The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Only a few months had passed since Raphael had returned to Heaven. And in that time, he had not stepped out of this beautiful place. One of his brothers, Uriel, had been angry at him for leading Madeline out in the open where the fight was taking place while knowing exactly what he had done by breaking the rules once again. This had led to further punishment where he was forbidden from stepping into the living world.

Raphael didn't mind it because this place was his home, a place that gave him sanctuary and where he loved. But there was something else or someone whom he had left behind in the living world.

When his memory of who he was had been erased, Raphael had lived as a demon in the living world. He had spent years looking around, and when it was finally time to return, there was very little he could do. It had turned into a habit to come to the vessel of the magical water to see what everyone was up to in the living world. What she was up to.

"When did you return from the living world?" questioned Raphael, trying to shift the subject of the question that his brother Gabriel had posed to him.

"An hour ago," replied Gabriel.

"Hm, you have been busy with getting people married and listening to their confessions. Must be interesting. Especially with...Vladimir in there," stated Raphael.

Raphael's words brought a smile to Gabriel's lips, "It was an interesting wedding. Shockingly peaceful than any other wedding that I have had the pleasure to conduct. We had a family portrait done. But you must already know about it." His eyes shifted from Raphael to look at the vessel behind Raphael.

Raphael had watched the wedding of Lucy and Theodore, a person who was a friend along with Calhoun Hawthrone. How strange, he thought to himself, that being an archangel, he was friends with the Devil's grandson and a demon.

"Are you there to make sure another mistake like in the past doesn't occur?" questioned Raphael. His words were calm from where he stood.

"I am there only to look after things, what makes you think otherwise?" Gabriel questioned back, his head tilting to the side. "What happened with Madeline won't happen to her child. But we are taking precautions to see how things turn out."

Raphael nodded his head, and he started to walk to where Gabriel stood before he stopped right in front of him. "Sometimes I wonder where you stand, brother."

Gabriel smiled and asked, "Why such a wonderment?"

"Don't think I don't know that you knew Paschar allowed Madeline's memories to return to her," said Raphael, his eyes staring into the gold eyes.

"It is why I am curious to know what you have in your heart, Raphael. I know a lot of things, but that doesn't mean I have to tell everything to everyone about what I know, does it? Don't think I don't know you have been coming here, visiting the vessel of the water to look at her," said Gabriel, his voice continuing to stay peaceful.

"If you already know then I don't think I need to speak a word about it," smiled Raphael.

"Speak about what?" came the serious tone from the archangel Michael, who had stepped into the room that had no ceilings.

Gabriel had a saint-like look on his face.

"About Elizabeth Harris," came the straight answer from Raphael as his brother's presence didn't daunt him.

Hearing one of Harris' names, a frown appeared on Michael's face. "The Harris's and the Hawthrone's. With Vladimir joining them, it is hard to do anything, not forget both families are troublesome."

Gabriel's smile widened, seeing Michael vexed with the two families, "Did something happen?"

"Did you hear about the wish of Madeline Hawthrone?" questioned Michael. Both Gabriel and Raphael waited for their brother to tell them the details about it. "She wished for Paschar to be released so that he could join the family. She wants him in the living world and his punishment to be indirectly uplifted in a few days."

"How wonderful! She must have prayed religiously for the wish to come and reach Heaven," commented Gabriel. He had been spending his time in Devon, staying close to the King and his family. He had watched the young girl's baby bump slowly grow, and she seemed happy too. "Did you think Paschar would forever be kept in Heaven?" chuckled Gabriel.

"It isn't that," said Michael, "I know this has something to do with the Devil. It would have been easier to grant the wish if they weren't related to him," Michael seemed a little vexed with the thought of Vladimir.

"I wonder when it will be my turn to go to the living world," Raphael openly sighed. Was Beth not praying for him to return? he asked in his mind.

Michael's eyes narrowed down, "You should focus on your duties here rather than spend time by thinking about the living world."

"You know logically, after some time she will come to Heaven and I can spend my time here with her. Why wait, when things can be done right now?" asked Raphael with a smile. Before Michael could give him an earful, he quickly left the place.

"You are too hard on others as well as yourself, Michael," Gabriel placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Weren't you the one who said there is nothing more beautiful than love in this world. With the revelation of the existence of us and the demons in the living world, it is only a matter of time before everything starts to come together."

"Mortals have a fickle mind, Gabriel," retorted Michael, and a sigh escaped his lips. "Haven't you seen it? Only a few uphold the value of life while the rest waste it. If the girl truly holds his heart, then I shall wait and see if the letter of wish will appear here. It isn't that I want to confine people in here."

"I am aware of it, brother," Gabriel nodded his head. "If that is so, then we shall wait and see. But my senses say that it shouldn't be too long," he smiled, and they both left the place, walking away from there.