214 FRIENDS OR FAMILY

Raigon's eyes widened at Zoe's revelation, a glimmer of hope struck his heart. 

"Maybe it will work." Raigon pressed on Zoe's shoulders and planted a kiss on her forehead in excitement. 

"Thank you. This is a big help."

A huge grin lifted Zoe's cheeks as she felt her efforts to help in this case was recognized by him. 

"Let's go to the Queen then." 

They both went to Erin and the man they were talking about who were eagerly waiting for them. As soon as Erin saw them, she immediately elbowed their witness and flipped her hair. 

"You lose! I told you she can win the Crowned Prince over." She grinned as she lifted her palm to Raigon. 

"High-five!" Raigon exclaimed with a big smile on his face, making the man furrowed his brows in astonishment at their foreign gesture while Zoe chuckled inwardly.

"Nice to see you back, your Highness. Now let's go get my man." Erin narrowed her eyes in determination to save Azra.

All four of them went in front of the Queen's chamber as Raigon called out. 

"Your Majesty. I have a piece of information to tell you. Please hear me out!"

A servant peeked out from inside the Chamber but she quickly closed the door. However, after a few minutes, the Queen came out and was bewildered to see the three of them with her son.

All four of them bowed to her in reverence. 

But the Queen's previously gloomy face scowled in anger especially when she saw Zoe.

"Why would you bring these people here? You should have known better, my son. They were only influencing you to betray our family!"

Queen Rose reacted even without knowing the purpose of their visit yet.

Raigon stepped forward and bowed her head up to his waist. "They brought a witness stating that Azra was not the culprit for that poisoning incident, your Majesty."

The man knelt down and declared. "Lord Azra Hou is an innocent man, your Majesty. May justice be served!"

Queen Rose was taken aback. "What do you mean? Is there any other person in Terra who could have planned to take over the throne aside from the Hous?"

Raigon swallowed hard as he recalled what the Queen just told him a while ago before she closed her doors on him.

And he understands why she was freaking out at a sudden wrong move by the Hous.

It was Zoe's turn to speak up as she stepped forward and uttered. "His carpets were filled with an arsenic aroma after the royal guards checked on his goods, your Majesty."

Queen Rose's fingers flew to her parted lips as she stuttered. "T-the royal guards? Vigo? Your cousin? That's insane!" 

Her hands flailed in the air. "I would not accept this nonsense! I would believe that it is Azra or even you, Lady Asha! Both of you have the reason to kill me! Get out of my sight before I call the royal guards!"

Erin pulled Zoe backward. She wanted to push on, but how can she when the Queen has already made up her mind? 

She bowed to the Queen and left the scene with Erin and the aghast man.

Raigon gave the Queen one long pained look.

"I am only protecting our family, my son." Queen Rose defends herself from her son's disappointed stare.

"I didn't expect you to be like this, Mother." Raigon breathed out as he darted his eyes and turned his back on her. 

"And I didn't expect you to choose your friends over our family." Queen Rose retorted, making Raigon froze for a second and contemplated.

Meanwhile, they were already in the carriage when Erin asked Zoe. 

"What's taking His Highness so long? Do you think he already abandoned us?"

Zoe glanced back at the towering Castle as she thought of the same question too. She knows how much Raigon loves his family. They were the reason why he went to Lord Howe Island in the first place. 

And his mother was heartbroken with the thought of disloyalty and betrayal of the people that they served for years. 

She wouldn't be astounded if Raigon would be double-minded right now and chose his family over them or her.

Zoe bit her lips at the thought as she uttered.

"Maybe we should go back." 

Zoe made a decision as she nodded at the man who brought the carriage with him. 

They were about to leave when Erin screamed. "Wait!" 

She pointed towards the window and they saw a shadow of a colossal man with royal robes, coming towards them.

"It's the Crowned Prince!" A huge smile crept up on Erin's face. 

They were fearless but she knows they're invincible when they have Raigon with them.

Zoe's mouth curved up as she longed to see him. But they were short-lived as she was worried of the consequences Raigon might face. 

Her eyes even widened as he heard of the words that he commanded the coachman to do next with an overpowering voice. 

"Let's go to the Royal Investigation Area now!" 

The man immediately complied as he tapped on the horse to run towards their destination. 

Zoe gazed at Raigon's determined demeanor as he stared out the window.

'Can I really trust him to not leave me no matter what happened? Or will he not really die in the process of solving this mystery?'

This is the reason why she didn't entrust her heart to anyone before. She was scared that what happened then to her parents would repeat itself around, where they left her alone and broken.

Raigon already escaped from the claws of death. How about this time around?

Zoe shook her head vigorously and forced a smile to rebuke the negative thoughts flying around her head against their relationship. 

It didn't take them long before they reached the Royal Investigation Area. 

As they climbed down the carriage, they noticed Lord Vigo immediately as he was standing near the Gates talking with the royal guards.

"Oh, it's you again, cousin. I'm starting to think you're beginning to like this place so much. Would you like me to have a vacation room for you?" A mocking smile crept up his face.

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The hardest decisions in life are not good and bad. Nor between right and wrong. It is between two goods. And two rights. Which will benefit people the most?