189 FIRST SURGERY INSIDE THE CASTLE

Zoe's heart began beating like a drum in her chest. She glanced over the suffering man in front of her and pulled her eyebrows in concentration.

'If my assessment is right and I can pull this off, I will be safe. And I can gain the confidence of these people around me. But if I fail…" 

Zoe shifted her attention to the people around her. Physician Sheng Tun and the bystanders who worked inside the Castle were looming over her waiting to find a single mistake. 

"Are you ready to face the people's wrath if you cannot save him now, proving that you are just using witchcraft?" 

The Queen was circling them like a predator ready to pounce on her prey.

A sheen of sweat formed in her cheeks, chin and forehead as she bit her trembling lips.

"I have witnessed your skills firsthand, Lady Asha. You also made it happen in Xianghai. You can do it again here." 

Raigon spoke in a tone filled with awe and respect, making the servants cover themselves under each other's shadows.

She peeked at him, standing tall and looking excessively handsome with his striking features highlighted by the glorious sun.

His smoldering eyes met hers and calmed her restless heart. Her heart turned over in. 

Zoe gulped and inhaled a lungful of air. 

"Yes, your Majesty, your Highness. If you would allow me, I will try to treat him." Zoe replied and straightened her shoulders with dignity.

"What do you need?" Raigon inquired right away like a commander waiting for his general's command in a war, leaving the Queen's mouth dropped open as she was about to say something. 

But as she witnessed the servant writhing in extreme agony and all the servants empathizing with him, she just zip it and allowed her son to take over instead.

"I just need a clean room and assistants just like the last time, your Highness." Zoe transferred her gaze to him and gave him a knowing look.

Raigon inclined his head with a corner of his lips curled up, assuring her that he understands perfectly.

His blunt masculine finger shot up, summoning a servant to come near him, in which one immediately obliged. He gave him instructions to make the room nearest them as clean as possible and call on Azra and Lady Selena.

As luck would have it, Azra and Erin were already on the way to the Castle as they really had plans on inviting her to come and take a look at Lord Hou. They arrived in no time and met with them in the special room.

"You never rest, do you? Do you know that God even rested on the seventh day." Erin whispered to her friend as soon as they saw each other face to face again. 

"I envy you." She narrowed her eyes on her and gave a mischievous side glance at Azra, who was oblivious of them as he helped set up the room.

Even though Queen Rose and Physician Sheng Tun agreed with the medical intervention, they stayed in the adjacent room where only a curtain was separating them.

But it was only Zoe, Erin and Azra that were in the improvised operating room.

Zoe was about to start the operation when he informed the servant of what she would do. 

"I will administer anesthetic medications to numb your stomach. And then I will open it so I can tie up the hole inside and stop the gastric juices from spilling out." 

The servant jerked up in shock at the invasive treatment that was about to be done to him. Queen Rose and Physician Sheng Tun also gasped, startled at her audacious attempt to treat someone.

"I don't think I can do this, your Majesty." He uttered in the midst of his painful ordeal. 

"I believe you should stop this mad woman, your Majesty. Putting a knife to one's stomach is like killing him already. If he dies inside the Castle because of this, the whole Terra will be disturbed!"

Queen Rose rested her chin on her hand, an evil smile formed on her lips. "I thought you want to be saved. This lady said that she could save you. Get back to your position."

"Do not worry. Lady Asha is an excellent physician. You will get well." Raigon convinced the servant, making him feel at ease since they were the Crowned Prince's words.

He lied down and allowed Zoe to operate on him. With her friend on her side and the trust of her beloved amidst the distrust of all other people, she was able to perform the operation successfully.

"The hole has now been closed and the patient is now in stable condition, your Majesty, your Highness."

Sounds of clapping hands could be heard outside of the room. Even though Physician Sheng Tun has pushed them away, they managed to stay and eavesdrop through the whole operation. 

They were all hoping that it was not a witch but a real physician that was treating their beloved comrade, who was close to all of them.

Physician Sheng Tun immediately stood up and lifted the dividing curtain. "It was that quick?"

A man lying peacefully in bed displayed in front of the royals. As the cloth was lifted up, Zoe and Raigon's gaze met each other again.

An appreciative smile curled up Raigon's mouth making Zoe's lashes lower in response as she felt a bottomless peace and satisfaction at his reaction.

Queen Rose immediately stood up and bowed to them, knowing that there were people outside. 

"Thank you for your hard work." Then she quickly left followed by Physician Sheng Tun, who shooed the servants away from the room. 

Zoe nudged the corners of Erin's shoulder with her head and dropped her weight at her. "I'm resting now. Hey!" 

She immediately pushed her away making Erin give her a dazed look.

"You're so warm and fuzzy. I wonder why?" She winked at Azra whose ears reddened in response. 

"Your aura is overflowing with love and affection. Give me some of that." She continued to tease her as she poke on her waist.

Erin giggled as she stopped Zoe's hands from attacking her. 

"Why should I, Lady Asha, when you have the Crowned Prince to smother you with that?" 

She whispered to Zoe in a voice that is loud enough for him to hear.

"You're absolutely right, Erin." Raigon approved what she just said in a broad smile.

Erin gasped and gave him an incredulous stare.