Chapter 871: Raphael Gets An Earful

It took some time to convince the King of Cretea to let Raphael travel again, much less return to the human realm. The God of Aviary received quite an admonishment for having allowed Raphael to be transformed as a young phoenix for losing a stupid bet with his stupid friends.

However, it was Raphael himself who received much of an earful.

"Do you know what could have happened to you if you were injured or accidentally killed when you were in that form, Raphael?" the King of Cretea had a serious conversation with his youngest son. He massaged his temple in frustration. This son of his was too young and sometimes didn't know how to act according to his position.

"It might have been difficult," Raphael grimaced. He still remembered when King Draco captured him to be a present for a young Princess Rowena. At that point, the rest of the phoenixes left Raphael, and he hadn't been used to the body of a bird as skillfully.

The way that King Draco handled him was roughly too. 

"Difficult? Something far worse could have happened! Phoenix feathers are used by many humans and they are even hunted and killed for sport!" 

"I was fortunate to have encountered a kindhearted person that took me under her wing," Raphael said with a grin. "Even the God of Aviary can testify that I was well taken care of. She did not bind me or trap me in a cage, instead, she treated me like a friend."

"Regardless, your magic was not something you could access in that form nor did you have the body of a god." the King of Cretea sighed. "I am relieved that you were placed in the hands of a good owner, but enough is enough. Let's not discuss this again, your mother is looking for you."

"Father, can't I at least return to thank the person who took care of me?" Raphael asked. He was sure that Rowena would no doubt assume the worst when she woke up and didn't find him by her side. Imagining a devastated expression on her face made Raphael feel very upset. He hurriedly added, "She protected me and saved my life."

"So you were nearly harmed!" the King of Cretea frowned at him.

"...yes, but I wasn't," Raphael said and gave his father a sheepish smile. "And that's the important part, isn't it?"

"It is, but I cannot allow you to go there." 

"And why not? Do you not agree that we must express our gratitude to those who helped us? She has saved your son, Father. A mere thanks, no, even assuring her that she did not fail in protecting her bird is important. I do not want her to feel burdened with guilt or think it was her fault."

"Raphael, you are kind-hearted as always." the King of Cretea looked at his youngest son with a

frustrated smile. "However, I am sure that person will be able to move on. People lose their pets, and while they may mourn, time simply continues on."

"But I wish to express my gratitude—"

"And how do you wish to express it?" the king asked. "I can see it that you wish to reveal yourself, possibly reward her… but if she has truly taken care of you and loved you when you were in the form of that bird, then rewards are not necessary. She has done it out of her own desires."

"Father…"

"Raphael. I know and understand how she has protected you and it has touched your heart, but revealing yourself is not the answer." The King of Cretea folded his hands together. "If she knows who you are, then she will be blinded by your position, and what will happen then?"

"You don't know her, Father!"

Silence befell in the throne room of the King of Cretea. It was the first time that Raphael raised his voice against his own respected father. And while the father spoiled and doted upon his son, it made the King of Cretea realize some issues.

"It seems that your time in the human realm has made you grow increasingly fond of that human," the older god said. "I suggest that you take some time away first and not shirk away from your responsibilities as the Seventh Prince of Cretea."

"Father—"

"Enough. You are letting your emotions grab hold of you and not your rationality," the King of Cretea said. "If after some time, you wish to return back to the human realm… then I will allow it, but think through what you wish to do and understand that there are repercussions to your every move."

Raphael stiffly bowed and nodded. "Thank you, Father."

"One human year," the King of Cretea sighed aloud and knew that he couldn't be too hard on Raphael. "Do not attempt to leave or do anything rash, my son. I have high hopes that you will understand my point of view. When a god walks in any other realm, he is followed by many things, both good and bad."

"I… I understand." Raphael bowed again and then turned to leave.

"Raphael, I hope you truly think about it," the King of Cretea said earnestly. "This human, she might live for a hundred years at most, and then she will die of old age. On the other hand, you are immortal. These few years that you spent with her, I am sure that it will be one out of many events in your life. They will not matter after some time."

Raphael looked back at his father and nodded. "Of course… I know that."

"Good."

However, when Raphael left and returned back to his own residence, he only sat down in hi

s room and refused to entertain his friends who actually went over to visit him. The young god took his father's words to heart and logically understood what the king meant.

It didn't mean that he agreed with them.

"My father's worries are truly out of merit," Raphael said to himself with a smile. "It is not like I will hand the entire world to her, I am not that foolish. Rather, I know that she deserves so much better and it is within my capacity to help her… so I will. That's all."

Raphael said that, but he tapped his fingers idly on the table.

"... Dante can probably get me an hourglass to count the human days, can't he?"