Chapter 1025 Harlow & Raphael
Back to the present day. (This is the continuation from Chapter 799)
Harlow tugged the hem of Raphael's shirt and looked at him with a tired gaze as she whispered her request.
"Please... get me out of here."
Raphael smiled and nodded. With one swoop, he took the princess with his strong arms and carried her out of the prison cell. Nymia gritted her teeth and turned her gaze to one of the guards, signaling him to report what happened to his superior. She would not let that temptress return and ruin the harmony in Cretea one more time.
She had disappeared for a thousand years, why couldn't she just die and never return? Why didn't she leave Raphael alone after all this time?
Nymia was so jealous that, in her mind, if she couldn't get to be with Raphael, then no one could. It was only fair.
"Excuse me, Your Highness, our officer would like to have a word with you." A tall and burly man in golden attire stepped up in front of Raphael when he got out of the building. He was a high-ranking Cretean knight whose job was to ensure order in the capital. The man continued politely, "Please don't make a commotion. We are only doing our job. You are no longer part of Cretea, so the least you could do as a guest is respect our rules."
Raphael tightened his hold on Harlow's body and looked at the knight coldly. "She is not meant to be here. I will take her back. What right do you have to lock her up?"
"She was intruding Cretea. We cannot allow a mere mortal to trespass the gods' realm without punishment. It will set a bad example."
"She was not trespassing. She came here by accident, and I should be the one to blame," Raphael explained in an annoyed tone. "Trust me, this is the last place she wants to be in."
"Yes, but she attacked Goddess Nymia and several soldiers. That's something we cannot let slide."
"For fuck's sake, can't you just put the blame on me? I am the one responsible for her being here. I'll take full accountability and pay whatever fine the king will demand of me."
Harlow raised her face and looked at the demon king closely as Raphael and the knight exchanged arguments. She was confused by what happened so far.
What was happening to her? Was she really in Cretea?
How?
She opened the magic closet and wholeheartedly wished to go home, but why did she end up in Cretea? Was the magic closet broken? Did a glitch happen? Was there something about Cretea that she didn't know about?
And why did Raphael take responsibility? He was not her boyfriend or husband to take responsibility for her misdeeds. Even though he was obviously interested in her, Harlow never agreed to reciprocate his feelings.
Because...
She now realized it was not because of his looks. Now that she looked at him closely, she didn't mind his horns, and his wicked-looking face.
The demon king was scary, but the way he was holding her was so gentle yet protective at the same time. She never had anyone holding her this way before.
And his eyes... His fierce eyes narrowed menacingly at the knight before him, but when he looked down to see her to make sure she was not hurt, they looked so gentle and filled with warmth.
She didn't reciprocate Raphael's feelings because she felt tricked. She hated that he used her mother's helpless situation to trick her into promising Harlow for marriage to him.
That's why Harlow came all the way to the underworld to find him and demand him to release her from the covenant.
If only he respected her wishes, released her, and started courting her properly, she might consider him for a relationship.
She realized.. he was not so bad. He adored her, he was also funny, powerful, and protective. His looks aside, Harlow actually thought he was okay.
Besides, she was beautiful enough for the both of them.
Raphael took one step forward and the knight was forced to step back.
"I will be back after I take her home," Raphael explained. He waved his hand and before the knight could say anything, he had transported back to his castle in the underworld, leaving behind a light breeze.
Nymia clenched her fists and stomped angrily when she realized Raphael had gone. She was so upset when she realized Raphael had been reunited with his wife, Rowena.
So, the rumors were true. Rowena didn't perish in the River of Death. She was reborn as a mortal and now Raphael had found her.
If Raphael chose to be with her... this would only mean one thing.
***
"You can open your eyes now," Raphael said gently.
He looked at Harlow who still hugged his neck tightly and closed her eyes as they traveled back to the underworld. The journey took several minutes through a special portal and it was rough for a mortal like Harlow without any magic.
Now, they were back in his bedroom and he had been standing with her in his embrace for a while now. Truth be told, he wanted to keep holding her like this. However, he didn't want her to think he took advantage of her situation.
Also, he needed to go back to Cretea and explain what happened to his father. He wouldn't let Harlow be punished for something she had no knowledge about.
So, reluctantly, he had to let her know that she was now safe and could let go.
Slowly, Harlow opened her eyes. Her beautiful lashes fluttered and her golden eyes gazed upon the Demon King holding her in his arms. Their eyes met.
For a moment, Harlow couldn't say anything. She felt the air was different. It was no longer the fresh and sweet-smelling realm she came to know as Cretea. From the corner of her eyes, she could see that she was back in Raphael's bedroom. She was here once and immediately recognized the place.
So... she was back?
It seemed she had a taste of what heaven was like. She loved the place but hated the people. Were those people gods? Why were they so hostile toward her? Raphael was right, it's not like she wanted to be there anyway.
She wanted to go home.
So, why did she end up there? Harlow looked at the gentle eyes that were filled with warmth, staring down at her.
"Thank you for saving me from those people," she said softly. "I owe you one."
"Did you... find my magic closet?" Raphael asked Harlow.
The girl nodded embarrasedly. She lowered her head and pouted. "I only wanted to go home."
"Well, I am your HOME." Raphael chuckled. "The magic closet took you to Cretea because I was there when you wished to go home. You can't deny that your heart yearns for me."
THUD!
Harlow immediately hit Raphael's chest and got down from his arms. "As if!"
"See? You even didn't immediately get down from my arms because your body felt comfortable with me. Why don't you just admit that we are meant to be? You are my wife and you belong with me."
Harlow coughed violently and stepped back from Raphael. Her face, however, couldn't hide the slight blush on her cheeks. She muttered, "Shameless."
Raphael smiled dotingly and ruffled her hair. "I am shameless. You know it from day one."
He was relieved because the experience in Cretea just now didn't traumatize her. He couldn't let Harlow feel stressed by what happened earlier. She had suffered enough in Cretea in her previous life. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. This time, Harlow didn't push him away.
"Look, Wifey. You don't have to sneak around and steal my magic closet. If you want to go anywhere, just let me know. I will take you there."
"I want to go back to Draec. Will you also take me there?" Harlow asked. Raphael didn't answer immediately. Seeing the man's silence, Harlow scoffed. "I knew it. You're all talk but you won't really let me go."
Raphael looked at Harlow deeply. "Do you really want to break our betrothal? Is it because of my appearance?"
Harlow shook her head impatiently. "It's not your appearance, okay? It's because you used a lowerhanded method to trick my mother. I hate dishonest people the most. Your looks has nothing to do with this. I've told you this already."
Raphael narrowed his eyes when he heard Harlow's words. There was something in his gaze that gave Harlow the chills. Did she say something wrong? She was suddenly worried that she had offended him.
"Then prove it," Raphael's voice was serious when he spoke again. "Prove to me that you don't care about my appearance."
"Huh?" Harlow knitted her brows, confused. "How?"
"Kiss me," Raphael said seriously. "That's the least you could do to someone who had saved your life from those gods in Cretea."
"..."
"If you are honest about not caring about my looks, you would not mind giving me a kiss."
Harlow batted her eyes and was deep in thoughts. She looked at those gentle eyes, that always looked at her with warmth and love. Now Raphael was looking at her almost like pleading. She didn't know why but the profound sadness in his eyes pierced her heart.
Why did she feel sad by his sadness?
.
.
.
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From Missrealitybites:
I decided to do a time skip and return to Harlow's time with Raphael. Rowena's scenes were too sad to continue and I will go back to it later with flash backs. For now, let's go back to Harlow.
Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)