Chapter 922: Raphael Comes To The Merfolks Realm

Because of Draco Roseland's scheme, Urther was heavily injured during that time and even eliminated. And yet he had been willing to consider it as nothing more but a result of him participating in the tournament.

People ended up squabbling and fighting over the chance to become a god, so King Urther counted it as nothing more than his failure to be a proper god.

However, King Urther hadn't been ready to return back to the Merfolks  realm and chose to visit countless realms first since he had already left home.

And that was how he encountered Rowena's mother.

As someone from the Merfolks  realm and being a prince himself, he was able to befriend her and get close to her... she was a wonderful woman.

Unfortunately, when Draco visited the elven realm when he was invited by the elven prince who joined them to Cretea, the princess fell in love with Draco instead.

Back then, Urther had been willing to step down because the person he loved wanted someone else... but he should have known that someone who backstabbed like Draco would fail to love his wife.

News of her death was merely delivered via a note to the elven kingdom and King Urther only managed to hear of the news when it was too late.

King Urther sipped his drink and sighed heavily. "I shouldn't have let her go..."

It took him many years to get over his devastation and yet somehow, fate brought Rowena here and the young woman reminded him of everything he tried to forget.

Not only did King Draco poison Urther when they fought in the forest and threw him down a mountain, the man also took the chance of love and happiness away from him.

However, he didn't have much time to ponder.

"Your Majesty!" One of the servants quickly swam towards him in a rush. "Visitors have arrived!"

A deep sigh escaped him as King Urther asked. "And who is it this time?"

"Gods from Cretea, Your Majesty!" the servant declared. "The Seventh Prince himself has come into the Merfolks  realm to speak with you!"

"Oh merciful seven gods," King Urther pulled himself out of his misery and summoned the gods to visit him as his people quickly prepared the place.

"King Urther of the Merieda! We bear greetings to you." Raphael and the others swam into the underwater palace and greeted the king with a small nod.

"What brings the Seventh Prince and his friends to my humble abode and how may I serve Cretea?" King Urther bowed respectfully.

"I believe you have encountered someone from the human realm, Princess Rowena from Ashland has come here," Raphael said.

"Yes, I've encountered her, Your Highness." King Urther bowed respe

ctfully and kept his expression calm. "She has come here after destroying a great deal of corals and other important aquatic plants at our portal."

Nymia looked around the palace idly and with a plain expression on her face.

And yet there was only one thing on her mind.

"Does that mean that she's punished?" Nymia asked casually.

"How is punishment dealt out in the Merfolks  realm anyway?" another god asked. "Wait... she can't use magic like us, does she? Is she even still alive since we're underwater?"

"Oh my, we couldn't have come here already too late, have we?" Nymia covered her mouth to hide a smile.

Raphael's expression turned dark and he glared at his fellow gods.

  "The king of the realm surely knows better than anyone that when someone has committed a crime, a proper judgment is done and they keep them alive. Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"

King Urther had heard rumors of the Seven Princes, and among them, the youngest, Raphael was supposed to have been relaxed and kind.

Yet, he had nothing but a murderous aura around him, especially after he hear Nymia ask the possibility of Rowena being punished for her crime. A shudder went down the Merfolks  king's spine. What did Rowena have to do with the seventh prince?

It was not strange for some humans to drown, and yet he thanked the gods that Rowena was still alive.

"Of course, Your Highness! She is completely safe and unharmed. However, it does not change the fact that she has still committed a crime against my people. Surely, you are not trying to exert your influence here?"

Despite the fact that Cretea was the most powerful realm, unaffected by life and death, the King of Cretea respected all of the realms and allowed them to rule according to their discretion.

It meant that despite the fact that King Urther found himself surrounded by gods, his authority was still greater than them as they were in his domain.

Much more with the fact that Rowena actually committed a crime against his people.

Raphael's expression shifted. Uff...!  His father shouldn't hear about this and if King Urther spoke about it, then the reason why Raphael delayed his time in the human realm would be revealed.

Raphael's gaze finally laid on the scar across the King's chest and then spoke calmly.

"Not at all, Your Majesty. I am simply here to present you a favor if you would also be willing to hear out mine."

King Urther noticed the gaze and smiled in pain. "If you wish to heal the scar across my chest... I prefer it to still be around. It is a reminder for myself of how someone you trust can still betray you."

Raphael looked at the King and respectfully shook his head. "While it is a good reminder, Your Majesty. If you continue to harbor the pain, the emotions that hurt you... I believe that you will not be able to bring your kingdom into its full prosperity."

"Those are outlandish statements, Your Highness," King Urther said. "My kingdom is prosperous."

"However, if the king continues to be in pain, afflicted and haunted by the memories of the past," Raphael said. "I do not think you will be able to dwell much in the present."

King Urther knew that was true, and yet what else could he do?

It was not easy to forget...Or was it?