190 LADY PHYSICIAN OR QUEEN?

The room was already quiet and peaceful compared to the previously dark atmosphere due to the suspicions and cynicisms of the Queen and the head of the Royal Physicians.

"Thank you for your hard work everyone." Zoe bowed to her team.

Then, she picked up her surgical instruments that she used for operating on the servant with perforated ulcer. She breathed out a sigh of relief as she thought one of them would peek inside the improvised operating room and check on them. 

"We're getting the hang of this. I wonder who and where we'll operate on next time. You're getting used to being a royal lady physician in Terra, Lady Asha." Erin gave her a warm smile as they walked outside.

Seeing her best friend again, Zoe hugged and teased around as she has not seen her for weeks. But as she did so, she was caught off guard as Raigon reacted to Erin's banter.

"D-did you just call me Erin, your Highness?" Erin's fingers flew to her parted lips. She then sent an inquiring look at Zoe as if asking through mental telepathy if he could already remember or not.

Zoe shrugged to hide her confusion as she was not really certain if all his memories had already come back. 

Raigon tried to suppress a chuckle as she saw Zoe's apprehensive appearance. He scratched his head as he wondered why she wanted to keep it hidden from him. Still, he wanted to respect her decision. But he doesn't know how long he will be able to do that.

He cleared his throat and continue on helping Azra clean up the room. "I apologize, milady. I must have mistaken you for someone else."

Zoe gazed at Raigon, a part of her reveled in his outward understanding of her. 

'Should I just admit it instead? What if he would go crazy in defending me again? Should I just leave then?' 

Zoe contemplated on as she remembered him risking his life to save her over and over again. And her situation here in Terra is much more complicated than outside.

"Do you have plans for today, my lord?" Azra's anxious voice broke the Zoe's meditation.

"Yes, but what is the matter, Azra? Do you need to go somewhere?" Raigon asked him, also aware of the build up of anxiety in his chest displayed by his ragged appearance.

"Lord Hou is not in a good condition right now, your Highness. I would like to ask if I may leave so I can check on him."

Raigon's eyebrows furrowed as he was also concerned with Azra's grandfather. He was one of the loyal servants of the royal family and anything that concerns them bothers him as well.

"We will leave you. I will just drop by at the Infirmary then let us go to Hengcheng Mountains." Raigon declared as they rode on a carriage going to the Royal Infirmary.

He took two carriages, one for him and Zoe and one for Azra and Erin.

As they were seated, Zoe leaned back and rested her aching back, her fingers wriggle as they got stuck up from using the instruments for an hour.

Raigon reached out and grabbed her hand in gentle authority. 

Zoe gasped in surprise but she didn't remove it away. She allowed him to pressed his thumb on her knuckles in kneading motion, releasing her stress away.

She closed her eyes as she enjoyed what he is doing, unaware that Raigon was also gazing admiring her ethereal beauty that could not be tainted by her weariness.

"You did an excellent job out there." His deep and soothing voice added to the comfortable feeling she was experiencing.

'I didn't know that it feels good to have someone complimenting and comforting you after a long day's work.' 

Zoe thought as she recalled herself just having a boring sack time every after duty at the hospital.

She gently pulled her hand but a smile tipped the corners of her mouth. "Thank you for trusting me, your Highness. I wouldn't have done it without you."

Raigon wanted to sweep her in his arms and embrace her snugly as he saw how she has battled through the criticisms from his own people.

He guess Zoe was right in trying to maintain her Lady Asha figure as he was having a hard time keeping himself from protecting her with those vicious remarks. 

"We're here, your Highness." The coachman announced as they already arrived at the Infirmary. 

The royal physicians greeted them and gave them good feedbacks about the situation in Terra. "The disease has been controlled after your instructions has been implemented, Lady Asha."

Zoe bowed as she felt a warm glow flow through her. However it is quenched at once as she heard Physician Sheng Tun's remarks. 

"If it weren't for Lady Thana's donations, the patients would not have recovered quickly. Her nobility and selflessness is truly a great match to you, our Crowned Prince." 

He added with a slight smile of derision as he watched Zoe's reaction.

The other physicians also agreed with him as they praised her in front of them. 

"She would make a good queen."

"Aren't you getting married yet, sire?" They asked Raigon as if he was the only person around.

Erin was about to speak up but Azra stopped her with a glum look.

"Yes, I am. You can now ready your wedding gifts." Raigon answered confidently which pleased the royal physicians around.

Zoe felt her ribs squeezing her tight as she forced a plastered smile. 

"Congratulations, your Highness." She bowed down to him, unconscious that her reaction amused him.

"You didn't tell me you're already thinking about tying the knot, your Highness." 

She crossed her arms as soon as they were out of the Infirmary.

Raigon drew near to her but kept a safe distance. Zoe gazed at him with defiant eyes.

"Why, do you want to be my queen?" He asked in a cool and sultry voice

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

Having someone who takes care of you and understands your mood is such a blessing.