The Cursed Prince

Harlow looked up at Raphael and despite his fearsome appearance, she only felt relief flood through her chest. The fears she had, disappeared in his presence… but then she realized that she was clinging to him.

Why was she doing that? The princess was supposed to distance herself from this Demon King. She didn't want the man to get the wrong idea and assume that Harlow was enamored with him.

She was just relieved that he saved her. In this foreign place without a single friendly face, he was like a breath of fresh air.

"Are you okay?" Raphael asked again. His voice was gentle and soothing, almost like talking to a child. He was careful with his words and action, so as not to add stress to this distraught-looking woman.

"I-I'm fine. I didn't get hurt at all." Harlow stepped back and raised her hands.

She smiled weakly and yet found herself unable to look away at anybody other than him. There was such an intense look on his face that made her believe that he would do anything if something happened to her.

It was the expression of someone ready to move a mountain for someone they loved. Harlow really couldn't understand why a man like Raphael would feel this strongly about her.

It was really strange because they didn't know each other prior to Harlow coming to the demons realm to find him.

Well… at least, that's what happened on Harlow's side.

The Demon King's gaze was all on the princess, checking every inch of her body, making sure she was really unhurt. He sighed softly at her words that reassured him that she was fine. 

He was prepared to heal her and make any person who lay a single finger on her suffer, regardless of the consequences it might have put him… again.

"That's good. Can you explain how you got here?" Raphael decided to ask. He was actually confused. "You were supposed to be at the castle, completely safe and sound. Why are you suddenly here?"

"I-I discovered your Magic Closet." Harlow averted her gaze. She was too embarrassed to admit that she was sneaking around with the sole purpose of finding the magic closet  to steal it. Now, she felt so guilty.

Harlow added  in a low voice. "Well, Julian told me all about it, but he's not real. The thing is, I went to the Magic Closet and wished to go back home but I ended up here in Cretea."

Raphael blinked at her words.

Home?

Harlow should have ended up in Draec if that's what she wished for and yet the Magic Closet took her to Cretea? Was it because Raphael was here so she was taken to this place and not Draec?

Raphael's gaze immediately softened as he looked at Harlow. Even if she denied it to herself, whether or not she remembered the truth, the Magic Closet still took her to Cretea and not Draec.

Because HE was her home.

"Oh, Harlow…" he muttered. His voice was hoarse and Harlow could see tears started forming in his eyes. This man was feeling so touched all of a sudden.

At the same time, all of the guards hesitated at the sight of Raphael. They immediately exchanged silent and gauging looks. They raised their weapons and yet not one of them dared to intercept the man who threw open the prison doors.

All of the elite guards were unsure if it was right for them to try and capture Raphael. For a moment, they were dazed and didn't know what to do. Fortunately, the head of the guards signaled them to stop moving and not lift a single finger against Raphael.

It wouldn't work anyway. It was impossible to stop someone as powerful as him.

On the other hand, Nymia's eyes widened at the appearance of Raphael. She hadn't seen him for so long and he was just as she remembered. He looked perfect in every way. The man was still as handsome and gentle as the last time she saw him.

Why did he suddenly appear? 

It made her heart ache for a moment until Nymia realized what Raphael did. He had tossed open the prison door and immediately embraced the human girl. The goddess could only stare wordlessly at Harlow in his arms. 

Nymia's mouth fell open and yet no words escaped her throat. She was suddenly plagued with a thousand questions in her mind. Why was Raphael here? Why was he protecting that ordinary mortal woman? 

Did Raphael appear because of that human?

Why?

This woman was no one special at all. She was not even half as beautiful as Nymia and she was also not powerful.

Yet, Raphael treated her like she was the most precious being in the whole universe.

And the way he looked at her was just like the way he—

Wait…

It didn't take Nymia too long to realize who the woman was. When she did, the calmness in her chest suddenly vanished. While the guards halted their movements, a wave of sudden anger raged within her.

"So it's you!" Nymia shouted and rushed inside of the prison room. Her face was red and flushed as she looked at Harlow. She raised her finger pointedly at the prisoner. "Did you think that you could fool me? You no-good, manipulative temptress! How dare you show your face here again!"

Harlow's ears pricked at the sudden scream of the goddess. Like a seething goddess of fury, Nymia rushed towards Harlow and reached out for her. Her hands were ready to claw and attack. 

Nymia was so furious at the sight of Harlow that her hands were engulfed in a blue flame while she was charging forward. The flame was so hot, it could burn her victim into ashes in one blow. However, Raphael quickly moved in between them.

"How could you!" Nymia screamed at Harlow and charged. However, before she could get to Harlow, Raphael had held Nymia's attack with one hand and tossed her to the side.

The goddess threw a look of betrayal at Raphael. "Why is she here again? Why are you with Rowena when she has been nothing more but a seductress? She was responsible for your downfall! Why are you  so blinded???" 

"Nymia... please," Raphael looked at Nymia with a pleading gaze.. His eyes were gleaming with tears.