187 PERFECT TIMING?

Raigon and Zoe stood up from the table and was about to leave the Crowned Prince's Chamber when the Queen barged in the room. 

Her eyes were glowing as she spoke with a bubbly tone. 

"I can't believe my son had already recovered so quickly. I heard that you requested the cooks to prepare a heavy breakfast for you. You must have been fam-" 

She stopped midway as she noticed that his son was not alone. 

Her previously elated expression turned pinched. But she bowed to Zoe in a courteous manner.

"I apologized for my impetuous actions towards you. And I appreciate your bold attempt to rescue my son from death's snare in spite of that."

At first, Zoe's merry heart from Raigon's overindulging was choked with the Queen's presence. However, it quickly returned as she saw the Queen's expressive gratitude to her. 

Her smile lightened her face again as she replied. "It is an honor to save the royal family."

Raigon's face glowed as the late morning sun cascading its brilliance in the room as he gazed at Zoe which didn't escape the notice of the Queen.

She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. 

"Lady Thana was so worried about you. She just could not stay here and take care of you since it is improper for a single man and woman to stay in one room for a night even though they are betrothed. But if she has the skills as Lady Asha has, I'm sure you would regain your strength at a quicker pace. She is your fiance after all."

Queen Rose sneered as she emphasized the word 'fiance'.

Raigon's disgruntled ears jerked up as he heard the word 'fiance'. His bulging eyes glanced at Zoe whose lips were still curved up but didn't reach her sad eyes.

He wanted to confront his mother but he didn't want to disrespect her in front of other people so he decided to deviate from the topic instead.

"We have to leave, your Majesty. I have already informed the royal physicians that we would be dropping by. Come on, Lady Asha." He tilted his head as he bid his farewell. 

At the speed of light, he opened the door of the Chamber and came out. Zoe scurried behind him. 

However, the Queen would not wave a white flag easily.

"Wait, we? You will bring Lady Asha with you?" She asked with a quick disgusted snort, stopping them from their tracks.

Raigon swiveled to face the Queen and bowed his head. Zoe did the same but at a lower level.

"Yes, your Majesty. I have still not fully recuperated yet. Nevertheless, I planned to monitor Terra's situation and find who's behind this chaos. And I don't think I can do so without any medical help."

Raigon explained his actions in a rational way. But the Queen would not agree.

"Why don't you rest a little bit more until you can regain your health. I can handle it for the meantime."

Raigon shifted his attention to the balcony where he could see the high and lofty roofs of Terra's citizens in the Capital. His expression was one of pained tolerance.

"I know you have heard of what the people are saying against our family. I want to do my best to remove those thoughts from their minds."

Queen Rose's previously sturdy and lifted shoulders droop as she knows what exactly he is saying.

Zoe glanced at both royals who have been enduring emotional scars wounded from the critical arrows of the people that they serve.

A desire to stay by Raigon's side sprung up in the little soft ground in her heart that didn't manage to turn hard as Zoe desired it to be.

"Just the same," Queen Rose's mood veered sharply as her eyes noticed Zoe's soft expression. 

Her kind but alluring eyes fluttered over her musk-rose cheeks and her faintly rosy mouth was biting her lips making it flush even more.

"It will be a cause of controversy if they see the two of you together."

"No need to get flustered about it, your Majesty. I will summon Azra and Lady Asha's assistant as well. It wouldn't look like we are a couple if we are a group." 

Raigon reassured the Queen but she was thinking of other options as her fingers tapped on her forearm. 

"Why not have Physician Sheng Tun accompany you instead? I believe he is more -" She was about to continue when the one she was talking about appeared in front of them and bowed to them.

Raigon tilted his head to his side and pursed his lips. His eyebrows knitted together as his eyes questioned the Queen silently.

"I called Physician Sheng Tun over to make a complete run-through on you and verify if you are indeed out of the woods. Perfect timing! I was just telling them how you could accompany our Crowned Prince in his rounds today." She lifted her chin and gave a confident smile. 

"It would be an honor to serve our beloved soon-to-be ruler of this land." Physician Sheng Tun responded as he straightened his shoulders and cleared his throat.

Zoe swallowed hard as she felt unneeded in this situation. She bowed to everyone with her arms folded on top of each other in front of her.

"Thank you for allowing me to be of service to the royal family. I humbly betake myself. I wish you all well."

Zoe bade her goodbye and stepped backward to leave. But as she did so, one of the servants came rushing to them and bowed her head.

"Your Majesty! Your Highness! One of our servants was on the ground with crippling pain. Physician Sheng Tun!"

They all rush to the servant whom she was talking to. Zoe was about to leave, but Raigon grabbed her hand and pulled her along behind him to the scenario, unnoticed by the panicking group.

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Show respect even to people who don't deserve it

Not as a reflection of their character

But as a reflection of yours.