The Cursed Prince

Mars nodded with a smile. "That's good. Please think about it. If you want to invite her here, you don't have to ask for my permission. You just need to tell me so I am aware of whatever things going on here."

"Thank you," Emmelyn was beaming with happiness. She now felt that their relationship had become more real by the day.

The prince had asked her to marry him yesterday. Earlier today, he also gave her access to his money. And now he called this castle 'our' castle?

Slowly, she was sliding into his life so seamlessly. This made her feel so happy.

"I love you," she whispered with a big smile on her face. If they were in the chamber, she would have jumped into him and kissed him. However, she had to hold back and give him face.

She couldn't care less if people think she had no manners, but now that she had agreed to marry him, she didn't want people to gossip and said the crown prince couldn't control his coquettish wife.

"Hmm...  I love you too," Mars couldn't help but grin when he heard Emmelyn utter the word of love so easily now. He remembered how difficult it was for her to even admit that she liked him in the past.

Emmelyn would always pretend that she hated everything about him. Now, she could easily say, 'I love you.' to him. This was such good progress!

Things seemed to be going on the good track between them. Mars was only worried that he couldn't get to the witch fast enough.

"So.. what did you find out today?" Emmelyn asked. "Do you want to talk about it over wine?"

Mars nodded. "Yeah, I do. Where do you want to do it?"

"Let's drink in our chamber," Emmelyn suggested. "I feel a bit tired after the trip. I want to snuggle with you by the fire."

"Ah, I'd like that," Mars said. "Would you like some glow wine?"

"Glow wine? What is that?" Emmelyn chuckled. She thought it was funny. "Does it glow or something?"

"No... hahaha, it doesn't glow, but it is warm and sweet. Perfect for winter. It's Draec's specialty," Mars explained. "I've been wanting to let you taste it."

"Ah... we have this ginger tea that we drink in winter. It always reminds me of home, and I was thinking of preparing some for you tomorrow," Emmelyn replied.

She was happy to know that they both had the same intention of introducing their countries' specialties to each other.

Truly, great minds think alike!

"Well.. we can have ginger tea tomorrow. Let the cooks learn to make it first. Today, we can enjoy glow wine. What do you think?" Mars asked her opinion. "Glow wine is basically red wine cooked with herbs. It's sweet and smells really nice. I think you'll like it!"

"Sounds amazing!" Emmelyn licked her lips. "I have never tried that, but you make it sound so delicious, now I'm drooling."

The prince chuckled when he saw her looking excited. He knew she loved wine too much.

He quickly called Roshan and explained what he wanted, then he took Emmelyn to their chamber.

The fireplace was already lit when they entered the chamber. It provided enough warmth for them to take off their coat and hung them on the wall. The animal skin spread on the floor felt so soft and warm when they sat down and cuddle. 

Since the glow wine needed some time to be prepared, Mars and Emmelyn waited patiently while sharing how their day went. Seeing how their relationship had improved so much, Emmelyn was now conflicting about Mrs. Adler.

She had not told Mars about the old witch and her prophecy. At this point, she just wanted to pretend that she never heard the prophecy and move on with her life.

However, she realized that it would be unfair if she hid something while Mars was always open to her. She liked it when he was open to her and being honest. Wouldn't he like the same thing?

"So, how was your reunion?" Emmelyn decided to ask about Mars and his friends first. She was curious to know about how Ellena managed to convince the witch to lift her curse.

That must be the question of the year.  First of all, how on earth Ellena managed to find the witch when the king's men failed for decades? And of course, the second thing was... what was the price she paid to get the curse lifted?

And lastly... what did she expect from the royal family to compensate her for her effort? She must want something, right?

Did she want the prince?

Subconsciously, Emmelyn pouted her lips.

She wouldn't let that wench take her man from her. This scummy prince was hers, and hers alone.

Mars noticed her displeased expression was wondering if he did something wrong. She knew he was going to meet his friends today, right? So, why did she look unhappy?

Was she jealous?

"The reunion was fine. We met like usual. When we were younger, we often met at that tavern in town. So, we all decided to meet there and catch up," Mars explained. "Of course we all asked Ellena where did she go and how she could find the witch and everything we wanted to know."

He told her what Ellena told him, nothing added, and nothing omitted. He wanted Emmelyn to hear the complete story and tell him what she thought about it.

"Do you believe her?" Emmelyn said after Mars finished recounting everything.

"Do you mean, do I believe her when she said the witch made her kill someone as the requirement to lift the curse?" Mars asked her back. Emmelyn nodded. 

"Yes. Does she look like someone who is capable of murder?" Emmelyn asked again. 

Mars' mind went to the tavern earlier today when he saw tears streaming down Ellena's cheeks profusely.

Did she really kill someone? He believed so. Her cry seemed so despondent. He had known her for fifteen years. Her tears were real.

She might still be haunted by nightmares from the ordeal.

Finally, the prince nodded. "I think Ellena is capable of doing anything if she put her mind into it."

"Damn!" Emmelyn cursed. She had imagined Ellena was a liar. 

"Why did you curse?" Mars asked her. "Don't teach our child to swear."

"Ah.. sorry," Emmelyn coughed. She touched her belly as if apologizing to their child for being a bad mommy who cursed. "Sowwyyy, child... I won't curse again. Please forget what I said just now..."

Then she looked up to Mars and shared her opinion. "I thought it is quite suspicious that Ellena still didn't want to tell you everything. She kept the Bellevars's location to herself, and then she also didn't want to tell you exactly how and why the witch was finally willing to let you go from her curse."

Mars agreed with Emmelyn. He was about to say something when suddenly their door was knocked.

"That must be our glow wine," Mars said. He got up and opened the door. The prince was happy when he guessed right. Roshan and one servant came to bring them the glow wine. "Thank you, Roshan."

"You're welcome. Your highness."

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