"Good morning, Your Grace," Horatio greeted Emmelyn after she walked out of her chamber, followed by Mars who was carrying Harlow in his arms.
The little girl actually could already walk on her own but her father decided to carry her most of the time because they were almost always in a hurry.
Today, they were not in a hurry, but Mars still preferred to have Harlow close to him. It was easier to keep an eye on her if she was latched on him, right?
This palace was a new place for them and he didn't want Harlow to stumble across dangerous people or go to the forbidden territory if he lost her out of his sight.
With Harlow, you just never know. Actually, it's the same for any toddler. You couldn't let them out of your sight even for two seconds.
"Good morning, Horatio," Emmelyn greeted the royal butler with a smile. "Has Max- I mean, His Majesty woke up?"
Horatio nodded. "Yes. He woke up really early today and head straight to the mountain. He asked me to convey his message to you."
"Oh, he did?" Emmelyn wondered what made Maxim leave his residence so early. It was only 8 am now. So, what was so important that he had to go in a rush like that?
"Yes, Your Grace. You and your family are welcomed in Castilse and you can have everything in the royal palace at your disposal. The king has told us to do whatever you asked of us and provide anything you need during your stay and he apologized because he couldn't stay with you during your visit."
"Oh, that's wonderful, but why did he say such a thing? Won't he be back to see us?" Emmelyn asked haltingly. She had a hunch that Maxim intentionally left to avoid her.
The man did the mandatory dinner together and met Mars and Emmelyn so that she could properly introduce the two men, just to give face to Emmelyn.
After it was done, Maxim didn't want to stay around and pretend that he was fine seeing the woman he loved and her husband looking like the happy couple they were.
It was better to keep his distance and save himself from further pain and heartbreak.
Emmelyn and Mars looked at each other and immediately realized the same thing. Emmelyn felt sorry for her friend but she knew there was nothing she could do.
She had prepared to act casual toward her husband around Maxim and everyone in the royal palace. Back in Draec, they could be lovey-dovey again, but here, she should mind Maxim's feelings.
However, apparently, the king of Summeria decided that he better left. This actually made Mars start to feel a bit of respect for his former competition.
He realized what Maxim was trying to do and the man knew he was just lucky that he was in the right place and at the right time that he could end up with Emmelyn, and make this wonderful woman his wife.
"Very well. Please tell his Majesty that we are thankful for his hospitality," Mars spoke with a smile, on behalf of the two of them. "We are waiting for our people to come here from Astland. After they arrive, we will head straight home. What do you suggest us to do while we stay in Castilse in the meantime?"
Horatio smiled broadly. "Ahh... His Majesty already tasked me to plan activities for your family, Your Grace. We can sightsee the villages around the capital, have a picnic by the lake to the south of Castilse, and then some visits to the Archelaus Library, see the university, city tour around historical buildings in Castilse - we do have a very rich history... And many more."
"Sounds good," Mars nodded happily. He made a mental note to write a thank you letter to Maxim before he went back to Draec. The king of Summeria surely knew how to treat his guests well.
"Well, now, would you like to have breakfast?" Horatio offered.
"Yes, thank you."
"Come this way."
The little family followed the butler to the smaller dining room where the king usually had his meal when he was not hosting feasts for guests or important state officials. Food was served and they ate peacefully together.
Emmelyn kept looking at Harlow in awe when the little girl was eating soft food with the help of her father. It felt surreal that her baby, who was very small and wrinkly when she left, was now chubby, cute, and had such a big personality.
Harlow could already speak although some words still sounded like gibberish. She smiled a lot and obviously looked like a happy child.
The way she ate voraciously was the same as what Emmelyn remembered, and this made her smile and swoon throughout breakfast.
"Harlow, what food do you like most?" Emmelyn decided to ask her daughter, to bond with Harlow. The baby looked up to her and then looked at her father.
She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes, showing a thinking mode, which looked so freaking adorable that Emmelyn wanted to pinch her cheeks many times.
She had to exert all her willpower not to pinch Harlow's chubby cheeks and kiss her until she was red.
Gosh... Emmelyn couldn't believe she made this baby.
"Yes." Harlow finally replied and smiled broadly, showing her eight pearly white teeth.
Mars cleared his throat and replied on behalf of their daughter. "She meant to say she likes all food. This baby here is a foodie. Ever since she could eat food other than milk, we have given her all kinds of food, the soft version, of course, and she never once seemed to dislike anything."
"Oh wow..." Emmelyn was very happy to hear this. "That's wonderful."
"Yeah... I told you, she is like you," Mars said with a smile. "Only her face takes after me, but in regards to her personality, her love for food, and everything else... she is just like you."
Emmelyn felt all warm and fuzzy in her heart when she heard his words.
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From Missrealitybites:
More chapters are coming today.
Btw, if you want to know more about what happened to Maxim after he let go of Emmelyn, you should head to "The Cursed King" and read his story with Elise Leoralei.
We already have 237 chapters there, so you can already binge-read it.