196 THE PROPHESIED QUEEN

"I think we should stop there." Azra commented as he saw his grandfather taking deep breaths in his effort to calm his stressful nerves.

Erin helped pick up the debris of the broken cup while Raigon was rubbing Zoe's back gently as she was shocked at the unexpected history of her parents. 

Zoe bowed her head and apologized for the commotion. But she unconsciously stood up and went outside the house in a dazed manner. Raigon followed close behind.

""W-what is a half-ling?" Zoe muttered as she gazed point blank at space. 

Raigon drew in a deep breath as he replied. "A half-ling is someone who is half Terran and half-non Terran. It means he or she was born in ill fate as half-lings are also treated like the intruders even if they were raised as Terrans."

"My mother must have suffered a lot. It could be the reason why she left Terra. Those who have known her real identity must have ostracized her." Zoe uttered as her chin trembled. 

As she thought about it, she remembered that she read the word 'half-ling' in the Forbidden Prophecy Book that she noticed in the dungeons. 

"Is the book that you got from me still with you? I think there is a prophecy there that includes a half-ling. I just can't remember the exact words."

"I think I haven't removed it from my bag yet. Wait."

They both check out the last page of the book where she saw that word. Their eyes widened in horror as they read these words in capital and red letters.

"Woe to Terra! 

The pure-blooded half-ling has seated on the throne. 

With her right hand she gave it life. 

And with her left, it's death. 

Tremble at the feet of the mighty Queen!"

Their dilated pupils stared at the corresponding picture on the left.

A woman pulled out a tree from the ground with her left hand. And her right hand holds a cup where people are flocking to drink. At her feet were rows and rows of dead bodies. 

Raigon immediately closed the book and pulled her roughly, almost violently, to him. 

"Prophecies are not always true." He held her snugly as he caressed her hair.

But Zoe seemed to still be distressed at the shocking revelation, she felt her knees tremble and almost fall down. 

Raigon guided her to a nearby chair so she could sit down. She cupped her face in the palms of her hands. 

She fought through the cobwebs of different ideas and as she lifted her face, she stared at the book in front of her. 

"Now I understand why Lord Hou said that I am on a bumpy road and why I need to be a strong woman. That prophecy is either my mother or me. And since my mother is not around anymore. It is now only referring to me."

She gazed at a far off distance as she contemplated out loud. 

"If I will be seated on the throne, will I give life or death to this land? Or both? I guess what I'm gaining from sacrificing myself is Terra's peace and continuous prosperity."

She bit her lips until it throbbed like her pulse.

Raigon seated himself in front of her and leaned forward, gazing at her tortured eyes and comforted her.

"Not all prophecies are true. And besides, it is written there the word 'pure-blooded half-ling'. It can also be another person and not you. Don't worry, we will get to know the truth behind this. And you will be free. Let us now go back to the Castle so we could talk to the King."

Zoe nodded as her rage was slowly mounting against the people that made her mother suffer. 

They both rode the carriage back to the Castle, leaving Azra and Erin behind to care for Lord Hou. 

However as they entered the Castle, they saw that the Queen was being transported to a different room. 

Raigon immediately went to them and asked. "What are you doing? What happened to the Queen?"

"We think she has ingested arsenic, your Highness." Her personal chambermaid stuttered as he bowed at the Crowned Prince.

Zoe's jaw dropped open as she knew how fatal arsenic could be.

"How many did she ingest? Is she in critical condition?" Raigon rattled on as she peeked on his mother being taken to a place where they could treat her.

"We don't know yet, your Highness. But Physician Sheng Tun said he will do all appropriate measures to make her well." 

Raigon swiveled to Zoe. "Lady Asha, please get your medical kit now." 

Zoe immediately bowed to him and ran to get the Hebao that contained her medical instruments.

"Please wait for Lady Asha and guide her to the chamber where they have put the Queen." Raigon ordered the chambermaid before rushing to the Queen.

"Please recover quickly, your Majesty." The physicians were chanting as they were encircled around the Queen. Others were fanning her and wiping the sweat from her face, while Physician Sheng Tun was monitoring her pulse and breathing.

"Please try to sit up, your Majesty." He encouraged her to, but her body is so weak she could not even move her head in response.

"How is the Queen?" Raigon barged in and asked Physician Sheng Tun. 

"I will do my best to treat her, your Highness. Where is the alum powder?" He swiveled to face the Crowned Prince and the servant he gave him instructions to. 

And as he did so, he noticed that Zoe was behind him with a Hebao in her hands. 

Even though she was fuming against her for all the times that she has embarrassed her in front of other people, she still needs emergency medical care. And besides, she was still Raigon's mother.

"What are you doing here?" He deliberately raised an eyebrow and tilted his head, making the other physicians imitate him. 

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Prophecies are given not to make us fear

But to put us in the right direction.