201 MEETING THE KING OF TERRA

Raigon and Zoe went down the stairs from the Castle tower with obvious satisfaction radiating from their joyous souls.

As they did so, Raigon held her hand as he assisted her down the stairs, making Zoe feel like a Queen even in the hands of her King for just a few moments.

But as they descended down, Zoe also felt like coming down to earth from heaven and slowly facing the reality of life.

"What about the Queen? I wonder if it is an accident or an attempt to…" Zoe trailed off as she glanced at Raigon and saw his jaw tensed in deep frustration. 

"I already have plans of finding that out immediately. If it is an attempted assasination, I will make sure that his death will be more violent than food poisoning and his family will scorn him rather than grieve for him."

His face turned into a glowering mask of rage as he cursed that person who almost killed his mother. 

Zoe's thumb whose Raigon was holding kneaded the back of his hand, sending a relaxing feeling that dampened his fury.

A smile tipped at the corner of his mouth as he saw her angelic and serene face who looked like she was sent from above as an instrument of God's healing hand.

As his anger cooled off, he recalled the reason why they were in the Castle in the first place.

"Are you now ready to meet the King?" He asked her as they were already out of the Castle Tower.

Zoe pulled her hand and froze for a few seconds and contemplated. She has no idea what the King is like. Judging from his brother, he seemed like a vicious and powerful man. But considering his son, Gao Zemin and Lord Hou's delight in him, he seemed like the opposite. 

"What if he cast me away? Like what he did to my mother?" Icy fear twisted around her heart. If only she has the same determination as before to leave the island if anything goes wrong. 

But now, her resolution is to do otherwise. She already wants to stay and be with Raigon against all odds. 

"We're not certain yet that it is he who casted your mother away. Or if it is her own choice. And if indeed he will, I will not let that happen."

He spoke in an undisturbed and determined voice, giving her confidence to face him.

She nodded at him, revealing her decision to face the father of her beloved and the mighty King of Terra. 

Raigon gave her a satisfied smile and guided her to the King's domain.

It was a different area inside the Castle that was very secluded with several skilled royal guards protecting it. 

"Your Highness." They immediately bowed their heads as they saw him. But as their heads could not be seen, their foreheads scrunched up as they were not used to the Crowned Prince bringing a woman to the King.

'It must be his chosen Crown Princess.' They thought in unison, but they didn't dare raise their heads to catch a glimpse as they showed their benevolent respect for the Crowned Prince.

As they stepped inside, he stopped outside the main door, leaving Zoe for the meantime so he could let the King know that he has a guest and prepare for her.

Fear and tension was knotting inside her as affirmed to herself that she made the right choice. 

'There is no perfect time than now.'

She drew in a deep breath as the door opened inviting her to come inside. 

The King's place had architecture like no other in Terra and even inside the Castle, making anyone see the difference of the status of the person residing it. It has gold domed roofs with an open porch and the front held up with most ostentatiously detailed pillars, painted in brilliant white. 

But what tops it off is the owner of the place, a towering man in his eighties, sitting at a chair which is carved of a fine oak, crested with several jewels and decorative metals forming an elegant coat of arms.

"Father, she is Lady Asha, the woman I am telling you about. Lady Asha, meet King Artair, the Crowned King of Terra."

Zoe held her breath as she bowed before him, making sure that her knees will keep her balanced as she trembled in front of the hailed ruling monarch of this land.

"Lady Asha?" King Artair reiterated as he summoned her to lift up her head with a wave of his hand.

Zoe obliged and tried to look at the King under her lowered lashes. It is a disrespect for anyone who is not a royal family to lay their eyes on the King.

His face has an inherent strength and his ruggedly handsome features were similar to Raigon's, only aged and more matured. Anyone who would dare behold him like Zoe did, would see a disarmingly authoritative physique behind his compelling presence.

But what is that she is seeing in him? Is he just horrified right now?

Zoe tilted her head up to her chin and closed her eyes as King Artair rose up from his throne like chair and uttered again.

"Lady Asha!" This time, his voice sounded more like an exclamation rather than a doubtful question.

He ran towards her with all the little strength that he has, making him stumble along the way.

"Your Majesty!" Raigon and Zoe bolted to his side, Zoe holding his arms to lift him up, drawing King Artair closer to Zoe. 

His eyes welled up as he touched her face.

"I-I thought I would never see you again." He stuttered as tears rolled down his cheeks, making Raigon and Zoe stared at each other in wide eyed disbelief.

"I-I am not who you think I am, your Majesty." Zoe explained herself as they seated him back on his chair.

King Artair's eyebrows knitted together as he asked. "Then are you Asha's daughter?"

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The most heartwarming smiles hide the deepest secrets

The kindest eyes cried the most tears

And the most selfless heart felt the most pain.