The Cursed Prince

Suddenly Emmelyn felt profound relief when she heard that Ellena and her family had left the capital. This was a good sign, right?

Finally, everything that had been bothering her mind was gone, one by one. Soon, Mars would kill the witch and remove the threat from their family once and for all.

And then.. Ellena apparently gave up on him and no longer wanted to pursue Mars. That meant, Emmelyn didn't have to feel annoyed by her presence and her constant hovering around her husband.

Emmelyn had been feeling conflicting about Ellena ever since she found out about Ellena's existence and her relationship with Mars and her two best friends.

On the one hand, Emmelyn hated Ellena, but on the other hand, she had to be understanding because that wench was her husband's childhood friend and had done a great service to the kingdom by making the witch lift her curse from Mars.

So.. as a good wife, Emmelyn couldn't ask Mars to toss Ellena away just like that. That meant, she could only avoid Ellena as much as possible and let her friendship with Mars stay the same.

Now, it looked like the heaves were finally on her side and Ellena decided to break off her friendship with Mars and stay away.

This was truly good news that could make Emmelyn's heart brim with happiness after experiencing so many awful events in the past month.

"Where did they go?" Emmelyn decided to ask the queen.

"I think they mentioned a village, quite far from here. That was where Duke Preston's family originated. They had a dukedom in Casbay," Queen Ellena replied. "So, it looks like, that's where they move to."

"Oh..." Emmelyn smiled when she heard the queen's explanation. "I won't lie by saying their departure doesn't make me happy. I'm sorry, Queen Mother.. but I don't get along with Ellena and I am glad she finally decided it's time to stay away."

She looked at the queen with an apologetic gaze. Emmelyn knew that Queen Elara was quite close to her ladies-in-waiting, and Lady Preston was one of them. So, the queen must be feeling sad that her friend was leaving.

"I understand," the queen said. "It must be hard for you. I don't blame you. Ellena can be... pushy."

"Ah... I agree," Emmelyn let out a sigh of relief.

She was glad her mother-in-law could see her perspective and didn't accuse her of being a demanding and overbearing wife who wanted to rule her husband and restrict his movement and friendship with other people.

"Ellena was a bright girl and she was very close to the boys. They were good friends before she left. Now... it's hard to see her and Mars being in this situation. Mars is already married and Ellena must forget her feelings from him," Queen Elara added. "Well.. maybe this is the way it has to be."

The queen didn't want to say to Emmelyn that actually, back then, she also thought that someday Mars would end up with Ellena.

When Mars asked Ellena to be his nominal wife, he asked the queen's opinion and Queen Elara wholeheartedly agreed to it. She didn't know if the curse could be lifted and Mars could live like a normal man. 

Marrying his best friend on paper and avoid power struggle seemed like the best option that the crown prince could take.

Now, the queen felt guilty. She thought it would be better if Emmelyn never found out. No matter what, it was all in the past. Mars and Ellena didn't end up together and Ellena had to move on.

Mars had chosen Emmelyn and would soon have his child from her. So, to Mars, Emmelyn and Harlow was his future. Ellena was his past.

Emmelyn felt glad that the queen understood her, but she chose not to discuss about Ellena or the Prestons for much longer. It was good that they were now gone. Emmelyn wouldn't dwell on them and make the queen sad for losing her friend.

She changed the topic and asked about how Mars was doing as a child. If he was a sweet boy or a naughty one.

"Ohh.. he was the sweetest boy!" the queen gushed. "He never gave me a hard time. Well.. let me show you how he looked like when he was younger."

She waved and motioned the butler to come. John walked to them and bowed down with respect.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Please go get all Mars' paintings from the library and the five paintings from the family hall," said Queen Elara to the butler. "I want to show my son to Princess Emmelyn."

"Will do, Your Majesty," John bowed down again and left the lounge.

"So many paintings..." Emmelyn commented. She was excited to see how her husband looked when he was younger. She remembered they didn't have any paintings in the castle. 

"Well, I like to keep nice memories and preserve them," Queen Elara said. "As you know, I don't have any surviving children but Mars. So, for me, it's important to keep his pictures in case..."

She didn't continue her words, but Emmelyn could guess what Queen Elara wanted to say.

She was worried that Mars would die and couldn't survive to adulthood like all her other children. So, she wanted to have keepsakes, his paintings that would make her remember him after he was gone.

Fortunately, Mars lived and he was now a big and strong man. He was very healthy and his mother could satisfy herself by seeing her son alive and well.

"I understand," Emmelyn whispered. Deep inside, she also hoped Harlow would be strong and healthy like Mars now.

John returned in half-hour with ten servants, carrying one painting each and they arranged the paintings on the floor, leaning to the wall. And five servants went out to return with another five paintings.

Emmelyn pressed her lips in amazement when she was surrounded by so many paintings of her husband from the time he was a baby, a toddler, and his adolescence. He looked so handsome and attractive.

He reminded her of those elven princes from the fairy tale.