97 COMING TO TERRA 2

Not satisfied, she pinched herself for another confirmation.

"Ouch!" She winced in pain.

Raigon jerked up, surprised by Zoe's painful cry, "Are you all right?"

Losing its smooth balance, the boat swayed from side to side. Zoe held firmly on his arm like a scalded kitten. 

"I-I'm fine… your highness," Zoe answered him, uncomfortable about how to address him properly. 

She glimpsed at Raigon who seemed to suppress his amusement as he tightened his lips and tilted his head.

He didn't make any remark after that and just looked at where they were heading.

'Where are we headed really?' Zoe glanced at where his eyes were directed at.

They were piercing the waters and making a beeline towards a gigantic cliff ahead that is covered in a thick fog. 

She used to read novels when she was a teen. And there are times that she wished some prince charming would come into her life and take him away and make her the queen of his world.

'Will this be a childhood dream come true for me now?'

She took a glimpse again at Raigon. With his looks, stance, and authoritative aura, he indeed looks like a prince. 

'Is this the reason why he was hiding his name in the first place?'

Perhaps she was just imagining things. Zoe shook her head. She was not here to have a love life.

"How far are we?" She asked curiously as she readied herself for whatever they might encounter along the way.

"We're nearing there, milady," Azra answered back as he continued to row the boat forward.

She stared at Azra in amazement at how she could manage to see their direction even in the fog. He sure has hawk eyes.

'Nearing' Does it mean that Raigon's country is just within Australia?

As if she had a bright idea, she snapped her fingers, "Aha!"

"What is it?" Raigon glanced at her as she fumbled for the pamphlet of Lord Howe Island in her bag. 

"Here it is!" She exclaimed as she brought it out. 

She tried to make out of it with the meager light from the full moon.

"There was New Caledonia in the Northern area, New Zealand at the east, Tasmania island at the Southern West and Australia at the West. But they were all of equal distance of approximately 1000 km from Lord Howe Island. And we were just rowing for less than an hour!"

She couldn't control herself anymore, she came to a decision to just ask away. "Where exactly are we going?"

Raigon felt disposed to be upfront with her. "Have you heard about the City of Terra?"

Zoe furrowed her eyebrows and darted her eyes away.

She was about to fumble inside her bag again to check on Google, but she just realized that they were collected by Erin before the start of the game. 

She unconsciously played with her long locks as she ruminated about it. She recollected her Geography subject but that was way too long ago. 

"No, I don't think so. Is that a town in Australia?"

Raigon didn't respond to her question but pulled the strings and told the story instead.

"Our forefathers have seen the wickedness that is prevailing over the earth. Hence, they gave a ruling to seclude themselves and build a community of their own, away from the eyes of greed and corruption." 

"The legendary kingdom," Zoe drawled on as the story of the taxi driver hit her. "So it is true!"

"Yes. It is legendary to the people outside our region because no one has seen it or stepped foot on it. Not until fifteen years ago."

'Is it the same as the tragedy that my family experienced fifteen years ago? But how would my family know about the City of Terra if it was an unknown realm?'

Zoe was about to ask but got terrified as they approached the dark foreboding mountain ahead of them.

It was revealed as the fog disappeared. By the looks of it, anyone would not recognize it as something which will hide a thriving city. It appeared ominous and filled with ferocious beasts.

"My nightmare!"

She remembered her dream which she now thought could be a reality. 

"Are there wild animals here?" She quivered as she felt her feet went cold even with the coat that was snuggling her.

They were already coming out from the boat to enter the mythical land.

Even though it was only a nightmare, she remembered the horrible feeling that she experienced as she tried to escape them. 

"You don't have to distress yourself, your Majesty. I will protect you," Raigon gave her a reassuring smile as he offered his hand to assist her down. 

Zoe's faint lips curved upward as she heard those words again.

She knew deep down inside that it was true and she need not worry as long as Raigon was on her side.

She extended her hand like a queen that she is and stepped her dainty feet on the mysterious soil. 

"You're in my territory now. You better keep your gracious promise, your Majesty." 

Raigon drew near her and whispered to her ear, his sensual lips almost touching it. 

Zoe stopped in her tracks, but eventually got a hold of herself and tilted at him.

"I will, your Highness." She made a curtsy address to him.

Raigon's dimples popped up in enthusiastic admiration. 

"Remind me Azra to get some garments for our lovely guest," He ordered his faithful servant as he stared at Zoe from head to toe.

Azra bowed his head in prompt obedience to his master.

"You wouldn't get away with that if you're planning to stay on our island," he commented as she stared at Zoe.

She was only wearing a simple shirt, jeans, and rubber shoes covered by his tunic coat. 

"Stay?" Zoe burst out.

She swiveled to look back at the sea which was now covered in the fog again.

She couldn't even see Lord Howe Island anymore. 

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