168 MEETING OF THE QUEENS

To top that off, Queen Rose was about to go out of the Castle to personally meet Lady Thana. She also saw Raigon and Zoe in that state. 

Zoe's eyes widened in horror as they were caught in the act. Even though she was not familiar with the two women who were giving them a death stare, she knew they were royals.

She wanted to duck under the carriage or fly out the opposite window but she would only look guilty.

Rather than doing anything she just tilted her head down in a sign of respect to them and waited for Raigon to come down the carriage. 

But to her surprise, Raigon didn't come down at once. But he seated himself properly and asked her again. "What is it that you want?"

Zoe gave him a ridiculous look. 'How could you still think of my request with these people in front of us?'

Seeing that Raigon would not flinch unless she answered her, she decided to tell him.

"I would like you to choose Terra no matter what happens. Could you do that, sire?"

"Your Highness!" Queen Rose shouted from outside the carriage, reminding him that they were outside and they could still see them.

Raigon nodded at Zoe. "I will do that."

It was like a heavy weight had been lifted off the chest of Zoe. She felt like Raigon would know the truth about her at this rate. But she didn't want his royalty to be affected because of her. 

"Thank you, your Highness." She bowed to him. "Please go now, they are waiting for you."

Raigon stood up and opened the door. But before he left the carriage, he gave an order to her that bewildered her. "Come with me. I want you to meet them."

Zoe paused for a moment. "Must I really do this?" Zoe's heart went banging wildly against her chest. Her skin went cold and clammy as drops of perspiration formed on her forehead.

But if she would not show her face, she would look impertinent to the royal ladies. 

Zoe drew in a deep breath and uttered. "You can do this, Zoe Cheng."

She threw the door of the carriage open. And to her astonishment, Raigon was waiting for her and even extended his arm to assist her as she climbed down the carriage.

She didn't know if she would feel embarrassed in front of the two ladies or she would be pleased at Raigon's concern for her even in their presence.

As he was being a gentleman for a Crowned Prince, it would look awkward if she wouldn't accept it. 

She reached out for his hand as she climbed down the carriage.

Fortunately, Azra and Erin were also around and Raigon called on them as well.

Erin scurried to Zoe's side in a ladylike manner. 

"What is happening here?" She whispered to her as they walked toward the two ladies who were waiting for them.

All four of them approached the Queen and Lady Thana.

Raigon made a formal bow to them, followed by Azra, Zoe and Erin.

"Greetings Your Majesty, Lady Thana."

It seemed like Zoe's blood escaped from her body as her lips went pale after hearing who they are with at that moment.

'It was the Queen of Terra!' 

Zoe wanted to lift her head and glanced at her but she did not dare. 

She kept her knees from trembling as she tried to stand up straight and not cause a scene.

Both Queen Rose and Lady Thana gave a curtsy bow to them.

'They were both beautiful, elegant and graceful.' 

Zoe thought as she could see half of their body in their bowed position.

"These are lady physicians who have treated the people in Xianghai Province, Lady Asha and Lady Selena."

Zoe and Erin made a formal bow, showing their respect for them.

But Queen Rose wasn't pleased. "L-Lady Asha?"

Zoe glanced up as she called on her name. Queen Rose's mouth dropped open as she saw her face. Her feet unconsciously stepped backward, but because no one was supporting her she almost lost her balance.

"Your Majesty!" Raigon and Lady Thana both went to her side and assisted her so she could stand properly again.

Zoe and Erin both fell to their knees in perplexity.

"Are you all right?" Raigon asked her with his eyebrows furrowed. 

He was surprised to see her react that way to Lady Asha. But he didn't want to ask her right then and there as he might put the Queen in an uncomfortable situation.

Queen Rose's eyes were directed at Zoe.

"I'm - I'm okay. I am probably feeling disoriented. The sun is scorching hot today."

"Why don't we come inside now, your Majesty. We could talk more comfortably in the Solar."

Queen Rose nodded. 

Zoe stood up and bowed to them. "We should probably get going too, your Majesty, your Highness, Lady Thana. The royal physicians might have been waiting for us to give them additional information on the disease too."

Raigon nodded. "I understand. Please tell them I will visit them too."

Lady Thana also raised her hand and spoke up. It was Zoe's first time to see her and hear her voice. She's like a living Barbie doll. And her voice was very soft and pleasing to the ears. 

"If it could also help in your meeting, I have also sent a thousand sacks of salt and bottles of honey to each province. I learned that it is what you used to rehydrate the patients. I hope it could help somehow."

She smiled demurely at Zoe with her hands covering her mouth. 

"That will be helpful, Lady Thana!" Raigon exclaimed as he knew that a few noblemen in the business sectors were not willing to participate in giving these products for free.

Queen Rose held Lady Thana's hand firmly. "My future daughter-in-law has such a big heart for the people's welfare."

Lady Thana blushed at Queen Rose's comment. "It's nothing compared to what they have suffered. Your grace is immeasurable, your Highness."

They were the only people there in a good mood as Raigon, Zoe, Azra and Erin looked at one another in bewilderment. 

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

The truth is always there.

The choice is yours whether to accept it or not.