The Cursed Prince

"Oh, Honey..." Mars was feeling so ecstatic that he couldn't help but shed tears. This was something that never happened before because he and tears were not friends.

Mars was a tough man, a fierce warrior on the battlefield, and tears were never part of his life. However, today he was feeling so mushy that tears escaped from his eyes.

He pulled Emmelyn into his embrace and hugged her tightly. For a few moments, nobody said a word, as Emmelyn was dazed to see the tough man shed tears just because she said she was willing to marry him.

He wiped his eyes and claimed her lips to seal the deal they just made.  They kissed intimately for a long time, completely feeling engulfed by happiness. 

"Thank you," the man whispered after he ended their kiss and hugged her tightly again. "I will give you the wedding you deserve after all this ordeal is over. I will find the witch and end this once and for all."

Emmelyn smiled and lowered her head, looking shy. She knew he would keep his promise. Actually, she didn't care too much about a grand wedding. She only wanted him to be hers and hers alone.

However, she didn't say those words out loud. She didn't want to sound cheesy.

Gosh.. she was a proud girl. It took her forever to finally admit her feelings for him. It would take a while before she could act all cheesy like those other couples in love.

Now, Emmelyn already got used to saying 'I love yous' and she also had accepted his proposal. That was such big progress already. 

After the euphoria in their chests settled down, Emmelyn went back to sipping her wine while sitting on his lap, and they continued talking about their plans to get married.

"I think, the best place to get married for us is in Southberry," Mars explained. "My cousin Athos can keep a secret and he can also be our witness. It's good to have someone important to witness our wedding so they could vouch for our marriage."

Emmelyn nodded in understanding. She had heard how Mars often talked about this cousin of his. They seemed to be close. She thought it was a good idea.

"I'd like that," she said with a smile. "But isn't it too far to travel there in winter?"

Mars agreed with her. "Yeah, that's the downside. I won't have a good excuse to go there these coming months. If we insisted on going there now, it will raise people's suspicions."

"So, let's go there in Spring," Emmelyn suggested. "I think my pregnancy won't be too showing."

"Great minds do think alike," Mars commented with a chuckle. "Another reason why I prefer to wait is because your pregnancy is still at an early stage. We have to make sure you and the baby are healthy before we do any travels."

"Ahh... okay," Emmelyn was touched that Mars thought of everything around her and their baby.

The prince added, "I also thought it would be best to go to Southberry after winter ends. I can make an excuse that I need to see Athos to discuss about the next invasion strategy. We usually go to war by mid-spring."

"Okay, that's a good excuse," Emmelyn nodded in agreement.

However, her face didn't look happy. Emmelyn was suddenly reminded that last year Mars and his army attacked Wintermere in an invasion similar to what he wanted to plan with Athos.

So, that means, soon, he would go and invade another kingdom. Emmelyn didn't know what to feel about it.

She actually hated the fact that Mars had to attack other countries and also hated that he would leave her alone while being heavily pregnant.

However, what could she say? She didn't want to be seen as a demanding wife who bossed her husband around and told him what to do and what not to do.

Emmelyn tried to get rid of her discomfort at the thought that he would go to war again soon. However, it was so difficult to do.

Mars could see her change in expression and kind of guess the conflict she had within herself. The man sighed and tried to lighten the atmosphere by rubbing her back.

"Honey, my visit to Southberry to discuss the invasion plan is just an excuse. I am actually trying to talk to my father to cancel any plans of conquest this coming year," he explained to her. "To be honest, I am tired of battles and, at this moment, there is no place I'd rather be than by your side. I just want to be there for you and our child."

His gentle words were like such cool water on her fiery chest. Emmelyn immediately felt soothed. Ahh.. so he was also thinking about it too?

She pursed her lips and tears started forming in the corners of her eyes.

This was exactly what she wanted but she didn't dare to say for fear Mars would think she was being a demanding and unreasonable woman.

"Yes, yes... I'd love for you to be by my side..." she cried. Finally, she was no longer worried about sharing what she actually wanted. "I don't have anyone in this kingdom and being pregnant alone scares the hell out of me. If you go to war and leave me and this child by ourselves, it will be very hard on me. But I don't want to demand you not to go because you have your obligations to this kingdom and your father and—"

She couldn't continue her words because her cries had taken over. Emmelyn was crying despondently now. Her sobs and overflowing tears made the prince panicked.

He didn't know she would be this sad. So, she was feeling really upset by the thought that Mars would leave her in mid-spring for the next conquest?

He didn't know this. He was glad he brought up the topic. Now, he became more determined to change their politics. Most of the kingdoms around them were already under Draec anyway.

It wouldn't make much of a difference whether they controlled 80% or 100% of this continent, would it? Maybe it was really time to stop now.

He'd rather focus on developing his kingdom internally, strengthen the security and economy, and let people live in peace so they could grow and be happy.

Plus, he could also grow his family, raise his children, and prepare them to rule Draec in the future.

"I will make it happen," he whispered in her ear. His voice was gentle but full of determination, giving her a solemn promise.

He added, "Let's make it happen. Once I take over power from my father, I will make you my queen and we can change Draec together."