141 CONFLICTING EMOTIONS

Zoe gazed at the left side of the road. Even if Raigon hasn't told her what lies at the end of it, it still looked as a place where no single lady must dare enter.

She gulped as she imagined herself surrounded by the night animals in a dark cavern with no one to rescue even if she screamed.

Then she shifted her eyes on the road on her right which seemed like it would take a day before she reached the end of it, which is the forest above the mountain where she and Erin live. 

However, it is wider and the moon is situated above the forest, which reflects a more peaceful and joyous choice for her.

'If only Lady Dolores didn't mention my necklace, I could have a go right now and run away from this island. But if I do that now, there is no way I could go back here and search for clues about my parents. Especially now that Raigon doesn't look like he's on my side anymore."

Her eyes turned to him. They were now the only people in the field and they were standing beside the horse in the crossroads.

His eyes were fixed far ahead in an aloof countenance. With the looks of him, he seemed to be absorbed in his own thoughts.

'It must have been hard for him to be in this condition, yet he has to do a lot of responsibilities for his land. I don't want to be another burden to him.'

Zoe closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath before uttering her decision.

"I choose the dungeons."

Raigon moved back slightly, increasing a personal space between them so he could take a good look at her.

"I think I am being nice to you here."

"I know, your Highness. And I appreciate it. That's why I don't want to be a burden to you anymore. If I escape now, Lord Vigo will surely take it against you. And besides, I am confident in my skills. I know Lord Liu will wake up anytime soon."

She explained her decision in a steady lower pitched voice.

Raigon's jaw dropped at her answer and it took him a few seconds before closing it again. 

He was trying to solidify his resolve but why does she keep on melting his mind and heart? 

His mind wanted to focus on his mission, but his interest in her just grew larger and larger with her every word, action and decision that he was going to explode if he will not do anything about it.

He slowly stepped forward, making Zoe unconsciously scuffle backward. 

But since the horse was at her back she has nowhere else to go.

Raigon put his palms on the horse's side, trapping Zoe all the more. 

Zoe didn't know if it was the horse's fast heartbeat or hers that she was hearing as she didn't know what Raigon was planning to do.

But she decided to stare at him head on even with their proximity. 

As her eyes met his, she saw that he was scrutinizing her, his eyes boring into hers like he wants to dive into the depths of her.

"I hope you are really a Terran, Lady Asha."

Raigon uttered after he was finished gobbling her up in his eyes. 

But it seemed like he was still not content as his arms are still pinning her so she couldn't make a move.

"Why is that?" Zoe continued to converse with him after taking a calming breath.

Raigon removed his other hand that was cornering her and used it to tilt her chin so he could see how she would react by what he was going to say next.

He gazed at every part of her face which lasted on her partly-opened lips.

"Because I will give it my all to make you my queen."

Zoe gasped at Raigon's flabbergasting answer.

She gulped as the winds must have parched her throat by being exposed to it through her open lips.

As she was thinking of how to respond, she remembered how he also told her that when he was about to die.

"You're not going to be my slave. Because you're going to be my queen."

And he told her that as Zoe and not as Lady Asha.

'Who is he talking to now? Is it Zoe or Lady Asha?'

She raised an eyebrow and wanted to question him. But her eyebrow just returned back as she stared at his face so near him. 

A desire crept up in her heart to confess everything. But before doing so, she asked him a question that ended the awkward scene.

"W-what if I'm not?"

Her question turned into a bucket of ice that drenched Raigon's fancy, his face turning from a desirous man to a cold one.

He removed his hands that were pinning her in a corner and drew in a lungful of air.

Zoe also did the same as she finally can catch her breath.

She was still doing so when Raigon bowed to her.

"I apologized, milady. I must have lost my mind back there.""

Zoe furrowed her brows at him as she felt like the truth just put her in the dumps.

She drew in a deep breath as her resolution to stay away from him engraved itself in her heart all the more.

'I will just go back to Lady Dolores after this ruckus and I will leave hell for leather.'

"There's no need to, your Highness. Let us go now. I can't wait to see my chamber for tonight."

Zoe snapped as she fixed herself ready for take off.

Raigon cleared his throat and agreed with her.

"You're right. It's getting darker and I have to be at the Castle too."

He climbed up the horse and offered his hand to Zoe to assist her. 

But she refused it and grabbed the seat instead and pulled herself up.

As she sat on the horse she also stayed away from him as far as possible and grabbed on the cantle of the saddle instead of holding on to him.

Raigon noticed it but he didn't say anything since he was also being confused himself.

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How do you deal with a situation if you have a strong mind but a fragile heart?