1008 The Rulers Of Ashland
After the simple wedding, the newlyweds took two weeks off and traveled together for their honeymoon. Everything felt so perfect and for the first time in her life, Rowena truly felt bliss. Raphael took her to a tiny island in the middle of a lake where there were only the two of them. It was the most beautiful place Rowena had ever seen. Everything was covered with greenery, flowers with butterflies and they could see small animals roaming peacefully, like rabbits and squirrels.
The lake itself was abundant with fish and they spent a lot of time relaxing on the shore, and fishing.
Even though she was now a queen and was raised as royalty who enjoyed luxury from the day she was born, Rowena realized she truly enjoyed the simple life where she could be close to nature and spend her time with the person she loved.
She loved her life with Julian after she ran away from Ashland, and now she was enjoying her honeymoon with Raphael. Secretly she wished she didn't have to come back to her kingdom.
Unfortunately, now the weight of Ashland was already on her shoulders. She must take care of her people well. That was her way of remembering Julian.
"Hey, wifey, do you want to try my cooking?" Raphael's voice moved Rowena from her reverie. She was lying down on the soft grass and looked at the blue sky and daydreamed.
There was no sun up there because the clouds covered it. Rowena felt so peaceful and sleepy. Hearing Raphael's calling, a sweet smile immediately curved up on her face. Rowena got up and brushed the dust off her dress. She walked to the small cabin they occupied during their stay on the tiny island.
A delicious smell of food wafted in the air and Rowena felt her mouth water. Raphael admitted he was growing a fondness for cooking and couldn't wait for her to try everything he could make. Rowena thought she would gain so much weight from all the delicious dishes he made every day.
"No, don't worry, now that you are an immortal like me, you don't have to worry about your physical features," Raphael immediately put her worry to ease. "We all have young and perfect bodies by default. Did you see any obese person in Cretea when you were there?"
Rowena furrowed her brows and remembered her experience in Cretea. Raphael was right. She didn't see anyone with less than ideal bodies. They were all very good-looking, in great shape, and youthful. Of course! That should be expected of gods and goddesses.
She needed to get used to being one of them. Rowena smiled faintly when she remembered Raphael told her not to worry about her weight and just eat. She would eat a lot today. She was hungry!
"What did you cook?" she peeked into the kitchen and looked at Raphael rolling down his sleeves after he finished cooking the last dish.
The man turned to her and smiled broadly. "Grilled fish with a special sauce. It's delicious!"
He cooked grilled fish and sauteed mushrooms and green vegetables. They looked so delectable and mouthwatering. Rowena kissed him on the cheek and thanked him for his hard work.
"You're the best," she said.
Raphael was happy to see Rowena was getting more and more expressive with her feelings and becoming more affectionate. They ate together while talking about trivial things.
Raphael and Rowena both actually wondered about what happened in Cretea after Rowena left and Raphael went out chasing her, never to return. Raphael thought his parents would at least send messengers to look for him and ask him to go home, whether to punish or disowned him.
However, there was none sent. Slowly he stopped worrying about them and just focused on his life with Rowena. They would rule Ashland and make it prosper.
Once everything was well, they would both resign from the world and travel. They could let their children take over power while he and Rowena enjoyed life. There was so much to explore. He couldn't wait to spend his forever with her.
After the two-week honeymoon, Rowena and Raphael went back to Ashland. They started taking care of the people.
Since Rowena once lived outside the palace and experienced life as a commoner, she understood what life was like for her poor citizens. She shared their suffering and was determined to help change their lives.
She worked hard to change the situation, lowering taxes, punishing the greedy landlords and evil nobles who took advantage of the poor, and providing subsidies for the poorest of the poor so they could at least eat.
Within one year of her reign, things had changed dramatically. The people had a much better life and they all loved their queen. Rowena was always impressed by her experience when she visited the festival in Almere and decided to throw the same festivals in the capital as well.
Each year, on the first day of summer, there was a great festival held by the court. Food was provided for free, gifts were given to people who had contributed to the advancement of the kingdom, and the queen and her husband would open their home and greet the people in the royal palace.
It was the most awaited day of the year for every citizen of Ashland.
"I am so proud of you," Raphael complimented Rowena after they closed the festival and saw so many happy faces among the crowd.
It was their fifth year together as the rulers of Ashland. Over the years, he had witnessed the woman he loved bloom and become the best version of herself. He didn't know he could love her even more, but he did.
Every day, he was grateful to have her by his side. They had such a happy life together.
There was only one thing missing in their relationship. Until their fifth wedding anniversary, they were still not blessed with children.
They didn't talk about this matter, subconsciously avoiding the subject, but Raphael could see that his wife was longing to have a child of their own.
To be honest, it feels weird to have the tone of this story change so dramatically after they got married. From dark and sad, it's now filled with sweetness. What do you think?
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