Chapter 927: Free From The Merfolk King

Rowena slowly looked over at Raphael and didn't know what to feel. She had to be grateful since he managed to save her life.

But was it really worth it for him to go through all this trouble just because he saw a pretty face? From the way he looked at her, she could tell that this man was enamored with her beauty, just like all the other men she encountered in her travels.

Rowena held back a shudder and hoped that the man didn't expect anything. If he did, she would tell him that she didn't promise him anything in the first place for helping her. Let's see if he would insist that she paid him with something.

"We're free!" Erille laughed.

The three former criminals were released from the aquatic prison and swam toward Rowena.

"You're amazing, we thought we were goners." Ursula gushed.

"The escape didn't work out too well, though," Rowena said, slightly embarrassed.

"Still, you managed to talk them out! But ah, pardon me… Your Highness." Neria coughed. "So, you're a princess!! My oh my... apologies. It's rude for us to talk to you without honorifics."

"No-no, you don't have to call me that way," Rowena smiled and waved a hand.

"You were very impressive nonetheless," the sea witch remarked and then looked over as a servant swam in with a glowing bottle. "You'll be obtaining what appears to be a panacea."

"A cure available for everything." Rowena recognized the item.

"Indeed," the sea witch nodded and bowed her head. "A faster recovery to your friend, without the delay to neutralize the poison. Perhaps I should return this necklace?"

Rowena looked over the seashell necklace and waved a hand. "Keep it."

The first king of Verona did steal it… and she thought it was a fitting price to pay for everything that happened.

"Will you also be going to talk to our unexpected savior?"

Rowena looked over at Raphael surrounded by his companions.

She didn't want to approach him, but the truth was that his words were enough to make the king actually give her a chance to speak up for herself.  What he did might have meant little to Raphael, but it was the world for Rowena. Now she could go back to the surface and help Julian.

"I probably should," Rowena smiled at the former prisoners and then swam her way towards Raphael and the others. The group seemed ready to leave, but paused when they noticed her.

Their heavy stares were a tell-tale sign that they did not expect her to come, but Rowena cleared her throat.

"Um, may I speak to you?"

Raphael froze in his steps at the sound of her voice.  His heart pounded.

He thought h

e could get some time to think for himself, but as she called out to him, it cemented what he now recognized.

Raphael was now deeply aware of his feelings for her.  For the past two years, he wanted to see Rowena but he assumed it was merely to satisfy his curiosity about her well-being.

However, now he realized that he started to see her in the way that a man looked at a woman.

What his fellow gods had once teased him about now seemed to ring true, because, as a Seventh Prince, the young god of Cretea fell for a mortal.

"Ah, yes. How may I help you?" Raphael spun around and gave her a smile. He initially wanted to leave because his job was done. Rowena was alive and well.

However, when she called out to him and stood before him with her flushed cheeks and adorable expression, he hoped she would ask him to go with her to the surface and protect her from whatever bad things she would encounter in the human realm.

Rowena looked at Raphael and smiled sweetly. Since he looked like he was ready to leave without asking for any compensation for helping her out in front of King Urther earlier, Rowena realized this man was sincere.

He was not like those other men who were enamored by her good looks and wished to help her in return for something.

A rare specimen. Thus, it made her want to thank him personally and let him know that she was not an ungrateful damsel.

"Sir... I wish to thank you for your assistance." Rowena said with a small curtsy. "If it were not for your word, I was afraid that the circumstances right now would have been different."

"You're welcome, Princess," Raphael said. "But it is merely because I've heard of your story from King Urther's complaints earlier—and I was outstanded by your sacrifice for your friend."

Rowena pursed her lips and didn't quite know if she'd take his word as the truth.

She slowly pushed back a strand of her hair behind an ear and said. "I believe you and your group of friends would do the same for each other if you were in my position. I do not see what is so admirable about it."

Nymia frowned hard and yet couldn't say a word, but then she took a chance to speak. She looked over towards Raphael and gave him a smile. "Indeed. I would do the same for you, Raphael."

Raphael looked over at Nymia and smiled slightly. "Thank you, Nymia—but ah, Row—"

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself." Rowena realized that they had only heard her name from the king. "My name is Rowena... I am from a human kingdom. I just happen to stumble across the portal to the Merfolk realm."

"A pleasure to meet you!" Some of the other gods, the friendlier male ones started to introduce themselves—but stopped at the look of Raphael. He narrowed his eyes in

displeasure and immediately the male gods looked away and pretended they didn't say anything.

"I believe my friends here are supposed to be heading off somewhere," Raphael cleared his throat.

"O-oh, I must be disturbing your schedule then. My sincerest apologies." Rowena realized.

She had no idea what they were, most of them seemed human but it was the first time that she'd encountered people who were able to breathe underwater without difficulty. 

Based on how King Urther respected them and considered them as guests—they had to be important.

Especially the one who had spoken up for her sake.