The Cursed Prince

"What???" Everyone gasped in unison at that announcement. They couldn't believe the couple was blessed with another child so soon after they reunited.

Gewen raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat, obviously feeling pleased by the announcement. He said. "It looks like somebody had been working hard on the way here..."

The news elevated his mood greatly and his somber expression was slowly diminished. He looked at Harlow and winked at the little girl. "You will have a brother or sister soon."

Harlow's eyes bulged and she pressed her lips in excitement. "I will???"

"Yes, your parents just said so."

"Whoaaa...!!" Harlow looked so excited. She tilted her head to see Louis and said happily, "I? will have my own brothers."

The older boy nodded with a smile.

"You don't know if it's a brother or sister, yet," Gewen said. He rubbed the little girl's hair and then look at Emmelyn's still flat stomach, wondering how big was her fetus at this stage. Then, the corner of his eye caught sight of Kira who was sitting next to Emmelyn, on her other side.

Bitterness washed on him when he remembered he and Kira didn't work out. Secretly he was thinking about what would it feel like to have a child with Kira. Who their child would take after? Harlow took after Mars Strongmoor in appearance, but Emmelyn in personality, which in his opinion was the perfect blend.

If he and Kira had a child together, the best one would definitely be for the kid to take after Gewen in appearance and Kira in personality.

Wait... did he really want his child to grow up as a ruthless man or woman who was used to violence? Hmm... maybe he could break the cycle of violence if he raised the child in a warm and loving home, like his?

Gewen often thought about Kira's story of how she didn't have a mother and didn't even have a place to call home. Her life was shaped under a far less than ideal environment. She grew up seeing her father kill people in cold blood, pillage towns, and attack ships.

Perhaps, if she was given a chance to grow in a loving home, she wouldn't turn out like this? He didn't read much but Gewen heard about the difference between nature versus nurture. He was not sure if Kira's lifestyle was purely her nature.

It must be shaped by the nurture she experienced growing up. So, maybe...

Gewen narrowed his eyes and suddenly he pinched himself.

He didn't know why he would even think about it. There was no way he and Kira would have children together. She didn't even like him enough to be in a relationship with him. As for marriage? She would laugh on his face at the mention of it. Gewen was so certain.

"Oh, my gods... congratulations!!" Lily was the first to stand up and give Emmelyn the warmest hug. She was a mother of three herself and she found joy in her children.

She was truly happy for Emmelyn and Mars. Especially Emmelyn, because Lily understood how much it would mean to the young queen to experience motherhood properly. This time, nobody would take that away from her with their evil scheme. Ellena was dead, and so did the Prestons.

"Thank you," Emmelyn hugged Lily back. Then, she received the same hug from Clara, Kira, Edgar, and finally, Gewen.

"Congratulations," the handsome man said. Emmelyn furrowed her brows because she thought she heard Gewen's voice sound jealous. She stepped back and observed the man carefully. "Why do you look unhappy?"

"Huh? I am happy," Gewen said sheepishly. Dammit. Did it show that he was feeling jealous of Mars for having another kid so soon?

Suddenly Gewen felt out of place. He was now having dinner with his best friends and they were all with their spouses. Years ago, they were the pathetic ones. The prince couldn't touch any woman and the general was too stoic to ever have any relationship with a woman.

The two ladies that Edgar ever went out with were tossed in his direction by Gewen because he wanted to help his friend lose his virginity card. They couldn't have a relationship with Edgar because the man didn't know how to woo women.

Fast forward to several years later, it was now the opposite. Gewen was the pathetic one. Mars was married with one adorable daughter and another baby on the way, while Edgar got engaged and soon to be married. While Gewen... the only woman he was truly interested in didn't even like him back.

In fact... when he thought about it, Kira and he had amazing sex but that was not enough to make her want to be his girlfriend. It made Gewen feel used. Maybe this was really his karma.

"Of course, I am happy for you," Gewen shrugged. "I am just feeling unwell."

Emmelyn laughed at his response. "I was just joking. Don't take it to heart."

She decided to retract her words when she realized Gewen was glancing in Kira's direction and sighed. She immediately understood that whatever issues between Gewen and Kira were not yet resolved. Not wanting to ruin the atmosphere, she just said she was joking.

"Oh, by the way, Lord Gewen, have you met my sister?" Lily suddenly spoke up. She only realized that Gewen had never met Iris when her younger sister pinched her arm and gave her the 'look'.

It seemed, Iris was interested in the former womanizer and wanted Lily to introduce her to the man. So, that's what Lily did.

"Oh, not yet. I am sorry for being rude," Gewen said with a smile.

He had noticed Lily's presence when he entered the banquet hall earlier, and usually, he would quickly introduce himself and charm the new woman he just met. However, Gewen today was not the same as Gewen in the past.

He was heartbroken and could only think about the feisty woman who was sitting across from him and couldn't pay attention to other people.

"No... not rude at all, Lord Gewen," Iris rose from her seat and reached out a hand to Gewen. She smiled so brightly. "My name is Iris Granger. I am Lily's younger sister."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Iris," Gewen said. He took her hand and kissed the back of it gently, and smiled at her. "How long have you been in the capital? Have you sightsee the nice places we have here?"

Gewen actually thought Iris was too young for his taste, but since Kira didn't even greet him, he decided to not let her think he was devastated by her rejection. Having another woman in the room who openly showed her adoration for him helped boost his ego.

"Ahhh... I just arrived yesterday. I haven't had the time to go anywhere," Iris gushed. "Well.. my sister is busy with my nephews... I haven't got anyone to show me around."

"Well.. I actually just went to Southeberry a while ago," Gewen said. "It's too bad that we didn't see each other then. But, if you would like a companion to take you around and show you what nice places we have in the capital, I would love to take you."

Iris's face was beaming with happiness. Her eyes twinkled in excitement. "Would you do that????"

"Yes, why not? You are a guest here. It's my responsibility as the resident of this city to be a good host," Gewen said.

Lily suddenly cleared her throat and interrupted the two who were chatting while standing up.

"Maybe you could exchange seats with Louis so you guys can talk more freely?" she said.

"Ohh... that's a good idea," Iris quickly patted Louis's shoulder and asked him with her melodious voice to give his seat to his beloved aunty. "Would you mind changing seats with me, darling? Auntie Iris has a lot to talk about with Lord Gewen."

Louis grumbled by the inconvenience but he did what was asked of him. Soon, Iris and Gewen were sitting together and continued their conversation excitedly. Actually, it was Iris who was excited and Gewen was trying his best to show that he was really enjoying their conversation.

Kira who noticed what happened only rolled her eyes and continued eating. She talked mostly with Emmelyn. She didn't feel like she belonged there anyway.

Dinner went really well and the atmosphere in the room was warm and pleasant despite the lousy weather outside. The temperature had gone down so low and from outside the window, they could see snow started falling again.

"This is such a great dinner," Emmelyn thanked everyone after they finished dinner. They all had a full tummy, happy heart, and warm feelings. "Thank you for coming here. What about we have another one next month?"

"That will be great!" Lily replied. "I think we all can come. Iris will also still be here by then."

Clara and Edgar nodded too. They enjoyed the dinner and got to know everyone, especially for Clara to get herself settled in the capital.

"Well... enjoy your dinner," Kira suddenly said. "I won't be here. But I enjoyed tonight's dinner."

"Huh? You won't be here?" Emmelyn was surprised. Kira stayed in Summeria for months, so she thought Kira would stay in Draec for months too. She didn't expect the pirate princess to leave so easily.

Was Draec boring and Summeria wasn't?

"Yes. I have decided to go home to my father," Kira turned to look at Emmelyn and smiled. "I've been away for a long time. He only gave me two years and my time is almost up."

Gewen looked at Kira expressionlessly at her words, but something in his heart felt unsettled.

So, she would really go...

.

.

________________

From Missrealitybites:

Two more chapters to go, and then we will have Harlow's story! Btw, sorry, for my slow replies to comments. I am working on 4 full-day webinars this week and I am as tired as a sleepless pigeon.

The webinars are very exciting though... it's about aviation security.. Very interesting to know how the aviation security at the airports works hard to prevent terrorism from entering the country.