161 A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

At the speed of light, Raigon mounted on the horse and extended his hand to Zoe. 

He looked determined to take her with him with his serious face and outstretched hand

"W-where are we going, your Highness?"

Zoe asked him but she also extended her hand to his, since he was the Crowned Prince of the land. 

Raigon gently lifted her up so she could ride the horse with him.

"Your Highness!" Azra blurted out with both of his hands waving in the air. 

Queen Rose had talked to him about this. She commanded him to always look an eye at him and the lady physician who was treating the patients in Xianghai Province who is none other than Zoe. And she ordered him to not allow them to get close or be seen in public together.

Zoe tilted her head as she gazed at Azra. 'Why is he against this?' 

Then she glanced at Raigon who acted as if he didn't hear Azra.

Raigon readied his horse for take off and responded to him. "Stay there and help out. We'll be back in less than an hour. Hiyaa!"

Without warning, the horse galloped like lightning making Zoe enclasped her arms around Raigon. 

"Here we are."

Because of the horse's swift obedience to his master, they immediately reached Raigon's desired destination.

"Wow, it's beautiful."

Zoe's eyes opened wide as she stared off into the distance. She gazed at the small brown hills and valleys belows, following gushing creek beds and green trees. Her eyes traced the line of the horizon and paused on the broad mountains towering above it.

"I knew you'd love it." Raigon's lips curved up as he gazed at Lady Asha.

He could not remember if he had other women before in his life. He felt like he had. But at this present time, he enjoys being in her company. And he couldn't stop himself from being around her even if her mother clearly warned him not to.

'We have important things to deal with that's why we're here.' He made himself believe.

"Why are we here, your Highness?"

Zoe asked him as she turned to face him, she put a strand of her hair back to her ear as the winds were playing with them.

She looked at him and flashed a sweet smile.

'Why do you have to make my heart beat this way?' He gazed at her admiringly.

'I have to control myself. I am here to settle things.'

He cleared his throat and pulled out his things from the horse. He spread out a blanket on the grass and pulled out a picnic basket.

"We will have a meeting."

"Here?" Zoe chuckled. 

"Yes. You need to be in a good state of mind during our meeting so I brought you here. You could get a breath of fresh air from all the vomit odors in the village. And you can also eat to your heart's content. We can't let our Chief Physician get sick as well."

Zoe clamped her lips to prevent a giggle from escaping out.

She couldn't help but be amused at his efforts to explain his actions. 

Zoe bowed down to him and responded. "Your kindness is immeasurable, your Highness."

She peeked down at the beautiful scenery below as if she was on top of the world.

"Since I am already here, I would take advantage of this!"

She stretched out her aching arms and back and breathed. The cold air sliced into her lungs with fierce vivacity, bringing hints of the earthy aroma of dirt with it. 

Zoe closed her eyes and inhaled it, feeling the energy of life flowing over her. Her skin tingles and heart beat a steady tune as her ears welcomed the rushing wind. 

"This is so good!"

She swiveled back to face Raigon again. 

As she did so, her mouth dropped open at what was in front of her eyes. 

All of her favorite foods were laid down in front of her.

"Seafoods! How did you know that these were my favorite, your Highness!"

She quickly sat down and was about to grab a crab when Raigon offered some water so she could wash her hands.

Zoe grinned at him and extended her hands.

"Easy now. I know you haven't eaten well since we went here and I felt guilty for that. Here."

He pulled out some mussels and bearded it for her.

His eyebrows furrowed as he remembered doing it for someone before. And now it was getting clearer.

They were in a luxurious public place with lots of people and tables with candlelights. 

He tried to remember the two women whom he was with but they seemed blurred right now.

"Anyway, I didn't know that they're your favorites. I just snatched them from the kitchen and brought them here."

He glanced back at her and to his surprise, she was already going for another crab.

He checked on the first crab that she opened. His eyes widened in disbelief that they were entirely consumed including the claws in just a few minutes.

Visions of that dinner flashed through his mind.

He held his temples as he remembered the lady in front of him was also a foodie as she had two orders of every dish in front of her. And he felt very attracted to her.

He gazed at Zoe. 'Is she that woman?'

Raigon couldn't resist any longer and uttered.

"Who are you?"

Ehek! Ehek!

Zoe, who was focused on gobbling up the sumptuous meal in front of her, coughed as she heard that question, making Raigon jump up from his feet and offered her a drink.

As soon as Zoe could breath, she responded immediately. "Don't you remember me, sire? I'm Lady Asha!" 

She beamed at him, hoping he could not hear her heart beating wildly in her chest because of nervousness. 

"You said we were here for a meeting, right?" She tried to deviate the topic. 

Raigon nodded. "Yes. But take your time. We could talk after you finished eating."

"Don't worry, sire. I can do multitasking. Maybe you could tell me what happened during the meeting while I'm eating."

'He should not remember me. He had too much on hand.' Zoe resolved to herself. 

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Take a rest. A field that has rested gives a beautiful crop.