Chapter 999: The Immortality Potion

"It's not often that a man finds a woman that he wants to spend the rest of his days with—and for gods and even goddesses like us, it does not strike us odd to perhaps experience what it is like to have a mortal fling or two and simply let it be."

"Adopt the demi-gods and leave the mortal partner for naught. However, that is not the case here,"  King Areal looked over at Raphael and Rowena and smiled kindly.  "My son has decided that he wants to spend his eternity with the woman he loves and as a father, I cannot help but be compelled to support him."

There was a hushed reaction within the crowd as the king continued.

"Normally, the tournament of godhood is what decides on whether we will be having a new god or goddess to accompany us here in Cretea, but for the sake of love—both romantic and familial, I hope that you will indulge us and celebrate the welcome of Rowena Roseland into Cretea, the future wife of your Seventh Prince."

Everyone raised their goblets alongside the King of Cretea and drank their fill.

Queen Lilith approached her son and Rowena with the potion bottle wrapped in a beautiful silk ribbon.

"Welcome to our family, Rowena. I say this in advance, that I am truly happy to have you join us." A smile adorned the goddess' face. "It'll be a little difficult to deal with me sometimes, so I hope that we can continue to grow closer because we'll have to deal with each other forever."

Rowena looked at Queen Lilith's face and even that of King Areal looking at her. Everyone's eyes were on her, and yet she blinked back a couple of tears.

Never before did Rowena feel a maternal and a familial sense of love.

Oh, she experienced Julian's love and it was like that of a brother which eventually blossomed into something else—but she had never experienced having a mother say honestly her feelings and show genuine appreciation.

Rowena let go of Raphael's hands and stunned Queen Lilith by giving her a hug. "Thank you! I'm honored to become part of your family. I will not let you down, Queen Lilith."

"Perhaps you should start calling me mother soon enough." Queen Lilith smiled and backed away a little. "But ah, no hugs. I was afraid you'd shatter the bottle... but luckily we're good."

A look of relief was on the queen's face that the bottle in her hand remained fine.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Rowena apologized.

"Take it and keep it safe." Queen Lilith smiled and handed it over to her and then linked arms with Raphael. "Now, Son, why don't we go for a dance ourselves? I know you always loved dancing with me when you were just a baby before."

"Mother..."

"I'll be fine, Raphael." Rowena looked at him and smiled.

After everything, it only seemed right for the mother and son to spend moments together.

Rowena was unfamiliar with the relationship between a mother and her child, but she wanted Raphael to treasure it.  She had never experienced it herself, after all.

And soon enough, Rowena was a bit alone on the dance floor before she moved to the side to avoid the couples dancing.

While she had made some acquaintances along the way, all of them seemed preoccupied with their other companions and Rowena didn't want to be a burden.  Instead, she hastily looked about the ballroom floor and tried to make her way outside.

Rowena's chest was pounding as she held the bottle close to her chest.  There was a sudden fear that seized her when the King of Cretea announced that he'd be giving her an immortality potion and yet she couldn't even say a word to Raphael.

The answers to why King Draco was obsessed with Cretea were clear to her now.

Out of everything that her father achieved—this immortality potion was something that he hadn't gotten.

Rowena's gaze turned back and forth until she located a balcony outside, it was slightly hidden by the large thick drapes, and knew that if there was anyplace, she could avoid her father there.

Or was that a bad idea?

Rowena's palms became clammy and cold.  The usually logical part of herself was overridden by the innate fear to hide away from her father.  So even though it was better to hide amongst the crowd, Rowena found herself heading to the isolated area and only exchanging quick pleasantries with those who tried to talk with her.

Before she knew it, the cold crisp air of the night welcomed her in its frosty embrace and Rowena let out a breath. 

It was cut short when someone grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side.

"A-ah!" Rowena nearly dropped the bottle but she managed to grab it tightly.

"Let's make it quick, shall we child?" King Draco had seen Rowena flee and yet he easily navigated the crowd to find her.

Unlike his calm and collected self, Rowena was anxious and it showed.

"Father... father what do you mean?" Rowena asked.

"Don't play dumb with me. I think you already know what I'm talking about." King Draco held up his wine glass and looked her in the eye. "Serve me the immortality potion now."

"But... but it's not for you." Rowena managed to choke out. "It's given to me."

"Only because my child seems to be lacking enough that they've only considered you." King Draco rolled his eyes and held out his wine glass impatiently. 

He wanted to snatch the immortality potion from his daughter's hand but knew it was better to not be hasty. Instead, he wanted her to do it herself and not say she was forced. 

"Did you not know that the first Elf and his entire kind became magic users because of how much he impressed the King of Cretea? The Elf married into the royal family and became immortal. Not only that but he also received the gift of blessing for his people with magic dust."

It was the first time that Rowena heard of this.

"Compared to that Elf, you seem to be lacking in that regard. You could have done so much more for your people—you've traveled to both the mermaid and elf realm haven't you? Did you see how their lives were easier because of magic?"

Rowena bit her lip.  Julian's story of how a drought nearly killed his entire family and others in his village by starving them to death returned to her mind.

Her father was right, she could have done so much more... and yet she didn't.

"Well?" King Draco held out his wine glass. "What are you waiting for?"

"I... I think it's still a no."

"What?"

"I won't give you the immortality potion."

King Draco clicked his tongue. "Don't make this difficult for us, Rowena. Do you want your old man to die? How selfish of you when I've taken care of you all these years—"

"What will you do when other people figure out that you have become immortal after you take the potion?" Rowena asked.

She was frozen in place, felt incredibly small around him but looked him in the eye. "Regardless of what I can or cannot do for others... what you want is equivalent to stealing what's rightfully mine. What would the other gods do—"

"Who cares about that?" King Draco barked a hoarse laugh and snatched the bottle away from her. "Once they figured out that I am immortal like them, they can't help but acknowledge me as their equal. There is nothing that you can do about this."

He pried the cork open and mixed some of the potion into his wine and then finally dropped the bottle to the floor in a resounding crash.

"Gosh, Rowena!! How could you be so careless and spill this precious potion?!" King Draco yelled loudly as he could.