Chapter 939: King Draco Tries To Manipulate Rowena
King Draco realized that this individual must be incredibly important if even an Elven Prince like Jadeith bowed his head.
Elves were rather arrogant and even pompous. They thought of themselves as beyond other races. So, Jadeith's attitude made King Draco quickly realize something.
That young man who just entered must be.... a god.
And the elven prince confirmed his suspicion by approaching King Draco and whispering under his breath. "Pay respects, he is the son of the King of Cretea."
King Draco couldn't believe his luck.
Raphael's face was icy and unreadable, but King Draco recognized the slightest hint of the man looking in Rowena's way. He could recognize the same glint as what he saw in Liam's eyes when he looked at Rowena.
Ha. Not even a god was immune to Rowena's charm, he thought, feeling very pleased.
So even though it was unexpected for King Draco, his head already started to formulate plans. Who cared if Rowena already seemed lost in the head? It was far easier to manipulate his daughter in this state.
Perhaps everything was a boon to King Draco?
"Excuse me, I wish to talk with my daughter privately first." King Draco bowed his way to Raphael but then grabbed for Rowena and dragged her away.
As expected, Rowena was compliant and followed him easily. Despite the fact that she grew older, it almost seemed like she only grew more gullible.
The situation around this Julian really hit her hard.
"Rowena do you know that man from before?"
"That was Raphael." Rowena blinked and looked at her father. At the sound of his voice, she easily answered him. It was as if she never really had left. He always had that effect on her.
"I am not sure if you are aware of the situation, but that man is a powerful being—he can help you with the situation with your friend."
"Julian?" Rowena asked.
"Yes. He is an immortal and comes from Cretea—the land of the gods. If you wish to revive your friend then the situation is quite simple. You only need to seduce the man and ask him to give you the immortality potion."
"I already gave Julian a panacea…"
"The immortality potion will wake him up."
Rowena looked at her father and shook her head.
"You… I can't trust your words so easily," Rowena said. Even though a part of her clung that King Draco was saying the truth, she did not want to be deceived.
"What do you mean?" King Draco narrowed his eyes at her.
While she yearned for Julian to wake up, Rowena couldn't simply trust her father.
"You may be lying—immortals and all this nonsense. What if you're wrong? You must be wrong because how can you determine a person's nature when you just met them?"
"Ah, so you doubt that he is immortal." King Draco said and nodded slowly. He looked over the balcony where he took Rowena and gestured.
"What?"
"If you want me to prove my words, then all you need to do is to pretend and say you'll jump over here—that man will undoubtedly save you and reveal his powers."
"That's…"
"Not enough? Maybe one of those taller towers then." King Draco pointed at the highest part of the palace. "I understand why you hesitate, but I a
m sure that this individual you've met is someone who can help you."
Rowena shook her head and stepped away from him. "I… I am going to talk to my uncle first. If he's come from the elven realm just to see me, then it's only fair for me to come to know him."
"I see. Well, you can talk to Jadeith and ask him about your new acquaintance. He will confirm my words. That man over there is a god. It is good for you if you could convince him to bring your friend." King Draco said. "There is a good mountain around these parts that will help your friend while he sleeps."
"A mountain?"
"An ice mountain, or cave rather—he will be able to rest there and let the freezing winds preserve his body while he is yet to awaken."
"If my uncle is from the elven realm, why can't he help me wake up Julian?"
"It's the same reason why I insist that this Raphael be the one to help you—he is a god. Even Elves pale in comparison to the one who lives in Cretea. Only an immortality potion is potent enough to bring your friend back to life, to awaken him." King Draco spoke so convincingly.
Rowena looked at him wordlessly and then she left.
King Draco watched his daughter leave, but did not pursue her. After all, it was not enough to simply coordinate with one pawn on a chessboard.
He caught sight of the young brat prince who followed after them. Preposterously waiting by the pillars. He didn't eavesdrop, but was instead, focused on one person alone.
"Rowena!" Liam cried out.
"I don't have time to talk with you," Rowena said as she walked past him. "I need to talk with my uncle."
"Rowena…" Prince Liam sighed as he watched her leave and enter back into the palace.
The prince knew that she was probably furious with him and she was right to do so—but she was the only one he felt that he could talk to after everything that happened.
It's been seven days since his brother died, his mother imprisoned in a tower and for his own father to have locked himself in his chambers.
Liam felt so alone and it showed.
The moment that Rowena disappeared and was out of earshot, King Draco approached the young lad and spoke to him.
There was much to be said.
***
In the royal dining hall, when King Draco took Rowena away to talk with her privately, the Elven Prince approached Raphael and prevented him from chasing after Rowena.
"Your Highness, it is a pleasure and an honor to see you in these lands," Jadeith greeted. "The adventures of the sons of Cretea truly take you and your brothers in all realms."
"Ah, Prince Jadeith… the pleasure is mine," Raphael said politely, even though he sighed inwardly.
He did not have any interest in talking with Jadeith, but once again, as his father's representative whenever he was out of Cretea, he was obliged to speak and exchange words.
"What brings you to the human realm, with one of the humans?"
"That man, King Draco, is my brother-in-law, and an old friend of mine from the days when he and I pursued to become like yourself," Prince Jadeith laughed.
Raphael nodded. "I see, I couldn't help but overhear..."
"Uncle?" Rowena called out uncertainly. She entered back into the foyer and looked at the elven prince
and Raphael unsurely.
The words of King Draco echoed in her ears like a mad and raving spell she couldn't remove from her head.
This man—Raphael was someone who could help her… if she seduced him?
"Rowena," Prince Jadeith looked over towards her with a gentle smile. "Did you clear things up with your father? I only joined with him now to see you, but if you wish… I'd like to introduce you to the rest of our family."
"The rest?"
"Your grandmother and grandfather, every member of the royal elven court," Prince Jadeith said.
Rowena's eyes widened when she heard him.