171 LIFE GOES ON

Meanwhile, Zoe furiously dashed to the carriage.

A surge of different emotions rushed through her all at the same time. 

"Are we leaving, milady?" The coachman smiled at her.

But it seemed that she did not hear him as she violently threw the door of the carriage open and casted herself on the couch.

She felt angry, betrayed, belittled and disappointed at Raigon and his mother. And to add fuel to the fire, his soon-to-be wife is even around, strutting her close relationship with them.

"If you will, sir."

Erin, who was running after her, bowed to the coachman and gave him an apologetic smile.

She went inside the carriage and seated herself beside Zoe.

"Let's get out of here." 

These are the first words that came out of her mouth.

"Hiyaaa!"

The horses galloped on at the speed of light, making sure that the passengers inside could get out of the heart wrenching place as quickly as possible.

Erin glanced at Zoe who was staring outside the window with even batting an eyelash. It seemed like she had no plans of talking at all.

"You want to go shopping after meeting with the royal physicians?"

She opened up and beamed. It wouldn't help if Zoe would think all sorts of negative things without a sounding board.

Zoe gave her a tepid smile. "Thanks, Erin." And then she looked out the window again.

'Uh-oh. This is not good. By the looks of her, it seemed like she was about to go to a depressive state again.'

"Let's try to visit Lord Adrian too! Perhaps he has already awoken. You can also ask Lady Dolores about your necklace."

At the mention of her necklace, Zoe jerked up from her seats with her eyes glistening. Her fingers flew to her chest.

"You're right. Now we have time to know more about my parents."

Erin grinned. She was successful in deviating Zoe's attention so she would not focus on the issue anymore.

"Yes. You will finally learn what truly happened to them. I'm happy for you." 

She pressed her hand on hers firmly.

"I hope so. Afterward, we could already leave this place."

Zoe answered her, expecting that Erin will peal in delight. 

But her hand unconsciously pulled away as her eyes darted outside the window.

"We would leave this place?" Erin repeated as she was lost in her own thoughts.

Zoe furrowed her brows. "I thought you wanted to get out of here?"

"Y-yeah." Erin stuttered. "I just think about your relationship with the Crowned Prince. Maybe you just need time to talk and clear things out."

Although she was really disturbed about her friend's lovelife, she was also concerned about hers.

She knew she wouldn't see Azra anymore once they leave Terra. Even though she still wasn't sure about her feelings for him or him for hers, she's craving to get to know him more. 

Zoe's mood swiftly changed at the mention of his name. She crossed her arm as she focused on the sceneries.

After spending a great deal of time ruminating, she finally spoke up.

"We spent a great deal of 'times'. He has a lot of time where he could clear that out to me."

Zoe reacted with her nostrils flared.

"Well, maybe he has his reasons why he didn't. And are you two even dating that he needs to inform you of his private life? Remember, he doesn't remember you as Zoe."

Zoe's lips pouted as she contemplated her statement. 

'She was right. All of our conversations were either about the situation of Terra, or each other's personal life. But not about our feelings for one another.'

As she pondered about his actions, she recalled how he asked her to marry him when they were still on Lord Howe Island. 

"How about as Zoe then? You remember how he proposed to me during the game! He even mentioned that he will do it at a better time and place. Why would he do that if he already had a fiance here?" 

"You ask him why. Here we are. Are you ready?"

Zoe gulped as she glanced at the window beside Erin and saw that they have already stopped at what seemed to be like the Infirmary.

Even with the chaotic situation between her and Raigon's family, she was still anxious about meeting the legitimate physicians of Terra. She was speculating that they might see through her and cast them out of Terra, or worst execute them.

She drew in a deep breath so she could forget everything and focus on the task at hand as she stepped out after Erin.

"The lady physicians are here!"

One of the royal physicians bolted inside the Infirmary as his eyes caught on them.

The royal physicians who have been waiting around for them dashed to the entrance to catch a glimpse at them.

Zoe and Erin went inside with their heads bowed down. And as soon as they saw the throng of physicians ogling at them, they made a formal bow.

"Greetings, royal physicians of the land of Terra. We are honored to be here with you."

The elders in the group acknowledged them and motioned them to stand up.

"We have been waiting for you."

In a hurry, Zoe bowed her head down again. "I apologize for the delay, my lord."

"Let's now go into the lecture hall." Physician Teng Shun commented. He was the head of the royal physicians in Terra. The other physicians immediately fell in line and followed him. 

Erin's eyes widened and blinked rapidly at Zoe. Zoe nodded at her telling her that she will take care of her.

Physician Ten Shung seated himself in the front table followed by the rest of the physicians. 

Zoe and Erin was about to sit with them when Physician Teng Shun stopped them with his palm in front of them and motioned them to stand in the front.

"You may start your demonstration now."

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Life is like a road,

There are bumps,

There are cracks,

There are road blocks,

But the most important thing is

It keeps going.