Chapter 962: Meeting Her Elven Family (2/2)

He added, "I'm sure that you would love to hear stories about your et the chance to meet your cousins too"

"I see," Rowena tried to s to fool Raphael into thinking that she was fine, it was a lot harder now

Soon enough, Rowena and Prince Jadeith arrived in the elven palace's royal dining hallCo Draco in the past, the entire table was occupied by a lot more people than Rowena expected

It was incredibly lively, people were eating and laughing, conversing over drinks—until she arrivedTheir gaze swept over Rowena and Prince Jadeith and she gulped

"Who's this half-elf?" a younger-looking elf asked and broke the silence

"She's your cousin, Ceci" Prince Jadeith replied He cleared his throat and addressed his parents "Mother, Father—"

"But Why did she only come here now? Didn't you mention that a while back, Jadeith?" another spoke up

Roore a tight srandparents were since they all looked ethereally youthful but from the reactions of the others, It was clear that the disconnect didn't only come from Rowena's side

Some weren't exactly as enthusiastic as Prince Jadeith, which was fair on their part She was practically a stranger to the to her further

Prince Jadeith looked a bit frustrated by their reception, and then finally waited for Rowena's grandparents to intercede

"Please, enough with the chatter—one of our own has returned" The eldest of the elves, a woman and a man, finally stood up and approached Rowena "It's remarkable it took you a while, Jadeith but here you are—what's your name, child?"

"My name is Rowena, Your Majesty," She introduced herself politely

"Enough with the formalities Rowena, welcome to the family, you look soat her" Rowena's grand "Come down and join us for a meal, child"

As promised, Prince Jadeith did reunite Roith the family She couldn't re felt blurry at that point She sawpeople with their beautiful clothes and lively chatter

They introduced themselves briefly to her She had some uncles, aunts, and cousins She couldn't re So she just pretended to smile and nod every time one person came to introduce themselves to her

When she sat down to eat, she felt distant Rowena didn't speak their language They understood hers because they had ic and could understand other creatures So, when she introduced herself and spoke a little, they could respond But they didn't really initiate conversation from their end

After a while, she didn't knohat else to sayWhen the meal started and they enjoyed dinner with a lively conversation, Rowena felt like she was surrounded by beesnoises

She couldn't understand them because Rowena didn't have the capabilities to understand other languages because she was half hule to fit in came al and so she couldn't be part of their conversation

Her uncle, Prince Jadeith was more sympathetic and tried to talk to her every now and then, but Roas embarrassed to burden her uncle in that way So, she pretended to enjoy her dinner and focused only on her plates

Prince Jadeith personally came over to talk with Rowena in private after dinner He could see her disco

He took her to one of the outside gardens of the palace and profusely went to discuss the situation with her

"I apologize, Rowena, your appearance is—"

"Unwanted?" Rowena asked She faked a sweet smile "I know that"

"That's not it Gosh, don't say that" Prince Jadeith shook his head "It will just take some time before they warm up to you"

"I understand," Rowena nodded "It's not their fault I aer to th

em"

Prince Jadeith looked at Rowena attentively He could see her trouble and wanted to help her "We are your family no matter what Give it time"

"Thank you, Uncle You are so kind to me" Rowena bit her lip and looked away She had a family but the people she was closest to and who made her feel loved and cared for were all outsiders

Her nanny Leia, her friend Julian, and even a stranger like Raphael

They were not blood, but they treated her lovingly and respectfully They felt more like family to her than her father, Draco Roseland Her time with Julian was the best days of her life, and so was her time with Raphael