Everyone in the room was very interested to hear about what Ellena and Mars agreed on six years ago. The king looked at Mars with a questioning expression. He wasn't surprised to know that his son made such an agreement.
King Jared knew Mars was a devoted son to their family and he was loyal to their kingdom.
Seeing that his chance of getting the curse broken was slim after two decades of his father's effort, he must have taken that decision, to prevent civil war and power struggle.
If people were fighting over the throne once Mars got old, then all King Jared's efforts would be in vain.
He worked so hard for the past two decades to unite the whole continent under their wing, to prepare for the great war.
Mars wouldn't let the empire crumble under his leadership. So, it was understandable that he would ask his friend, Ellena to be his nominal wife, so they could pretend to have a family and a son that would continue the Strongmoor family's lineage.
When Ellena said yes, she also sacrificed her own happiness. She would throw away the opportunity to marry another man and build her own family.
All for a friend?
King Jared and Queen Ellena both agreed internally that the only reason Ellena would agree to it was because she loved their son.
This was something that only love could do.
Queen Ellena pressed her lips as she turned to her son and asked him with her eyes, what he would do with Ellena.
The queen knew that Mars was in love with another woman, and that woman was now carrying his offspring. Only King Jared was unaware of Mars' real feelings.
He asked his son probingly, "So, is that true?"
Mars nodded. "That is true, Your Majesty."
Lady Preston quickly rose from her seat and bowed down to the monarchs. "Your Majesty, my niece had gone through so much because she is devoted to the crown prince. I believe now that His Highness is no longer cursed, and he could get married for real, we should let the crown prince find a wife and build a family. It will dispel all rumors once and for all. And he can secure the power within the Strongmoor family."
The king was not dumb. He knew exactly what Lady Preston was hinting at.
Now that Mars was no longer cursed, thanks to Ellena, and added to the fact that he did agree with the girl to make her his nominal wife, wouldn't it be the logical thing to do to let him marry Ellena?
Their family could pay their debt to Ellena and at the same time secure the family lineage.
However, wasn't that other girl already pregnant? What should the prince do with her and her baby?
Meanwhile, Mars was deep in hs thoughts. He knew the reason why Ellena went to find the witch and begged her to lift her curse from him. Ellena loved him.
When she knew Mars wanted her to be his nominal wife, she decided that she would do whatever it takes to help him. So, they could be real husband and wife.
Ellena didn't want him to adopt his nephew to pose as their child. She wanted to bear him offsprings that would become his heirs. She wanted to be his wife truly and completely...
Only love could make her do what she did.
Five years ago, Mars was shocked to find Ellena suddenly went missing. He knew what she wanted to do, but he never thought she would succeed. And after she was missing for years, Mars thought Ellena didn't make it and died somewhere unknown.
The prince had mourned for her and his heart was filled with guilt for years.
Now, just when he had moved on and was happy with Emmelyn, Ellena came back from the past and haunted him with her presence and the agreement they made six years ago.
What should he do?
How should he tread on this delicate situation?
Ellena didn't know that Mars was in love with Emmelyn, and they were expecting their first child together.
The queen knew Mars loved Emmelyn and wanted to have his forever with her and their future children.
The king only knew Mars was using the girl to get an heir.
Emmelyn didn't know the truth about Ellena. How would she respond if Mars told her everything? Their relationship was really, really new and it was weaved in an unusual circumstance.
Emmelyn finally forgave him and his family. She was willing to accept him, after all the grudge and pain she was having for her family's demise.
How could he drop this bomb all of a sudden?
Not only it would jeopardize their brand new relationship, but he was so worried to give her unnecessary stress.
Didn't Mr. Vitas warn him to take care of Emmelyn's health? She had a weak heart for heaven's sake!
Mars was in a big dilemma.
If he had to choose which side to offend in unfavorable situations, he would always choose to stay on Emmelyn's side and offend anyone in a heartbeat.
However... he was now worried that Ellena would be heartbroken if he flat out rejected her, in front of everyone.
If there was one thing he learned from his family's history, it was that they shouldn't offend women who were close to them.
Ellena was staying with the witch for four years. Who could tell the extent of their relationship?
What if... Ellena could ask the witch to hurt Emmelyn and their baby if Mars broke her heart?
Mars felt guilty for even thinking that way about Ellena, his good friend. However, Ellena was gone for years and things had changed. People could change in five years.
Was she still the same girl from before who cared about him and would only want him to be happy?
Would Ellena become furious if Mars told her that he was in love with another girl and wanted to marry her and made her his queen?
The king turned to Lady Preston with a displeased expression. He knew Lady Preston was smart and she was close to his wife. She was also Ellena's aunt, who had done a great service to the kingdom by having the witch lift her curse.
However, he wouldn't allow her to act presumptuously before him, the great Draec's monarch.
"Lady Preston, I am not asking for your opinion," the king said in a stern voice. His words immediately made the woman squirm. She quickly dropped herself to the floor and begged forgiveness.
"I am so, sorry, Your Majesty. I will not say a word from now on."
Ellena quickly helped her aunt get up and bowed down to the king over and over again. "Please forgive my aunt, Your Majesty. She loves me too much and always looks out for my happiness. I am very blessed to have her as my mother after my parents passed away when I was little. Please don't punish her... I beg you."
Since Ellena begged him, the king had no choice but to dismiss Lady Preston and motioned her to go back to her seat. Now, he turned to his son and asked his opinion.
"Son, what do you want to say about this?" His voice was filled with sympathy.
All eyes were now fixed on the crown prince.
They easily assumed that he would just say that he would marry Ellena.
Problems solved.
They were childhood friends turn into lovers, weren't they?
All would be well.