The Cursed Prince

Mars quickly finished his lunch and got ready to go. When he got up from his seat, Harlow happened to wake up. The baby's cry immediately got his attention.

"Oh, no..." the new father was in a panic. He turned to Lily and asked her what to do.

"It's okay. Sometimes babies cry when they wake up. They just need to be hugged or cradled, to know that they are safe and loved," Lily explained. "Do you want to carry her in your arms?"

Mars nodded. "Yes, please."

"Well, you can just take her from the basket. I think you already know what to do," said Lily with a smile.

She knew Mars thought she was going to get Harlow for him and then hand him the baby. Well, Lily was not going to do that.

She wanted the man to do it himself, so he could get used to picking up his daughter and holding her on his own.

"Oh.. okay," Mars nodded, but he was obviously nervous. The man had carried the Greenan's babies and had no problems with it. However, they were all boys, and they were born normal.

Harlow was a baby girl and she was born much earlier than she should have been. So, obviously, she was smaller and more frail compared to the boys.

Mars really didn't want to make a mistake with her since she was his only child, possibly for the rest of his life. If something happened to Harlow, he didn't know how to live anymore.

What was there to live for? He had lost his mother, Emmelyn... and if he was to lose Harlow, he wouldn't want to keep living.

Mars approached the basket and, after a moment of hesitation, he bent down and gently picked up the small baby who just opened her eyes and cried.

"Oh, Harlow..." he whispered as he took Harlow in his arms and cradled her. "My sweet, sweet girl... This is your father. Don't cry. You are safe. Father is here..."

From her peripheral vision, the baby could finally see the face of the man who was holding her and she stopped crying. Their faces were so close to each other. Mars was so tempted to pinch her small nose and kiss her, but he held back.

This baby seemed so fragile. He didn't want to break her.

"You can kiss her forehead or her cheeks. She has been used to being touched. She actually likes it," said Lily who seemed to understand his worry.

"Ah, okay..." Mars sighed in relief and he kissed his daughter's forehead. She smelled so nice. He loved her scent so much. There was a distinct baby scent amidst the smell of milk on her head, and it felt so calming.

How Mars wished Harlow was bigger so he could hug her more tightly.

"We can go in fifteen minutes," said Mars to Gewen. His friend just nodded and didn't say anything. Gewen realized Mars was enjoying himself by holding his daughter in his arms and now no longer wanted to rush.

So, as a good friend, he let the prince take as much time as he needed. They were not in a hurry. The people they wanted to talk to could wait.

After a while, Mars became so used to holding Harlow in his arms, he no longer looked awkward or doubtful.

His gestures became more confident and he even hummed softly when he saw Harlow look at him with her round eyes, as if in awe. Ahh... she was so adorable. Her ears perked up when she heard her father sing to her, and she seemed very interested.

Ahh.. this made it so hard for Mars to leave her with Lily and went to do his job. He still needed to see his father and his late mother. Then, he would call Ellena, Duke Preston, the king's guard commander, and Roshan.

However, with Harlow in his arms, how could he leave this place? Suddenly seeing those people no longer felt important to him.

Finally, after half an hour, Mars steeled his heart and reluctantly put Harlow back in her basket.

"I have to go," he whispered. "Father will come back for you soon. I will prepare a nice place for you at home and you can come and stay with me."

He turned to Lily and asked her to watch over Harlow for him while he was gone. "We haven't had a decent room for Harlow. I will make sure the castle is prepared for Harlow, and then I will bring her home. I hope you don't mind taking care of my daughter a bit longer?"

"Of course, I don't mind, Your Highness," said Lily. "It's a really great pleasure for us to have Harlow here. We will keep her safe and happy for you."

"Thank you so much, Lily. I owe you," said Mars, looking grateful.

He forced himself to look away so he couldn't see Harlow again. He was worried that his resolve would waver if he saw his daughter's cute face.

He patted Athos on the shoulder and nodded at the man. Then, he walked briskly, followed by Gewen, out of the Greenan's castle.

Mars didn't look back. He already missed Harlow so much as soon as his steps reached the castle courtyard. For Harlow's sake, he was determined to sort everything out as soon as possible so he could be reunited with his daughter.

Once everything was handled, he could bring his baby to live with him in the castle.

No, if what he heard about his father was true, Mars might need to move into the royal palace immediately and take over power.

If King Jared really lost his mind, he would be deemed unfit to rule and the only way to keep the country running was getting the crown prince to ascend the throne.

Mars might need to rule earlier than expected, and that would mean, he would have to live in the royal palace. He had to prepare a room and everything that Harlow needed in the palace.

"Let go back to the palace," said Mars to Gewen. "I will talk to the commander of the king's guard and John. Then I will visit my parents at the ice cave."

"Okay," said Gewen.

They both got on their horses and dashed toward the palace. When they arrived, John the butler immediately came to the gate and greeted them.

"Your Highness, are you okay?" John asked Mars politely. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No need, John. I am fine," said Mars. "I do,? however, want to talk to you about something."

"Where do you want to talk, Your Highness?" John asked. "I can talk anytime."

"Please meet me in my father's study in half an hour. I will be there waiting for you," said Mars.

"Will do, Your Highness. I will be right there," said John. Mars nodded and walked past the butler.

However, before Mars and Gewen were far, the butler seemed to remember something. He quickly chased the two men with a panting breath.

"Oh... I almost forgot to tell you, Your Highness," John said between his panting. "Your friend is here. She has been waiting for you since 7 in the morning."

Since morning?!

Gewen and Mars exchanged glances.? They had been gone for so many hours and the sun was now slowly going down to the west. It was already 3 pm.

The woman must have been waiting for a really long time if she arrived here at 7 am, or around eight hours ago.

Who was she?