Chapter 945: Julian's Request

The next day, Rowena finally woke up as sunlight filtered into the open window.  She soon realized that she was on her bed—and someone must have carried her out from the infirmary.

Confused, Rowena blinked and rubbed her eyes until she heard a familiar voice.

"Finally awake, sleepyhead?"

Rowena's voice caught in her throat as she looked up and saw Julian.  He was all better, with healthy color to his cheeks and the same mischievous grin on his face.

"J-Julian is that you? Is that really you?" Rowena stammered.

"No other." Julian chuckled and spread his arms out. "Now come here."

Rowena stumbled and staggered out of her bed, she nearly tripped in her blankets but she ran into his arms.  She was engulfed in his arms as tears of happiness leaked out of her eyes. 

"You're awake! Gods, Julian you're awake!" Rowena gushed as her teardrops fell on the floor. "I knew you would wake up—I never once doubted that you would."

"I'm glad that you never gave up on me—so now's the time to stop being a crybaby." Julian chuckled as he pulled away and looked at her face. "Look at that, all that's snot dripping out of your nose, kid." 

Rowena quickly wiped her nose and smiled. "I'm just so happy to see you again. There's so much I want to tell you and now that you're here—"

"You can finally tell me everything that's weighing on your mind." Julian stepped towards the bed and sat down.

Rowena followed after him and plopped down as the mattress sank at her weight. She looked at him, still glued to his face.  There was an indescribable happiness within her chest and yet she knew she needed to start from somewhere.

"So, um, after you got poisoned and woke up—I think you immediately fell asleep and passed out right after I left to find a cure."

"That's right."

"You forced yourself amidst it all that I'm not sure if you've realized the truth and reasons as to why you got poisoned?"

"I don't really think so." Julian shook his head. "It was a mess during the banquet, a lot started passing out—but I knew about the poison though."

"Which is the most frustrating thing! How could you have agreed to it." Rowena snapped and looked at Julian filled with mixed emotions. "Is money really all that important to you—you could have just asked."

"I'm sorry," Julian smiled apologetically. "I have my reasons for it… but you won't know. I mean, I can't tell you. But do know that I won't do it again, I promise."

Rowena blinked back her tears and returned his smile. "Thank you."

Before she could say anything else, a sudden chorus of noise and people echoed outside and disturbed Rowena.

She blinked and frowned. "What's with all that sudden noise?"

"Let me check." Julian stood up and sauntered over, and Rowena immediately trailed behind him.

"What do you see?" Rowena asked as she glanced out the window.

"They're arranging seats, a platform of some sort is being placed, simple banners—some kind of event maybe." Julian replied 

Rowena looked over and even spotted Prince Jadeith casting magic and helping set up which was surprising.  She didn't think her uncle would be kind enough to offer help, but perhaps she was wrong about him.

Honestly, Prince Jadeith didn't seem all that bad at all and his offer of letting her meet their entire family struck her mind.  However, Rowena only gave her uncle and the rest of the crowd a fleeting glance before she turned away and met Julian's gaze.

She couldn't be bothered with her relatives, when her real family, her home—Julian was here with her.

Rowena suddenly remembered King Xander and looked at him urgently.

"Your father—"

"My father?" Julian blinked. "What about him?"

Rowena smiled sadly. "He's grieving over the first queen, Queen Gabrielle, your mother."

Julian sighed and folded his hands together. His silence suddenly worried Rowena as she looked at him.

"What's wrong, Julian? Do you want to talk to your father or run away with me now? We can do it—I want to escape my own father, anyway." Rowena smiled. "The timing couldn't be more perfect, you know?"

Julian shook his head. "Did you remember what that old doctor, what's his name, Doctor Gerald told everyone in the banquet? My mother's sister, that woman, Serena, killed my mother?"

"I did." Rowena gritted her teeth. "She is evil."

"Well, I want her to be punished." Julian looked at Rowena deeply.

"Punished?" Rowena licked her lips and stared up at Julian's face. "How? She's already locked up in that tower and separated from her family."

"You know that's not enough." Julian said. "After everything that happened to you, to me—do you really think we should let her go easy like that?"

"No, but…"

"Rowena, please avenge me," Julian said. "Do it for me. Do it for all the hurt and grievances that she's caused… not only you and me but everyone else that she's hurt in the past. That's the only way to truly end things." 

Rowena looked at him. "And then we'll be happy?"

"Of course!" Julian nodded. "With her gone, then nobody will hurt me anymore and I'll be safe. You can't be so sure of when she'll strike next if you let her stay alive."

"You're right." Rowena slowly nodded and then smiled dreamily. "I'll do it. I'll do it for you, Julian. It's the only right thing to do—she doesn't deserve mercy, she deserves to die."

"Good." 

However, before she could move towards the door, Rowena suddenly hesitated.

"What's the matter?" Julian looked at her.

"I'm thinking about Liam…" Rowena said. "Your brother—"

"He doesn't deserve to be called a brother. He's the one who poisoned me right? It's all of his fault too—so who cares if he gets hurt? He hurt

me and he hurt you too," Julian said.

"An eye for an eye, then," Rowena said.

"Pay them back twofold."

.

.

.

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From Missrealitybites:

Before you ask... no, this Julian is not real. Rowena has become mentally ill after everything that happened and starts hallucinating. That's why I applaud Raphael for being so loving and accepting until the very (bitter) end.

PS: Thank you, dear Pamela Erb, for gifting a dragon to "The Cursed Prince" yesterday. xx