The Cursed Prince

When Rowena looked at Raphael, she still saw a hideous creature with two horns before her eyes. However, this time, Rowena focused on the book behind the ugly cover.

She realized, this wonderful man was worth more than a million handsome princes.

"I am sorry for rejecting you earlier…" Rowena swallowed hard. She lowered her face out of shame, but Raphael tugged her chin and made her look him in the eye. "I was worried that someday you will resent me for this. I should have known better. You would never abandon me. I am ashamed that I thought that way about you."

"There is no need to be sorry," Raphael said gently. "You have been disappointed by everyone in your life and you were scared that I would do the same thing. I totally understand that. I am not offended."

Rowena's eyes were gleaming with tears. This man was hideous… but she loved him despite his looks.

"Thank you…" she whispered. The next thing Raphael knew, Rowena had tiptoed and pulled him in for a kiss. It was sweet and wholesome.

Raphael's heart fluttered. Now his confidence was restored. He believed Rowena would be able to pass his father's test and prove her love for him. She had slowly accepted him and it was only a matter of time until they could become the way they were before.

He would tread carefully until they could pass this test together. Once Rowena was pardoned, he would gently find out why she did what she did. Raphael knew Rowena was not a wicked woman like many people accused her to be.

There must be a reason for her action. He was sure of it.

"I love you, Rowena," Raphael smiled broadly after the kiss ended. He looked at the beautiful woman with so much love in his eyes. Unfortunately, the sweet smile didn't reach Rowena. All she saw was a horrifying monster baring his yellow and ugly fangs at her.

She forced a smile and touched his cheek. "I love you too, Raphael."

***

< Several Hours Earlier >

Nymia didn't want Raphael to get himself entangled any further with Rowena, that wicked temptress. She was about to visit the King of Cretea today to ask to separate the two by force since it seemed like Raphael was manipulated for real.

However, when Nymia arrived at the throne room, she immediately found Raphael on his knees and already begging his father to free Rowena.

She gritted her teeth and hid away in one of the pillars to prevent herself from being seen. Another god or goddess would have run away but she was determined to stay where she was. 

"I hope His Majesty talks some sense into Raphael," Nymia muttered underneath her breath and started to eavesdrop on the conversation. Her eyes widened and she bit back a gasp at the King of Cretea's words.

"Then go back and free her from prison now, my son. Perhaps… it's you who will finally see the truth." the King of Cretea said.

"Before I leave, father," Raphael said. "I want to ask you what exact proof you are looking for from Rowena? She has already told me countless times that she loves me and even married me. What else are you looking for?"

"Words can be said in lies but it is one's actions that dictate the truth about a person's actions." the king said.

"Then you are looking for a specific act?" Raphael blinked. "Some valorous act to prove that she loves me? I do not understand what you mean. She has already married me and yet that is not proof to you."

"I am not asking her to save a kingdom in your name or battle a dragon to prove her love to my son," the king of Cretea said. "An act made in pure love will determine whether or not she truly loves you."

"Do you mean a kiss will do, Father?" Raphael asked.

The king of Cretea shook his head and looked down at the Seventh Prince. 

"I have cast a spell on your wife and I will give you a month for Rowena to prove that she loves you. In her eyes, she will see a hideous beast instead of your form and if she is willing to sleep with you in spite of it all, the spell will be released."

Nymia's eyes widened and she gritted her teeth. That was too easy. She thought that the King of Cretea was truly spoiling his son and saying it was a punishment when it wasn't. All Rowena needed to do was close her eyes so they could break her free from the spell.

"Then that's…" 

"It will not be easy, my son. If you think you can simply explain the situation to her, you cannot." the king of Cretea said. "If you really wish to see if she loves you, then let acts prove to you what she really thinks."

***

Nymia couldn't accept it at all and rushed out of the temple. 

"They can't call that a test…!! Gosh! It's so unfair! The king is being too easy on his son. Raphael is too kind and so is His Majesty." Frustration welled inside of her that Rowena who stole everything would be happy.

Why did that mortal deserve to have a good life here in Cretea when she did it all through atrocious methods? In Nymia's eyes, Rowena was nothing more but someone who rose up Cretea simply by using her beauty.

She hated it. She hated Rowena so much.

What did Raphael even see in that woman? He was manipulated into doing things for that woman.

"I just can't let it…ugh! Can I really let that happen? They don't know what they're doing. I have to take care of the matter by myself." Nymia quickly convoluted a plot in her mind. "If the king will cause a spell to affect Rowena's eyes, maybe I can—"

She gritted her teeth and balled her fists. Nymia was filled with rage and envy.

The goddess visited one of the temples in Cretea that was filled with different colored smoke and noxious scents. Nymia raised her eyes and found Lilith, the High Goddess of Apothecary busy with her furnace.

"Lilith, do you have something that affects the mind?" Nymia stared at all of the ingredients and wondered which ones would do. 

"Do you need something to ease your spirits?" Lilith asked.

"No." Nymia shook her head. "The demon realm so far has been in a state of unrest. I wish to concoct a potion that will mess with their minds. Something that can make them go insane preferably."

"Nymia." Lilith turned to look at her seriously. "You are not someone who fights battles here in Cretea. I do not know why you would need such a dark and twisted potion."

"I am not lying. I have seen this wicked seducer crawl all the way up here." Nymia's voice was flat. "She's no better than succubus and incubus that prey on unsuspecting people. She will bring this place into ruins."

"..." Lilith looked at the other woman quietly. "Do you really think that this is true? There is no harm in letting someone who is loved by the Seventh Prince here."

"Right now, it is only her… but what will happen when the entire Cretea is put in a state of unrest and imbalance?" Nymia picked up a potion bottle currently filled with a dark green liquid. "She might be the first of many to come."

"Be careful with that. That is poison."

Nymia poured it down on the table and she watched the wood be eaten away.. "Will you help me or not? I am requesting a potion that will burn this temptress's mind away so that it is she who will choose to leave Cretea."