219 THE BEST THAT I CAN DO

They were in this conversation when Zoe barged in, together with Erin and the man who owned the carriage.

"Erin!" 

Azra's eyes widened in disbelief at their appearance at the mini hut, a dream that is only impossible given the situation that he was in. He hoped to see her even for the last time, before he faced his lifetaker.

At a fraction of a second, Erin ran towards him and checked his condition. She lifted his arms and tilted his head with his hands from side to side.

"What did they do to you? Why didn't you just say that it was me who made the cupcakes? It is me who should receive this punishment, not you!" 

Erin's shoulders curved forward, her chest caved in as her heavy heart ladened with guilt couldn't be hidden with her strong character.

Zoe and Raigon glanced at each other as they understood what the two must have been feeling right now. The man in the carriage bowed his head as he also felt the culpability of not speaking up sooner.

Azra gave a quick glance at Raigon, his lips stretched a little as he was grateful to him that he gave time to clean him up a little before Erin saw her, or she would have the shock of her life.

"I'm all right. You don't have to blame yourself for this, milady. It is my choice. And this is the way of our land. You don't have to involve yourself in this."

He continued to reassure Erin, as he straightened up his shoulder and tilted his head, hoping he could somehow manifest that he is fine even though the pain of the wounds is crushing his body.

Zoe somehow noticed that as she pulled her medical kit from her hebao and approached Azra. She bowed to him and asked for permission to treat him, in which Azra refused, but Raigon insisted. He nodded and allowed Zoe to dress his wounds.

"What are you planning to do now? They said if you admit to treason, they will just take you to the dungeons. I've been there and it's not as scary as you think it is."

She asked Azra, hoping to distract him from the pain as she applied anesthesia on him so she could stitch an open wound at his arm.

"I don't know that you've been in the dungeons! But maybe it is a better choice than the guillotine. Can we really not do anything to even stop any of the two?"

Erin uttered in anguish after pacing back and forth in the small space that she has.

Raigon cleared his throat as he gave his suggestion. "I haven't talked to the King yet."

Azra immediately jerked up, making Zoe's needle almost pierced deeper than what she intended if only she wasn't quick enough to remove it in a flash.

"No, your Highness! I don't want the King's health to suffer because of me!"

Raigon swallowed hard as he also thought that way. The Hous are very close to the King's heart and he knew it will grieve him tremendously if he would be aware of what happened to Azra, his faithful servant's son. 

All the royal family and even the Royal Council have not been informing the King of the situation in Terra as they were certain that he would stand back and do nothing. The Queen is acting as the King Regent for the mean time until the King has recuperated back to good health. 

And the King has been trying his best to return to his normal health, but since the cause of the illness is unknown, he has been struggling to attain it.

Raigon has not been raised up yet as the next King as the King is still alive and they wanted to preserve his leadership until he dies.

"Then what about your family? What about me?" Erin blurted out, making Zoe finish up her stitches faster so she could leave immediately. 

"I'm done. I will just wash my instruments outside." Zoe gave them an awkward smile as she bowed and left in a fraction of a second. 

"I will just accompany her, there might be royal guards outside who were not aware of my instructions."

Raigon second the motion immediately as he stood up and followed Zoe.

The man who was left behind with Erin and Azra scratched his head as he muttered. "I think I left something in the carriage."

He also went out until there was only Azra and Erin. 

"How can you do this to me? I thought I am special to you somehow." 

Erin's chin trembled as she gazed at Azra, her hands pressed on her breastbone. After she has gone through hoops just to find a way to save him, she couldn't accept that he would just succumb to hopelessness in his situation.

Meanwhile, Azra swallowed the lump in his throat as he replied.

"You are, milady."

'That's why I don't want you to get hurt.' He wanted to say but he didn't.

If he did not take part in this, they would focus on Erin and they would sooner or later learn that she is not from Terra. Unlike Zoe where the Crowned Prince of the land could protect her, he was just an ordinary citizen. And he cannot do anything for her if her identity will be exposed.

'Forgive me but this is the best that I can for you, milady.'

Azra tilted his head down as he couldn't utter out these words for fear that Erin might blame herself again and do reckless things for him. 

"Then how do you think I will live with this? I couldn't even sleep or eat, wondering if you have even done so."

Her trembling hands flew to her face and brushed her hair to her back, hoping Azra would come to his senses and see that giving up is not a solution to his situation.

"I apologized milady, but I don't know how else I can get out if the Queen had already given the order."

Azra bent his head in hopelessness.

"We can help you get out of here!" Erin beamed at him.

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Loyalty and devotion leads to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.