185 DEDICATION

"Grandfather, you're embarrassing me in front of milady," Azra scratched his head as he gave an apologetic smile at Erin.

Lord Hou snickered at his grandson's timidity. "Can you come closer, milady? I want to see your beauty up close but my limbs do not want to cooperate." 

"Absolutely, my lord." Erin scurried towards him and stood beside Azra.

A corner of his lips curved up as he gazed at her and then at Azra. Erin felt bashful for the first time, her cheeks reddened in response to Lord Huo's scrutinizing but appreciative gaze.

"I'm proud that my grandson has a high standard in choosing his beloved. Both of you look good together." He concluded with an enthusiastic smile. 

"Grandfather! We're not what you think we are!" Azra blurted out. He then faced Erin and bowed to her. "I apologize for my grandfather's misinterpretation, milady. Please forgive our family."

But Erin wasn't embarrassed at Lord Huo's acknowledgement of her at all.

"It's okay. I don't mind." Erin gave him an understanding smile and also gave the same smile to Lord Hou.

"I am honored to meet you, my lord. I've been wanting to see where Lord Azra got his good looks and his intelligence from." She complimented him. 

"I hope I didn't disappoint you to see me in this condition." Lord Hou chuckled and responded. But as he did so, he coughed as he had a hard time breathing.

Erin flung his arms to assist him until he could be comfortable again. 

"I was actually disappointed, my lord." Erin commented, making Lord Hou glanced at her with a scrunched forehead. 

"It's because I see that you are more good looking than him." A mischievous grin appeared on Erin's face.

A chuckle escaped from Lord Hou that made him croak again. 

"I'm sorry, my lord. I will keep my mouth shut from now on." Erin clamped her lips as she bowed her head.

"It's all right, milady. I am amused by your sense of humor. I know you will make my grandson happy."

Azra's eyes widened in astonishment, while Erin suppressed a gleeful look as she swayed from side to side.

"I don't know my remaining days. But I hope you stay by my grandson's side in protecting the royal family and Terra. That responsibility in itself is as laborious as the King's role. Azra will need a support person also as he supports the next in line to the throne."

"Grandfather! It is not her responsibility to do that!" Azra bursted out loud as he tried to stop his grandfather from adding more burden to Erin.

But Erin nodded and bowed her head. "I will do my best, my lord."

Azra directed his attention to her in bewilderment.

"I appreciate it, milady. Forgive my selfishness. Nevertheless, I want to leave knowing that my grandchildren will not be left lonely."

Azra bowed his head as he understood why Lord Hou was being like that.

"Please rest now, Grandfather. You have lost a lot of energy in talking." A smile could now be seen in his face to lighten his grandfather's mood before they leave.

"We know a good physician that could treat you well. We will get her for you."

Lord Hou shook his head. "Don't bother. I can manage. And the physician that checked on me already prescribed some medications. Just enjoy your time here with Lady Selena since you rarely visit your hometown."

Lord Hou uttered and then closed his eyes. 

Azra wasn't able to respond to that so he decided to leave Lord Hou's room and walked outside with Erin.

"You don't have to say those things, milady. He's just concerned about me." 

Azra apologized to Erin as he guided her to a room where she could stay for the night.

"I told you, it's okay. I like talking with your grandfather and would love to talk with him some more. I really hope he'll be okay. Besides, I meant what I said." 

Azra almost stopped and directed his eyes on Erin.

'Do you mean you will stay by my side forever?' 

He wanted to ask her. But he decided not to as he doesn't want to expect and obliged her to do something for him. 

"Here we are. This is a vacant room where you can rest. I will just check around the residence if everything is fine. A servant will give you your dinner later."

He was about to leave when Erin stopped him. "Lord Azra!"

Azra swiveled back with his eyebrows drawn together.

"I don't want to eat alone. Can I just come with you instead?" Erin pleaded with her hands clasped together. "You know I love exploring new things. I will keep everything to myself, I promise. You know I don't have friends here to gossip with and -"

Azra nodded in a serious manner and turned his back. But as he did so, a smile crept up his face as he also wanted to spend more time with her.

"Yey!" Erin replied and walked beside Azra as he went from one area of the land to the other. 

The servants bowed and greeted them as they passed by.

"Wow, you have a huge property. You don't have to work as a servant to the Crowned Prince…" 

Then her eyes shifted from the picturesque land to the person beside her. "But I now understand why." She gave him an understanding smile.

Azra nodded as he gazed up at the early evening sky. "As far as I can remember, my ancestors have been protecting the royal family from generation to generation. To others, it may seem a curse. But for us, it is both a duty and an honor, to serve our ruler and country. How about you, milady? How is your family?"

Erin shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, we don't have something like that. My father left my mother when I was still a baby. But now that I am all grown up, my mother is now living with another man. And I'm happy for her. But I'm just alone and enjoying my life without purpose or direction. I'm happy but I admit, I'm empty. It must feel good to dedicate your life to something until your last breath."

She uttered and looked up at the same sky that Azra was staring at. 

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The mystery of human existence lies not just in staying alive

But in finding something to live for.