200 A COMMITMENT OF LOVE

Zoe was still smiling, feeling elated at the Castles servants' appreciation of her that seemed to sweep her negative thoughts away.

Raigon still guided her to the place where he mostly spent his time with. 

"Wow, it's breathtaking!" Zoe exclaimed as her eyes laid on the beauty of Terra at its finest, seeing it from that view. 

Raigon's lips stretched to his ears as he traced the picturesque land that Zoe was beholding. "I knew you're going to love it."

He started showing her the lands where they have been. "There's the Capital. On this side is the Hengcheng Mountains. Beyond that is Lord Howe Island."

Zoe glanced at Raigon who was smiling at her. "I told you I already know."

He drew near to her and cupped her face with his hands. Only the royal family can go to that place. And as of that moment, only Raigon was able to go there.

Zoe peered into his oceanic blue eyes and asked the only question amidst the vast sea of them that is deeply bothering her heart.

"When worst comes to worst, will you stay with me until the end?" 

Raigon's lips curved in an unconscious smile. He held her hands and brought them to his face. His lips grazed on them tenderly as he answered her question.

"You have touched my soul long before I knew what your hands felt like. And you were recognized by my heart even before my eyes understood who you were." 

Suddenly, Raigon knelt down and brought out a ring from inside his robe and inserted it on Zoe's fingers. 

Zoe's jaw dropped in surprise, her other hand flew to cup it as she felt a warm glow flow through her.

His confession of love was already crushing her displeasure against herself, her past and the people that made her family that way. But this is way too much!

"Even if the universe tries to keep us apart, you will always have me. I will search the entire universe whether in this life or the next and find you again."

Raigon continued to express his devotion to her and his commitment to his love for her. He has never felt this way for a woman in his entire life and he has no plan of giving it to another until the day he dies!

A hot exultant tear trickled down Zoe's cheek as she felt a big boulder being lifted off her chest. 

With the revelations she has found out about herself, she knew her previous traumatic experience would be nothing compared to what is ahead of her. And she felt alone and weak, fighting through it all by herself.

Erin seemed to have found her happiness with Azra. Her relatives were too far away from her and she has no plans on disturbing their peaceful lives because of her issues.

But his words gave her confidence that she could overcome and win. She is not alone. She is with the most loving and loyal man in the entire human race!

She gazed at him with adoration as she lifted him up from his kneeling position. Then she buried her face against the corded muscles of his chest in blissful euphoria.

"Thank you, Raigon…" She uttered as joy bubbled inside her and shone in her eyes. Raigon snuggled her closer to him and kissed her forehead.

"I love you Zoe Cheng, Lady Asha or whoever you are. No matter who you are on the outside, you will always be my woman."

His hand tilted her face so she could face him. Zoe obliged as she tilted her face towards him and gazed at the first man in her existence whom she put her life in line with. Not because she needs to but because she wants to.

Even with her doubts from the start, she realized just now that she has been always choosing him. From the time that she decided to come with him into this land until now. 

She was just glad that today, she was 100% certain that she was not making a wrong decision. 

However, a thought guttered in her mind as she thought about their situation. 

"B-but wait… We haven't found out yet if I'm the woman in the prophecy. And I'm a daughter of a half-ling. How -"

She was about to continue on when Raigon shushed her lips with his finger. Then he showed her that finger and how it was encircled with the same ring that he put on her.

Zoe's eyes widened in disbelief. "Is this an engagement ring? But we haven't talked to the King yet!"

She almost pushed Raigon away as she thought it was just a symbol of his commitment to her. But Raigon just gave him a confident smile. 

"Don't worry. This will not be an engagement ring yet until you are ready. But I gave this to you beforehand just so you know that whatever the King will say doesn't matter to me. I want you to be my Queen."

Zoe's face turned pale as she stared in horror at the ring on her hand. Millions of thoughts came rushing through her mind as she thought about the possible consequences that it might bring. But she cannot pull it off. She wants it. But she doesn't want it.

Raigon observed the conflicting emotions that Zoe was undergoing in that moment. And to pacify her heart, he removed his ring and gently placed it in her palm and balled up her fist. He then gave her a warm smile that softened all her apprehension like liquid wax.

"Don't let your heart be anxious, my love. I know you're a strong woman. But just trust me. I will protect you no matter what happens. And if you are ready, you can give this back to me."

Zoe studied his face with her enigmatic gaze. It is full of strength, shining with a steadfast and serene peace, comforting her and reassuring her.

An expression of satisfaction showed in her eyes. "I have never depended on anyone. And now is not an exception. But if you may, please… Just be there."

As he heard her response, Raigon immediately pulled her towards himself and enveloped his arms around her in extreme contentment. 

Zoe's hands flew around his back as she snuggled herself closer to him. 

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Love, above all things,

Is a commitment to your choice.