218 A MOTHER'S PLEA

Raigon swallowed hard as he was reminded of the last conversation that he had with the Queen Mother before he went to the Royal Investigation Area. 

He doesn't want to disturb the King since he knows that stress is what deteriorates his condition further. And he was aware that if the Queen would change her mind about Azra, he would be set free immediately. 

"I knew that Azra was innocent, your Majesty. Why would he do that to you after their family has been loyal to ours for decades?"

They were at the Queen's garden at that time, strolling under the moonlit night. The Queen allowed him to talk to her as she witnessed her son's disappointment in her in his eyes. 

Queen Rose paused and lifted her head to gaze at the night sky. 

"You're still young, my son. And you don't know the stories of the past and what lies behind us."

"Then let me know. I am old enough to understand."

Raigon narrowed his eyes on her, determined to convince her to set Azra free. Little did he know that he would learn something that will deviate him from his resolve. 

Queen Rose swiveled and faced him. Her doubtful eyes mellowed as she saw his son gave her a determined appearance, showing him that he is capable of handling the truth.

"The Hous are only loyal to King Artair and you. But not to me. They were against my relationship with your Father to the point of even planning to hail Lady Asha as the Crown Princess even though we are already engaged."

Queen Rose balled up her fist as she was reminded of her unforgettable hurts in her past. Meanwhile, Raigon was surprised but not really dumbfounded at Queen Rose's revelation. 

He knew Lord Hou was his Father's most trusted servant then. He must have known about his relationship with Zoe's mother as he already told them that King Artair asked for information before about her. And he must have been close with her too to know how she loved medicine.

"But that was in the past, Queen Mother. Lord Hou may have sided with Lady Asha but he did not intend to harm you. And besides, Azra is different. He would not have the motive to kill you." 

Raigon appealed to the Queen, hoping he could show him their side, even though she must have built a belief already in her mind that the Hous are rebelling against her.

Queen Rose crossed her arm as she faced Raigon and raised an eyebrow. 

"How is Azra different from Lord Hou? Is he pushing you away from Lady Asha so you can protect Terra? Or like his father, he supported your relationship with her and even helping you get in and out of Terra with her, ruining your royalty if this will be known to Terrans?"

Raigon's jaw dropped at the reality facing question of the Queen. She was right. Lord Hou and Azra both were very supportive of his father and him. The King just chose to let Lady Asha go that is why Terra and his reign is intact.

But what if he would choose Zoe now, what kind of life would he have lived? 

"Whether he was the real culprit for the arsenic poisoning or not, I don't want him to stay with you and help you ruin your life. If you want to save your friend, you must leave your lover. That is the only reason I will take back my command."

A muscle from Raigon's jaw clenched as he heard her astounding request. He has no plan to leave Zoe no matter what happens even if he dies. But must his friend suffer because of it?

Even though she was her mother, Raigon's voice slightly raised up as he answered back to her.

"But that is unfair for the both of them! I will hurt them both in the process! Why are you making me do this, Mother?"

His voice wavered as a trail of both hurt, disappointment and anger broke his heart, especially that they all came from the woman that he adored all his life.

Queen Rose's eyelids welled up as she answered his question with all sincerity. 

"I am only thinking about what is best for you, my son. You may not yet understand now. But someday, you will." 

Raigon's mixed negative emotions were slightly calmed as he observed his mother being hurt in this process as well. She may have felt betrayed again as she witnessed her son falling for the same face that broke her heart then. 

And she could have felt the same fear that Terra will be destroyed because of the ill-fate relationship between its ruler and a half-ling. 

She was giving her best to prevent another chaos in the land involving her family with it as the Queen that she is, even to the point of sacrificing a life.

However, that life is his friend's, and he would not allow it. 

"Let me think about it, Mother. But whatever decision I will make, please don't take it to heart that I meant to hurt you or the family."

Raigon immediately bowed, leaving the Queen no chance to reply back. He went to get his bag. Then he put a knife and some Hanfu clothes in it and hurried towards the carriage as they might have left without him going back to the Royal Investigation Area.

He could think about his mother's plea some other time. But now he has to save his friend.

Now that he is already in front of him, his dilemma has opened again. Would he choose to go back and be the Crowned Prince of Terra and leave Zoe? Or would he choose to be with Zoe and leave the princeship, his family and even Terra?

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Decisions are the hardest thing to make especially when it should be a choice of where you should be and where you want to be. And you cannot have both. Choose wisely.