꧁𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆꧂

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐱

The bathroom was just as shiny as the rest of the castle.
Azrael was surprised, it looked so much different than Nesta's house in the dead world and that, he knew, was the house of her dreams.
"A queen is supposed to have whatever she wants..." he thought: "And she deserves it."
《Your highness!》A young woman called from outside the door: 《I was informed that you wished to take a bath. May I come in and help you?》
《No, thank you. I can handle this by myself.》Azrael replied, his voice came out shaky.
《Are you sure?》the maid asked politely.
《Yes.》Azrael turned on the tap and let the clear water fill the bathtub.
He sprinkled some products that smelled nice in it, the whole room smelled like flowers and honey. He transformed back into his true form before taking of his black dress and laying down in the warm water.
An hour later he looked like the perfect queen his friend was.
He stared at his reflection in the mirror, his now red and soft hair framed his beautiful face, his body fit perfectly in the light blue dress he chose and his freckles looked like tiny stars. However, his green eyes were darker than the queen's.
Someone knocked on the door.
《Nesta, dear. The prince has arrived.》said a sweet voice.
Azrael gasped: 《What? Isn't the wedding supposed to be tomorrow?》
《Uh... yes, but you asked to meet him first, do you remember?》
《Right.》He opened the door and found himself standing in front of a beautiful girl.
Her smile widened when she met the angel's eyes.
A long purple veil covered her head and she was wearing a long dress in the same color. The golden details on the sleeves and the bottom of the dress made her look even prettier.
She came closer hesitantly and placed a kiss on his cheek.
Azrael felt the blood rushing to his face.
She smiled, but it wasn't a regular smile, like the ones he saw Nesta give him, it was a smile that hid sadness.
《Are you okay?》He asked.
《Are you?》She replied.
She didn't wait for an answer, instead she lead Azrael down the stairs to the throne room.
A tall man was standing facing the door. He had dark eyes and dark skin. His hair was tied in small and tight braids.
He smiled and took a bow when he saw the two women coming in.
His golden crown fell on the marble floor.
《Oh sorry.》 He said picking it up: 《 I am honored to meet you, my future queen. I hope our armies will defeat the menace that's Lord Ewalt represents for Selmor.》
Azrael bowed and smiled back.
《You don't have to bow before me, your majesty.》His smile was true, Azrael noticed. It wasn't sad nor mean.
Nesta's friend, the woman in the purple veil, was staring at the prince with hate in her eyes.
《You must be her loyal friend, Lamyia.》 He looked at the woman next to Azrael. Her eyes widened in surprise when she heard her name.
《The queen has sent me many letters in which she told me about you. You seem to be a very special friend to her. It is a pleasure to meet you.》 He looked so kind that the hostile look in Lamyia's eyes faded for a second.
She looked at Azrael and smiled: 《You talked to him about me?》
Azrale nodded.
《Me and the queen have talked about many things. None of us was happy at the idea of marrying a stranger, however that is the only way my father the king wants to unite reigns.》
《I see.》Lamyia looked down: 《That is a stupid idea.》 she whispered this last sentence in a language very different from the one the prince was speaking, but Azrael could understand every language.
He looked at her and nodded, it was a stupid idea.
Lamyia arched her brows at the queen, but then gave her attention back to the prince.
He pretended he didn't hear the girl's mean tone and kept on smiling: 《I was wondering if I could have some of the queen's time for a walk on the beach.》
Azrael hesitated a moment before answering: 《It would be a pleasure.》
Azrael looked Lamiya and slightly bowed to her, earning a confused look from the girl and an admired one from the prince.
They walked together until they reached the shore, none of them spoke.
The sun sent stunning golden reflections in the clear water, the sand was white as can be. It didn't look like a mortal place, Azrael though. It was the dead beauty, the one he only saw in Hades reign. Instinctively, he stepped back, as if the god could see him that very moment.
The prince seemed not to notice: 《This place is even more beautiful than I thought. Your words described it wonderfully but...》 he didn't finish the sentence, he stared into the horizon with stars in his deep brown eyes.
《What is your name?》 Azrael forgot to ask Nesta, she probably knew.
《Ryvel.》He answered. His voice felt weird, however the angel wasn't good at recognizing human feelings yet.
《Ryvel. It means "jade blade".》The angel went closer him and the waves wet the bottom of his white dress.
《It does?》He asked smiling: 《I had no idea. What language is that?》
Azrael held his breath for a second. He could not tell him it was the angels' language.
《I'm not sure, I heard it somewhere.》He said, avoiding his eyes.
《What does your name mean?》Ryvel asked.
《Help of God.》He answered, before realizing his name was Nesta at that moment.
Ryvel didn't know the angels language, he didn't notice the mistake and giggled《That's a beautiful and appropriate meaning. You're the help a god sent to Selmor.》
"I'm the help Nesta sent here, unbeknownst to a god..." he thought to himself, but nodded.
《You look so sad...》 Ryvel murmured: 《So much different from the smiling queen the paintings portrait, yet just as beautiful.》
Azrael felt blood rush to his cheeks so he looked the other way. Ryvel was complimenting Nesta, not him.
《I know you're not enthusiastic about marrying me. I would much rather fight by your side, as an ally. You seem like a good person and a good wife, but I never wanted to marry.》His eyes filled with sadness. A sadness too complicated for the angel to understand, yet he stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder and imagined touching his non existant wings with his now invisibile ones.
The prince shook his head and said: 《You seem great, Nesta. I mean it. Lord Ewalt won't dare to touch your reign.》
Azrael nodded. He hoped Ryvel was right.
He thought of the queen, in the dead realm and wondered if she was looking at him that very moment and smiled at the sky.

A/N: again, i'm sorry for updating like once a month T^T ig it's good almost no one reads this story ;)