Chapter 928: Raphael And Rowena

"My friends are the ones who will be leaving for something," Raphael emphasized again. Right at that moment, he decided to stay behind and continue helping Rowena. She was not yet free before she reached her realm. So, as a gentleman, he would make sure she was back safely.

Raphael remembered his father always told him that a real man would always protect a woman and that a man should see the job thoroughly. Well.. he was only trying to follow his father's advice.

The other young gods finally got the message, and even Nymia, much to her protest, was dragged away by the rest of the group.

Now, there was only left Rowena and Raphael together.

He didn't know why he was acting like this—he was a very social man and usually loved being surrounded by a large group of friends. However, it had been such a long time since he saw her, that Raphael wished to be alone with Rowena.

Rowena tried not to appear as if she recognized what Raphael did. It was clear as day to her that this young man wanted to get close to her—admiration was just one word, but he seemed infatuated with her in Rowena's eyes.

However, because of the fact that this person saved her, Rowena decided to at least get to know him.

"May I ask for your name?" she asked. Something like this would make him happy enough, right?

"I am Raphael," The seventh prince introduced himself with a sweet smile on his face.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Raphael." Rowena smiled at him before she received the bottle of panacea. "I do not know how to repay you—especially when the most valuable thing on my hand is this potion meant for my friend. However, I owe you a debt of gratitude."

"If you could grant me the opportunity to escort you into the human realm, it would be an honor of mine," Raphael said with a sincere smile as he placed a hand on his chest. 

Rowena looked up at him in surprise. She didn't realize that this man wanted to be so much around her that he'd offer to escort her by himself.  However, this was something that she'd once heard about from Lady Liz and Lady Mary—a very lovestruck fellow.

She didn't know if she should turn Raphael's offer down... but as Rowena looked around her surroundings, she realized that she was still in the Merfolk realm.

The way back up to the human realm was something she did not accurately know.  In addition, she knew that there was a Water Guard who bore a grudge against her for the sake of the king and King Urther didn't seem so happy with her either.

Pe

rhaps it was safer to just take Raphael's offer so she could return to Verona without a problem.

Rowena couldn't risk things anymore. She just wanted to see Julian as soon as possible. The girl nodded slowly. "Well, I appreciate the gesture. Thank you for offering that. I need to head back to the kingdom of Verona—my friend is there."

"That is not a problem with me—" Raphael paused and realized he couldn't easily show off his powers.

While Raphael was confident that Rowena was the same kind person he had met in the past, someone who was willing to risk her life for a friend and go beyond what was necessary... he didn't know if revealing himself as a god would scare her off.

Raphael thought it was best to pretend to be a mortal like her.

"Then uh, lead the way, Raphael," Rowena said.

Rapahel nodded excitedly. "For sure! Along the way, would you mind if you tell me stories—of how you got here? It's quite interesting that you have no gear or any items and yet you've ended up here."

Rowena threw Raphael a look and realized that he was the more friendly type.  It reminded her a bit of Julian, and yet he was different.

There was an air of regal nature around him.

Rowena gave him a look. "For every question you have about me, I suppose it's only fair to also ask something about you, right?"

"Quite fair."

"Then let me start," Rowena asked. "Are you and your friends some kind of Elf? Pardon me if it's too personal. I mean, I have never seen any so I don't know what they look like, but I've heard they are creatures who wield magic. Since you and your friends can go underwater without a problem, but none of you have tails... I assume you are all probably elves."

"Me? An Elf..." Raphael looked over at Rowena and shrugged. "Well, you could say that we're quite similar in some way."

"I see." Rowena pursed her lips but then sighed softly. "You don't have to tell me anything if you do not wish to. I understand the need to hide your background—quite much."

"Yes, I couldn't help but overhear it earlier... about your relationship with your father," Raphael said as he led her out of the royal sea palace.

He waved his hand and a sea horse carriage came to take them to the portal stations.

"Indeed." Rowena sighed and cradled the panacea potion in her hand. "There's not much I can say... I left the palace two years ago and cut off connections with him."

"He must have

been absolutely terrible if you chose to cut ties with him," Raphael probed Rowena.

"I... I wouldn't exactly say that. He knows how to lead his people, and he once was hailed as a hero, you know?" Rowena's smile flickered. "I admired him... I used to want to be like him or at least have his approval. However, I couldn't live up to his expectations, and that's why I ran away."

"You don't have to live for someone else though," Raphael said kindly. "As your father—he should have loved you regardless of who you are or what you achieved."

"I know... but..." Rowena sighed.

"That seems to be the bare minimum to me," Raphael added.