215 ROYAL RUMBLE

Raigon has witnessed the ghastly state of Azra as he went here first before the Queen's. And now he he has an idea that Azra was just being used as a scapegoat for his wicked scheme, he could not control himself any longer. 

He reached out to him and punched his face with his clenched fist, alarming the guards with him. 

However, they cannot do anything against the raging fury of the hailed next ruler of the land. 

"Why you -"

A gasp escaped from Zoe's mouth as Lord Vigo retaliated with a counter attack. But Raigon was able to avoid it. 

Zoe and Erin stepped back to keep themselves safe from the chaotic muddle.

Seeing the space within the two rumbling men, one of the royal guards tried to pull Lord Vigo back but he flailed his hand at them and pushed them away, making them tumble backward.

"You think you can get away with everything because you're the Crowned Prince of this land?" 

Lord Vigo growled at Raigon as he was also being held back by the man who owned the carriage.

"I won't just get what I want because I'm the Crowned Prince. I will get it because I know the truth, you cunning snake!" 

Lord Vigo's face turned ashen white at Raigon's outburst. But he did not let it affect him. He deviated the topic from his advance instead.

"Will you defy the Queen's order then with your so-called truth?" A snigger escaped from his arrogant demeanor.

Raigon froze as he heard Lord Vigo, a sudden chilly wind broke through his fiery wrath. He knows that the Queen has ordered Azra to be investigated. 

'Is this another order from the Queen?'

A ghastly smile crept up Lord Vigo's face as he withdrew his sword which he was about to pull up. 

"Well it seems that you are unaware about his order. Let me be the one to give you the information, your Highness."

He pulled out a piece of paper and rolled it out in front of him. A scorning smile tipped up the corners of his mouth as his finger pointed out the seal of the Queen.

Then he read the letter in front of everybody.

"By the order of the Queen, Azra Hou will be punished severely for his attempt to end the life of the current Queen Mother of the land, Queen Rose Wang. If he would admit of treason, he would be put in the dungeons indefinitely. But if he refuses until the eventide, he will be hanged in the guillotine at the next daybreak."

A wail of desperation escaped from Erin as she heard the devastating news from Lord Vigo's lips. 

Zoe immediately enveloped Erin in her arms as she patted her shoulders to console her. But it was not enough for Erin. 

She immediately ran towards Lord Vigo. As she ran like lightning, Zoe cannot keep up with her and stopped her from what she was about to do.

Lord Vigo pulled out his sword and readied himself from Erin's attack.

But Erin knelt down his feet and bent her face to the ground with his palms downward.

"I beg you, Lord Vigo. Please take me instead. It is I who made the cupcakes. It is I who made the mistake. It is I who should be in that place and receive punishment."

Lord Vigo was still shocked at what he thought was Erin's attempt to jump on him so that he didn't put the sword back to its sheath immediately. But pointed it towards Erin instead.

"Erin!" Zoe blurted out loud. She would not let her friend bear this suffering alone.

She immediately ran and knelt down with Erin. 

Lord Vigo was stupefied at Zoe's boldness to join her friend in danger. But what astounded him more was the name she uttered out of her horrified feeling of impending peril to her friend.

"Erin?" He sniggered as he put down his sword that was pointing at her. Still, he just kept it to his side.

"That sounds foreign to me. I wonder if that is your friendship name. Or your real name outside of the City of Terra!"

He drew out his sword again and was about to wound Erin with it when in a fraction of a second, Zoe stood up and covered Erin with her back.

"Stop!" Raigon's thunderlike voice bellowed through the whole Royal Investigation Area, making the scrambling squirrels scutter back to the forest in fright.

"The Queen's order is only about Azra. And I, the Crowned Prince, ordered you to stop intimidating these ladies now!"

One eye of Lord Vigo twitched as he heard his order. He knew he was right. He cannot go against the order of the Crowned Prince or he would be executed. 

Nevertheless, he did not lose as he held Azra in his hands. He knew that his friendship with his assistant is deeper than most.

He put the sword back to his sheath and bowed. 

"Yes, your Highness."

Zoe immediately pulled up Erin and gave a quick glance at Raigon. Her lips curved a little as a sign of gratitude. 

But Raigon tilted his head with his determined eyes fixed on her telling her to leave the area at once.

Zoe bowed in submission as she guided Erin out of the gates. 

The man who witnessed the arsenic incident led them back to the carriage.

As soon as he was certain that the ladies were out of harm's way, he commanded another order, now addressed to the royal guards who were on the scene.

"Leave us alone! And don't dare lay a hand on Azra until I say so!" Raigon charged, making everyone scutter away in slavish obedience to their ruler.

Now it is only between him and Lord Vigo. Raigon pulled out his belt containing the sheath for his sword and threw it away.

Thinking that Raigon wants a duel, Lord Vigo threw his own and cracked his knuckles as if readying for a fist fight. 

However, Raigon straightened his shoulder and made a wide stance as he asked.

"Why are you doing this?"

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If you fight knowing who you are and what you are fighting for, you have a good chance of winning.