Chapter 986: He Is The Best Thing That Has Ever Happened To Her
"I can see that my son has chosen well. Apparently, Rowena"s father is a great man," King Areal said proudly and looked over at King Draco with a regal smile.
He added, "Former Hero of Ashland, Partic.i.p.ant in the Tournament of G.o.dhood, and now the King of Ashland—and with a wonderful daughter that you"ve raised well. It seems like you"ve had many blessings in this life."
King Draco chuckled. "Perhaps so, perhaps that is the case. Unfortunately, there is one thing that continues to keep my heart wounded."
"Wounded?" the King of Cretea raised a brow.
"My wife died during childbirth and it has filled a hole that continues to grow deeper and led me down to dark places," King Draco confessed and placed a hand on his chest with a sad smile. "I am no perfect man. Far from it. I"ve done and said hurtful things from time to time."
"Even G.o.ds such as ourselves commit mistakes, I do not think that you should burden yourself with it too much," the King of Cretea kindly said.
Rowena"s expression became blank. Her father was perfect at keeping up a mask that if not for what happened with Julian, she"d see this as an act of sincerity.
"Thank you for your words. I am most fortunate that my daughter will now be marrying your son, I am sure that she will live a much better life than I. And I hope that she does not experience the struggles and heartbreak I"ve encountered," King Draco said.
"Oh, what a doting father and such a beautiful story. Please know that you also deserve and pursue your own happiness," The queen of Cretea told King Draco. She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and then hugged her husband"s arm. "What a touching tale—I know some unmarried G.o.ddesses. Would you like to meet them, King Draco?"
King Draco shook his head. "I do not think that they would have interests in a mortal—"
"Nonsense!" Queen Lilith turned to her husband and said. "He"s quite a catch isn"t he?"
"Despite his humble background, he managed to run a kingdom by himself and also raised such a wonderful daughter." the king of Cretea nodded. "I do not think that being mortal holds any demerits if there is true love and admiration between two individuals."
Raphael smiled at his father"s words and gently squeezed Rowena"s hand. However, all of them were unaware of how Rowena"s blood was running cold.
Phony. Fake. Liar.
That was all that she was. Unlike King Draco who lied and smiled like he could breathe, Rowena couldn"t do that.
She was stifled and only Raphael"s gentle hand holding onto hers was the only thing that prevented Rowena from running away from the palace.
Rowena didn"t belong here in this palace with someone like Raphael. The two of them were in completely different stations and situations.
Raphael may have hidden his true background when
they first met, but he had been nothing more but kind and loving. Rowena was the one who was doing all the pus.h.i.+ng away and trying to keep her distance.
"But enough pleasantries, I am sure that the journey may have taxed your bodies," King Areal said.
"The dense magic in the air can be a little uncomfortable for those unused to it," Queen Lilith continued. "Perhaps I"ll ask one of the High G.o.ddesses of apothecary to concoct something to help alleviate any symptoms ."
"For now though, please find yourself welcome in our guest rooms. Raphael has missed you very much after a month of mountainous tasks, but there"s always time for later."
With the help of servants, King Draco and Rowena"s belongings were brought in separate rooms.
Or rather, the servants tried to help Rowena, but Raphael chose to help carry her things.
"We can handle it from here on out," Raphael said as he used magic to levitate Rowena"s items and then motioned down the hallway. "This way, love."
The two of them walked through the corridors until they were far away from earshot, and once they did, Raphael looked over at Rowena. "So what did you think? You were a bit quiet back then."
He added, "I hope my parents didn"t scare you with their enthusiasm. They could be… overly excited. I am the only unmarried child of theirs, so they are very interested in the woman I want to marry. My older brothers experienced it too when they brought their brides-to-be."
"It"s fine. Your parents are lovely, lovely people." Rowena smiled and touched the man on the cheek. "I"m sure that they"ll warm up to me."
"I can"t imagine why they wouldn"t." Raphael gently kissed Rowena"s forehead. "You"re amazing."
Rowena froze and clenched her fists uncertainly.
How would Raphael react if he knew that the reason why she was here was originally for the immortality potion and whatever her father actually schemed?
How would Raphael react if he knew that Rowena wanted to kill her own father? She wanted to use his power to do it and then… he would see her for who she was.
"Rowena?"
"You keep seeing me in such a bright light, Raphael," Rowena gazed up at him. "I"m afraid that I won"t be able to always be that person you put up on a pedestal."
"I don"t mean for you to feel pressured." Raphael apologized. "I simply want you to know that I always believe in you, and I trust in your capacity, Rowena."
Rowena bit her lip, unable to say anything. Raphael waved his hand dismissively to make her see that he meant it when he said he didn"t want her to feel pressured.
"You don"t have to worry about standards and such. The only person you need to keep happy is yourself... and perhaps me? We are getting married after all," Raphael chuckled.
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p>"Right." Rowena smiled blandly. "Of course I want you to be happy, Raphael. You"re the best thing that ever happened to me."
She didn"t lie with her last sentence. He was truly the best thing that had ever happened to her. And sadly, he seemed to think the same about her.
Soon, he would know how wrong he had been.
Raphael pulled Rowena into an embrace. "Thank you for telling me about this. You know that you can always tell me what"s on your mind, Rowena."
"I know." Rowena hugged him back and yet there was a dim look in her eyes.
She couldn"t tell him at all.
***