199 LOVE AND GRATITUDE

They allowed the Queen to have a time of peace and tranquility as they left the area one by one. 

The royal physicians bowed down to Zoe, including Physician Sheng Tun. He silently thanked her as he laid his hand on his heart for not talking about his error to his juniors.

Zoe bowed down to him in response. It was her fault she allowed him to practice medical treatment without proper training in the first place. But she was still uncertain whether she was already on his good side or not.

"Do not try to carry what you cannot handle, young lady. Or you will suffocate underneath it until it kills you."

An angry voice snarled which startled Zoe making her hand clutch her chest. It was Duke Andras.

Sudden anger lit her eyes as she remembered how he pushed her over as if she did something wrong that deserves it. 

She lifted her chin and answered him back with a tepid smile. 

"Do not worry, my lord. I will throw it back to the person that caused it and he or she will suffer instead of me." 

Her subtle defiant gaze astonished Duke Andras. But it was only for a few seconds as he returned to his menacing look again. 

He was about to say something when Raigon came out of the room. As soon as he saw that they were talking, he immediately mediated between them putting Zoe behind his back.

Duke Andras made a hearty but evil laughter. "So you think love could keep you alive? Tsk tsk. My dear nephew, you should have taken after me and not your father. You cannot protect what you have unless you give up the throne."

Raigon's jaw dropped open at Duke Andras' remarks. "W-what do you mean, Uncle Andras?" 

Duke Andras glanced at his arm which Raigon just wretched like dough a while ago and raised an eyebrow at Raigon. 

"After what you just did to me? I think that advice is enough kindness from me."

Then he glanced at Zoe and waved a finger of warning to her before leaving them. "And you, young lady. If you don't want to suffer the same fate as your mother, stay away from the royal family."

Zoe's eyes widened in shock. She suddenly recalled that Lady Dolores told her that her mother ran away after getting close with Duke Andras and King Artair.

And it was not only Lady Dolores but Physician Gao Zemin that warned her not to associate herself with them.

'Is the King as violent as his brother? Did they do something that harmed her mother?!'

A flicker of indignation passed through her eyes, disturbing Raigon as he was staring at her the whole time. 

"Don't let him get through you. Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Raigon's flushed look that revealed his overwhelming concern for her calmed her anxiety that was like a tornado swishing inside her as she was being confronted by Duke Andras.

She shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, your Highness. Thank you."

Raigon heaved out a sigh of relief. "Maybe we should relax before meeting the King. You've been through a lot."

He wanted to cuddle her in his arms and appease her troubling feelings somehow. But they were in the Castle and she would be in bigger trouble if anybody would see them that way.

"Follow me." He commanded Zoe and walked ahead. 

Zoe was startled at Raigon's command as she was still pondering on what Duke Andras just said, the prophecy and the mystery behind her mother's life.

But she immediately complied and walked behind Raigon.

As they were walking, they passed by some servants along the way. 

"Your Highness." They made a formal bow to the Crowned Prince as soon as they saw him.

But when they saw that Zoe was behind him, they immediately scurried away. 

"Am I that jinxed that the mere sight of my shadows make people scramble?" 

Zoe's shoulders dropped at what she thought was an ill feeling towards her.

But her fingers flew to her parted lips as they came back to the hallway where they were, supporting a servant who limped as he walked.

As they drew near her and Raigon, she realized who it was. It was the servant with the perforated ulcer disease.

He quickly dropped to her knees and bowed to her. "I am at your disposal, my lady!"

At the speed of light, Zoe waved her hand and lifted him to stand up. "No, don't do this. You haven't fully recovered yet. I am just doing my duty, sir."

He tapped a loose fist against his chest and spoke in a wavering voice. "I ask the other servants to tell me at once as soon as they see you. I am not from the royal family and I don't know how I can repay you. I will be forever loyal to the royal family. But if the Crowned Prince won't mind, I would like to dedicate my service also to you."

They all wait for Raigon's response. To their joy, Raigon's lips curved up. "Lady Asha is also loyal to the royal family. I don't mind if you became loyal also to her."

The other servants also bowed their heads to Zoe. "We would also like to extend our service to you. We also have relatives in the provinces who were saved from the epidemic because of your medical intervention. We have nothing to offer but our loyalty and service to you."

Zoe drew in a deep breath as her previously pale and sad face beamed in enthusiasm. "That is more than enough thank you for me. I appreciate it."

She bowed down to them and grinned at Raigon. His cheeks were stretched as he was also happy for the respect and gratitude that they were showing her.

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We must find time to stop and thank the people who have made a difference in our lives.