222 RUN AWAY

Raigon glanced at Zoe in wide-eyed bewilderment. Zoe cupped her mouth in shock. They were both astounded at Azra and Erin's boldness to escape this terrible scene.

Zoe was relieved that Azra would not be able to experience the unjust punishment that he was about to receive anymore. But she did not know the implication of such a decision unlike Raigon. 

Raigon pulled Zoe behind him as he made his way to the royal guards' stable, making sure that they were oblivious to the scrambling royal guards who were in search of Azra and Erin.

As soon as he saw that everything's clear, he drew Zoe in a corner and pressed his hands on her shoulder. 

"Go straight to the tunnel that you passed through in order to get here in Terra. I'm certain Azra is planning to go there now."

He commanded her with his authoritative tone as his anxious eyes bore into hers.

"What do you mean? Will you not come with me?" 

Zoe asked him as her heart banged wildly against her chest, not for fear of the royal guards that could attack her. But for him who could be hurt if he stayed behind. 

Raigon wanted to come with her until he could see her to safety. But the royal guards would just reach all of them if he would not do something about it.

Azra would be in bigger trouble in this as his family would be labeled as traitors and could be put in the dungeons or be banished from Terra as well for rebelling against the Queen's orders.

"They needed distraction so they could not keep up with them." He explained to her.

"Then I'll stay with you." Zoe grasped on his arms that were holding hers firmly.

"No!" Raigon growled through his deep and resonating voice, which startled Zoe as she was not used to him speaking to her in that way.

She gazed at his face and saw anxiety and dread in his eyes as they bore into hers.

"Now that Erin was involved, you will not be safe here too. I promise I will catch up with you all later."

Raigon told Zoe, determined to keep her from harm. 

Seeing how resolved Raigon is and trusting his word that he would come to them later, Zoe nodded and gave him a confident smile.

"Okay. I trust you."

Raigon froze for a few seconds at Zoe's faith in him that both his hands unconsciously cupped her face and pressed his warm lips on hers.

Zoe was surprised but she returned his affection as she kissed him back.

"I hear people here!" A royal guard shouted, who was just a meter away from them.

They immediately pulled away, Raigon covered Zoe inside his robe and took her to the nearest horse to them and assisted her to climb on it.

As he did so, his eyes darted everywhere to see if someone would catch up with her.

"Do not pass through the forest that you lived in. They would surely look for Erin there."

He gave her instructions before she left. Zoe bowed to him in agreement. 

"I will come for you." Those were Raigon's last words that Zoe kept in her heart. 

The horse galloped and left the Royal Investigation Area a fraction of a second before the royal guard's eyes laid on Raigon.

Raigon lifted his hand and smiled at him. "It's just me."

The royal guard bowed to him in shock. "Apologies, your Highness."

He scratched his head as he was not sure if it was proper for him to ask a Crowned Prince if he helped a prisoner escape or not, since he knew that he came here to set him free.

As he was still thinking of what to say, Raigon initiated it for him. "It is not a part of my plan. If you want to catch them, they went that way. I also want them to be caught as the Crowned Prince of this land."

He pointed his finger at a direction away from Zoe's path. 

The royal guard bowed down to him and saluted. "Yes, your Highness." 

As he swiveled to go there, the other royal guards rushed to the scene. 

"Where is the prisoner?" They asked in unison.

The royal guard pivoted back to check on the Crown Prince but he disappeared. 

"They went that way." He pointed to the direction where Raigon led him to. They all ran towards that direction and looked for Azra and Erin.

Meanwhile, Raigon went to Lord Vigo's quarters who was entrenched in anger as he prepared himself so he could ride a horse and search for them himself. As he saw the Crowned Prince's face, he immediately dashed towards him with his clenched fists.

"How could you be the Crowned Prince of this land when you let those traitors rebel against the Queen?" Lord Vigo's voice bellowed through the room in outrage.

"They were not traitors and rebels and it will be proven!" Raigon's voice was more dominant as his just anger for the unfortunate welfare of his loved ones and friends was greater than his.

"But I am not here to explain myself. I am here to make a deal with you."

Lord Vigo was taken aback at the surprising statement of Raigon, that slightly calmed his agitated state.

"Hold off your men from following after them even just for three days."

A sarcastic snigger escaped from his lips as he replied.

"What? Are you insane? Why would I do that?"

"Because I can hold off your imprisonment for three days." 

Lord Vigo's snigger turned into a contemptuous sneer as he answered him. 

"Am I supposed to be grateful to that?"

But Raigon's serious look didn't flinch as he uttered.

"I know you are involved in this. And your hold on the people of Terra isn't that stable yet. You can get caught anytime."

Lord Vigo's eyes twitched at Raigon's direct accusation at him. But it is true. Even if the people in Terra were losing faith in the royal family, they would not choose a rebel to take over the throne.

Not unless they would see a stain in them. And this is a good example of a colorful stain in their white and pure robes.

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Running away from your problem is a race you're never going to win.