Chapter 998: Preparations For The Wedding
Ti 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 ti to assist her in the preparation of the wedding, and so 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 seed 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 mont 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 so 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 so sense to Queen Lilith that Rowena was a little emotionally stunted.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Rowena bowed her head.
Despite the week of spending ti with each other, it had been hard to foster an emotional connection with Queen Lilith.
"You don't have to thank ." Queen Lilith said. "On the contrary, let thank you."
"Thank ?" Rowena looked up in confusion. "For what?"
"...Well, you've made my son very happy and that ans a lot to . 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 sotis she felt like an impostor. Especially when she was beside her father.
"Don't ss this up, Rowena," King Draco whispered to his daughter as he held out his hand.
"Tonight, to officially reveal the woman who shall soon beco 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 deliver invitations across the countless realms."
"Across the countless realms?" Rowena raised a brow.
"So royalties from other realms will throw a diplomatic version of fit if they're not invited to such montous events like this. My brothers and their wives will co too. I presu 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 ."
"I see. That's a little..." Raphael frowned a little.
"Uncle Jadeith was a lot better though and he was interested in , unlike... most of them—I can't bla them though. I don't find myself yearning for them either." Rowena admitted.
"As long as they've acknowledged you. Although I presu 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 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 mont with ." Rowena smiled and gazed at her soon-to-be-husband.
It was in monts 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 resentnt and hatred simring deep within her heart and rembered what it was like to be happy.
However, it would all soon co crashing down later.
"His Majesty, King Areal, and Her Majesty, Queen Lilith will be presenting their early wedding gift this evening."
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