176 LIVE OR LEAVE

"Well, knock me down with a feather." Erin replied after closing her mouth from being jaw dropped at Lady Dolores' revelation. 

They were already walking outside the Liu's residence when Zoe told her everything that Lady Dolores and her talked about.

"So does that mean that you are a Terran?!" She cupped her mouth at the sudden realization and shook Zoe violently. 

Since Zoe was still shocked at the revelation, she just allowed her best friend to jiggle her like a jelly. 

"I don't know… It wasn't clear who my grandmother is and if she was a Terran or not." Zoe answered her in a sullen tone. 

There was so much revelation and emotions stirred up, she just wanted to drop down in a fluffy bed filled with stuffed pillows and sleep all day. 

"Still, there is a chance that you can be one and beat that two-faced sycophantic parasite!" 

She narrowed her eyes as she imitated Lady Thana's demure antics with her hand on her mouth and laughed in an exaggeratedly dainty manner. 

Zoe couldn't help but chuckle at Erin's stunt. "Should I do that?" She darted her eyes away and looked at the Castle, who is visible in its colossal height and majestic aura from where they are. 

'Is there really a chance that we could be together?' She pondered as she thought about the Prince that caught her heart. 

"Still, they are already getting married and his mother is clearly rooting for her. And how can I beat Lady Thana who is so fit for a queen? And if I do defeat her, does that mean I'm going to be his Princess and later on the Queen of this land? I-I don't think I can do that…"

Zoe thought out loud. She was always open to Erin that when she spoke, she didn't even have to think about what she would think about her or not.

"So what do you want, will he just elope with you away from this island and leave his throne and his people for you?" Erin stopped walking and bounced back at her

Zoe's shoulders dropped as she visualized that devastating scene. "I don't want that."

They both started walking again while pondering about Zoe's complicated situation as the clouds shaded them from the fiery heat of the afternoon sun.

"I'm actually more concerned about the mysterious case of my mother. I wonder if she really left because she was going to look for my grandparents. Or there is another reason why. And why did it happen after she became friends with the royal family?"

"I know! Why don't we go now to the Castle and give the treasure chest to the Crowned Prince and then…"

"And then bother him with my family problem? He already had so much in his hands. Besides, I don't want to associate myself with him anymore since he is already getting married..." Zoe furrowed her eyebrows and looked down at the dirty road.

"Well, we still have to go there anywhere." Erin replied to her as she entered the carriage and sat down.

"Just give it to him. I'll just stay in the carriage." Zoe resolved to herself.

In just a matter of time, they were already at the Castle again. Since the royal guards were already familiar with them, they allowed their carriage to take them up to the main entrance of the Castle. 

"Are you sure about this?" Erin asked her again as she held the treasure chest in her hands. 

Zoe nodded and gave her a warm smile. "Thanks for this, Erin. I appreciate it."

Erin bobbed her head and went out of the carriage with the treasure chest and walked inside the Castle.

Zoe gazed outside the window and inhaled a lungful of air. Her eyes feasted on the beauty inside the Castle as she never had the chance to appreciate it a while ago. 

If it looked beautiful and enthralling from the outside. It looked supernaturally unreal from the inside. Everything seemed to be made out of the finest material on planet earth. From the walls to the pillars decorated with gemstones, to the aesthetically cultured garden.

Her hands flew to her arms and rubbed them to check if she was really alive at that moment or she was already in heaven.

"This place is just perfect. Anyone existing would want to live here…"

Her fingers unconsciously flew to her lips as she thought about why her mother would leave here. As she was doing so, Erin came back rushing towards her.

"Zo- Lady Asha! You have to come quickly!" 

Zoe rushed outside and followed after Erin. She didn't have time to think. Erin is not the type to fluster like that unless something really awful came up.

As she followed after her, she went straight to the Crowned Prince's Chamber. Her eyes widened in horror as she watched the heart wrenching scenario.

Raigon was sitting at the edge of his bed and was struggling to breathe. His hand was on his chest as he coughed and he grimaced everytime he did that as if he was having chest pain. 

The queen and Physician Sheng Tun was also there and seemed to be panicking at the sight of the Crowned Prince as he fought for his life.

"Your Highness!"

"What is she doing here?!" Queen Rose exclaimed as she swiveled to look at who disturbed them with her face wet with tears.

Physician Sheng Tun bowed down to Queen Rose as he answered her question. "She might be of help to the Crowned Prince."

"W-who are you? Why are you here in my room? Get out!" He pointed to Physician Sheng Tun and shouted at him. And then at the Queen, who got bewildered as she observed Raigon's disoriented actions.

"You!" Raigon pointed out at Zoe.

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

Sometimes, the road of life takes an unexpected turn.

And you have no choice but to follow it

In order to end up where you're supposed to be.