Baby after One Night with the Prince
Chapter 73 - He Marries Me Because He Wants

Tanya's POV.

I show Marco the page in the notebook where I have seen the pattern of the flower that appeared on the back of the princess's neck. Our eyes both scan the page to read that the poison that the perfume cures is colorless and tasteless. It fails to leave behind any traces of poisoning which explains why Peyton displays no symptoms.

The page also explains that if a large enough dose is introduced into the body suddenly, and if the inflicted individual does not receive timely treatment, then the person will die within hours after exposure. And as stated before, no symptoms will reveal themselves. It will look like a natural death. Except for a flower pattern that will appear on the back of the neck of the deceased.

However, at the bottom of the page, a small asterisk displays an additional note, stating that if the person poisoned gets the right treatment in time, or the dose of the injected poison is relatively light, then the person can still live a half-life from half a year to one year.

But the toxicity of the blood will slowly increase with time. And at the back of their neck, a flower pattern will slowly form, with the trace of the pattern shifting from light to dark as time progresses.

My eyes brighten in excitement. "This is the one Marco! This is what's causing Peyton's debilitation!" I'm nearly jumping for joy at the discovery. My eyes dart to Marco, but he almost seems paled by my revelation, as if he has accidentally discovered a terrible secret.

Despite my confusion, I didn't question it too much, as my eyes dart down to look at the ingredients, frowning slightly. "But I'll need Jade vine, which is a very rare flower. Maybe the princess will have some," I pack my things, and head out, unable to question Marco's frozen state.

I head to princess Isabella immediately and ask if she has the ingredient I require now that I know how to treat Peyton's illness. But Isabella seems slightly embarrassed as she responds. "Actually, there's a famous old doctor in the kingdom who has the ingredient. But I don't think he'll be willing to give it to us."

I look confused. "But why?"

She chuckles lightly. "Best I just take you to him and you see for yourself."

And so, the two of us head off to visit the old doctor. Obviously an elder of the pack, I assume he's had a successful career as a doctor. He has a grand house that sits on the edge of the street, the house appearing modern in nature. When we finally approach the front door and greet him, I waste little time explaining about the ingredient that I need.

He immediately scoffs at me, as if my request is somehow absurd. "You surely don't expect me to give you such a rare flower. You haven't got a shred of medical knowledge. You haven't worked as a doctor or a nurse for a single day in your life!" he proclaims with grandiosity. "You don't deserve such a rare specimen; the flower is a one of a kind! And I will not allow you to abuse it so you can play doctor. That's ridiculous!"

I frown, unable to understand why the doctor is making this so difficult. "But I'm sure this is the flower that will help save the Princess. Please doctor."

My words obviously don't convince him, and he shakes his head firmly, before saying. "I will not allow someone like you to tarnish the medical field! No, if you really want this flower, and you want me to even consider giving it to you, then you'll need to prove your perseverance to me first. I need to see how badly you really want this."

"I'll do anything," I mutter quietly.

"Well then," we follow him down the front steps of his home and into his backyard. "Then in one night, you must bring my garden back to life. Revive the flowers, grow the grass. I want a dazzling new garden by tomorrow morning. Then and only then will I consider giving you the flower you desire."

I take a gander at the doctor's garden, frowning deeply. The garden itself is large, a wide expanse of field left untamed and un cared for. Weeds litter the grass and flowers look poor and sickly, some already dead. I'm at loss of how I'm meant to change its appearance overnight, all on my own. The doctor is obviously trying to make this task nearly impossible for me to complete.

But I agree to the task, nevertheless. Soon the princess and I are walking back to my residence, when Isabella speaks up. "In all honesty Tanya, I haven't expected you to take this on so seriously. My impression of you is far different from when we first met. Especially with your mannerisms around Marco that were... no offense, slightly needy and overbearing."

Slightly embarrassed, I chuckle lightly. "Truthfully, I only acted that way because I heard you favored couples who showed off an immense amount of love and devotion. I heard you particularly liked watching happy couples, like a hobby of sorts."

Isabella looks at me bewildered and speaks. "Who did you hear this from? Why would I have such a strange and perverted hobby?"

The princess is right, it is in fact a very strange hobby indeed. "I promise you Tanya. I have no such hobby," I nod quietly, and apologize for my misrepresentation of her. However, my mind then wanders to the thought of Marco. He has been the one to tell me this. Why?

Had he been using it as an excuse to get me to marry him? And if so, then was it because he actually wanted to marry me? He married me not because he needed to, but because he wanted to?

I feel my heart growing lighter with the possibility that Marco might want me. But just as I and the princess reach my residence, I notice someone approach us. The man is a handsome fellow, and he beholds a sly smile. "Hello ladies," he saunters over to us like a prowling cat. He greets the princess who he clearly already knows. And she rolls her eyes at his flirtatious nature.

"Tanya this is James, his family has been in the kingdom for generations," I'm quick to assume that James is a rich nobleman, as his pretentious mannerisms make it very clear. And although his attention is initially on Isabella, he suddenly turns to look at me.

His eyes immediately light up. "Oh, how have we never met before? Such beautiful lady deserves to be given a tour round the glorious kingdom of Fauna. And I'm more than happy to offer such," he takes my hand in his, and lifts it to his lips to place a subtle kiss upon my skin.

His hand then lifts to gently brush across my face, stroking me strangely. Feeling highly uncomfortable, but not knowing what to do, I turn my face away from him. Upon doing so I see Marco in the distance, frowning. But he doesn't say anything, and only turns away and storms back into the house.

I suddenly flinch as Isabella slaps James's hand away. "Stop it! She's married. You can't just flirt with every pretty woman you see!"

James's eyes shift to an expression of pity towards being told of my courtship to Marco. "Oh, what a shame..."

Isabella rolls her eyes, saying her goodbye before dragging James away.

I head back into the house, and something within me stirs. The thoughts of Marco's true intentions play in my mind. And I finally decide I need to take initiative. I walk up to him and explain. "In order to get the ingredient I need for Peyton's perfume, I must mend the old doctor's garden. I would like you to join me."

I say this with a smile despite his cold disposition. He stares blankly at me for a couple of moments before replying brashly. "Why don't you just take that nobleman with you, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to."

Is that jealousy I was hearing? Something in me becomes delighted with the idea that Marco is jealous, that he wants me. But I obviously am not totally sure. Either way, before Marco can turn away and storm off, I grab his hand.

"But I don't want anyone else," I say truthfully, staring up into his eyes with sincere grace. "I want you Marco, and only you to come with me," my smile extends to my eyes. "Please."

Not waiting for his reply, I pull him along, and I grow more excited as he fails to object. Together we head off to the doctor's garden, with the goal to save Peyton's life.