"I like it," Emmelyn said with a hoarse voice. "It sounds really nice,"
Today, the couple felt how much their child became so real to them, even though Mars and Emmelyn had not seen it with their own eyes. They could already feel it, and now they also had a name for it.
Harlow Strongmoor. Such a wonderful name!
They couldn't wait to meet Harlow.
"Harlow…" Mars lowered his head to touch Emmelyn's tummy and whispered the name gently. "Harlow… We love you."
Maybe it was pure coincidence, maybe the baby could really hear him, but suddenly Emmelyn's stomach moved again.
"Whoa…" Mars chuckled and looked up to Emmelyn. "It looks like Harlow likes the name."
Emmelyn nodded with a smile. "I think so too."
Mars raised his head and kissed her lips tenderly.
He didn't know how else he could show that he loved her so much. He was grateful to have her in his life.
He had said to her 'I love you's so many times. He provided everything she had ever needed. He made her the queen in his castle and even gave her the keys to his treasure chest.
Yet, somehow, he still felt he had not done enough to show how much she meant to him.
"Thank you," Mars said after their kiss ended. He touched her cheek and looked into her eyes. "Thank you for coming into my life… and for giving me Harlow."
Emmelyn nodded and hugged him, as she whispered, "I love you."
Mars hugged her back and rubbed her hair lovingly. It felt so good to be able to hug her like this, he thought.
Mars and Emmelyn were very happy with what happened today. Despite the circumstances, they got to experience another milestone in their journey to become parents.
Mr. Vitas had confirmed that Emmelyn's pregnancy was healthy. Mars also had finally found the light at the end of the tunnel regarding the witch's whereabouts. It was only a matter of time until they could end this war with Mrs. Morelli and kill her.
It was true that he lost Ellena as a friend, but at least she didn't end up dying. Maybe someday, years from now, she could forgive him for choosing Emmelyn and rekindle their friendship.
And who knows, maybe Ellena would finally meet a man and fall in love with him, and then moved on from Mars.
People said time would heal everything. Now, they just needed to wait and live their lives to the fullest, until someday, time healed all broken hearts and fixed the broken relationships.
Maybe, breaking off the friendship with Ellena was for the best.
Right now, Mars was a married man. He shouldn't be too close to another woman who was not his wife. It would become a recipe for disaster. Especially because Ellena had feelings for him, and Emmelyn obviously disliked that woman.
"Do you want to have lunch?" Emmelyn asked Mars a while later. "I am hungry."
As she was eating for two, she became hungry easily. Especially after the intercourse they had just now, she felt tired and hungry.
"Yes, sure," Mars said. He climbed down the bed and cleaned up, then he helped his wife get dressed again. The bed looked messy, and they could smell love scent in the air.
Thinking about what they just did, made his heart feel warm. It was really nice that they could still show love and affection intimately during this situation.
Mars could see that Emmelyn look fresher and happier than she was before. Maybe she felt loved and cared for by him, so now her mood turned better.
When they reached the dining room, two servants welcomed them with respect. They prepared the table for lunch and, soon, the couple was sitting side by side, facing a table filled with sumptuous dishes.
Mars and Emmelyn ate lunch to replenish energy after their lovemaking earlier. The day felt better after they vented their frustration and sadness by doing something that could make them feel joy amidst their situation.
After her heart felt calmer and she could think again, Emmelyn decided to ask Mars about Ellena. She wanted to know what happened to her and what they should do going forward.
Mars actually didn't want to make Emmelyn worried, but he also didn't want to lie to her. So he tried to explain what happened at the Preston's mansion without revealing things that would make her upset.
For example, he wouldn't share the fact that Ellena sacrificed her heart as collateral to make the wich lift her curse on Mars.
He knew Emmelyn and he suspected that his wife wouldn't want to owe anything to Ellena since she hated Ellena to the core.
He also wouldn't tell Emmelyn that he had a big fight with his father regarding her. It was all because of Ellena. She was really smart, that she could guess the fact how Emmelyn came to the capital under disguise as a man and tried to kill Mars.
Her aunt or uncle might have spread the information to the royal palace and that was how King Jared got wind of the truth about Emmelyn and Mars's relationship.
"Ellena is going to be fine," Mars said. "She was so mad at me for choosing you and decided to break off our friendship. I can't blame her…"
Emmelyn furrowed her brows when she heard him. Ellena broke off her friendship with Mars?
Really?
How nice!
Secretly Emmelyn was very happy because Ellena was the one who decided to leave and cut ties with her husband.
Maybe she finally came to her senses and understood that it was in vain to hope for a man to love her back.
How would she expect Mars to return her feelings when he had never felt any romantic attraction to her even after spending so many years together?
"So, she will never see you again?" Emmelyn asked carefully. "What did she say exactly?"
She was happy, but she didn't want to rain on his parade. She knew Mars was a loyal friend.
Even though she hated Ellena to the core, she knew Mars must still care about that childhood friend of his. Especially since he felt like he owed something to Ellena for her efforts in getting the curse lifted.
"She said she was hurt and think we should never see each other again," Mars responded. "My father also managed to force her to reveal the witch's location. So, we will soon go there and find the witch, to settle this problem once and for all."
"Oh.. is that so?" Emmelyn pressed her lips in surprise. She was so happy to hear this particular news. After Ellena left, the only thing that worried her was the witch.
If Mars could really kill the witch, then finally, they could live happily ever after. Emmelyn could be sure that nothing bad would happen to their baby. She could give birth to Harlow safely. Then, they would raise their child and give it a happy family.
Who knows, maybe they could have more children and filled their home with so much love and laughter.
All these thoughts made her heart feel so joyful. She almost felt consoled for Killian's death. Hmm… maybe, if they had a son after Harlow, she could suggest naming him Killian.
Killian was the only brother who was close to her and he died to ensure Emmelyn was safe in the enemy's den. She really wanted to remember her brother that way, so Killian would never be forgotten.
"Yes. We are now waiting for the arrival of Draec's greatest wizard before we set off to find the witch," Mars said. "I am sure, with Elmer on our side, and knowing where the witch lives, we can easily kill her and end this misery."
"That's a relief…" Emmelyn sighed. Her face was beaming with happiness. "So, when do you think Elmer will arrive?"
"He lives quite far from here. So, maybe he will be here next week," Mars said. "That's why I decided to take a one-week break while waiting for him. I want to spend it with you and Harlow."
Emmelyn who was raising her teacup to her lips, suddenly halted her movement when she heard him. Her brows furrowed. Suddenly she thought of something.
"You.. want to spend this week with me? Does that mean, next week you will go with Elmer to chase the witch?" Emmelyn asked him with an urgent tone. "Is that right?"
Mars swallowed. He wanted to wait to tell her about it, but apparently, she was just too smart and could make her own conclusion.
Yes, she was right. After Elmer arrived in Draec, Mars would go with him to Shadowend to meet the witch and kill her.
