Doctor Vitas sensed something was not right from the atmosphere in the room. He noticed that the prince was really excited, but his woman looked a bit dejected. What was going on?
Didn't they want this baby?
However, he knew his place as a mere royal physician and didn't say anything about it. Doctor Vitas tried to not show his confusion and just scribbled some notes on a sheet of paper.
"These are things to avoid, and things to eat so the baby can grow healthy." After he was done writing, he gave the note to the crown prince. "Should I tell the king and queen about this good news, or will Your Highness tell them in person?"
Mars quickly shook his head. "No, let me be the one to break the news to my parents. Thank you so much for coming today and check on Em's health. I am very happy to receive the news. I want to share this happiness with my mother and father properly. I don't want them to hear this from other people."
"Ah, I see." Doctor Vitas nodded in understanding. "That's a good idea. I won't say a word to them."
"Thank you. Also, please don't say about Em's pregnancy to anyone, not just my parents. News travels fast. I want to be the person to tell them about this."
"Noted, Your Highness."
"You can take your leave."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Doctor Vitas collected his stuff and then bowed down to Mars and Emmelyn. "Congratulations once again. Please take care of your health. Goodbye."
Once the old doctor was gone, Mars quickly grabbed Emmelyn's waist and lifted her to the air. He didn't care about her less-than-enthusiastic manner. He carried her princess style and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you so much," he whispered in a hoarse voice. "I will take care of you and help make sure the pregnancy will be smooth sailing."
Emmelyn's heart ached for the man. Mars seemed genuinely happy about her pregnancy and it broke her heart not being able to share his happiness.
She kept telling herself, it's just a job. She shouldn't let herself fall even deeper and get to the abyss. If she swayed, there would be no going back.
Mars finally put her down on the sofa and crouched down to hug her knees. His eyes were filled with longing.
Emmelyn could only force a smile to see him that way. Deep inside, she was fighting back tears.
"I know it doesn't show yet," Mars spoke in a hoarse voice. He was clearly overwhelmed by happiness. "But… you are carrying a life inside you. My child. I beg you to take care of yourself… so the baby will be fine."
Now, he no longer used the word 'our child', but 'my child', and this didn't escape Emmelyn's attention.
She didn't know why her chest suddenly felt pain when she heard him no longer talk about the child as theirs.
"Okay.." was all Emmelyn could say.
Mars let out a sigh of relief. "Well, then… good. Does this mean, you agree not to go out and practice your sword with my men again?"
"What?" Emmelyn was surprised to hear his request. Of course, she would take care of her health. But he didn't need to ask her to stop doing things she loved!
"Only until you give birth to the baby," Mars pleaded, "I won't hold you back from doing the things you like. But you must understand how important this baby is to me. I cannot take any risk, no matter how minor."
"Oh…"
Emmelyn could see his earnest plea and didn't have the heart to say no.
Gosh.. why was she pregnant so soon? She just started to enjoy a better life in this castle, not being cooped up all the time inside.
"I promise to make it up to you," said Mars.
"How?" Emmelyn was disappointed, but she didn't argue. She knew how important this baby was to him.
"I will think of something. I am sure you will be happy with my compensation," replied the man.
Emmelyn sighed. "Okay."
"Thank you."
"When do you plan to tell your parents about this baby?" Emmelyn asked again.
"In a few days. In the royal ball. What do you think?"
"Hmm.. okay," Emmelyn agreed.
"My mother will be very happy." Mars was all smiles now.
Emmelyn suddenly remembered that she lied to the queen when they met. She claimed to be the daughter of a prostitute in a brothel in Glendale. Would the queen really feel okay, having a grandchild from a lowly prostitute?
"Tell me the truth. How did your mother think about me?" Emmelyn urged. "Is she really going to be happy to have her grandchild being born from a lowly woman?"
Mars coughed a little and put on his acting skills to good use again. "She doesn't care about you. She only wants her grandchild. I am sure she will love my child unconditionally."
Finally, Emmelyn felt relieved. She didn't want the queen to treat her child badly just because Emmelyn lied about her identity and status.
Now that she knew the queen would love this baby unconditionally, Emmelyn could leave them without so much regret.
"Okay. How do you feel now? Do you want anything? Do you want to rest? Do you feel any discomfort?" Mars got up and sat beside her. "Let me know if there is anything I can do for you."
"Tch…" Emmelyn rolled her eyes. "I'm just pregnant, okay? I'm not disabled or sick."
"I know that. But Doctor Vitas explained that pregnant women will experience so many changes in their bodies and they can be uncomfortable. So, I just want to check with you, if there is anything that I can help you with."
Emmelyn looked at herself and furrowed her brows. "Hmm.. I think I'm fine. I only hate those fruits from yesterday. I will let you know if I experience anything out of the ordinary."
"Please do. I will take care of you and make sure everything is comfortable," Mars said.
Emmelyn looked away when she heard his earnest words. Fighting back her tears became more and more difficult to do.
