Chapter 1007 The Simple Wedding

They could only make guesses but none of them would really know the truth of what happened to their crown princess. The knights spread the news that the mountain was now sacred and people shouldn't come near if they didn't want to be cursed by the ice G.o.d and died frozen.

Meanwhile, Rowena and Raphael had arrived in the royal palace and she immediately notified all the ministers and lords of the main houses to come and see her in three days for an important meeting. She would announce her father's death and take over power.

With Raphael's help, she was sure she could rule Ashland well and make her kingdom prosperous. After she sent the royal messengers to send the invitation to the ministers and lords in Ashland to see her, Rowena resigned to her chamber with Raphael. As soon as she closed the door behind her, the princess dropped to her knees. She was exhausted and just wanted to lie down.

"Hey, don't sleep here," Raphael chuckled and lifted her in his arms. He carried her toward her bed and gently placed her on the soft mattress. "You must be very tired."

Rowena nodded weakly. "I am not sure how long I was traveling to reach Ashland."

Raphael cleared his throat. "Around one month. Six weeks to be exact."

"Huh? I didn't remember traveling that long," Rowena was confused. "I left Cretea with the pegasus and reached the sea, and then I fell asleep on the pegasus' back. The next thing I know, I landed in front of the ice cave."

"You're not going through a normal timeline," Raphael commented. "Perhaps you were protected by the pegasus during the journey. They have magic too, you know. I had been looking for you for a long time before suddenly my heart told me to look for you in Ashland, the most unlikely place of all places."

"Hmm..." Rowena closed her heavy eyelids and mumbled. "I'm glad you came. I'm glad you followed your heart."

She moved her weak hands to hug him but she felt extremely tired that she had fallen asleep before she could wrap her hands around his waist.

Raphael smiled and pulled her closed and hugged her tightly, careful not to make her feel uncomfortable.

He was also glad he followed his heart when it came to Rowena.

***

The knights in the royal palace, together with the servants, and other staff were all shocked when they heard from Rowena that King Draco Roseland had died in a faraway land during their travel.

She didn't explain about Cretea, so they were wondering why there was no official news from the kingdom which Draco visited, where he took his last breath. His cause of death also became the subject of a lot of speculations.

He was a really formidable king, a warrior when he was younger, and even in his forties, he still looked much younger and tougher than other people his age. So, it was quite shocking to receive the news of his sudden death.

However, since it was Rowena herself, the crown princess who brought the news, they had no choice but to accept it. Now, there was only a question of when the crown princess would be coronated as the next monarch.

"My fiance and I have decided to throw a wedding immediately. So, in two days, when the ministers and lords come to visit me in the royal palace, I will take the opportunity to announce my marriage," Rowena explained. "We can also do the coronation ceremony on the same day."

"In t-two days?"

Everyone present all thought it was too fast. However, they realized there was no other option. The king had left for over six weeks and was now announced dead. Princess Rowena must immediately ascend the throne before there was any power struggle.

"Yes," Rowena replied. "Any questions?"

They all shook their heads. "No, Your Majesty."

"Thank you."

Rowena turned around and left the throne room. Outside, Raphael was waiting for her with a basket for a picnic. He had asked her to relax and not think about stressful stuff.

Now that they already knew what they wanted and delegated work to the people to handle everything, they only needed to focus on the wedding and the coronation. Rowena and Raphael just needed to be present.

"The weather is perfect for a picnic," Raphael commented as he reached out his hand and clasped it with Rowena's. They walked gracefully toward the garden outside where Rowena had her favorite cris grow beautifully by a small man-made lake.

Servants and knights who saw the couple couldn't help but think how good the two looked together. For the first time in so many years, they saw their princess with a genuine smile on her face. She no longer looked as cold and unapproachable as before.

Secretly they were happy for her. It seemed that her father's death was a life-changing experience that changed her life for the better.

They hoped she would be happy forever with the man she obviously loved who loved her back, doted on her, and always had that loving expression on his face whenever Rowena was around.

Finally, Ashland would have a king and queen who were happy together.

***

The wedding ceremony was short and simple, as requested by Rowena. It was officiated by the prime minister, Duke Valkior who was also Rowena's distant uncle from her father's side.

She and Raphael kissed under the white willow tree in the middle of the royal garden as part of the wedding ritual in Ashland, followed by everyone's cheer and congratulations.

Lady Liz and Lady Mary were especially teary-eyed when they saw the little girl they helped raise had now married a good man who treated her like the queen she was.

They were both secretly happy King Draco had died and Rowena could finally be free and happy.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty," Lady Liz smiled from ear to ear. "I hope you will have all the happiness in the world."

Raphael ended their pa.s.sionate kiss and moved back a little to see Rowena's blus.h.i.+ng face. She looked oh so gorgeous and he knew he was falling in love again, and again.

"I wonder what the white willow tree signifies," he whispered as he cast his glance around them. Rowena cleared her throat and answered shyly, "It is for good luck and for the married couple to be blessed with children."

"Ahh..." Raphael nodded in understanding. "I like that."