The Crown Prince's Dilemma

Everyone in the room was very interested to hear about what Ellena and Mars agreed on six years ago. The king looked at Mars with a questioning expression. He wasn't surprised to know that his son made such an agreement.

King Jared knew Mars was a devoted son to their family and he was loyal to their kingdom.

Seeing that his chance of getting the curse broken was slim after two decades of his father's effort, he must have taken that decision, to prevent civil war and power struggle.

If people were fighting over the throne once Mars got old, then all King Jared's efforts would be in vain.

He worked so hard for the past two decades to unite the whole continent under their wing, to prepare for the great war.

Mars wouldn't let the empire crumble under his leadership. So, it was understandable that he would ask his friend, Ellena to be his nominal wife, so they could pretend to have a family and a son that would continue the Strongmoor family's lineage.