170 THINK TWICE

"You've just proven to me that you're still the old Raigon I know… your Highness." 

Lady Thana said as she poured out the tea on her cup and Raigon's. 

"The old Raigon?" 

Raigon's forehead scrunched up as he leaned back on his chair so he could rest his back. He was still not feeling well at that moment and he was just being nice to Lady Thana for the sake of their family relationship.

"Yes, your Highness. A gentleman but with a blunt manner of speaking." Lady Thana chuckled demurely. 

Raigon's lips stretched but it didn't reach the eyes. Lady Thana continued on.

"Anyway, I'm here to tell Her Majesty about the donations that I mentioned a while ago. They were all funded from our businesses. I also want to ask Her Majesty if there is anything else I could help with to comfort our people in these trying times. Maybe you could absolve me of my burden, your Highness."

Raigon's eyes glistened as he heard her speak. 'I thought she's just all beauty. She got brains too. Is this the reason why the Queen Mother wants her badly to be her daughter-in-law?'

He remembered a time when the Queen Mother told him that what he must look for as his queen is someone with beauty, brains and heart.

"What you did is more than enough, Lady Thana. I still don't know the situation yet with the other provinces as of now. But if ever I learned of some more needs, can I call you then?"

"Absolutely! I can even come with you if you want. I also want to know the status of our people now. When we get married..."

Lady Thana was about to continue talking about it when Raigon interrupted it. 

"Wait, why are we talking about marriage?" Raigon asked her bluntly.

Lady Thana's fingers flew to her lips. "I-I thought you already knew about it. Forgive me for being rash, your Highness."

She bowed her head and was about to cry. He wanted to stop from there, but he also wanted to clear things with her.

"Her majesty and I have talked about this and I asked her to put our land's situation first more than our family issues. If the disease -"

He was about to continue on when this time, it was Lady Thana who interrupted him.

"Is it because of Lady Asha, your Highness?"

She faced her with tears welling in her eyes.

Raigon was taken aback at Lady Thana's direct question to her. 

"Forgive me for getting you worked up, milady. But why would it be about Lady Asha?"

He asked her as he offered her a tablecloth so she could wipe her forming tears away. 

Lady Thana bit her lip as she controlled her sobs. "L-Lord Vigo told me about the situation in Liu's residence. He said you defended a lady even though her skills are questionable."

Raigon gritted his teeth. 'That cunning snake.. It was probably the reason why they went here a few days back.'

Lady Thana continued to voice out her feelings. "I don't want to think ill of you, your Highness. But I witnessed it with my two eyes when I saw how you stare at her in the carriage."

Raigon looked down and fidgeted with the teaspoon in front of him. He couldn't contradict that one.

He didn't answer as he sipped a cup of tea to relieve himself of the awkward tension.

"Do you know where she lives, sire?"

Raigon glanced at her and furrowed his brows. "What do you mean, milady?"

Deep inside of him, he also questioned himself as he didn't know the answer.

"Do you know who her family is? Or is that even her real family? How about her tag? Is she really from Terra? Is she really fit to be the Queen of this land, your Highness?"

Her interrogative questions about Lady Asha stunned him on the spot. He hates to admit it but he hasn't thought about that. 

Personally, he didn't care. But if he would think about the next Queen of Terra, it is truly a different matter.

Lady Thana stood up and knelt down on the floor in front of Raigon.

"Milady!" Raigon exclaimed in surprise at her actions.

"You don't have to answer my questions, your Highness. But please think about these before you make your decision. The safety of our land is at stake."

Raigon quickly lifted her from her feet and seated her back to her chair. 

"You don't have to do this. I understand your concern, milady. Thank you. I will keep that in mind."

"Your heart for Terra is immeasurable, your Highness." Lady Thana bowed. 

"I better get going now, your Highness. I know you are a busy man. The Lim's residence is always open for you in case you desire to drop by." 

She stood up from the table and made a graceful bow. Raigon did likewise.

After she left, he went to his chamber and ruminated about everything that she said. "Wait...Lim's residence? Is that their family name? I think I heard of that before."

"L-I-M?" As the realization hit him, he quickly bolted to the royal stable followed by Azra. 

"What's the matter, sire? Can I do it for you instead so you can take a rest, your Highness?" 

"It won't take long." 

Raigon dashed off to the dungeons and went to the cell where the man who gave the letter to Lady Asha was imprisoned. 

But he didn't expect that he would not see him there.

"Where is the man who was imprisoned here?" 

The royal guard bowed to him. "Apologies, your Highness. But he died when he was at the hospital."

Raigon's posture suddenly stiffened as his muscles went rigid. "How could he die that quickly? How could I know if it was the Lims he was talking about? And why did he send that letter to her?"

His shoulders dropped as he was about to leave when a royal guard ran after him. 

He bowed before him and handed out a golden accessory. "I think it fell from Her Majesty's clothes after her visit, your Highness."

Raigon inspected the accessory. It was indeed her Majesty's. 'But why would she visit here just after their meeting a while ago? Is this the place where she's about to meet someone?'

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

Before making any decision, think twice.

Even if it take longer, it is better than to repay

Because you made a mistake.