149 FORBIDDEN PROPHECIES

Zoe paced back and forth as she cracked her knuckles.

She woke up early so she could check if the patients are getting better or they need more interventions. 

But it seemed that the royal guard that was assigned to her was a faithful one. 

Now she understood what Raigon meant when he explained the negative side of being isolated even in a first class suite.

Fortunately for her, the food in this 'prison cell' was also sumptuous and way beyond what she would normally eat as a free person. 

"Perhaps everything is fine. If they need a doctor, they should've called on me by now."

Zoe brushed her hair to her side as she pondered on the situation.

"I thought this place is sickness-free. How could a bacterial infection like that occur? As far as I know, sickness is most common in places with poor sanitation, crowded places, war or famine. And this picturesque land is anything but those."

She tried to scan the books from the mini library in the corner of the room. 

There were a wide variety of options to choose from, ranging from biographies to fiction. 

"I can stay here forever."

Zoe uttered as her fingers grazed on the book covers.

One particular book intrigued her as it was slightly above than the rest.

It seemed like the person who was in this cell before also read it.

It was entitled "Forbidden Prophecies."

She opened it and skimmed through the pages.

On the left side of each page was a picture. And on the right seemed like prediction or divination spells.

Her shoulders went tight and her legs went numb as she read about it in wide-eyed wonder. 

"The planet of the pure foretells peace. 

An atrocious royal will be born. 

In the town of the plain, a herald will be in chaos. 

A time of peace will end."

"Is this for real? Do they actually believe this?" She flipped on to other pages.

"The God of light has provided hope. 

A majestic harmony will ascend. 

True love will restore the kingdom. 

A time of sorrow will end."

"It seemed like something ominous would happen to Terra. Or has it happened already?"

She pondered for a few seconds before going to the end of the book.

As she read what was written, her face went pale and her limbs shook. 

Her hand flew to her mouth to prevent the escape of a shocked gasp from it.

"Woe to Terra! 

The pure-blooded half-ling has seated on the throne. 

With her right hand she gave it life. 

And with her left, it's death. 

Tremble at the feet of the mighty Queen!"

Her dilated pupils stared at the corresponding picture on the left.

A woman pulled out a tree from the ground with her left hand. And her right hand holds a cup where people are flocking to drink. At her feet were rows and rows of dead bodies. 

Her hair from her nape and arms stood up and in a flash, she immediately closed the book. 

She was in this state when Raigon came inside. 

He was beaming as his dimples popped up while he made his entrance. 

But they immediately disappeared when he saw her horrified state.

"Lady Asha?"

She was staring at space point blank with her palms on a book.

In a fraction of a second, he was already on her side and she removed her palm to check what she was reading. 

When his hand touched hers, Zoe woke up from her glazed appearance.

"Your highness." She curtsied before him. 

Raigon checked out the book which gave him the same response as Zoe did.

Zoe gazed at his surprised and alarmed reaction as he flipped through the pages.

'It seemed like he also had no idea about it. Or has he just forgotten because of his condition?'

He then lifted the book and growled at Zoe.

"Where did you find this?"

Zoe rapidly blinked her eyes. She was astonished that Raigon was asking her that question.

"I-I just picked it up here, sire."

She swiveled and pointed at the place where she got it from.

Raigon peeked at the other books that were beside it. They were old history books but not as appalling as this one in his hand.

"I'll take care of this."

He put the book inside his bag and commanded Zoe.

"Pack up your things. We're leaving."

Zoe's face brightened up at his remark. "Has Lord Liu awakened?"

"I hope so." He answered curtly. 

Zoe shrugged her shoulders as she checked out the room if she left anything. 

"I wonder what made him so grumpy." She uttered to herself

As she did so, she flipped her long black braided hair to her back.

It didn't escape Raigon's notice as he remembered his dream.

"You have a nice shade of jet black hair, milady."

Zoe stopped in her tracks at his comment. 

Her eyebrows furrowed as she didn't know if it was a compliment or a criticism.

She decided to take it as the former or she would look suspicious.

"You're too kind, your Highness."

Raigon didn't know how to ask if she dyed it or not. As he remembered being taught just a month ago, the proper etiquette of a nobleman.

"Never ask a woman if what she is wearing is fake or not."

He cleared his throat as if telling her that they have to leave and walked out the room. 

Zoe quickly checked the roots of her hair in the mirror. 

"It's still black. I should've bought a lot of hair dyes during our shopping at the Capital."

It is Erin's idea to dye her naturally auburn hair black in Terra as she noticed that Raigon, Azra and Gao Zemin all have black hair. They have no idea if the people in Terra are already sporting different shades of hair. 

Fortunately, she also brought her contact lenses in her essential bag. As she has observed the people so far, the only people that she has seen with different colored eyes are Raigon and Lord Vigo.

She only used them occasionally then as she has a slight medical problem with her eyesight.

But now that she is in Terra, she only removes them when she's sleeping. 

"Are you coming?" Raigon peeked inside which made Zoe almost stumble in shock.

"Yes, your Highness."

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

It is the way of prophecies.

Only to be understood once it happened.

And it is too late to change it.