244 I WANT HER TO BE MY WIFE

Another thorn was taken off Raigon's chest as the assassination attempt to the Queen has now began to see its light.

He went back to the Castle to report the good news to the Queen. Knowing that the Queen loves taking care of her garden first thing in the morning, he immediately went there with a big smile on his face.

"Mother! I have good news for you." 

He bent down even though the Queen's back was on him as she was indeed checking on some flowers that seemed to have wilted with the weather.

"What is it, my son? Will I be happy with it?"

"Yes, your Majesty. The culprit for your arsenic poisoning has already been caught. They were already in the dungeons awaiting the decision of the King for the capital punishment."

A thankful smile curved up from Queen Rose's mouth. Her hands clasped themselves together in joy as she can now leave the Castle and do what she wants.

Ever since she recovered from the poisoning, the whole Royal Council and the royal family requested her to just stay inside the Castle until the case has been solved. Royal guards are with her everywhere she went even just inside the Castle and all the food that she ate must be eaten by a servant first to check for another case of food poisoning.

"I can finally sleep in peace." She exhaled in joy..

"There is one thing left that is bothering me and I will be the happiest woman in the world. And that is your coming wedding. Have you already talked with Lady Thana about it?"

Raigon's head lowered down as he was expecting her to drop off the topic for once. But he guesses he should now deal with this head-on.

"Yes, your Majesty. And we have agreed to cancel it."

Queen Rose shook her head and gave him a disbelieving glance. "Did I hear you right? And Lady Thana agreed with that?"

"Yes, your Majesty." Raigon bowed his head. But raised it at once and looked the Queen straight in her eyes. "You can ask her about it."

Queen Rose's hands flew in the air and waved them as if she was shaking off some flies in the air. 

"No! That cannot be! I already made preparations for it! The program, the musicians, the food and even the location. I thought you already understood that you need to get married for the stability of your enthronement?"

Queen Rose backed away as her arms crossed her chest.

"I apologize for your trouble, your Majesty. But they will not be wasted. I will be getting married. But with someone else."

The shoulders of Queen Rose hunched forward as her chest caved in. Her fingers flew to her jaw-dropped mouth. 

"Don't tell me it is with Lady Asha..."

"Yes, your Majesty. I would like her to be my wife."

Queen Rose's hands balled up into fists. Then they flew to Raigon's chest as she beat them in her despair. 

"She is the daughter of your Father's lover! How could you do this to me?"

Raigon drew in a deep breath as she pulled her mother towards him and rubbed her back.

"Forgive me, Mother. I couldn't see myself living without her."

Queen Rose pulled herself away from Raigon's support and lifted her head so her fiery eyes could bore into his.

"And what about me? I couldn't see myself living with her! Every time I see her face, I see Asha."

Her eyes darted away as she imagined their day to day with her in the Castle.

"And I'm sure that's what your Father would be thinking too. His feelings for her would return and our relationship would be in jeopardy!"

Raigon grabbed her shoulders and peered down into her eyes, making sure that she would understand every word that he would say. 

"Mother, Lady Asha is dead. Do not hold on to something that does not exist anymore. What is existing is our family. And your unrealistic views are tearing us apart."

Queen Rose stared at Raigon as she was saying those things. Denial was still written all over her face. He guided her to a chair which is just near to where they are so she could be relaxed and she could breathe well.

He then called a servant so she could drink a glass of water which could calm down her irritated nerves. Then he asked the servant to go away so they could talk privately.

"I have risked my life numerous times just to be with her, Mother. And I would do them over and over again. Wouldn't it be safer for me to just have her beside me all the time?"

Queen Rose was already breathing normally. But at the mention of her son's safety, she began to panic again.

"I told you, that woman is cursed. Everyone who would come near her would be harmed."

Now it was Queen Rose's turn to urge Raigon as she pressed on his arms. He was also now sitting beside her.

But Raigon was more determined. "No, she is not cursed Mother. She is just not accepted. But if she will be, especially you, our Queen and my Mother, her life and the people around her would be safe."

"And why would I do that?" Queen Rose now leaned back and raised an eyebrow. 

Raigon gave her both a confident and a hopeful smile.

"Because she saved your life and my life."

Queen Rose gulped as she was taken aback. Lady Asha indeed removed the arsenic from her body, amidst the royal physicians' lack of faith in her and even being physically hurt by Duke Andras.

She was aware of everything that was happening at that time even though she did not have the capacity to express herself.

And she recalled her saving Raigon with her ridiculous intervention if she herself had hurt her. Their family indeed owed her one. 

But was that enough for her to be part of their family?

"I could probably give her a chance." 

Raigon's eyes widened in anticipation for her next words...

"If she could treat the King's sickness and she could gain the heart of the people even if she is a half-ling."

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Love doesn't look for the path of least resistance. If love was that easy everyone would have it.