The Cursed Prince

When Roshan brought boxes after boxes filled with gifts, Emmelyn felt so touched. Most of the gifts came from the queen. She brought her some baby clothes, a soft blanket, toys, and so many other things.

There were also two very comfortable coats for her, made of really soft fur. Emmelyn couldn't help but gasp when she saw how beautiful they were.

"I figure, most of your clothes would become too small soon. So, I decided to bring you some oversized coats that you can wear after your tummy becomes bigger," the queen explained.

"Ah, thank you, Your Majesty," Emmelyn smiled broadly. "This is all so beautiful."

"Don't mention it. You're carrying my grandchild. So, of course, you deserve all the best," the queen replied casually.

Lady Athibaud brought Emmelyn some vitamins and herbs from her family physician, some fruits and cakes, also some small stuff for the baby.

Lady Chaucer brought food, mostly mouthwatering sweets and dried fruit that was a delicacy in Draec.

Emmelyn didn't know if she could eat those since she hated the taste of fruits after she got pregnant, but she said thank you nonetheless.

The plainest gift came from Lady Preston, but it was expected.  She only brought some herbs in a wooden box for Emmelyn. It looked nice but there were really no thoughts put into it.

After the gifts handover, the ladies enjoyed the cakes, apple pie, and ginger tea with small talk.

They mostly talked about the latest fashion and some singers or drama performers that the queen liked. She said that she planned to have another royal gala on the first day of spring.

"Eh, royal gala on the first day of spring?" Emmelyn was surprised to hear that.

She remembered that Mars planned to take her to Southberry so they could get married in secret. They would leave on the first day of spring. But now, the queen wanted to throw another party?

How would they say no to the queen's invitation?

"Yes, I hope you can come, and you don't have any health issues that prevent you from attending. It will be really nice," the queen replied. "I will invite several composers and opera singers that couldn't come to the last gala. I am sure you will enjoy their performances."

Queen Elara was indeed someone who enjoyed festivities. Mars already told Emmelyn about this. So, Emmelyn shouldn't have been surprised that the queen was planning another party not long after her son's birthday party.

The queen noticed Emmelyn's awkward expression and thought the girl didn't want to come.

"Is something bothering you?" Queen Elara asked. "Or.. do you have something planned already on the first day of spring?"

Usually, it was so easy for Emmelyn to lie, and made things up on the spot. However, when she looked at the queen in the eye, she felt embarrassed if she had to lie to her.

Queen Elara treated her so well. Emmelyn felt bad about lying to her future mother-in-law, especially lying about her wedding to the queen's only son.

However, she couldn't possibly tell her the truth.

What should she do?

Emmelyn was conflicting.

Finally, she lowered her eyes and replied, "No, Your Majesty. There is nothing. We will gladly come."

"Ah.. that's good. I am so excited," the queen smiled and she patted Emmelyn's arm lovingly. "It's good to have festivities every now and then to make the people happy. Life is already too hard as is."

The queen actually wanted to throw another party to celebrate Emmelyn's pregnancy, but she couldn't do it publicly because only a few people knew about the secret.

So, it would be better to have the celebration when her pregnancy was not really showing. The queen would make an excuse that this party was to celebrate the new season.

Lady Preston, however, noticed there was something amiss with the way Emmelyn reacting to the invitation. She suspected that Emmelyn and Mars were planning something on that day but they didn't want other people to know.

That must be why Emmelyn reluctantly accepted the invitation.

Now.. what was it that they could possibly plan for the first day of spring? Lady Preston was deep in thoughts.

"Very well... today has been really nice. I hope you like all our gifts. Please let me know if you need anything at all," the queen said when they ended the tea. "I can only find out about your condition and the baby from my son, but he is such a busy man. So, if you can send me news every now and then, I will be really happy."

"Will do, Your Majesty," Emmelyn replied. She bowed her head in respect to the queen. 

"Wait.. before we go, can I see the white flowers that my son has been telling me?" Suddenly, Lady Athibaud rose from her seat and pleaded with Emmelyn. "I am so excited about coming here because Gewen told me you have flowers growing in the castle yard during winter."

"Oh, that's right. You did tell us about it yesterday," Lady Chaucer was excited too. "Edgar never told me anything... uff."

Emmelyn was proud of the Wintermere flower. She didn't mind showing it to them, without revealing her origins. She got up from her chair and motioned them to follow her.

"Sure. You can all see them. It's called Wintermere flower. His Highness brought them here from a small kingdom by the sea of the same name. He heard about this unique flower from someone and he thought it would look nice in his castle," she lied effortlessly.

"Wintermere flower. Such beautiful name," commented Lady Athibaud. She walked excitedly following Emmelyn who opened the door to the side garden.

The fishpond had frozen by now, but around the pond, they could see many small white flowers blooming so beautifully. Emmelyn plucked two flowers and gave them to the queen.

"See this one, Your Majesty. Aren't they pretty?" She asked the queen with twinkling eyes.

  Queen Elara was so impressed. She had never seen a flower that bloomed in winter. And it looked so pretty too. 

"Wow.. these are amazing, indeed!" she commented and smelled the flowers on her hand. "It has this faint scent like vanilla. It's so amazing!"

"They are amazing. I love them so much," Emmelyn was joyful to see everyone's reaction. She knew they would love her flower and admire it. "I can send some to the royal palace. I'll ask our gardener to prepare them."

"Can I have some too?" Lady Athibaud used her best puppy eyes on Emmelyn and the girl nodded.

"Sure, Lady Athibaud. I will send some tomorrow through Lord Gewen."

"Ah, lovely!"

Now, it was Lady Chaucer's turn to ask. Since Emmelyn had a good impression on her and she actually liked Edgar, Emmelyn agreed to send some flowers for the Chaucers through Edgar.

Lady Preston forced a smile and said she didn't know how to care for plants.

"No need to give me. I will just kill the beautiful plants with my hands. I don't have a green thumb like these other lovely ladies," she said coldly.

[Like hell I would give you any.]  Emmelyn rolled her eyes so hard in her imagination when she heard Lady Preston's words.

However, as a princess who was taught royal etiquette and a good manner, she could show a sweet smile on her face and feign a sympathetic expression. "Ah.. that's really unfortunate, Lady Preston. Well... I will not send you any of these beautiful flowers, as per your request."

The queen coughed and motioned the ladies to return inside. "It's really cold outside. Let's go in. It's time for me to go back now."

Once they were all inside, she hugged Emmelyn one more time and bid her farewell. "Thank you for being such a good host. Today was very pleasant."

"Thank you for visiting, Your Majesty. I feel honored to have you in our place." 

Emmelyn agreed. Today was very pleasant. She could see herself hosting some other ladies to tea on her own in the future. She just needed to start finding friends in Draec.

She knew the queen was alone when she came to the capital for the first time.

It took her a while to find the women she could connect with and later became good friends. Their friendship now had lasted over two decades, and their children got along well together.

Emmelyn hoped she could follow in the queen's footsteps in that regard and grow roots in this new kingdom where their husbands were from.