The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Though Raphael wasn't here to ask Beth's hand for marriage, and he had only come to visit them to ask their consent to take their daughter outside the castle with him, Mr. Harris wanted to make sure to know what was on the archangel's mind.

"I heard from Beth that you are planning to stay in the living world as a priest. How is that going to work?" questioned Mr. Harris.

Mrs. Harris, who stood not too far from the door as she was the one to open it, couldn't help but wonder why her husband was asking these many questions. Not to forget, technically, it would be right to agree that this person in the room was far more superior than them, even though the Harris' family were the descendant's from the half-angel's bloodline.

Raphael met the old man's eyes, a small smile on his lips, and he answered, "I will be speaking to Gabriel who works in the nearby church. I will be able to help him in some way, while also being able to stay next to Beth."

"Without marrying her? Let me tell you, Beth has always been eager to get married. When she was twelve years old, she had already decided on how she wanted her wedding to take place. Do you plan to keep her with you without getting married to her?" the old man's eyebrows furrowed as he questioned this, an unhappy look coming to settle on his face.

"I did consider that, Mr. Harris. Which is why I said I would be helping him and not be the priest. There are also other positions to consider and I should be able to work around it. You have my word that I would never make Beth unhappy with my choices," promised Raphael.

Mr. Harris didn't respond to Raphael's words, and instead, he took more than a minute before he said,

"I don't know what to think about it. Things only get stranger day by day." He shook his head before he said, "Alright. I am entrusting you to look after my daughter, Raphael. I hope you can put a," he tapped his ring finger. "Elizabeth is a beautiful girl and she is now far more capable than she was in the past. Both my daughter's actually. But if you aren't quick, she will be stolen from you," Mr. Harris gave him a pointed look.

Raphael bowed his head, pleased with the answer.

"Thank you for your permission, Mr. and Mrs. Harris. I will take my leave now," said Raphael, and he stepped out of the room to find Beth, who stood against the wall next to the room. Her eyes had turned red and moist over her father's proud words for her.

When her gaze slowly met Raphael's eyes, a tear rolled down from her eyes, and the angel smiled at her.

"When did you turn into a crybaby?" he murmured, raising his hand to wipe the tear-streaked cheek of Beth.

Beth didn't enter the room of her parent's, and she walked away from there with Raphael next to her.

When strangers spoke ill about her, Beth cared less about it. But if it was her own family, she knew it would make her feel small. When Markus had been executed, and she was blamed for it, her parents had been disappointed with her, not wanting to talk to her.

As time had passed and after she had returned from the land of Warrings, her parents had forgiven her for the mistakes she had committed.

"Where are we going?" asked Beth.

"Calhoun said there were a few things that had to be brought from your house and I thought why not go there with you, spend some time together and know more of what you like and what you don't," proposed Raphael while they were already making their way through the corridors, passing one after another before walking down the front stairs of the castle.

"I don't think it is a good idea."

"Why not? You did wonderful earlier when you went to visit your village," commented Raphael.

"Y-you know about it?" asked Beth, a little stunned by this revelation.

"You will be stunned with the other things I know. Poor Pauline, did you really have to point out what she lacked?" Raphael chuckled, remembering it and Beth's eyes widened.

How did he know that?! Reputation still mattered to Beth, which was why her words came out only in certain times and when not many people were around her.

The carriage was already awaiting them with one more carriage prepared to put the respective things from her house. The coachman had already opened the door, waiting for them.

Raphael came forward to give his hand, and Beth felt her heart flutter. The angel smiled because he knew it was the little things that made Beth happy. She placed her hand in his and got inside the carriage. Making her dress proper, she took one corner of the seat, and Raphael followed her to sit on the other corner of the seat.

Once they reached the village of East Carswell, they went to Beth's home before the guards, who had come in the other carriage, started to load the things in the carriage. Once most of the essential things were loaded inside both the carriage, Raphael and Beth saw it leave while they stayed back.

Beth walked next to Raphael, heading towards the church which she had visited a few days ago.

"It is good to see you Ms. Elizabeth and Raphael," Gabriel greeted them both, his eyes coming to settle on his brother from Heaven. "Looks like your wish got answered, Ms. Elizabeth," his eyes shifted back to the girl who bowed at him in greeting.

"Thank you for helping us," Beth thanked the archangel, who offered her a smile.

"Who would have thought that things would come to turn this way," said Gabriel.

Gabriel would not have helped Beth if he didn't understand why Raphael had been sent to the living world, was not just because of the punishment. Though being an archangel, Raphael had ended up as a demon. He had befriended the Devil's grandson and helped guide him.

Raphael had fallen for Elizabeth Harris, and he had kept her dear to his heart. From what Gabriel had observed, even the girl had changed for Raphael's sake as if they were fated to meet each other one day.

With the balance in the world disturbed, new rules would be implemented, and until then, he would let things stay as it was.