The Cursed Prince

Harlow really would not trust that man so easily, obviously. Even though he said he was not a bad man and he had been treating her well, but the fact was he still refused to let her go and break the engagement.

Of course, no thief would admit that he was a thief.

"No. I think you can still be that type of person," Harlow shook her head and looked down at her reflection in the spoon, still in her hand. "My aunt Kira is always happy and cheerful, but when my mother retells the story at Mount Tempest, her face would look like she was haunted."

She added with a raised brow, clearly giving the man an accusing gaze. "You clearly had traumatized such a feisty woman. I can only imagine how scary her experience must have been for her to still feel traumatized even after .so many years."

Raphael shrugged indifferently. "Now who is that again…? Ah, you mean that intruder. The Pirate Princess. I can barely remember her face until you brought her up. It was her own fault."

"Riiiiight. It's her fault that she got lost while she was exploring Mount Tempest and accidentally entered the castle ground." Harlow chided Raphael. "You could have talked to her that she tresspassed, don't just punish her without a warning."

Raphael shrugged. "I was not in the mood to talk."

"..."

Harlow became frustrated. She crossed her arms on her chest and gave the man a disapproving gaze. "As far as I can tell, when it comes to gods… you guys don't really respect us humans. We're weaker than you, we don't live long lives and we're incomparable to you gods. So, you will just do whatever you feel like doing to us mortals."

Raphael frowned a little. "Hmmm, that does seem to be the perception of humans and other races towards those who live in Cretea. But may I ask if you've actually met any gods? I am unsure if you can make that conclusion that gods do not care for humans."

"Oh, it's not a one-size fits all scenario." Harlow waved a hand at him. "I was just telling you the common perception."

"Good." Raphael nodded. "You may continue."

Harlow was surprised that Raphael seemed a bit focused on the idea that not all gods were uncaring. Then she remembered that she was talking to the God of Healing. So, she may have accidentally offended him.

King Alexander Leoralei was healed by Raphael and Harlow's grandmother lived to see her grandchildren because of the Ice Prince's intervention. So, Harlow realized she needed to be more careful about her words.

Harlow cleared her throat.

"I know that there are good gods, sympathetic to us humans and even brought us magic. Well, for a certain percentage of humans anyway, but I have a feeling that the one god I met is indicative of that 'humans are weaker' mindset."

"You are not talking about me," Raphael said.

"Honestly, I don't even know who or what you are anymore." Harlow laughed a little. "Are you an Ice Prince, Demon King or a God of Healing?"

"All of the above?" Raphael chuckled. "I am a man of many names and identities. Though I find it far more intriguing that you are bringing up this information right now. What do you wish to say?"

Harlow pursed her lips and nodded slowly. She pushed the tray of breakfast away from her and looked at him seriously. "There is a reason why I've brought them up, Raphael, and it is about the two of us."

Raphael smiled gently and waved his hand to make the tray of breakfast disappear from bed. "Are you worried that I will treat you differently because you are human and I am a god? You do not have to worry about such differences. We are equal in my eyes."

"I mean that's nice and all… but that isn't what I'm really trying to say here." Harlow let out a deep breath. "You've made good points about how the two of us are so different from each other. You are a god and someone who's powerful, you can get any women your heart desires, heck, even the elven princess was head over heels for you. So, why do you keep on insisting on me? Why ME?"

Raphael didn't lose the smile on his face and instead it turned to a boyish grin as he gently brushed away some sauce from Harlow's cheeks with his right thumb. 

"Of course, I want to choose who I want to be with. If I already have everything that people want… wouldn't I also wish to pursue someone I wish to marry and spend the rest of my life with? YOU are the person I want.."

"Raphael." Harlow grabbed his hand and pulled it away from her face. "Why are you so adamant about making me your bride and wife? I mean it when I say that there are countless other women so why insist on someone who keeps rejecting you?"

She added, "Does being rejected turn you on? I actually think it is weird, but if it does turn you on, please tell me, so I can understand and I promise I won't judge you."

The princess' words evaporated the cheerful and relaxed atmosphere in her bedroom. She felt the magic in the air currently keeping the beauty of the room flicker and dissipate for a moment and Harlow thought she saw the actual appearance of the castle.

It was a cold, lonely, stone castle. She batted her eyes in surprise, trying to take in the real sight around her.

However, before she knew it, she was back in her majestic and elegant room with Raphael. The princess felt a wave of suspicion wash over her and realized that things were truly not as they seemed.

What were Raphael's reasonings?

What did Harlow have that he wanted so much?

When Harlow thought of Draec, nothing came to mind, because it was true that Raphael already had everything that he could want in terms of material and physical wealth. He was surely more knowledgeable and powerful too.

So what did Harlow have that Raphael didn't? The princess was convinced that it wasn't about merely her bloodline, appearance or anything surface level like that, so she wanted to know the real reason.

Finally, Raphael gazed at her and asked a question himself that left Harlow speechless for a moment. "Tell me why you don't want to be my wife?"

"I was the one who asked you a question first." Harlow pointed out. "Why don't you answer me?"

"Answer my questions and then I'll answer you." Raphael smiled.

Harlow frowned. "I don't want to be your wife because I don't know you that well."

"You can get to know me," Raphael replied.

"I need a man who is strong and can provide for me… I want someone like my father. My father loves my mother dearly and sacrificed a lot to be with her," Harlow gave another excuse to reject him.

Raphael didn't bat an eye. "I can give you whatever your heart desires, and I love you enough to sacrifice my life and my everything for you."

"Now you're speaking nonsense. How can you love someone who you've never even met before?" Harlow challenged him.

Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat.

THERE IT WAS AGAIN!!!

She saw Raphael's eyes flickered and were filled with sadness before they turned to normal and looked nonchalant like usual.

What was actually going on? She felt like pulling her hair.

.

.

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From Missrealitybites:

This is just a tinyyyyy bit of spoiler.. Harlow and Raphael were linked in the past and their story is actually very, very sad.