Seeing his wife sad, Mars sighed again. He had tried to coax her and make her see his perspective. This was his duty and responsibility, and she should learn to understand it.

Mars would become the king in the future and Emmelyn his queen. She must be able to act like a queen of this empire and support her husband in doing his duties to the country and the people.

This would be a good opportunity to learn.

"I promise, this is the last time I would ever leave you," Mars said to her. "And I will be here before Harlow is born. I will not miss the birth of our first child."

Emmelyn was silent for a long time.

She didn't know what else to say. It looked like Mars had everything figured out and he wouldn't want to listen to her protest. He just wanted to inform her, not asking for her agreement.

Now, it was up to her to manage her reaction. This was not something she could have a say or control over. Mars was her husband, but he was also the crown prince of Draec and his parents' son.

He had a responsibility to them, not just to her and their child. That's why he made this decision. As an outsider, Emmelyn knew her place. She must not hold him back. 

It would be bad for her husband's reputation if the public knew that Emmelyn wrapped him around her fingers and made him do whatever she told him to do.

She remembered the incident two days ago when Mars went down on his knees before Killian and apologized so that Killian would release Emmelyn from hostage. There were so many people present who witnessed what happened.

It was already bad that the crown prince loved his wife too much, that he would do anything for her. Many people would think he was weak, and it would be bad for his reputation.

Maybe people could brush it off if it was a one-time occurrence and it was obvious that Emmelyn's life was in danger. But they wouldn't be so understanding the next time around.

"Honey... are you okay?" 

Finally, after a long while, Mars became worried. Emmelyn still didn't say anything and she had stopped eating. Now, the prince felt bad that their beautiful day that was filled with happiness and lovemaking earlier seemed ruined by the discussion they were having now.

Emmelyn shook her head and forced a smile. "I am not okay, but I understand why you have to do it. I just feel sad that you won't be here with me for a long time."

"I plan to ask my mother to take you to the royal palace," Mars said. "What do you think? Would you like to stay in my old chamber in the palace before I moved here? That way, you can be close to my mother... You know how much she adores you."

"She does?" Emmelyn looked at her husband deeply. Somehow it was so hard to believe that the queen of Draec Kingdom adored her.

Mars must be exaggerating it. The queen didn't even know who Emmelyn really was.

Or did she?

"She loves you like the daughter she never has," Mars replied. "She told me she really likes you and she is very happy that I have found the woman of my dreams."

Emmelyn's cheeks blushed when she heard his sincere words. So, to him, she was the woman of his dreams? How beautiful!

"But... your mother doesn't know who I am.. If she knew I came to the capital with the sole intention to kill you, she must hate me..." said Emmelyn haltingly.

Mars chuckled when he saw her doubt. "No, sweetheart. She doesn't hate you. She never will."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because she is my mother and I have known her for more than 27 years. Basically, my whole life." He smiled reassuringly. "My mother really likes you. I have told her everything about you when we first came to visit her to have tea together in the royal palace. Do you still remember that day?"

Emmelyn was stunned when she heard him. 

Wait.. what?

That was a long time ago!

Her eyes went round when the information slowly sank in and then realization dawned on her.

So.. did this mean, the queen actually had known who Emmelyn really was, from... the beginning? Yet.. Queen Elara still treated her with kindness and warmth every time they met?

Emmelyn felt so touched when she finally understood that the queen did truly like her and care about her. She remembered that day vividly now. The queen hugged her so warmly and treated her like her own daughter.

Even her mother never acted so lovingly and warm to her, the way Queen Elara did.

"I-I.. didn't know that," she whispered. "Why didn't you ever tell me that she knew?"

What a dream mother-in-law to have!

Emmelyn felt so lucky to have Queen Elara as her mother-in-law. She was so kind and loving, that now Emmelyn felt Queen Elara's presence could make up what she lacked from her biological mother.

Mars cleared his throat. "Well... you and I were not in a good place for a long time, so I couldn't really share everything with you. Back then, you were so focused on our enmity, because we were enemies."

Emmelyn sighed. Mars was right. The man had admitted that he had fallen in love with her from the beginning, but it was Emmelyn who was stubborn and took a long time, to be honest with her own feelings for him.

She was very hostile and cold to him in the first few months of their agreement. Even though he was so kind to her and doted on her, Emmelyn steeled her heart and didn't want to open the door for him to enter and ask for forgiveness.

"Uhm.. you are right," Emmelyn lowered her head. She was hostile and cold, but Mars and the queen kept treating her with kindness.

That was one of the reasons that the ice in her heart slowly melted and she now could accept their love and welcome them into her life.

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