174 THE UNTOLD STORY OF LADY ASHA

"W-what did you say?" Zoe responded aghast by Lord Adrian's mention of her real name. 

She then looked around if anyone heard him as they were still walking inside the premises of the Liu's territory.

Knowing that they were alone, she stopped on her tracks and faced Lord Adrian.

He winked at her mischievously. "There's no need to panic. I haven't told anyone...yet." He chuckled afterward that irritated Zoe all the more.

She narrowed her eyes on him. 'Was he just playing nice then when he said that he will pledge his life for us? Why do I feel that he was blackmailing us or something?'

"What do you want?" She broadened up her shoulders and tilted her chin.

'I am not afraid of you.' Zoe resolved to herself.

"Uh-oh. I think you misinterpreted me. Forgive me, milady." He bowed down to her and made an apologetic gesture.

"I just want you to feel free to be yourself whenever you're with me." He gave her a genuine smile that seemed to calm Zoe's ruffled heart as she withdrew back to her normal posture again.

"H-how did you know? I mean - Are you -" Zoe asked in a dazed state as she recalled the time when they treated him.

"Not all, milady. I haven't heard everything. Just before the operation, I guess. But you were right when you told Lady Erin that I can hear you both." 

He grinned at her, making Zoe cupped her mouth in shock.

'He also knew Erin! Our lives are in this man's hands!'

In a flash Zoe fell to her knees and bowed low to Lord Adrian. "Please spare us, my lord!" 

Lord Adrian's eyes widened at Zoe's actions.

"There's no need to do this, milady!" He quickly bent down so he could lift her up.

But as he bent down, Zoe tilted her face up making their faces almost collide with one another.

Lord Adrian paused for a few seconds as he stared at Zoe's face so close to his.

"You are more beautiful up close." He unconsciously uttered making Zoe dart her eyes away and stood up.

As she did so, she also lifted him up as he was having a hard time bending down. "I told you to never let your head be lower than your heart, my lord."

"What if my heart wants to be higher than my head?" Lord Adrian commented, which tickled Zoe's funny bones.

"That's a funny one." Zoe tittered as she thought that Lord Adrian was just joking around. 

Lord Adrian made a half-grin smile as she guided Zoe back. "They must be waiting for us."

But before they continued to walk, Zoe clasped her hands and made a pleading gesture. "Please don't let anyone know about this."

"Even the Crowned Prince?" Lord Adrian immediately asked. 

Zoe's eyebrows furrowed at his mention of his name, but she just ignored it. "Yes, even the Crowned Prince."

Lord Adrian's hand flew to his chest. "Your secret's safe with me, milady."

Zoe finally let out a sigh of relief. 'I will just rely on that for now. Perhaps he would not betray me since I also saved his life.'

They walked to the veranda where Lady Dolores, Erin and Tristan were waiting for them. 

As soon as Lady Dolores saw her, she immediately flew toward Zoe and embraced her. 

Zoe felt awkward as she was not used to a stranger enveloping her arms around her, but she allowed her to be. She seemed so pleased to see her. 

Since she also saved her grandson's life, she just wasn't sure if it was because of gratitude or because she was really familiar to her.

"Are you really Asha? Why do you still look so young?" She asked her as she distanced herself so she could take a good look at her. 

Zoe smiled awkwardly at her. "Maybe it was my mother that you were talking about. Her name is also Asha."

Lady Dolores gave her an incredulous look. "So you are her daughter? How come you are in here?"

Zoe looked at Lord Adrian, Erin and Tristan who were also watching them and grinned at Lady Dolores. "I-it's a long story."

Lady Dolores glanced their way too and nodded her head. 

"I understand what you mean. Lord Adrian, can you ask the servants to give us snacks in the guest area? Lady Selena, can I borrow Lady Asha for a few minutes, if you don't mind?"

Erin bowed her head and replied in a pleasant tone. "You can have her until midnight, if needed be." 

Lady Dolores furrowed her brows and tilted her head at Zoe as if asking her if she knows her story. 

Zoe nodded her head and bowed to her.

Lady Dolores proceeded on the guest area which is a smaller and more private room than the veranda. Still it was a comfortable place to relax as a visitor with a luxurious garden with a mini-fountain in the middle. 

They both seated themselves and Lady Dolores continued on interrogating her. This time, Zoe was not nervous, but rather pleased and excited with every question, as she knew that she was getting closer to her desired objective.

"So your mother is Asha? Because you have so many similarities. Where is she now?"

Zoe gulped the built-up lump in her throat. "S-she's dead."

Lady Dolores was taken aback at what she heard. 

"N-no, it cannot be. Asha was a strong woman." Lady Dolores stuttered as she sniffed. 

Zoe's eyebrows became one as she stared at Lady Dolores. She thought she had the answer to that question. But it puzzled her even more.

"Do you mind if I ask how you come to know my mother?" Zoe asked in a respectful tone.

Lady Dolores nodded as she wiped tears that were forming from the corner of her eyes.

"I raised her."

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If we're not willing to look back into the past and find out the truth about what happened, we really can't move into the future with any hope of healing.