Maxim rose from his chair when Horatio announced the arrival of Emmelyn and Mars.
The king narrowed his eyes in annoyance when he realized Mars was carrying Emmelyn dotingly in his arms when they entered his private dining room.
It looked like a full display of affection to him and Maxim had to calm down his boiling heart.
He told himself it was because Emmelyn was still too weak to walk on her own, so Mars Strongmoor had to carry her like they were newlyweds who just entered their home for the first time.
"How are you?" Maxim greeted Emmelyn politely.
Horatio quickly opened two chairs for Mars and Emmelyn. Mars gently put down his wife on one chair, across from Maxim and took the chair next to her.
Maxim sat back on his seat and sipped his wine to calm his nerves. He said in a flat tone, "You can sit on his lap if it's difficult to sit on your own."
Emmelyn coughed violently when she heard his sarcastic comment. She threw him a napkin. "Oh, shut up, Max. I couldn't walk, so he insisted on carrying me."
Mars was surprised to see his wife's attitude toward the king of Summeria. Emmelyn was so casual around King Loriel and still called him 'Maxim' in a private setting like this. It showed how close she was to Maxim.
Mars thought Emmelyn was such a wonderful woman who could make friends with people easily.
She could get along well with people from the lower class, like the cooks and those prostitutes in brothels, and also hang out with royalties and even kings. She was truly one-of-a-kind!
Maxim gave them a side-eye and complained openly, "You should have mercy on my poor soul here. I am not ready for dog food this soon."
Emmelyn lowered her head and said, "I'm sorry. Perhaps we can invite Kira to dine in together?"
Maxim winced at the mention of Kira. He shook his head in annoyance. "No."
Emmelyn didn't give up. "What about the prime minister's daughter? I heard from Kira that she came here often after you found your mother, to help around."
"Oh.. you mean, Lady Rose?" Maxim winced, "Nah. She just likes to do things to make herself useful around here. I will NOT ask her to dine in with me privately like this. She might get the wrong idea."
He added, "You could have brought Harlow. I don't mind having her here. This is a family-friendly dinner."
Maxim was being petty. Of course, if they brought Harlow, Mars would be too occupied by his daughter that he couldn't have time to display affection to Emmelyn.
"It's her already bedtime. She must sleep," Mars explained. "Can we start the dinner? I am very hungry."
"Oh, sorry for being such a bad host," Maxim chuckled. "We can start dinner. Horatio, please serve all the dishes and my special wine."
"Will do, Your Majesty," said Horatio. He bowed down respectfully and left the dining room to return five minutes later with a new jug of wine. Behind him, several servants walked along with trays in their hands, filled with sumptuous dishes.
They served delicious dishes for the king and his guests. Horatio stood by in the corner ready to serve more wine for the royalties after all the servants had left the dining room.
"Cheers for Emmelyn's health," Maxim raised his goblet, followed by Mars and Emmelyn. She had slowly regained her strength and didn't want to miss out on the good wine.
"Thank you," Emmelyn said. She sipped her wine and closed her eyes. It felt like heaven. She needed a good wine to unwind after everything that happened.
After they finished the starter and other small bites, she was pleasantly surprised to find the main course was grilled rabbit meat.
Mars noticed this too. He could see his wife's mouth turned watery. Ahh… he should have known that Emmelyn loved eating grilled rabbit. He made a mental note to prepare such dishes too, as soon as they arrived back in Draec.
"This is delicious," Emmelyn commented even before she tasted the food. She was ready to cut the meat with her knife, but before she did it, her plate was switched by Mars with his own. On his plate, the meat was already cut nicely into bite-sized chunks.
"You're still too weak to cut your own meat," the man said dotingly. He then took Emmelyn's plate and started eating. The woman was astonished. She didn't even realize Mars was cutting the meat on his plate earlier.
She looked at her new plate and the man alternately. Ahh… this was so nice.
"Thank you," she whispered sheepishly.
Mars nodded with a smile. "You are my wife. Of course, I have to take care of you."
Maxim almost choked on his wine. He regretted listening to Emmelyn's request earlier to have her and Mars for dinner. For what? So he and Mars could get to know each other? Did she naively think that Maxim and Mars could become friends?
Sigh.
After Emmelyn and Mars left Castilse, Maxim planned to cut ties with them. He didn't want Emmelyn to know that he lied to her about canceling his engagement with Elise.
If they stayed in touch, she would be confused when she found out Maxim would wed Elise in the next few months.
Emmelyn wouldn't like being lied to by Maxim, again.
No, it was better this way.
"You didn't take good care of your wife in the past," Maxim chided Mars. "I hope you can really cherish Emmelyn from now on and make sure she will lead a good and happy life."
Mars looked at the king of Summeria and replied firmly. "I know I've made a lot of mistakes and I will make up to Emmelyn for everything. I have vowed to devote my life to my wife from now on. I can assure you that I will care for her and protect her with my life."
Maxim rolled his eyes. "Talk is easy. I hope you will keep your promise, or else. I will not let my friend suffer again. Emmelyn knows that if she is wronged, she can always find a new home in Summeria."
He turned to Emmelyn and looked at her seriously.
Emmelyn nodded at his words. She knew Maxim was only looking out for her. So she thanked him, "I know. Thank you, Max."
.
.
***********
From Missrealitybites:
Sorry for posting only one chapter yesterday. I was suddenly feeling unwell and slept early.
I was trying this new place for takeaway and they had mojito with questionable ingredients, I think, since the taste was a bit funny. However, I am stingy and wouldn't throw away something I paid money for. So…
Anyway, I'll publish more today.. And we'll have many sweet moments between Mars and Em. xx
