238 THE LOYAL GIRL WITH A BROKEN HEAR

In Lord Howe Island…

Zoe and Erin tried to enjoy their freedom without hiding their true identity as they got ready to have a tan at the beach.

"Woah!" 

Erin put down her black sunglasses as Zoe clad in a black mix and match bikini top without even putting a robe on.

She looked hot and alluring except for her sullen face which revealed the real status of her heart.

"Let's go?" She called on Erin, trying to sound enthusiastic with a grin even though her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Erin drew in a deep breath as she feels for her friend. She may be separated from Azra but she knew she was more confident than Zoe that things will work out fine for them.

"Let's crush this. We haven't really enjoyed our vacation haven't we?" She put her arms around Zoe as she dragged her towards the coastline.

"Yeah. I had so many plans when I went here."

Zoe recalled the first time that she set foot on Lord Howe Island and how she instantly fell in love with the place. 

But it was really short-lived as one thing led to the other. Including meeting Raigon for the first time, which both made her smile and frown at the same time.

"Come on, let's do all those plans now! The sun is shining brightly on us today!"

Erin beamed at her and hopped towards the waters.

Zoe nodded and flashed her sparkling set of white teeth.

'Can I really enjoy this day now?'

As her eyes were on the sands, she was not aware that a ball was about to hit her. There were some tourists who were playing volleyball nearby.

At a flash of lightning, a guy appeared and intercepted the ball for her. He then threw it back to the players.

"Are you all right, miss?"

Zoe just glanced at his rescuer. Her fingers still on her parted lips with the sudden events.

He was tall, rawboned, beardless, with an ingenuously appealing face.

He was attractively pleasing  for anyone's eyes to feast upon.

"Yes. Thank you."

Zoe bowed to him the Terran way unconsciously. But quickly changed it back to the modern one.

'When will I get back to the old me?' 

Zoe thought to herself as she gave him a big smile, trying to enjoy the day as what Erin said.

"Cool! I'm Gio." He extended his hand to shake hers.

Zoe also extended hers. His hand was rough and could give anyone a sense of protection. It gently pressed Zoe's revealing his desire to get to know her more.

But Zoe gently pulled it back.

"It was nice meeting you. I'm Zoe. Zoe Cheng." 

She lifted her sunglasses so she could show her sincerity.

Gino's eyes widened in surprise as he chuckled.

"Finally!"

Zoe's eyebrows furrowed as she tried to understand him.

"I was one of the bystanders when you saved Lady Zhou. I have been looking all over for you since then. Care to grab a bite with me?"

Zoe paused for a few seconds as she thought about her response.

'Will it be all right to eat with him?'

Then she glanced at Erin. She was already enjoying the waters and waved her hand to her, as if she could understand that she was being asked out from their distance.

To help her decide, Gio suggested a good place nearby in a friendly manner.

"Have you been to Sweet Escape? There's lots of fresh seafoods there."

"Yeah -"

Zoe trailed off as she recalled her first time to eat with Raigon there. He even unbearded some mussels for her. 

She also remember being in the mountain after a toxic schedule of treating the Xianghais. Raigon surprised her with a wide array of seafoods for her to satisfy her satiety.

As she remembered him, her heart ache to be with him again.

She drew in a deep breath and bowed to him.

"Thank you for your offer but I'm full right now. And my friend is alone. She would be lonely without me. It was nice meeting you, Gio."

She smiled at him and went towards Erin who was already wading in the waters.

Little did she know that Erin was observing her with her conversation with a new guy.

And she didn't stop her. 

'If she and His Highness weren't really for each other, it's better for her to meet another one who she could live with, without hassles.'

But to her surprise, Zoe stepped backward and is now joining her in the waters.

She was used to Zoe refusing men who approached her. But this time, she was expecting her to distract herself from her broken heart. 

'Is she really in love right now?'

"Hey, who's that hunk?" Erin greeted her as  she splashed some waters on her.

"Gio." Zoe answered nonchalantly. 

She submerged herself into the waters and allowed it to cool down her aching heart.

Then she swiveled around so she could float, allowing the waters to rock her to and fro.

"Why did I allow myself to fall for him when this is going to happen? He is the Crowned Prince and I'm an intruder and a half-ling. Why did I expected? I should have known better."

Zoe then swam up and then dove down into the water so her tears would be lost with the waters in the sea.

'Still, my heart aches for him so bad. Even if he chose his family and his land, even if we don't end up being together, I want to support him through it all. I have seen his hardships and I don't want him to bear it alone. Ah.. Is this love?'

A bittersweet smile transformed her melancholic face as it bobbed out of the waters.

It is her first time to give this kind of affection and devotion for someone. And even though it was both exhilarating, thrilling and painful at the same time, she was somehow glad that she experienced it. And she had it with Raigon.

She looked towards the Ball's Pyramid with her lips curved up. 

"You can do it, your Highness. You are a brave, just and wise Prince of Terra."

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Fidelity to your partner is love that speaks beyond a thousand words.