The Cursed Prince

1009  What If Something Is Wrong With Me?

The queen and king of Ashland were loved by their people, but after years of being led by the couple and there were no signs of them producing an heir, slowly some noblemen in the capital were concerned about the future of the kingdom.

They started talking about the throne's successor. Heirs were very important for the sustainability of power.

If the monarchs didn't have their own children to be the rightful heirs, then it was likely for the powerful lords around them to fight for power after the king and queen died.

It's true, Raphael and Rowena didn't need to worry about their deaths. They were immortals who could lead Ashland for hundreds or even thousands of years if they wished to. However, they didn't want humans to know they were immortals.

It would create confusion. Humans might even worship them and Raphael knew it would greatly offend the gods in Cretea who were used to receiving human devotion and worship.

He had suspected that his parents turned a blind eye to the fact that he stole an immortality potion for Rowena, but he knew they wouldn't tolerate this if other gods came to them and complained.

So, Raphael thought he and Rowena needed to leave Ashland after a while and not let the people know their secret.

"There must be something wrong with our queen if she still couldn't bear a child to become the heir to the throne."

"I feel so sorry for her. Look, she is so beautiful beyond compare. Even after so many years, she still looks so young and attractive, unlike other women her age, but unfortunately, she is barren."

"Yeah.. that's why people said the universe is fair. Nobody is made so perfect that they could have everything. Our queen is too perfect if she is allowed to have everything. Beauty, a doting husband, wealth and power."

"Her husband, the king is so great, by the way. He sticks by her side even though Queen Rowena is not able to give him children. Other men wouldn't be so noble,"

"Yeah, you can see how much he loves her."

"Gosh... Queen Rowena is so lucky!"

Conversations such as the above became more and more common among the people and noblemen. Some of them sympathized with Rowena's and Raphael's situation, and some were concerned or even blamed Rowena for not being able to produce an heir.

Initially, they talked softly and secretly, but over time, the conversation became louder and louder, especially after some power-hungry noblemen decided to fan the gossip with the intention to take over power themselves when the situation was dire.

Of course, soon the gossip reached Rowena's ear. She overheard the conversation of several noblewomen during a party to which she came late. Rowena halted her steps and her heart felt wrenched.

She had been wondering why she had not shown any signs of pregnancy even after years of marriage to Raphael. They loved each other very much and they were intimate any chance they got.

She badly wanted a child with her husband, and she could tell he did too. They had waited patiently for so many years but nothing happened.

Once, she asked Raphael if gods had any special reproductive system or procedure that was different from humans. He said that they were very simple in that matter.

When a god and goddess, both were immortals, wanted to have a child, then they would conceive. As simple as that. If only one side wanted a child, then it wouldn't happen.

So, there was no child conceived among the immortals who were not wanted by one or both parents.

It was different with humans. Pregnancy could happen because it was planned or by accident. There was no accident with gods. However, this rule didn't apply to gods who had relationship with humans.

So, if a god, for example, had sex with a mortal woman, then the woman could conceive a child if the intercourse happened during her fertile period.

"Do you want to have a child with me?" Rowena asked Raphael back then, to confirm if the man wanted to raise a family with her. To which Raphael replied with a big smile and nodded vigorously.

He kissed her deeply and then looked her in the eye and said, "I would love to."

Rowena smiled back sheepishly. "I am glad."

She wanted to be the mother of his children. So badly.

The conversation happened many years ago, and now they had been married for almost ten years. Still, there were no signs of pregnancy. For some time, she didn't dare to ask Raphael if he didn't actually want children, since clearly she wanted one but she the fact was she was still not pregnant.

Raphael was thinking the same thing. He was contemplating probing Rowena's heart if she was honest with him and really wanted a child.

Perhaps, she didn't really want it because of the trauma she experienced growing up. He didn't know. He only knew that as immortals, when both parties wanted a child, they would conceive.

"Hey... what's wrong?" Raphael saw Rowena halt her steps as soon as she entered the hall and her expression changed.

He looked around them and saw a group of noblewomen in the corner of the room who was sitting leisurely and gossiping about whatever. Since his hearing ability was much stronger than humans, similar to Rowena, he could hear what they were being discussed by those women.

Raphael's expression also changed. He turned to look at his wife who faked a smile and touched his arm, letting him know that she was fine. She said, "People love talking nonsense."

Raphael sighed and nodded. "I am sorry you have to hear them."

Rowena looked at her husband deeply and finally let out what was in her heart, "Raphael... what if.. something is wrong with me?"

Raphael was silent when he heard Rowena's words. It was uttered in a desperate tone. They didn't talk about this matter openly and it had become a pent-up frustration, built in Rowena's heart.

Because Raphael didn't say anything, Rowena continued her words. "You said all immortals have perfect bodies by default. It means, I should have perfect reproductive capabilities, shouldn't I? So, why am I not pregnant? You and I both want to have children, but why don't we have any after ten years of marriage?"

She added, "Lady Liz and Knight Jarvis already have three and they got married not much earlier than us."

Seeing Rowena look so frustrated, Raphael could only pull her to his embrace and calm her down. He also didn't know the answer.

Now that Rowena mentioned it, it was truly odd that she was still not pregnant after everything. Did something happen to her that disabled her from conceiving?

Yes, Raphael wanted a child, but even if his wife couldn't give him one, he would be okay with it. That's why he didn't make it an issue even after ten years. However, now it was obvious that Rowena was really bothered by it.

Raphael didn't want her to feel frustrated and sad. So, he decided to truly investigate the possibilities and what may cause their misfortune.

He regretted not finishing his study with Esper, the god of healing. He might be able to know if there was truly something wrong with his or Rowena's body that prevented them from getting pregnant.

Or... maybe, he could just find Esper and asked him to check on them? The god of healing might have answers.

But that means... Raphael should go to Cretea.

Yeah... soon, Raphael and Rowena will have to go back to Cretea.

Missrealitybites