The Cursed Prince

"I have sent a letter to my mother and explain my decision to have you stay with her in the royal palace. She has replied to me this morning and said she looks forward to having you," said Mars. "I told you she adores you."

Emmelyn smiled and nodded. She believed him. 

Ahh.. now, thinking about how she could spend so much time with her mother-in-law, during her pregnancy when her husband was away, truly lifted her spirit.

"Let's get ready and meet them for lunch," her husband said. "I will bring some wine from Southberry for my parents."

"Okay," said Emmelyn. 

She changed into one of her best dresses with the help of some maids and met her husband who was waiting for her in his study. When Emmelyn entered, the man was readings some documents.

"I'm ready," she said with her sweet voice.

Mars looked up from his documents and immediately smiled when he saw her. Emmelyn was already beautiful, and her pregnancy made her glow, but she still made an extra effort to look more pretty today.

That pink dress was his favorite and she covered her big tummy with the fur coat that the queen gifted her. Mars could tell that Emmelyn intentionally wore them to make him and his mother happy.

"You are so beautiful that it is ridiculous," he commented with a chuckle. "How could a mortal be this stunning? Are you sure you are not a goddess who was banished to earth by other goddesses who were jealous of your beauty?"

Emmelyn rolled her eyes when she heard him suddenly sounded like a pickup artist.

"Please... I know your tactic," she said. "You have been telling how beautiful and amazing I am, ever since I complained to you that I feel fat like a cow."

"Really?" Mars furrowed his brows, feigning ignorance. "When did you tell me you feel fat like a cow. I don't remember."

Emmelyn smiled and hit his chest gently. "I love you."

It was her first smile after Killian's death.

Mars felt his heartstrings were tugged when he saw her smile again. Gosh.. she was so beautiful and charming. Leaving her for several months would be torture.

"I love you too," he replied dotingly and then kissed her. "But I still think you are a goddess."

"You are too sweet," Emmelyn finally stopped arguing. "Well.. I am ready to go. Do you think we should bring something to the lunch? Other than the wine, I mean."

"No, I think the wine is enough. My parents don't need anything."

"Okay, if you said so."

They got out of the study and went to the carriage that was waiting for them in the courtyard. Roshan had prepared the wine and gave it to the coachman. Mars thanked him before they left for the palace.

***

"Welcome, Princess Emmelyn," said Queen Elara with a big smile on her face when she saw Emmelyn enter her lounge with Prince Mars. She loved the sound of Emmelyn's name in her ears.

Princess Emmelyn.

So, her son was actually married to a princess. Emmelyn was not a commoner. No wonder she knew how to behave like a lady from the upper class.

Ahh.. this made Queen Elara felt really happy. She had nothing against commoners because she was one herself before she married the current king. However, she had experienced it firsthand how difficult it was to get accepted by the high society in this kingdom when she first came here.

There were gossips and slander spread by people about her. They didn't readily accept her as part of them, even though she was the crown prince's wife who later became the queen. Those noble ladies looked down on their new queen.

They had a bet that Elara wouldn't last in the capital. They thought the king would soon be bored by her and tossed her away. Some even spread gossip that Elara bewitched King Jared with magic.

Those early years, coupled with the grief of losing her babies, took their toll on the queen.

It was truly the darkest times in her life, and she wouldn't wish it for her worst enemy, let alone such a sweet girl like Emmelyn who had made her son happy.

So, knowing that Emmelyn came from a blue bloodline, Queen Elara felt relieved. She knew Emmelyn wouldn't be an easy target by those vicious ladies in the royal court.

"Good day, your majesty," Emmelyn wanted to curtsey but the queen hurriedly stopped her.

"Ahh.. no need for formality," Queen Elara laughed heartily. "We are family now. You can just call me Queen Mother or mother."

Emmelyn was stunned when she heard the queen's kind offer. She looked at the beautiful woman before her with her mouth agape. 

"I-I.. wouldn't dare, Your Majesty," Emmelyn said haltingly. "I don't want to be presumptuous."

Gosh.. Queen Elara truly felt like the mother she didn't really have. 

"You're not presumptuous," said the queen with a smile. "You are now officially my daughter."

She hugged Emmelyn warmly and took her hand to sit beside her at the dining table. Emmelyn turned to Mars and asked him with her eyes, what she should do. But the man was smiling broadly and motioned her to do as his mother said.

His expression was saying to her, 'See? I told you. My mother adores you.'

Emmelyn felt so much warmth from the queen, and her mood became really bright and happy. Now, she looked forward to spending more time with her mother-in-law.

"Let's have lunch," Queen Elara said to her husband who was standing still by the door, watching the scene between Emmelyn and his wife. "Your Majesty, would you like to join us?"

"Yes." King Jared nodded and walked to the dining table.

He didn't want to make his wife upset. The woman had given him a silent treatment for three full days after the incident where he locked up their only son in the Grey Tower. Those three days felt so horrible.

When Mars saw how obedient his father to his mother today, he felt very relieved about entrusting Emmelyn under his mother's wing.

Not even his father could touch Emmelyn, if Queen Elara was protecting her.