The Cursed Prince

Mars scratched his head. He looked helpless, like a kid being caught stealing candy in a shop. He did lie to her back then. He was worried that she would freak out if she knew that he was in love with her.

He thought they were still walking on thin ice and he wanted them to be on more solid ground before he could confess his feelings for her. That's why he held back.

However, today, the thin ice cracked because Emmelyn knew that the curse was lifted, or at least they would all know by tomorrow.

Mars needed to immediately confess to her, so she would know the whole story and make an informed decision.

He wanted to hold her hand and find safety together after the ice broke and they both fell into the icy water...

So... now that she knew how he felt about her, what would she do? He really hoped she wouldn't leave him.

She must not leave because... she was pregnant with his child.

Where could she go? She had no one and nothing to her name. He was her only 'family' now. At least that child would bind them together as family forever.

"Yes, I was lying... because..." Mars swallowed. "I didn't want you to freak out."

"Tch... and you dared call me the lying one," Emmelyn chided him. She crossed her arms on her chest.

Secretly she felt so touched when she heard his confession. Her heart was filled with so much warmth, that she didn't feel the chilly air from the opened window.

However, she still pouted and narrowed her eyes. 

Apparently, this prince was no better than her. He lied too when necessary. Hmph.

"I am sorry I lied," Mars lowered his head. "I was worried that you wouldn't accept me until I can prove to you my worth."

"..."

"Now that you know how I feel about you, would you take my offer and accept my kingdom to compensate for your loss....?" he asked her again. "But you have to take me too. Like I said... we are a package deal."

Emmelyn pressed her lips and her eyes were gleaming with tears. She didn't know the man before her was this thoughtful and so in love with her.

She knew Mars was kind to her, but all this time, she thought he only did it because he needed her to give birth to his children. Apparently, it was not true.

He did everything for her out of love.

Emmelyn remembered how she was feeling jealous several times because the prince treated her so well while claiming he didn't love her.

She thought if he treated her, a woman he didn't love, that good then he would definitely treat the woman he loved so much better than her.

And Emmelyn was feeling jealous of that other woman.

Now, she knew there was never another woman. He was in love with her and did everything because he loved her. And he said he was willing to give her his kingdom as compensation?

But.. 

But...

He was not the king. He couldn't make that decision, could he?

And Emmelyn still hated his father. 

She could accept him and his mother, but King Jared... no.

Emmelyn bit her lip. She was visibly distraught. She wanted to take the man, and the way he worded his offer was so good too.

Wouldn't she be stupid not to accept it? She could justify the decision by claiming that she took her revenge by taking away the kingdom from the enemy.

Since they took her kingdom, she would take their kingdom to compensate for her loss.

Besides, didn't she know that she had been trapped in a vicious cycle and she was the only one who could end it?

Now that the prince had opened up what was in his heart to her, and gave her the choices, that were mostly in her favor... what would she choose?

"I know I am not yet the king and I cannot give you this kingdom now. But I will soon. My father has been wanting to step down for years. He would hand over power to me, I only need to ask," Mars explained. "Once I take the throne, the kingdom is yours."

Emmelyn bit her lip. Still didn't know how to answer the man. She was flattered, but she was also conflicted.

"You don't have to answer me now," Mars said gently. He saw that she was still silent and didn't seem to know how to reply to his question. He added, "You can think about it for as long as you want."

Emmelyn finally nodded weakly. She squeaked, "I will."

Mars smiled when he saw her reaction. He was utterly relieved. This went better than his expectation. Initially, he was really worried that Emmelyn would immediately reject his proposal. 

There were so many complications in their relationship and six weeks was not long enough to change her feelings.

However, maybe... the fact that they spent so much time together and now she was carrying their child... could play an important role in softening her icy heart.

"I love you," he became bolder and whispered those words again.

He felt relieved after he let out what was in his heart. The secret had been eating him from the inside and it was so hard to hide it. He was so close to revealing this secret several times already.

Now, that the cat was out of the bag, he had nothing more to hide.

Keeping a secret could be really exhausting, especially if he had to keep it from someone closest to him.

That reminded him of the story about a barber who couldn't keep the king's secret. The king had long droopy ears like a donkey. The barber was told that if he revealed it he would be killed.

The barber found it so difficult to not tell such a fantastic secret that he went into the forest and told the trees. All was well until a tree was chopped down to make a drum to be played at a great feast for the king.

When the court musicians played the drum, everyone could hear the drum roared "The king has donkey ears! The king has donkey ears." They all laughed out loud, and the king was furious.

Suffice to say the barber was punished for not being able to keep the secret.

Emmelyn looked away to hide her smile when she heard his love confession for the third time tonight. She was happy to know that, apparently, her hearing was working fine.

When they were dancing on the terrace earlier, he did say 'I love you'. She thought she was making up things since she did have an active imagination.

[Great! I'm not crazy.]

[I thought I was hearing things.]

The second and third time was in this carriage.

Mars looked at Emmelyn's side profile, trying to read her thoughts. She no longer looked upset. Maybe she finally came around?

The prince would be so happy if she did. If she was willing to accept him, maybe he could propose to her properly and ask her to marry him.

A wedding before the snow fell would be nice. Didn't his father talk about throwing a wedding next week? 

The sooner the better. They could have a simple one, with only his closest family members and friends.

If they got married as soon as possible, when Emmelyn gave birth to their first child, everyone would know it's his legitimate heirs.

No more gossips about him being gay, or even about the curse. And the best part, no one would dare to incite a rebellion since the crown prince would already have his heir.

Also, to secure the family lineage, they would work hard to make more babies.

Draec kingdom would have its heir and spares.

Ahem... A LOT of spares, if the prince could have his way.

Mars was busy with his thoughts about the wedding and babies when their carriage stopped. They had arrived at his castle ground.

"We're here," Emmelyn's voice moved the man from his reverie.