"I'm sure," Emmelyn said. "He is annoying and such, but he has always been loyal to you. And you have been friends for a long time already. Sooner or later, Gewen will find out about our wedding and he will feel hurt if he was not included. You don't do that to your friend."

Mars looked at this beautiful girl sitting next to him with awe.

He knew she was the one. He knew he had never loved anyone like her, but today, he knew that he really had made the right choice by anchoring his one and only heart to her.

Emmelyn was wise and not partial. Even though she wasn't particularly fond of Gewen, she could accept the man to be present at their wedding.

"Then... what about Ellena?" Mars asked her. "She is my friend too. I also owe her for the opportunity to meet you. If the curse was not lifted, you might already die the first moment we touched."

At this point, actually, nobody knew for sure if Emmelyn was really immune to the curse or if the curse had been lifted by the time she met Mars.

No matter how much Mars wanted to believe the first, it was more likely that the curse was already lifted when Emmelyn entered his life. He had to be realistic and accept the fact.

So, this made him and his family indebted to Ellena. Even though at the moment Mars still had his suspicions, but until Ellena was proven to be guilty, he had to assume she was innocent.

Ellena did love him so much that she did whatever it took to get the witch to lift her curse,

Was loving someone a crime? No, right?

That means, if Emmelyn wanted the prince not to play favorites, Mars also had to invite Ellena Greystorm.

Mars looked at the beautiful woman intently. "What do you think? If I want to be fair, I have to invite Ellena, along with Edgar and Gewen."

He touched her hair dotingly and continued, "Or... we can just refrain from inviting them all. It will just be you and me, Athos and his wife."

He knew Emmelyn could make room for Gewen, but it must be difficult to do the same thing for Ellena.

Emmelyn already admitted she hated Ellena because Ellena looked down on her. Mars was sure she wouldn't want Ellena on her wedding day.

And he was right.

Emmelyn pursed her lips. "Can we make an exception for Ellena? You haven't seen each other in five years. Things are not the same now and then. I'd love to have all your friends around, but I am worried that now she is not one. Please think about it."

Mars was deep in thoughts. Emmelyn was right again. He shouldn't take any risk and follow her suggestion. Besides, it would be too suspicious to bring Ellena to Southberry. The king might ask questions.

And not to mention that cunning Lady Preston. Mars always had a feeling of discomfort when it came to Ellena's aunt. He only tolerated that lady for the sake of Ellena and Queen Elara.

Even if Mars could ask Ellena to keep his wedding a secret, for their friendship's sake, Ellena might not be able to hide it from her aunt. Lady Preston would definitely tell the queen. Mars couldn't allow that to happen.

Edgar and Gewen could come to Southberry because they were his generals and they would be discussing 'war strategy' with Athos. So, it would make sense to bring them with him.

Yeah.. okay, now Mars could justify his decision. He would not invite Ellena.

The prince took Emmelyn's hand and kissed it. "Okay, I will do as you said."

Emmelyn nodded with a beaming face. She was happy that he listened to her.

So far, they hadn't had any unnecessary arguments. They often saw things from the same perspective, and even if they didn't, the other one was always willing to listen and not force their opinion one-sidedly.

"I love you!" she whispered and kissed his cheek with affection.

Mars grinned and touched his cheek. It felt moist from her wet lips. Ahh.. he heard this saying before and couldn't agree more. 'A happy wife, a happy life'.

As long as he made his wife happy, he was sure to have a happy life with her.

Being someone who had everything, be it wealth, power, and whatever people wanted in this world, the only thing he wanted that couldn't be bought with gold was happiness.

And that was the thing that he got ever since he was with her. He wouldn't trade it with anything in the world.

"I love you back," he said gently and pulled her into his lap. "So, will you accompany me to write the letter to my cousin, Athos?"

"Sure," Emmelyn replied.

"Great!"

Mars finished his wine and got up from his chair with Emmelyn in his arms. The girl shrieked and automatically wrapped her hands around his neck. She didn't expect him to suddenly get up with her on his lap.

"You surprised me," she pouted. With one hand, she hit his chest. However, anyone could see that she was not angry, even though she pretended to sulk.

The prince just laughed heartily and carried her, princess style, toward his study. He wanted to write the letter as soon as possible, so Athos could prepare.

Meanwhile, the servants and some soldiers who were standing guard in the castle could only feign nonchalance when they saw the prince being lovey-dovey with his woman.

The soldiers were especially surprised to see their crown prince, who was always fierce in battles and sometimes threatened unruly people with beheading in the square, now looked like a meek kitten.

No one would believe this, they thought to themselves. So, they kept their mouths shut.

***

After the letter was sent, Mars and Emmelyn felt a bit of relief. It was so great to have something to look forward to after the winter ended.

Each passing day, Emmelyn secretly counted down to that happy moment. She was so happy that she was smiling every day.

Mars was the happiest of all. He heard from Mr. Vitas and other people that being an expectant father, he must be prepared with mood-swings, crazy cravings, and many complaints from a pregnant woman.

However, until the 12th week, Emmelyn didn't show such signs. She still didn't like fruits, had more appetite than before, but nothing really weird or giving the prince any headaches.

Ahem... she actually had more appetite for sex during the first trimester, but of course, it was nothing that Mars couldn't manage.

In fact, he wouldn't complain about it. He'd happily satisfy her seemingly endless desire after they woke up in the morning, getting their 'appetizer' before dinner, and 'dessert' before bed.

Secretly Mars was hoping that Emmelyn would maintain this appetite after she gave birth to their child. They had such an amazing sex life.

He imagined the withdrawal syndrome would be hard to bear if she returned to her usual self after the baby was born. Uff.. he didn't want to think about it.

***

"You are daydreaming," Emmelyn touched his arm. Mars turned to her and smiled. They were sitting together by the window and watched the snow falling, with a cup of ginger tea in hand.

"I'm thinking about our future together and..." Mars lowered his voice. "...how many kids we will have."

He rubbed her belly that now looked slightly protruding. He was so happy that he could now see the signs of his child physically on her body.

Emmelyn gained a little weight, finally, and he could see that baby bump. Oh, how much he loved that child already!

Mars didn't know such a feeling could exist.

He knew he loved this woman, the mother of his future children. She was amazing, smart, beautiful, and interesting.

But how could he already love someone he had never seen? Their child wasn't here yet, and he didn't how it would look like... but he already loved the child unconditionally.

"How many children?" Emmelyn furrowed her brows. "Three... definitely not more than three..."

She had many siblings growing up and it was chaos. She had to compete with them for their parents' attention until she finally gave up.

Her father, of course, prioritized only his sons and thought of the daughters as mere tools to secure loyalty and alliance.

Her older sisters were married off to some dukes and lords, while her brothers got all the attention and could do whatever they wanted.

Emmelyn actually escaped after she turned 21 by scheming her father to allow her to travel because she didn't want to be married off to some random duke, like her sisters.

Now, Emmelyn didn't want her children to grow up like her, having to compete for their parents' time and affection. No way!

She thought she could deal with three children and gave them all the love and care, but not more than three.

"Why three?" The prince asked.

Actually, he was happy that she didn't say just one. Mars grew up being an only child and it was a lonely home for him. He always envied Gewen and Edgar who had many siblings. Their lives seemed so wholesome.

But when Emmelyn said 'three kids' and looked so adamant about it, Mars wanted to know the reason. Why not one or two, and why not more than three?

"Well... I grew up with many siblings," Emmelyn finally shared a little bit about her childhood. After being together for three months, this was the first time that she talked to him about her family. "So, I know how it feels to be in a family with a lot of children."

So, Mars gave her his undivided attention. Inwardly, he was so happy. This seemed like really good progress.

After all this time, she was finally willing to open up.