137 CROSSROAD

'I hate lies, but I guess I just have to do with it for now.'

"Of course, not." Zoe responded with her fingers crossed.

Fortunately, Raigon was too focused with keeping the horse in control that he didn't notice her fingers twitch even if her hands were on his abdominals.

Zoe decided to turn the tables by asking the same question to him.

"How about you, your Highness? If given a chance, would you leave Terra?"

Even though she wanted to deny it, she still has a little bit of hope that there would be a place where they could live together, whether in this world or not.

Raigon looked at beyond the horizon and drew in a deep breath before he answered.

"No."

Zoe shrugged her shoulders as she heard his response.

'What am I expecting? Have you forgotten that you resolved to yourself not to connect with him anymore, Zoe Cheng?'

Nonetheless, she tried to act cheerful at his answer even if it broke her heart.

"Indisputably. Why would I even ask that? Silly me. Forgive me for my candidness, your Highness."

"Are you bothered by my answer, milady?"

Zoe raised her own spirit up and gave him a warm smile, even though she knew he can't see her since she was at his back.

"Of course, not. I was expecting it. You are our Crown Prince, after all, your Highness"

Raigon seemed please at her answer.

"I'm glad you are aware of that. I know you are an intelligent woman and you will not cross the line."

Zoe's hands loosen a bit as he pounded her heart all the more.

'Does he really have to say that?'

"Certainly, your Highness."

She tried to respond in a formal and respectful way, but she just couldn't hide the sadness in her tone.

It didn't escape Raigon's notice. But he didn't take back what he said.

He was still uncertain of her identity. And as far as he knew the story of the first Great Bloodbath, there was one probable factor why the events unfolded. It was because of a woman. And he will not allow that to happen again. 

He better guard his heart. And her heart as well.

A painful tightness crept in his throat as he uttered those words.

He swallowed hard and deviated the topic instead.

"How long do you think it will be before Lord Liu wakes up? And how certain are you that he can live normally after that operation?"

Zoe pondered about his question, thanking for the sudden shift of topic. 

She felt that she was just rejected even thought nothing has been started yet.

She decided to focus on the medical side of the day, which she was really passionate about.

"Lord Liu is young and he has an active lifestyle. Therefore, he has a great chance of survival rate with 76%. It's better if his tumor won't come back. He could live and die at an average age."

Raigon also engaged in the conversation since it is his mission to find a cure for his ailing father.

"But what if he is aged and living a stressed lifestyle, does the same percentage applies?"

"It could be lesser, still depending on the health of the person before he acquired that disease. Why do you ask, sire?"

Raigon exhaled a lungful of air before responding.

"Nothing. It just seemed like you know a lot about medicine. Gao Zemin must have influenced you a lot."

Zoe couldn't help but smile at his remark.

"No, I was actually inspired by my mother. Before I used to sulk because she has no time for me then. But now that I am in her position, I understand why."

Raigon's interest was stimulated as he listened to Zoe's childhood story.

He remembered his father, the King, and how he would always leave the Castle and his family, to attend to the needs of other people. 

"And why is that?" He probed on. 

He hasn't fully taken on the responsibility of being second to the King as his Father would always see to it that he has everything taken care of. 

But now that he was in a disabling condition, he has no choice but to take the role. And he was a little anxious that he would be just like him in the long run.

Zoe answered his question as if she was forecasting the events that will unravel as he try to accomplish his royal tasks.

"Having the knowledge how to treat people is like having the authority and power in the palm of your hands. If you open them, you can give life, comfort and freedom from suffering to other people. But if you close them and keep it to yourself, the guilt of not doing something for them and their family until they just die will eat you up and kill you."

Raigon's eyes darted downward to his hands that were holding the reign. He tried to open them and close it again.

He then asked another question.

"But what if someone tried to take away that power from your hands? You wanted to give it to the people but you can't because it has been snatched from you."

Zoe chuckled as she thought that he was still talking about her knowledge of medicine. But her answer still made a mark on Raigon's heart.

"When you already have it, you will surely not lose it, your Highness. Even if others will try, it will always come back to you." She gave him a warm smile.

Raigon nodded as he remembered the King's last words before he left.

"Just always remember that our God chose you to be the King of this land. You are first accountable to Him. That is why no matter what the people say or do against you, you must protect our land at all cost. You must not allow anyone to destroy our City."

He heaved out a deep sigh as the resolution to take responsibility deepen in his heart all the more.

"This is a good conversation. I would like to talk with you some more but we are already nearing the dungeons."

Zoe's eyes widened as she realized how quickly time flies.

She stared at the road ahead of them and she noticed that they are in a crossroad.

"The road to the left leads to the dungeons. And the right leads to the mountains."

Her eyebrows furrowed as she glanced up at Raigon.

"I don't understand."

"I'm giving you a choice." Raigon stated as a matter of factly. 

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

Before making a decision,

Ask yourself this question.

"How will your decision affect the people you love the most?"