1010 Raphael Is Visiting Cretea
Raphael knew he needed answers. It's been ten years and Rowena was right, there might be something that prevented them from having children. He could understand if Rowena was still a mere human. Humans were full of problems. She might be born barren and there was nothing they could do about it.
However, the moment she drank the immortality potion, whatever weaknesses her body had, were all fixed. At least that's what was supposed to happen. Not knowing what's the problem would always make them feel in the dark.
That's why, finally, Raphael decided to pay his old home a visit. It would be good to come and see his family, and reconcile, while paying Esper a visit. He was contemplating whether he should bring Rowena with him or not.
In the end, he didn't want to make that decision himself. He asked Rowena what she thought about them going back to Cretea together. Her expression immediately gave him the answer. Rowena didn't feel comfortable setting foot in Cretea after what happened the last time.
They were not sure what reaction they would receive if they went back now. It could be good, or it could be really bad. She was not ready to face the music.
"I am such a coward," Rowena muttered to herself. Then she looked up at Raphael and fluttered her lashes. "Will that be okay if you go alone? Your mother was not that fond of me even before the incident. I can imagine how much more she dislikes me now. I don't want your family reunion to turn awkward because of my presence."
Raphael wanted to say that Rowena's presence wouldn't make things awkward but he knew better than to lie to her. So, he only touched her arm and nodded. "Very well. I will only stop by a little bit to see my parents and immediately go see Esper. If it's possible, I will ask him to come here."
"Do you think he will do that?" Rowena asked, unsurely. "I mean... once you meet your family and you have had a talk with Esper. If he wanted me to come and see him, I will go with you next time."
She was being reasonable by wanting to wait until Raphael returned with news from Cretea. She could come with her the second time if she must, but for the first one, she thought it would be better if he went alone.
Not only it was good for him to visit his parents, but he also must miss his friends. None of them had come to visit him in the human realm during his stay here.
He didn't know if they no longer wanted anything to do with him, or if they were simply forbidden to hang out with him because the king told them not to. Rowena thought her presence would only prevent Raphael to see the people he had been missing all these times.
"Okay then. I agree with you," Raphael kissed her and smiled. "I will leave you for a bit and visit Cretea. Should I leave Aegar here?" He was referring to the pegasus that Rowena took from Cretea to travel back to the human realm. The animal had been staying with them all this time and they took really good care of it.
Rowena thought about it for a while and shook her head. "No, I think Aegar must be missing his old home too. You should bring him back. If he wanted to return here with you, then you can take him. If not, just leave him there."
"Okay."
Rowena bit her lip. She knew Raphael must take this journey. However, she didn't feel comfortable letting him go.
Ahh... she was so spoiled now. For the past ten years, they had always been together that she no longer knew what it was like to wake up without him by her side and to close her eyes without the warmth of his breath next to her.
"I won't be long," Raphael said, as if reading her mind. "I will be back before you know it."
Rowena smiled and didn't say anything.
*** Raphael left the next day and he took Aegar with him. They traveled through the portal near the sea and arrived in Cretea not long after. When he saw the familiar sights, his heart was filled with so much longing.
He missed his family, his friends, and the life among people like him. Living in the human realm had so many challenges. He had to watch what he did around humans.
He couldn't just teleport as he pleased or fly when he wanted to go places. Everything was so slow and humans were weak. So, he had to slow down, and lowered his strength. He got used to it now, but it just felt good to be in a place where he could be himself, without reservations.
"Your Highness, you've returned!" The head of the royal household staff almost screamed when he saw Raphael step down from a pegasus and enter the palace courtyard. His expression was filled with disbelief.
"Oh, hi, Hugo," said Raphael with a smile. "So, you still remember me."
Hugo didn't pay heed to Raphael's joke and came to him and hugged the man. He had been working for the king since Raphael was a child, a long, long, long time ago, and they were quite close.
His reaction made Raphael feel moved. He was wondering if his parents also missed him as much as Hugo did.
"Your Highness, where have you been?" said Hugo after he stepped back and took a good look at Raphael. "Your parents will be delighted to see you."
"Or, will they?" Raphael cast his glance around. "Are they in?"
Hugo nodded. "You can find the queen in her lounge. She is having tea with some ladies."
"Ah, okay, I will go see my mother and father, real quick. I have something to do immediately."
Raphael went inside the royal palace and went straight to his mother's lounge. He hoped Hugo was right and his parents truly missed him. He missed them too.
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