191 A STRONG WOMAN

Raigon and Zoe were already outside of the Royal Infirmary and on their way to the Hengcheng Mountains when Raigon dropped the bomb.

"Do I want to be the queen?" Zoe reiterated to herself as she stood with both of her eyebrows raised, dumbfounded at his direct question.

Her eyes darted around the area, wondering if there were people nearby who might hear the shocking inquiry made by the royal Crown Prince to a mere servant physician like her.

"Do you want to stay here and rule with me?" His blazing gaze lowered and so did his voice.

Zoe's hands flew to her chest so she could catch her breath. As she did so, her dainty hands accidentally touched her Hebao, which reminded her of who she was. 

She paused for a few seconds before uttering, "I am a lady physician, your Highness…"

And she wanted to add, 'And I am an intruder in Terra.' But she controlled herself from saying so, still resolved to keep her identity hidden even if he already knows the truth.

His eyes crinkled at her response, making Zoe gulp and doubt if she answered the right thing.

"I know. But still, you didn't answer my question." He spoke again, seemingly enjoying her struggle to maintain her composure. 

"Don't worry, I told you I will wait when you are ready." He winked at her and returned back to the carriage. "Let's go, milady. They must have gone far off already"

Zoe scurried towards the carriage, with the thought still lingering in her mind. 'Do I really want to be the queen of this land, regardless of my status or citizenship? Can I really be that strong and protect this land with him?' 

She peeked outside the window and inhaled a lungful of air as she basked in Terra's glory.

Zoe tried to assess her situation. But it just stressed her out. She decided to rest her head instead.

Meanwhile, Raigon just allowed her to contemplate on her own. Not wanting to force his way into her.

It took them a while before they reached Hengcheng Mountains since they were using a carriage. 

As soon as they reached the Gates, the children all ran to their carriage and waved their hands, waiting to be picked up by Raigon.

"Who will I give a piggyback ride this time?" Raigon's finger shot up, which made them shout in glee all the more. 

"Me! Me! Me!"

Raigon picked up a darling little girl and carried her in his back as he ran towards the house of Lord Hou. He was casting glances on Zoe to see if she was still keeping up with him.

"I didn't know that this towering spruce of a man had an affectionate heart for children." His echoing laughter together with the children warmed her heart.

"He will be a good father someday." She thought to herself as she imagined him running around with his kids. Their kids.

But she shook her head so she would not be swayed by her fantasies. 

"Your Highness, milady." Azra bowed down and showed them the way.

"I will be with you in a minute. I will just go to the washroom," Erin uttered and dashed to somewhere.

Zoe's eyes widened in disbelief. 'Erin already knows her way around here.' 

The chuckle that escaped from her lips twitched downward as she pondered on the idea that she would want to settle down with Azra here.

Their relationship was not as complicated as them. Even though Erin was not a Terran, it is not a big deal since Hengcheng Mountains is a private and exclusive place for the Hou Clan. And Azra has a more private life, away from the prying eyes of men, than Raigon.

She drew in a deep breath as they walked towards the room where Lord Hou is. Fortunately, he was awake when they met him. 

As soon as he saw Raigon, he tried to stand up, but his extremities were still lethargic. Azra tried to help him up.

"It's a pleasure to behold your presence, your Highness." He bowed his head, showing his respect for his lordship even though he is decades younger than him.

"I'm sorry, it took me awhile to visit you, my lord. I have here with me a lady physician who could help you be cured of your illness."

Raigon drew forward and bowed to him. Zoe followed after him. And as she did so, Lord Hou's face turned from pleased to horrified.

"L-Lady Asha?" Lord Hou's weak and trembling arms forced itself to lift up as if he was meaning to touch her and know that she is real and not a figment of his imagination.

Azra was baffled at his grandfather reaction to Zoe. He has no idea that he knew her. Erin also was cupping her mouth in astonishment at this revelation.

Raigon furrowed his brows and glanced at Zoe and then at Lord Hou.

Zoe rushed to his side and pressed on his hands. His heart thumped as he was the fourth person here in Terra who recognized her, or her mother.

"Yes, my lord. I am Lady Asha. My mother's name is also Asha. I don't know who among us you have met before. But I'm glad to see you strong and fighting, my lord."

Lord Hou's face radiated in response and patted on her head.

"You must be her daughter. I'm glad that you have grown up taking after her and her love for medicine."

Zoe's smile suddenly froze, shocked at Lord Hou's knowledge of her mother. "M-my mother's love for medicine?"

"Yes. She is a very intelligent young woman, and she uses her learned skills to help and save other people, no matter what status. Even animals have received her kind intervention."

Lord Hou chuckled as he fondly recalled his times with her. Suddenly, he grimaced in pain and clutched his chest.

"Grandfather!" Azra blurted out and lay him down in the bed so he could rest.

Zoe wanted to ask more as her spirit sparkled and gleamed in excitement to know more about her mother. But the condition of Lord Hou is more important. She drew near to him and checked his physical condition. 

Lord Hou smiled at her, but it is somehow a bittersweet one compared to his jolly appearance a while ago.

"You have a bumpy road ahead of you, milady. You do not have to be a queen to be a strong woman. You just have to believe in God's call in your life and in yourself. Just like your mother."

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Be a strong woman so that your daughter will know how to be one

And your son will know what to look for in a woman.