"Yes, we would love to have you. Official or not. Our home is open," Mars added to his wife's invitation. He felt grateful for the good reception he experience in Castilse even though he knew Maxim didn't like him. 

The king of Summeria truly set aside his personal feelings and decided to welcome Emmelyn's family and friends because of his friendship with her.

"Thank you. I will not make promises, but I will do my best," Maxim replied out of politeness. 

They finally finished dinner and chit chat. Then, it was time to rest and get ready for the long journey the next day.

"Honey, can you stay with Harlow and put her to bed tonight? I want to spend a bit of more time with Loriel here," Mars told Emmelyn after they all rose from their seats, ready to call it a night. 

He handed over Harlow to his wife. The baby was dozing off with her head falling to the sides over and over again. She tried to open her eyes with difficulty and reached out her hands to cling on to Mars, but finally, drowsiness won and she fell asleep.

Emmelyn chuckled when she saw her daughter looking so adorable, she wanted to bite Harlow's plump cheeks. When she received the baby, she let out a gasp. Harlow was so heavy.

Emmelyn realized she had never carried this little girl and was surprised to see how big and heavy she was now.

"Are you okay?" Mars asked his wife who was in a daze, looking at Harlow in her arms. "She is quite heavy. Perhaps, Gewen can help carry her to her chamber."

Before Mars turned to Gewen to ask for his help, Emmelyn quickly shook her head. "No, it's fine. She is heavy, but nothing I cannot manage. I am not that weak, okay?"

Mars smiled and touched her cheek dotingly. "I know you are not really weak, but you were sick for a long time and now are still in recovery. It's common to feel weak in this condition."

"Ahaha... it's fine. I will take her and stay with her to make sure she sleeps well. And then I will see you afterward..." Emmelyn kissed Mars on the cheek, and then turned to see Maxim. "Thank you for everything, Max. Have a pleasant evening."

"Good night, Em," Maxim smiled and nodded. 

He saw Emmelyn and her friends leave the banquet hall with a wine cup in his hand until they disappeared from view. Then, he turned to Mars who was standing next to him empty-handed. He motioned Horatio to pour wine into another goblet and served it to his guest.

"Long day tomorrow," Maxim commented.

Mars received the wine goblet and nodded. "Indeed."

"I will send word to all kings under my colony to give you assistance during the travel. You will all have the most pleasant journey," Maxim said.

"I really appreciate it," Mars replied. Their journey was long and arduous because it involved a lot of negotiation and sometimes even battles here and there in order to march forward.

So, with only around 500 men in his group, if Maxim didn't give him the free pass, Mars expected to face problems either from the lesser kings of Summerian colonies or robbers and thugs.

Not that Mars didn't trust the capabilities of his people, but if they could travel without worry, it would be better for his wife and daughter's wellbeing. So, he truly appreciated the gesture shown by his former competitor.

Mars sipped his wine and went to stand by the window. He could still see some lights outside from the sunset. From here, the view to the garden was so magnificent, that he wanted to appreciate the beauty while it lasted.

Maxim followed Mars and stood beside him. Both men were looking at the garden, filled with blooming flowers and the swans that were swimming happily in the lake.

For a moment, they didn't say anything, preoccupied with their own thoughts and also perhaps feeling enchanted by the beauty around them.

"This is such a lovely home," Mars suddenly said. "I hope you will find a good woman to fill this home with love after you move on from the past."

He said those words in a sincere tone. Now that he was happy with Emmelyn and felt secure about their relationship, he also wished the same for Maxim.

He thought the Summerian king was basically a good man.  Maxim just needed the right woman to anchor his heart and build a family together.

Being a family man himself, Mars had felt how wholesome it was to be with the woman he loved and raised their daughter together.

Maxim chuckled when he heard those sincere words uttered. He knew Mars meant what he said. So, he didn't respond bitterly or negate what he said.

The young king only nodded. "Thank you. Actually, after you leave, I will prepare my own wedding. I didn't tell Em about it because I think she would oppose it and make my life difficult."

"Huh?" Mars turned to look at Maxim. His brows furrowed in confusion. Why would his wife oppose Maxim's wedding? He asked the man to clarify what he meant. "So, you have met your future wife? Why would Emmelyn oppose your wedding?"

Mars was very smart. He suddenly sensed that there was something that Emmelyn might not know and Maxim intentionally kept from her. Did it have anything to do with the fact that her curse was lifted?

Maxim was not one to beat around the bush and was not especially into drama or self-pity. He was over that. So, he explained to Mars briefly about what happened.

"I was betrothed to the princess from Myreen since I was a child. My mother and her mother were best friends and they vowed to bind our families in marriage. As you might have already heard, the monarchs of Myreen are from a powerful wizard family. So, my mother's friend, the late queen of Myreen was also a powerful witch."

Mars looked at Maxim intensely. He suddenly had a suspicion about the origin of the curse that befell Emmelyn, but he wanted to hear about it directly from Maxim's lips.

.

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***************

From Missrealitybites:

Yes, so, Maxim finally came clean to Mars. What do you think Mars' reaction would be?

1. Feel angry because Maxim is the root cause of Emmelyn's suffering

2.. Feel sympathy because it's not Maxim's fault but now he had to pay the price too.

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