136 THE WORLD OF TERRA

Zoe made a quick look at Raigon and Azra.

They were still readying their horses that will take them to the City's dungeons. 

With the looks of Raigon, he seemed determined to put her in prison for the time being. 

She closed her eyes and imagined herself in that cell with the rats and cockroaches around her and wiggled in disgust.

'Should I just run away with Erin now?'

She contemplated as she gazed at her friend who was still encouraging her to slip through their fingers.

Seeing her friend stuck to her through thick and thin, she finally made a conclusion.

It would be comfortable for her if she could make a getaway. But it will put Erin in danger. 

'It is already good that both the ladies of Liu's didn't make a fuss about her. They both knew that I am the physician and probably have an idea that she escaped. And because of their generosity, the royal guards haven't inquired about her anymore. But if I ran now, I would look more suspicious and would just endanger the people around me.'

She heaved out a deep sigh.

Now that she made a decision, she faced Erin and shook her head. Then she waved her hand to say goodbye.

Zoe quickly turned around and went to Raigon and Azra. 

She couldn't bear to see Erin's reaction at her refusal. 

At a speed of light, she went to Azra's side and quickly whispered to him.

"Erin is behind the tree. Please escort her home."

Azra's head jerked back, his eyes swiftly darting to the trees.

It seemed like there was no one in sight.

However, there is one tree that has an unusual pink cloth peeking behind it. 

Azra bowed to Zoe, showing his approval of her request.

"Are you ready to leave now, Lady Asha?"

Raigon offered his hand to assist her in climbing up the horse.

Zoe closed her eyes and made a quick prayer before opening them again.

"I'm all set."

She accepted Raigon's helpful hand and mounted on the horse behind Raigon's back. 

As much as she wanted to be cold to him, their physical closeness reminded her that they were more than a justice upholder and a prisoner before. 

She looked for somewhere to hold on to but it seemed like the seat was for one person only. 

It is even a wonder how they both fit in with Raigon's enormous build.

Since she can't find anything to support her, she tugged on Raigon's clothes to protect her from falling.

"Can I follow you afterward, my lord? I forgot that I have to do some errands for grandfather while I am in the Capital."

Azra requested the Crown Prince as they were all set to go. 

Raigon nodded. "Take your time. You don't need to worry about me since I have a physician with me."

Azra bowed before he exited.

"Have you ridden a horse before, milady?"

Raigon asked her without even turning back to check on her.

"N-no. Not yet," Zoe stuttered as the horse was now moving, readying for the travel.

She pulled on Raigon's Hanfu which made him pull backward squeezing her all the more in the narrow seat.

"I will have to look for another way to keep still if you want us to get to where we are going without falling over."

Raigon reacted in his bass sonorous tone. 

Startled, Zoe immediately placed her hands on Raigon's waist, which made Raigon's lips curved up in response.

"I'm glad you understand what I meant. Hiyaa!"

Raigon pumped up his horse, which made Zoe pull herself closer to him and enveloped her arms around him tightly.

Raigon didn't know if he was pleased to see her scared or it was his proximity to her that delighted him.

Nevertheless, he was enjoying their ride.

He controlled the horse to gallop at a normal pace, not too fast but not too slow either.

As soon as they were out of the Capital, he slowed it even more until the horse was now just in a strolling pace.

Zoe couldn't help but be in awe of the beauty of the land as they passed it by.

On one side, the fields are like a beautiful canvas as different vividly colored flowers cascaded them from where the road they were in until the end where her eyes could see.

The clouds also seemed to compliment them with it's pink hue as it was about to set.

As they passed it, she now sees a green field where large and small animals are free to roam around.

'It seemed that there is a balance of ecosystem in this part of the world.'

Zoe bit her lips to prevent a gasp from coming out as she stared at it in admiration.

'What the taxicab driver said is true! It is like I am transported to the Garden of Eden itself.'

Her curiosity about its history and the ancestry of the people living in Terra piqued up as she marveled about it.

Now they were in the wheat fields where there were people who had baskets at their backs and were about to go home. Some were families and they were laughing and kidding around as they traveled to their abode.

Zoe smiled. 'So this is the world you're planning to take me. Not bad, Prince Charming.'

She uttered to herself.

"Do you like what you're seeing, milady?"

Zoe sneaked a look at Raigon even though she really could not see his face and got a glimpse of what he was thinking.

'Is he just testing me now?'

"Yes! I couldn't get enough of Terra's beauty even if I've been here for almost three decades now."

Zoe smickered, feeling that she won over his investigation.

But she was not expecting his next question.

"So you will not think about leaving the island and living in another world, right?"

Zoe's arms went rigid, her belly was like being tied up in knots.

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Learn to appreciate what you have

Before time makes you appreciate what you had.

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