hear that. She liked Edgar and Clara and wished them all the happiness in the world.

"Great! I will talk to Edgar tomorrow after dinner together in the palace," Mars said. "He has been anxious about finding a new place for him and Clara all week."

"Huh? Why? Isn't his family wealthy and have a big property too? I am sure they have plenty of space for him and Clara," Emmelyn said.

She gave her husband a kiss and then lay down to rest her body. Her days were slow and relaxing, but somehow at the end of the day, she was always tired.

Her pregnancy this time around was a bit harder than when she was pregnant with Harlow and she got tired easily. Mars lay down beside her and spooned her from behind, hugging her stomach lovingly while they continued their conversation.

Mars went silent at his wife's question. Edgar was honest to him and explained why he felt the need to immediately leave his parents' home after he brought Clara to Draec, even though initially the plan was to get married and stay in Sommeries castle until they could inherit Clara's parents' wealth and move all their property to Draec.

The reason was... Clara was loud during sex, just like Emmelyn.

When he heard the reason for the first time, Mars almost couldn't contain his laughter. He didn't know if he should tell Emmelyn the real reason. 

"Huh? Why are you quiet?" Emmelyn asked Mars curiously. "Did something happen at his home? Is Lady Chaucer treating Clara badly?"

"No... not at all," Mars quickly replied. "In fact, Edgar said Clara and his mother get along really well."

"I can see Lady Chaucer is a nice lady. So, why the rush?"

"Well..." Mars finally decided to explain what happened, so Emmelyn wouldn't misunderstand. After he ended his story, Emmelyn was stunned and couldn't say anything for a moment.

"Oh my god..." When finally she found her voice, that was all she could say.

"I know. It will be very embarrassing to Clara if she knew the truth," Mars said with a sigh. "Imagine talking to the family members and the servants like nothing happened while they all know everything that happened behind the couple's closed doors."

"Clara will be horrified," Emmelyn said.

"Exactly!"

"So, when will they be moving?" Emmelyn asked again.

"Tomorrow," Mars replied. "Edgar needed an excuse to give his mother on why he wants to move out with Clara. Of course, without Clara knowing the real reason."

"So, what did he say?"

"He said since Clara is homesick, he wants to take her to stay in a castle where she could see Wintermere flowers. Lady Chaucer was in our castle once and saw the flowers, so she understood. However, those flowers will only bloom in a few days. So, he can only move in tomorrow at the earliest."

"That is a good excuse, actually," Emmelyn chuckled.

"Yes. So, they are all set for tomorrow. After they are done with moving, we will all celebrate it with dinner together."

"That's a good plan," Emmelyn smiled sweetly. She thought both Mars and Edgar were doting husbands and she and Clara were lucky to marry them. "Uhm... about your question earlier... I also agree."

"My question?" Mars furrowed his brows to think about which question was Emmelyn referring to. "Ahh.. you mean, do you agree to just gift our old castle to Edgar and Clara?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure."

"Ahh... that will be a wonderful surprise for them. I can't wait to meet them at dinner and see their reaction when I tell them about the gift."

"By the way, did you also invite Kira and Gewen?" 

"Yes, of course. I invited them, together with Lily and Athos Greenan."

"It sounds fun." Emmelyn just realized she and her husband had never hosted dinner for their close friends like this. It's good to start it now. She hoped they could make it a tradition.

"Now, you should rest and have a sweet dream. Let me handle everything," Mars said dotingly. He kissed her fragrant air and buried his face on her nape. "Good night, love."

"Good night.. husband."