138 ERIN AND AZRA 1

Meanwhile, Erin was still behind the tree, whimpering at Zoe's decision to leave her behind. 

"Did she just choose that giant over me now?"

She wiped her flowing tears with the sleeves of her Hanfu dress. 

Even though she was as scared as a mouse, she still decided to stay and make sure that Zoe was alive.

She couldn't believe that she would just shoo her away like that despite the fact that she knew that she was alone. 

"I can't believe she would throw our friendship just like that."

Azra cleared his throat.

Erin swiveled back in astonishment at a male voice beside her.

All this time, she thought she was alone.

Azra bowed to her and apologized.

"Forgive me for interrupting you, milady. However, I don't think Zoe meant that way, as you said."

"Then what is that? Why did she just take off with that Prince to the Castle without me?"

She yelled in a wavering voice.

"They are not going to the Castle, milady."

Erin's head slightly flinched back in confusion.

"Then where are they going?"

Azra's eyes darted away as he recalled Zoe's instruction to not tell Erin about her going to the dungeons. 

She clearly wanted her to be safe from harm.

"I apologize, milady. But I could not tell you that. Nonetheless, she wanted to tell you that she's fine and you don't need to worry about her. And she will be back after sorting some things out."

Erin heaved out a deep sigh and thought to herself.

"Is she taking the blame all by herself again?"

As far as she knows Zoe, especially with the tragedies that she has encountered lately, she would rather die than see others get hurt because of her.

"I think it will be better for the both of you if you will keep distance with each other for now."

Azra expressed his opinion which he doesn't normally do.

But he felt comfortable with Erin enough to make him blurt out his idea.

"Why is that so? Did something happen over there that I didn't know?" 

Erin asked him, astounded by his surprising remark.

Azra rubbed the back of his neck, contemplating if he would tell the truth or not.

If he will, Erin would certainly try to rescue Zoe, while Zoe's plan is to not endanger her.

"I think Lady Zoe left on good terms with the Liu's."

"So what is the problem then?"

"They have to observe Adrian until he wakes up. And until then, Zoe must be in their custody."

Erin gasped in response. Azra tried to pacify her by making the truth sound less scarier and added.

"But the Crown Prince is with her, so there is no no need to get flustered."

"Yeah, you're right." Erin agreed with him. 

"I know that he will not let Zoe get in trouble. That is, if he can remember her. I just doubt it now."

Azra played with his fingers as he was thinking about it too.

The only time that he saw the Crown Prince allowing Terra to be vulnerable to intruders is when he remembers Zoe and tries to be closer to her.

But apart from that, he was always protective of the City and the royal family. And he will surely do everything to keep it away from the world.

Erin disturbed Azra's train of thoughts as she bade him goodbye.

"As far as I've seen your Crown Prince and how he has saved Zoe to the point of risking his own life, I will just put my faith in him now. I just hope that Zoe's right. I better be going now. I don't want the sun to set on me here."

Erin was about to walk home when Azra spoke behind her back.

"Let me take you home, milady. It was also Zoe's request to make sure that you got home safe."

Erin froze on her tracks as she was not expecting him to say it. 

"That silly girl. And I thought that she forgot about me!"

She turned around and saw him lifting up a couple of bags.

"They are our bags from our shopping spree!"

She didn't notice Azra bringing them a while ago since she was too flustered by Zoe's indifferent reaction.

After all the troubles a while ago, she totally forgot about them.

"Thank you for taking care of them!"

She grabbed them and peered inside if everything was still there and breathed out a lungful of air.

"Splendid! We'll have a month of true living now!"

Azra bowed to her with his hand on his chest.

"I apologize for not visiting you sooner, milady."

"Geez, it's no big deal. Zoe explained it to me. You're a man of duty after all. Come on, let's go. I can't wait to have a homemade foot spa!"

Her eyes glistened as she thought of a bright idea.

"Have you experienced a foot spa before?"

"F-foot spa?"

"Manicure, pedicure?"

"I think those languages are a part of your world, milady. I don't know what you are talking about."

Azra responded as he scratched his head.

Erin narrowed her eyes on him with a sly grin on her face. 

"You know that I'm alone up in the mountains and there might be wolves roaming around, right?"

"I am aware, milady. But the wolves are on the other side of the land. And there were barriers so they could not enter the City, nor near your cabin."

Erin's lips pouted at Azra's remark. Still, another reasoning came to her mind.

"How about the royal guards? They might check on the forest too since they know that there might be intruders inside now."

Azra rubbed his chin. "That is right."

"Then you need to accompany me tonight while Zoe's gone."

Erin lifted her shoulders and demurely tilted her head to sweep her hair off her face.

Azra's astounded eyes blinked rapidly. 

"B-But the Crown Prince needs me."

"It's just for tonight."

Erin gave him her sweetest smile. 

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Turn your obstacle in to an opportunity

And your problems to possibilities.

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