133 A GLIMPSE OF FEAR

This may be the end of duty for the royal guards but not for Zoe.

The last guard has already closed the door. And it was only her, Raigon and Azra, and the sleeping patient.

Zoe didn't stand up even after the others have left.

She remained in her kneeling position, as a citizen subject to the ruling authority.

'No matter what our past is, I must pay the respect that is due him.'

Her eyes gazed down on the concrete floor as she made a resolution.

It didn't sink in yet a while ago that the savior of her life is actually a Crown Prince in a hidden kingdom.

Now that it is over, the realization finally dawned on her. 

She bit her lips as different emotions filled her heart all at the same time. She felt thrilled and elated in meeting a real live walking and talking Prince. 

'I thought that they are just fairy tales. But here you are, standing before my very eyes!'

She gaze at him from head to foot. 

'Why haven't I thought about that before? You are in every way a Prince! From your physique, to the way you carry yourself, and to your deep affection for your homeland...'

As she thought about the last part, Zoe's eyebrows scrunched up unconsciously. 

'Yes, you are indeed a Crown Prince. And I live outside your world and I am now an intruder to your protected City. Our paths are never meant to cross from the start!'

Zoe dropped her head down to the ground.

"Forgive me, your Highness!" 

Meanwhile, Raigon is still staring at the lady in front of him, shocked at her bold defiance to both him and Vigo, the royal families of Terra.

She has never met a woman as audacious and reckless as she is.

'Or have I?'

He rubbed his chin as he feel like he knew someone from his past who acted like this lady but he just can't remember who she was. 

He stared at her from head to foot. 

She is strikingly beautiful and her confidence makes her aura shine brighter than other women. 

'Still, her brevity and cleverness is what attracts me the most.'

He was just pondering about making that decision when she just blurted it out from her lovely little mouth.

As if she is not the person being held prisoner!

'Let me see where your courage will take you.'

A devious smile crept up his amused face.

"You are indeed a brazen woman! Have you ever been in a prison cell before?"

Raigon grilled on her as he finally removed his mask.

Azra, who was just at the corner, also removed his.

Raigon is still planning to go around in disguise and he cannot do so if there would be a lot of people who would know his face.

The guards have already requested Lady Dolores to stay in the terrace in the heat of the commotion so she will not be trapped in the complicated argument.

Raigon was now comfortable as it was only Zoe, him and Azra.

He knelt down and lifted Zoe's chin up until she was face to face with her.

"Lady Asha…" He called on her new name with that deep and husky voice.

Even though Zoe's heart was making that extra beat again with his nearness to her, she didn't allow herself to be transparent.

She stared directly at Raigon's eyes as if challenging him to a no blinking challenge.

Raigon couldn't help but be amused at her fearlessness.

All the women in Terra couldn't even meet the lords' eyes. Much more the royal household. 

"You make me wonder if you really are a Terran or not."

He uttered as he studied her face intently, making Zoe vulnerable again.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she break away from Raigon's fascinated gaze.

"I apologize your Highness for my impudence."

But she still tilted her head as Raigon's finger was still on her chin. 

"Do you really want me to accept your apology?"

He dared her as he finally removed his domineering hand on her and stood up.

Zoe gulped as she recalled the last time that Raigon provoked her to make a promise.

'As long as you are in my kingdom, you will do everything I command you to do.'

'Is this the same order that he is giving me now?'

"Stand up."

Raigon commanded her, which made her flinch, gather her skirt and stood up at the command of the Crown Prince.

"Have you ever been in a prison cell before?"

Zoe's eyes widened as she thought about what she had just said to the royal guards a while ago.

'But it is just an idea to escape from the situation. Me and my big mouth!"

Zoe want to bang her head to the nearest wall her hand could reach out. 

"N-no, your Highness."

Raigon want to snicker as he finally see fear in her lovely countenance. 

He was secretly aroused to see more of that look on her.

He described the dungeons in detail as he slowly stepped forward, making her step backward in response until she hits a wall.

"In a prison cell, your mattress will be a pile of itchy hays. Rats and cockroaches will be creeping all over, making you desire to wish you have never thought about it as an option in the first place."

He placed his right palm on the wall as he tried to intimidate her.

Zoe has nowhere to go as she was trapped between Raigon and the wall.

She winced as she remembered a scene during her on the job training before.

She was sleeping in a narrow bunk bed at a doctor's headquarters when something creepy come across her skin. It was a cockroach! And as she screamed, it jump all over her body before flying away. 

A corner of Raigon's lip curved up as he saw her face turned pale.

He removed his hand, making her heave out a breath of relief somehow.

"Just as I thought. You're not afraid to die but you're scared of rats and cockroaches. You are really a beguiling woman."

Zoe tried to explain herself to him.

"I-If I'm dead I won't feel the cockroaches anymore."

Raigon burst out in laughter as he couldn't contain his amusement any longer.

"All right, come along now, my charming prisoner. I will take you now to your desired chamber."

Raigon said before leaving Adrian's room. 

*********************

You may not be able to control every situation and outcome,

But you can control your attitude and how you deal with it.