The Cursed Prince

"He single-handedly managed to unite all of you guys, surely that's because he is powerful, right?" Harlow tried to probe them further. "Did he make all of the rulers bow down to him and make them worship him? Do you guys know he is also called the God of Healing?"

"God of Healing?" Dorian tilted her head. "I think I have heard of that identity, but we know that he is a Being of many names. I do not think that is his only expertise or else he wouldn't have been capable of changing the entire demon realm if he only knew how to heal."

Harlow could see that all of the servants were enthusiastic about Raphael. She had a feeling that if she ended up meeting the demon servants taking care of the gardens, they'd say the same thing.

"Why am I even surprised?" Harlow buried her head into the water.

This man, who was so adamant about marrying her, must have charmed everyone who worked in this castle. So, they only had good things to say to him. Harlow must find other people and talk to them, people who were not working in this castle.

Perhaps, if she could get out of this place and go back to the city, she could find the information she needed.

If Raphael came here during the time when the demons were fighting against each other and forced them to unite under him, there were bound to be people who didn't willingly accept the situation.

Perhaps, the old rulers in this realm? She couldn't wait to find out.

***

After the bath and with the help of Dorian and Beth, Harlow changed into her new clothes, Now she felt as good as new. The bath was exactly what she needed to feel refreshed. When she came out of the bathroom, she had a rather relaxed expression on her face.

Except for the two servants nonstop talking about Raphael where the two were practically gushing, the bath allowed her to actually get a moment of peace.

"Before he left, he told me that I would know where to find him…" Harlow muttered to herself and glanced out of the window. There were a lot of possible places for a Demon King to go around in his castle and yet she had a gut instinct. "Is your King in the gardens?"

"Oh, has King Raphael told you about his hobby for gardening?" Dorian blinked.

"It seems like they truly are a match." Beth turned to Dorian and smiled knowingly. 

"When the king is not preoccupied with state affairs, he is usually in the gardens and tending to his flowers." Dorian happily explained to Harlow. "As the demon realm is in a prosperous time and in a state of peace. He is frequently there."

The two maidservants somehow ended up warming up to Harlow because she chose to have Raphael as the main topic. Harlow tried not to grimace by the servants' obvious adoration for their king and kept her expression flat. 

She was also surprised that Raphael liked flowers. So, he liked tending to his gardens, eh?

"I will go and meet with him then…" Harlow said with a small frown. 

"You can just go out through this side door, Your Highness," Beth explained, opening the door to Harlow's right. It opened to a massive garden. Harlow didn't remember seeing a garden there before.

Oh… this place was truly enchanted! Had she not known that Raphael was a powerful magic user and enchanted his castle, she would think she was out of her mind when she saw the space around her keep changing looks.

"Thank you, Beth." Harlow nodded at the maid. She took a deep breath and then walked through the door, going to look for Raphael.

The garden was truly beautiful as she walked through it. There were flowers and plants of any kinds and colors. It truly didn't feel like she was in a demon's realm.

Perhaps, this was also part of Raphael's magic. He only wanted her to see good things only, none of the ugly parts of the demons' realm.

Come to think of it, it was very sweet.

"Ouch….!" Harlow suddenly pinched her cheek.

She just thought he was sweet? COME ON!

The beautiful princess winced her forehead and waved both hands in disbelief. She must not be swayed.

All the good things she saw around her was… magic. They were not real.

She couldn't possibly marry this man and lived in a cold stone castle, served by hideous and scary demons for maids, a minotaur for a chef… and a fake garden to give her an illusion of beauty.

She just wanted to go home and get away from Raphael's clutch. She wished to release herself from being bound to him by the stupid oath.

She needed to find Julian and plan their grand heist. 

"Wifey, you have come to find me." 

Harlow was moved from her reverie when that familiar and annoying voice rang from her left. She froze on the spot, like a thief being caught red-handed with her loot.

Gosh… She was just thinking of ways to steal Raphael's magic closet together with Julian and then break her engagement to Raphael, right next to the demon king himself.

She was too preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't realize he was already there near her, watching her with a sweet smile on his face.

"Eh..?" Harlow turned to the left and saw Raphael waving his hand. She batted her eyes and, out of instinct, hid her hands behind her back. Harlow immediately regained her composure and spoke, as nonchalantly as possible, "There you are."

"Yes, here I am." Raphael nodded. "Did you enjoy your bath? What can I do for you this time?"

"Are you really taking care of the flowers like what Beth  and Dorian told me?" Harlow couldn't help but ask. When she saw him nod in affirmation, she furrowed her brows. "Why? Didn't you say you have your own gardeners?" 

"Oh, not all of the flowers." Raphael chuckled and then gestured behind him. "Just these little ones."

.

.

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From Missrealitybites:

Oh...  he can cook, and likes gardening too!

HARLOW, JUST MARRY THE MAN!!