Mars chuckled when he heard Gewen's words. "You make it sound like I am sacrificing myself to the devil by getting married."
"It's your words, not mine," Gewen replied smugly.
After being friends with the crown prince for over two decades, he had never seen him this happy. So, actually, secretly Gewen was wondering if falling in love with a woman and getting married to her would give a man that much happiness.
He had never been in love and he thought all the physical pleasure he had enjoyed from being with so many beautiful women was the ultimate goal in life.
However, now he started to doubt himself. Maybe, if he could feel what his friend was feeling, he would really know. That's why he was happy to see Mars find a woman to love that he could share his life with.
If Mars and Emmelyn's marriage truly make the crown prince happy and content, then.. maybe... just maybe, Gewen would try to open his mind to love and marriage.
Mayyyybe....
That's why he said Mars took one for the team.
Emmelyn rolled her eyes when she heard Gewen's words. Gosh, this womanizer was too much, she thought.
She felt like smacking his head with the flowers in her hand, but she held back and faked a smile, like the princess that she was.
"Lord Gewen, you are so funny," she said, holding back an eye-roll.
"Ahahaha.. I hope Your Highness knows that I was joking," Gewen quickly replied. "I mean.. congratulations! I wish you both everlasting happiness and many chubby and healthy children."
"Why, thank you," Emmelyn replied. Mars just smiled to see their banter.
"Okay, let's celebrate and go crazy!" Lily shouted with a joyful expression. "The kids will need to sleep soon, so we better start now."
"Yes, let's go. The cooks have been cooking delicious dishes for the feast," Athos replied. He made a sign for everyone to follow him enter the castle. They all nodded and decided to walk inside.
Athos offered to take Jorei from his wife's arms so she could take Louis and Loran by the hands and took them in.
"Thank you," Lily said with a smile. She planted a kiss on Athos' cheek after she gave him their baby. She then turned her attention to her older sons and reached their hands. "Come on, boys! We need to celebrate your uncle's wedding!"
***
Athos was right when he said his cooks had been working hard to prepare sumptuous dishes. In the massive dining hall with several long tables, there was one table decorated with beautiful flowers and goldwares.
As soon as they sat on their respective chairs, servants came and delivered dishes after dishes for them.
Since Mars told Athos in his letter how much Emmely loved rabbit meat and glow wine, the governor made a specific instruction to his cooks to prepare both things for the feast.
"Aww.. they have all my favorite foods," Emmelyn gushed when she saw the plates filled with several familiar dishes. Suddenly she was feeling so hungry.
Earlier today she and Lily only grabbed quick bites for lunch because they had to prepare her for the wedding. Now, she couldn't wait to eat a lot.
"Yeah, your husband told us what you like to eat," Lily said with a wink. "He is so thoughtful and caring."
Emmelyn's heart felt so warm when she heard Lily addressed Mars as her husband. Gosh.. this felt so unreal!
Now, the handsome man that made her heart flutter was officially her husband? She felt so lucky!
Maybe this was the compensation for her bad luck throughout the years. She had lost her family and her land, but now she was compensated with a new family who loved her and adored her, and a kingdom tens of times bigger than Wintermere.
She turned to Mars who was sitting beside her and looked at the man in adoration. Her eyes were gleaming with tears again as she spoke with a hoarse voice. "Thank you so much. You always make sure I am well cared for. I am so lucky to have you in my life..."
"The feeling is mutual, Honey..." Mars took her hand under the table and squeezed it gently. His other hand wiped her eyes with the handkerchief she placed in front of her. He mouthed his words when he was done. "I love you."
This was the happiest day for both of them.
Mars and Emmelyn kept holding hands under the table until, finally, Athos made a sign that the feast started and they had to eat.
"Enjoy the food, everyone!" he said.
The feast was really enjoyable. They ate and talked merrily. It was a good opportunity for Lily and Athos to get to know Emmelyn, and she to get to know Mars's side of the family.
Athos and Edgar already knew who Emmelyn really was, but Lily and Gewen only found out that Emmelyn was a princess from Wintermere when Mars explained to them the reason why he and Emmelyn decided to marry in secret.
"Yeah.. at the moment, not only it was to repel any unwanted scrutiny from certain people, but I also need to do it to make sure that my father will be able to accept Emmelyn into the family," he added. "You know how my father used the same trick to make my grandfather accept my mother, right?"
Everyone present had heard the story and they all nodded. Now they could see how Mars and Emmelyn getting married to solidify their relationship was a really good idea.
They knew King Jared well and understood that he was quite paranoid when it came to his family's safety. Having a princess from one of their colonies disguised and tried to kill his son wouldn't sit well with him.
It would need a lot for Mars to convince his father to accept Emmelyn to be his wife. Even having a child together might not be enough.
That's why, if he chose this route, something that his father himself took when he was fighting for his love for Elara, King Jared might be more understanding.
"I hope everything will turn out well for you two," Lily commented.
Tonight, she saw Emmelyn in a new light. Apparently, Emmelyn's story was really not simple, she thought.
After Lily heard that the girl had lost everything due to the invasion that Draec had been doing, Lily felt more sympathetic for Emmelyn.
If only her own father didn't choose the way of peace, Lily might suffer the same fate as Emmelyn now, and what's worse, she might have never met her dear husband, Athos, and have their wonderful sons.
"Thank you," Emmelyn replied with a low voice.
She actually didn't like that they talked about her family during this supposedly happy dinner. She still felt sad for losing her family, and also felt guilty to them for marrying the enemy.
Even if she tried to get rid of the guilt, it was still very hard to do. Maybe, she would get used to it after years. But now, she felt like she was sacrificing her family for her own gain.
However, Emmelyn understood why Mars explained their situation to Athos, Lily, and his two friends. She knew why they had to know. So, Mars could ensure their loyalty and support when the time came to reveal this secret to his parents and the public.
When Mars saw her mood turn gloomy quickly changed the subject. He already explained everything that needed explaining. So, now, he wanted them to just enjoy the feast and celebrate his and Emmelyn's happy day.
"Thank you Athos and Lily for being such good hosts, and thank you Edgar and Gewen for being the best friends any man could ever wish for," Mars said when he raised his glass. He turned to Emmelyn and smiled. "And thank you to this beautiful woman who has accepted me for who I am and promised to stay by my side forever. I love you, Sweetheart."
Emmelyn nodded weakly. She was too moved to say anything.
Mars continued his words and turned to everyone, "I will always remember this moment as the best day of my life so far. Thank you!"
"Cheers!" They all responded by clinking their glasses.
Dinner was a blast and as they finally ended the feast, everyone was full and happy. Some were even tipsy.
"The kids are sleepy," Lily said to end the feast. "I have to call it a night."
"We have to rest too," Edgar nodded. He glanced at the newlyweds and added, "And we also need to let them have their private moment. Ahem."
Mars chuckled. He didn't reply to Edgar's words, but he appreciated his friend being considerate.
"Okay, good night, everyone. Have a good rest," Lily hugged Emmelyn one more time then she took her sons to their chamber to sleep. Athos followed suit with the youngest one.
"Good night!" Emmelyn replied.
She and Mars exchanged glances.
"Lily said, after tonight you will move to my chamber," Mars said. "I don't know what they did with it, but this afternoon they didn't allow me to enter, saying they were preparing it to be fit for a wedding chamber."
Emmelyn smiled sheepishly when she heard him.
"Shall we go and look?" She asked.
"Yes, let's go!" Mars replied. He picked her up from the ground and carried her, princess-style in his arms, and whispered, "Let me carry you, my dear wife, to our bridal chamber. You are not to walk on our first night together as husband and wife."