Chapter 998: Preparations For The Wedding

Time flew by in Cretea and before they knew it, the wedding between Rowena and Raphael was fast approaching.

There were a lot of people that Rowena encountered during this time to assist her in the preparation of the wedding, and some which whom she did her best to kindle a good relationship.

The Goddess of Weaving was more than happy to create a beautiful yet simple wedding gown for the bride, the Goddess of Spring ensured that the flowers were in full bloom during the wedding proper.

Not everyone was happy with the news that Raphael was going to marry a mortal woman—especially when there were a lot of maiden goddesses, but Queen Lilith shushed them and prevented the discontent from reaching Rowena's ears.

Even though Queen Lilith didn't always see eye to eye with Rowena and the woman seemed to be always lost in her thoughts as if she was actually a thousand miles away... the queen respected her son's decision. She knew Raphael well enough to understand that the man could be stubborn with the choices he made in life.

If Raphael thought that Rowena Roseland was the woman for him, even though Queen Lilith didn't see anything special besides her stunning good looks—she would choose to accept it because she valued her son's happiness.

However, Queen Lilith failed to consider one thing.

The most unwilling supporter of Raphael and Rowena's wedding was none other than Nymia herself.

Oh, the goddess of the water springs hid it well, but she was boiling every moment and every second that she accompanied Queen Lilith and Rowena during wedding preparations.

Rowena was good at noticing and detecting any hostility directed towards her, but with her already preoccupied with reaching halfway with Queen Lilith, she failed to see and didn't even notice the slight insults and jabs thrown in her direction.

The thing was that Rowena had dealt with so much more upfront and brutal hostility from people, most especially from King Draco himself that Nymia's passive-aggressiveness was nothing more than a splash of water to Rowena. It didn't hurt her.

However, none of that was important now.

"Turn a little more, darling." Queen Lilith handed over the bouquet to Rowena and went for a smile. "You look great in that dress. My son will be at a loss for words when he sees you."

This was the upcoming happiest day for her son's life, and because there was no other woman to fill in the role to assist Rowena, Queen Lilith herself chose to step in and help her some more.

After all, she heard that Rowena's mother died during childbirth and King Draco stayed as a widower for the past decades so it made some sense to Queen Lilith that Rowena was a little emotionally stunted.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Rowena bowed her head.

Despite the week of spending time with each other, it had been hard to foster an emotional connection with Queen Lilith.

"You don't have to thank me." Queen Lilith said. "On the contrary, let me thank you."

"Thank me?" Rowena looked up in confusion. "For what?"

"...Well, you've made my son very happy and that means a lot to me. Please take care of him from now on."

"I will."

The two didn't know it, but the difficulty of reaching out occurred on either side of the parties.

***

Later that evening, three nights before the wedding day proper—a banquet was held in the royal palace.

Every god and goddess from Cretea was invited to attend the celebration and it made Rowena a nervous wreck.  She tried not to constantly berate herself and live up to the standard that would make everyone pleased but sometimes she felt like an impostor.  Especially when she was beside her father.

"Don't mess this up, Rowena," King Draco whispered to his daughter as he held out his hand.

"Tonight, to officially reveal the woman who shall soon become part of Cretean Royalty, may we present to you, Crown Princess Rowena Roseland accompanied by her father, King Draco Roseland of Ashland."

Rowena sucked in a deep breath and smiled broadly once the door opened and she went down the staircase to where Raphael awaited her with a marveled look on his face.

The gown that Queen Lilith chose for her certainly enhanced Rowena's beauty even further.

Once they reached the main floor, Raphael took over from King Draco and brought Rowena to the ballroom floor.

It was an evening filled with soft music and dancing.  Several gods and goddesses watched on and soon joined in the festivities.

"How are you faring, Rowena?" Raphael asked as he spun her around, his hand carefully resting on her lower back. "It can be especially draining to be with my mother."

"Things are fine—she's quite spirited," Rowena said. "I'm doing my best to catch up with her optimism and zeal for life."

"That's a nice way of saying it." Raphael chuckled as they went for a small dip.

"But it's true." Rowena laughed and felt at ease in his arms. "How are your preparations?"

"Nothing as strenuous as yours." Raphael chuckled. "I've organized my little band of young gods to help me deliver invitations across the countless realms."

"Across the countless realms?" Rowena raised a brow.

"Some royalties from other realms will throw a diplomatic version of fit if they're not invited to such momentous events like this. My brothers and their wives will come too. I presume your maternal relatives will be around. You stayed with them in the past didn't you?"

"Oh, I did... but I think they were looking more for the daughter that they've lost more than me."

"I see. That's a little..." Raphael frowned a little.

"Uncle Jadeith was a lot better though and he was interested in me, unlike... most of them—I can't blame them though. I don't find myself yearning for them either." Rowena admitted.

"As long as they've acknowledged you. Although I presume that they'll start paying more attention since you'll be part of Cretean Royalty now."

Rowena groaned a little and leaned against Raphael. "By the gods, you're right. That's going to be difficult to deal with."

"Do you want me to revoke their invitations?"

"You can't do that." Rowena pouted and looked up at Raphael.

"I can."

"But you won't."

"Why won't I do things for my love?"

"Because it'll be difficult."

"I've done far more challenging things."

"I know and that's why I want you to just enjoy the moment with me." Rowena smiled and gazed at her soon-to-be-husband.

It was in moments like this that Rowena let loose a little and forgot about her problems temporarily—Raphael had no idea how much of a saving grace he was.

When Rowena was with Raphael, she forgot about the resentment and hatred simmering deep within her heart and remembered what it was like to be happy.

However, it would all soon come crashing down later.

"His Majesty, King Areal, and Her Majesty, Queen Lilith will be presenting their early wedding gift this evening."