"Is anything the matter?" Mars asked Roshan. He noticed the butler's confused expression.

Roshan quickly shook his head. "No, Your Highness.. Everything is okay. I will do as you said..."

"Good."

Roshan put the teapot on the table and left them to start making the changes needed for the prince's new chamber.

Emmelyn looked up from her food and asked Mars what was going on with her eyes.

"Nothing to worry about," Mars replied with a chuckle. He ruffled her hair and then poured more tea for them. "Is the food good?"

Emmelyn nodded. "So good. They always make my favorite dishes."

"That's because they want you to eat a lot and stay healthy." He looked outside the open window and saw the snow had stopped falling. "Honey, I have to go to the royal palace after our really late breakfast and see my parents. Do you want to come?"

Emmelyn paused her eating at the mention of the royal palace. Her countenance changed. She preferred to have nothing to do with the royal family and the royal palace if possible, and it was evident in her expression.

Mars knew she didn't want to come, but he had to ask her what she wanted and not made the decision for her.

"I am not feeling well," she lied. "You can go alone."

"Ah, okay." Mars nodded. He sipped his tea and was deep in thoughts.

Since Mars and Emmelyn had such a late breakfast, by the time they were finished, it would be almost tea time and Mars thought it would be better for him to go to the royal palace and check on Ellena.

He would see his parents for tea, where Ellena and her aunt would also be present. Last night the queen invited Ellena and Lady Preston to come.

It would soon become the moment of truth. If Ellena did not die as she said she wouldn't... then it means the curse was truly lifted. The Strongmoor family had been spared.

But at what cost?

Mars couldn't imagine the sacrifice that Ellena must have made to make the witch forgive his family. She didn't want to tell him, but from her expression, Mars knew she must be hiding something. Something big and painful.

Did she pay such a hefty price? Oh... he couldn't imagine his dear friend sacrificed so much for him. He knew how much Ellena loved him. She made it clear since they were teenagers.

She said, of all the three boys, Mars was the only decent one, and she would marry him in a heartbeat.

There was a secret that Mars hadn't told Emmelyn. He might never tell her, to spare her from stress and feeling upset.

The secret was regarding Ellena and the reason why she was so adamant in looking for the witch to break the curse.

Mars sighed as his mind wandered to the event many, many years ago.

"What's on your mind?" Emmelyn's question moved him from his reverie.

The man turned to her and smiled. "I am thinking of our wedding. Would you like to marry me before or after our child is born?"

Emmelyn hiccuped and she swallowed her food with difficulty.

Can't this man propose properly? She complained inwardly.

Last night he said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, during sex. Her mind was in a mess because of the orgasm she was experiencing, how could she reply to that?

And now.. during breakfast, he suddenly mentioned their wedding.

Gosh...

If he really wanted her to marry him, shouldn't he propose properly?

Mars swallowed when he noticed her displeasure. The prince just realized his mistake and quickly backpedaled. "The weather looks nice today. I will ask a servant to get my horse ready."

Emmelyn squinted her eyes dangerously. "Don't pretend you didn't mention a wedding just now."

"Ah... I did, didn't I?" The prince scratched his head. "I am sorry... could you please forget it? I will propose to you properly after I return from the royal palace."

Emmelyn rolled her eyes. She continued munching on her pie and no longer pressed on the matter.

Mars was relieved. He kissed her hair and rose from his seat. "I will go now and come back before dinner. Are you okay staying here alone?"

Emmelyn paused her munching and turned to the man. "Do you want to check on your friend's condition?"

Mars nodded. "I have to know. I would be heartbroken if my friend died from touching me..."

Emmelyn was silent for a while. Finally, she patted his hand and said, "She won't die. I think she didn't lie when she said the curse is lifted."

"How did you know?" Mars furrowed his brows in wonder. Ellena didn't say anything in the royal gala before the monarchs, because he asked her not to.

So, how did Emmelyn knew what Ellena said?

Emmelyn looked away and pretended to focus her attention on their teapot. She poured more tea for herself. "I happened to see you talk at the library."

"What??"

Mars massaged his temple. Emmelyn made it sound as if she was wandering around the palace and accidentally came across the library and saw him and his friends talking.

However, the prince knew better. Emmelyn must be stalking him and eavesdropping on their conversation. She was just too cunning.

"I was on my way to the restroom," Emmelyn defended herself. "And I was lost.. okay?"

"Why didn't you say anything?" Mars asked, he decided to play along with her lies.

"I thought I didn't belong there. I only listened until she said that the curse was lifted."

"Hey... hey, don't say that," Mars quickly pulled her to his embrace. "You belong. Wherever I am, you will always belong."

Emmelyn smiled faintly and nodded. "Yeah, now I know that. Last night, I didn't. You lied to me about your feelings. You can't blame me for thinking that way."

Mars let out a sigh and nodded. "You are right. I am sorry. It will never happen again. Back then, I was scared that you cannot accept me because... well, anyway, it's all in the past. From now on, you are mine, and I am yours. Let's not forget that."

"I won't," Emmelyn smiled sheepishly. She pushed him on the chest and motioned him to go. "Go and find out what really happened with Ellena and the witch. We can talk again later."

"Ah, okay." Mars let go of her from his arms. He landed a passionate kiss on her lips before he walked out of their small dining room to go to the royal palace.

Emmelyn finally felt stuffed. She leaned her back on her chair and caressed her flat tummy.

Gosh, this baby was very small but already ate so much!

She didn't know being pregnant would turn her into a glutton.