The Crown's Obsession

It didn't seem like there was any harm in allowing Raphael to be with Beth as they seemed to be falling in love with each other. Heaven had always thrived for love, so why not?

Beth excused herself so that she could pray at the front and Raphael watched her kneel.

"I heard about your wish about wanting to stay here and helping me," said Gabriel, grabbing Raphael's attention, who turned to meet his eyes. "You can pick any other position, join the High House or help Calhoun by working in his court. Is it because of her?"

"Not exactly," replied Raphael, his words low for Beth to hear. "I don't think I want to be in the High House, especially with our other older brother there hovering over the woman. I did think about helping Calhoun, but I think it would be easier and probably better for me to guide people than create a domino effect through my words or actions."

Raphael enjoyed everyone's company in the castle, and he was more than happy to advise people when they came to him or when required. He was still an archangel, and he had his responsibilities to fulfil.

Hearing this, a pleased smile appeared on Gabriel's lips as if he knew this was what Raphael would say, "If you turn to be a priest like me, it will remove the possibility of you marrying her. Are you okay with that?" asked Gabriel.

Raphael had promised to keep Beth happy, and listening to Gabriel's words, his lips set themselves in a thin line.

"I guess I will be continuing my previous work of fortune telling," said Raphael.

"You seem to have been good at it. I am sure you will be careful with whatever you pick," responded Gabriel in confidence. Even when Raphael was a demon, he hadn't been able to pick a hint of darkness in him, and it might have been because Raphael was originally an archangel, who was the representation of light.

When Beth returned to where the two archangels stood, Raphael said to Gabriel, "I will see you soon."

"Of course," smiled Gabriel, "I hope you have a good day, Ms. Elizabeth. I will visit the Hawthrone's castle soon." His other brother Paschar had not left the castle and had stayed there either around his daughter or his grandchild, not to mention the Devil in there too.

"I hope you have a good day yourself, Father Gabriel," bowing her head in polite greetings, Raphael and Beth stepped out of the church.

"Why did you go to my parents to ask to go out? I don't think they would have minded for such a simple errand like this," said Beth, walking next to him while noticing people's eyes on her and the man who walked next to her.

"Isn't that how it is supposed to be?" asked Raphael as if he wasn't sure before a smile appeared on his lips.

"For marriage proposals yes," replied Beth, unable to stop herself from returning his smile. "Are you sure about it?" she asked him.

"Hm?" asked Raphael, not knowing what she was asking about.

"I mean about working as a fortune teller? Won't you be given other work from Heaven?" there was a hint of worry in Beth's voice.

"Silly girl, I have not been banned from entering and leaving Heaven. Even though I am here for you, it doesn't change my position in Heaven. At least for the time being," chuckled Raphael. "I will still be able to attend the work that is given to me. It is just that I will be spending more time here and I thought it would be good to have something else to do apart from showering you with my love and affections."

A smile came on Beth's lips which was shy and excited like a child.

"Come let me show you the places that Madeline and I used to visit," said Beth, looking ahead of her, and they started to walk forward.

Beth started explaining about the time of her childhood of what she and her sister did and what she liked to buy in the market, while walking on the side of the road. On their way, she noticed the villagers, who eyed her with a frown on their face. She wasn't immune to it, but she tried to put on a brave face as if it didn't bother her.

"And this is where we used to get our accessories. It isn't as good as the ones that are available in the town but they are of reasonable price," explained Beth, standing in front of one of the shops.

"How interesting. What do you like in these?" questioned Raphael as if he was about to buy her whatever she would pick.

Beth shook her head, "I don't wear them anymore." Since she had turned into a werewolf or part werewolf, her interest in the ornaments had disappeared. Not to forget, whenever her skin came in contact with silver, it burned her skin.

Raphael turned to look at Beth, "So it is just that one," he looked around her neck at the black thread and the flower pendant in it. "The hairpins look good. It would look pretty in your hair," he said, taking a look at one of them.

"Elizabeth?" came a male's voice from not too far behind from where they stood, and Beth turned around. She saw it was Mr. Danvers.

The last thing she wanted right now was to meet men whom she had rejected in the past, and there were too many in the village. Not to forget the harsh and arrogant words she had used against them.

"Good morning, Mr. Danvers," she bowed her head. "A surprise to see you here."

"Indeed it is a surprise. The last I heard about you, you had left Devon," replied Mr. Danvers. His eyes fell on Raphael, and a slight smirk appeared on his face. "Seems like you are doing well with a new man to play with."

The blood in Beth's face drained, and she turned pale.

"It would be better for you to keep your thoughts to yourself," advised Raphael. "If the King were to hear about one of his family members being ill-treated in public, he wouldn't take it too kindly."

Mr. Danvers huffed, "I am telling it for your benefit. I believe you don't know much about Ms. Elizabeth Harris' habit here. She is a woman who likes to hop from male to male, while trying to climb up on the social ladder on picking whichever suits her. You will only end up being left behind."

"Forgive me for my previous actions, Mr. Danvers," Beth apologized to him.

"I thought you were a wonderful woman, but never would I have thought that you would be someone who would fall so low," said the man before looking back at Raphael. "I am telling it for your sake and not mine. I don't care about her."

Raphael saw Beth clutch her dress because in the past, she knew she had been in the wrong. He said,

"Then it is good that I am in the highest position," Raphael politely smiled at the man, who blinked at him. "We have nothing to worry here."