132 A JUST AND MERCIFUL PRINCE

"Stop what you're planning to do in this instance or you will see your own body drenched with blood!"

Raigon furiously yelled at Vigo as he directed his sword directly at his throat.

The royal guards quickly move to surround them, pointing their swords at Raigon.

Azra circled at the back of his master, waving his sword at anyone who would try to harm him. 

Zoe couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Raigon is risking his life again for her!

'This could not be!'

She was about to butt in when Vigo halted the royal guards.

"Drop your swords and kneel down!"

But his sword was still on Zoe's neck.

"L-Lord Vigo?"

The royal guards asked to confirm if they heard their captain right.

"I said drop your weapons and kneel! All of you!"

At a quick speed, the royal guards obliged at the Captain's command.

Raigon made a quick glance at Zoe.

She was still eyeing Vigo without blinking.

His sword was still on her throat.

Raigon clenched his jaw as he deepened the sword on Vigo's throat but without causing a bleeding.

A sly smile crept up Vigo's face.

"Such a brazen woman…"

He traced Zoe's neck to her chin and tilted her face with his sword.

Zoe was forced to lift her head and face Vigo with her head held up high.

Vigo studied every part of Zoe from her lustrous auburn hair to her soft naturally red lips.

"And very attractive…." 

His eyes glistened as he observed her porcelain smooth complexion.

"No wonder you are so worked up, our beloved Crown Prince."

He raised an eyebrow and smirked at Raigon as he emphasized the word 'Crown Prince'.

After saying so, he completely retreated and bowed down to him.

The royal guards' heads stooped down to the ground as they heard the word 'Crown Prince'.

"Please have mercy on us, Your Highness!"

Raigon's eyes widened in surprise at Vigo's card.

He did not expect him to throw away his disguise like this.

'How did he know it was me even with my mask?'

As if he was reading his mind, Vigo answered him back.

"Only a Prince could look down on me like this. But we are favored because our Crown Prince has a benevolent heart."

"Please be our benevolent King!"

The royal guards second the motion. 

Every Terran has a deep respect for the royal family.

Meanwhile, Zoe was just as astounded herself. 

She gazed at Raigon who was still puzzled at Vigo's move.

"A Crown Prince?!" Zoe thought out loud.

She believed that Raigon was a royal. But she didn't expect him to be so high in the royal rank.

He is only next to the King!

No wonder he kept his identity hidden for a long time!

Raigon glanced at the lady in front of her.

She seemed horrified that she was the Crown Prince of the land of Terra.

'If she knew me for a long time, she should have known it by now. Maybe she's really a stranger to this land. Or a spy!'

It was Vigo who responded to her.

"I thought you knew, Lady Asha. Isn't it nice to have a Prince Charming who can save you like a damsel in distress?"

Vigo mocked her openly. 

Zoe furrowed her eyebrows. 

'If he is the Crown Prince of this land and he will be the next to the throne, it is all the more reason why he cannot go risking his life for me at all!'

Zoe bowed down low to the ground.

"Forgive me, Lord Vigo. But it seemed like there was a misunderstanding. The Crown Prince was not her to save me. He was here to take me to the dungeons."

Raigon drew back his sword and put it back to his sheath at Zoe's sudden remarks.

He was about to interfere when Zoe continued her explanation. 

"He barged in here earlier and was about to take me to the prison because of my odd method of treating a patient. But he allowed me to treat him while pointing his sword at me, making sure that I will die if something bad happens to him."

Raigon's mouth slightly dropped open at Zoe's fast resolution to answer Vigo.

'I did not point my sword at her. But I indeed threaten her life.'

"The operation was successful and Lord Liu's life was extended, thanks to our good and merciful Crown Prince." 

Zoe addressed the Crown Prince in a formal bow.

Fortunately, she has watched a lot of historical dramas during her free time, enough for her to memorize how to address a royal family.

The royal guards imitated her.

"We are honored to have a good and merciful Crown Prince!"

They are also colleagues of Adrian and they are sincerely grateful that he was treated.

Adrian is one of the best in the field. And he is also a good comrade to them as well.

"And since Lord Liu is still unconscious, he is about to bring me to the prison cell until he has awakened to make sure I am not a fake physician."

'What? I was just thinking of that. But that didn't happen at all!'

Raigon was about to stop Zoe when Azra grabbed Raigon's arm and whispered to Raigon.

"I think you should let her finish, sire."

Raigon nodded and motioned Zoe to continue on with what she was saying.

"He told me that if I come with him, I can prove that I have no ill intentions toward the family. And for this reason, I volunteered to go. No bloodshed is needed."

She glanced at Vigo as she spoke about the bloodshed. Zoe made a bow again to Raigon.

"I believe our Crown Prince is both stern in discipline and mercy in dealing with me. He will be a just and diplomatic ruler to us someday."

The royal guards copied Zoe's behavior as they bowed before Raigon again.

"Rule over us with justice and diplomacy, our Great Crown Prince!"

Vigo's eyes twitched at the sudden change of his guards' heart. 

But like the royal guards, he cannot disrespect the hailed next-in-line.

"We apologize for the inconvenience, sire. We will leave now. Guards!"

Vigo made a bow and exited the house, followed by the royal guards.

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Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities.

For there is no authority except which God has established.

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