Chapter 1016 Picnic In Bileam Valley
As he promised, Raphael brought Rowena to places he liked in Cretea. He took her to the valley of flowers that became his playground when he was little. It was called Bileam Valley.
It was a vast area surrounded by three green hills to the south of the capital. Bileam Valley was filled with colorful flowers and small mythical animals and it was divided by a big river that looked like a sleeping snake from above.
The water looked like it contained gemstones because it sparkled and reflected many different beautiful colors like those of precious stones. When Rowena saw the river for the first time, she was in awe.
This reminded her of the river where she almost drowned once and Julian saved her. Several deers with antlers looking like they were made of crystal were lazily grazing the grass by the riverbank. The wind blew so gently and the flowers gave out sweet scents from all around them.
If there was heaven, Rowena thought it would look like where she was now. Everything looked so dreamy, peaceful, and breathtaking.
She turned to look at Raphael who was watching her with a smile. Rowena gushed, "Now I understand why you said this is your favorite place all over Cretea!"
"I know, right?" Raphael approached her and hugged her from behind. "I am happy I can share this with you."
Rowena tilted her head and leaned back on Raphael's shoulder. She had her special place in the human realm, the valley where she spent two years of her life with Julian and later with Raphael. And Raphael had Bileam Valley.
"You can say this river is the heart of Cretea. Magic is the strongest here and that's why we can see so many mythical creatures," Raphael explained. "If you take a boat and follow this river, you can see the whole Cretea. Someday I will take you around with a boat. It is relaxing."
He then pointed to the tall hill to their right. "Over there, behind that hill is an area specified for creatures of darkness. We keep them there so they won't bother the cute animals here. It's almost like a completely different realm. That's also where you can find the portal to the underworld. The underworld is where the demons and creatures that your people often call monsters live."
Rowena listened to Raphael's explanation carefully and took everything to heart. She wanted to know more about the place that she called her new home.
"There are two rivers over there, called River of Life and River of Death. They only pass through our realm and connect one mortal realm to another. But if you are feeling adventurous, you can also take the boat and explore those rivers and see where you will end up. I often did that with my friends when we were younger. It was really fun."
Raphael's words made Rowena remember that one of the reasons why she wanted to go to Cretea was to let her husband meet and spend time with his friends again. For the past ten years, she was all he had and she was sorry to see him sometimes look lonely.
"We have been here for weeks now, why don't you go out and meet your friends?" she asked him gently. "Don't you miss them?"
Raphael shrugged. "I do, but we've got all the time in the world to meet and spend time with them. I want to make sure you are settled comfortably and enjoy our new home."
Rowena smiled when she heard him. This man's love for her knew no bounds. When she thought he might love her less after he found out that she was truly barren, he proved otherwise.
It was very hard for Rowena to accept that she deserved his love and to be treated so sweetly by the man. Every day she had to learn to love herself and accept his unconditional love as she showed her love in return.
"I am fine," she said soothingly. "I really like our new home and you have shown me places. I can go out on my own and do things alone. You shouldn't revolve your life around me. You have responsibilities as the seventh prince of Cretea, to your parents, your people, and your friends."
"By the way," she turned to face Raphael and wrapped her hands around his neck. Her lips curved up in a sweet smile. "Mother-in-law invited me to have tea with her tomorrow. I think you should take that opportunity to meet your friends, while I spend time with the queen."
"My mother invited you to come for tea?" Raphael was surprised to hear that. He knew his mother was not particularly fond of Rowena after the incident where she killed Draco. The queen tried to act neutral but as a son who was close to his mother, Raphael could feel Queen Lilith's dislike for Rowena.
So, her change of attitude now made Raphael feel so happy and relieved. His face beamed. "She did? That's really good."
"Yes. I am excited about the tea. I want your mother to like me," said Rowena truthfully. "What do you think?"
Raphael nodded. "I guess I can go and meet some of my friends, or I can just invite them to our home. After you finish the tea with my mother, you can also meet my friends. Wouldn't that be a better idea?"
"You are right," said Rowena. "Let's do it."
"Okay." Raphael nodded. "Let's enjoy our picnic for today and we make plans for tomorrow."
He took her hand and walked with her to a nice spot by the riverbank with the thickest green grass. He whistled and from the air, a small wyvern dashed toward them. It had a woven basket in between his teeth. He landed gracefully on the grass and placed the blanket before Raphael.
Raphael smiled and patted the wyvern's head like he was patting a puppy. "Good job. Thanks for bringing our picnic basket."
The wyvern made a sound like a giggling dog and then nuzzled his snout to Raphael's waist. Then he jumped, spread his wings, and flew away. Raphael chuckled and took their picnic blanket and spread it on the grass. Rowena helped him by arranging the food and drinks on top of their picnic blanket.
They enjoyed a nice and relaxing time together, talking in a low voice while enjoying their food and drinks. Both faces were filled with so much happiness.
"Ahh... this is so nice!" Raphael lay down his body on the grass and closed his eyes. "I can do this forever with you."
He reached out his hand and found hers. He clasped their hands together without opening his eyes or turning to her. Rowena who was still sitting beside him, lowered her face to observe the man. He looked sincerely happy. This made her heart flutter. Today was such a good day.
The place was magical, and their relationship was solid. She looked to the sky and thought to herself that she could do this forever with him too.
"Come and lie down beside me," said Raphael suddenly with his eyes still closed.
"..." Rowena turned to him and she saw him slowly open his eyes.
Her husband looked at her lovingly and then whispered in a seductive voice. "It's hard to kiss you from that position."
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