259 PRINCESSES 2

"Do you want me to accompany you?" Zoe gave her a warm smile.

She gave her a welcoming initiative but it is not reciprocated back by the sister of her beloved as she just shrugged and walked away.

Raigon folded his palms together and bowed down to Zoe in apology. 

"She's just not in a mood today. Please forgive her." He bowed down to Zoe before leaving to run after his sister.

Zoe drew in a deep breath but she still stretched her lips.

"I've been through a lot worse."

She turned and gave a quick glance at the swords that were laid down on the table beside her.

"I'm going to talk to you guys later."

She smiled as she hurried towards the two royal family members as they made their way to their Father.

As they went into the room, they saw that Princess Taia was also there. She was the youngest of the three and she was just gazing at the face of her Father as she held his hand.

She was in a pink dress that looked as fresh as a rose; her dazzling white arms and shoulders were covered with a thin hazy scarf through which they sparkled; her hair hung in curls round her neck.

"Ssshh!" 

She hushed them as she noticed them entering the Chamber. She even lifted her forefinger over her cherubic lips to emphasize what she ordered.

Her face was scrunched up. But when her eyes laid upon her older brother, it twinkled up like the bright stars in the night sky. 

At a flash of lightning, she immediately stood up and flung her arms around Raigon.

"Older brother!"

Raigon couldn't help but chuckle at her excited little sister as if they didn't see each other for decades.

He immediately pinched her cheeks as he teased her.

"You still have chubby cheeks."

Princess Taia's eyes widened in disapproval.

"No, I don't!" 

She immediately toned it down by sucking in air. As she did so, she noticed Zoe who was stifling her giggle as she clamped her lips and looked down on the floor.

Zoe has been observing them since the start. And it seemed like Raigon had a good relationship with his sisters. Even though they have different personalities.

She then gazed at Princess Ara who was still elegantly poised as she checked the materials around the King to see if he was properly taken care of. 

A lonely smile crept up Zoe's lips as she felt a little envious to see a lovely family in front of her eyes.

"You must be Lady Asha! You looked so beautiful!" Princess Taia's attention now focused on Zoe as she stepped forward to draw near to her.

"Ehem!"

Raigon cleared his throat as he straightened his shoulders, feeling proud of the woman that he adored.

"And your cheeks, they're so smooth and poreless and naturally rosy like apples!" 

Princess Taia thought out loud as she looked at them from different angles. Zoe blushed all the more as her eyes darted away, looking for a corner where she could hide from her scrutinizing gaze.

It seemed that Princess Ara overheard her as she approached them. 

"How old are you?" She asked Zoe with a feign smile.

"Jiejie! It is not proper for us to ask about ages!" Princess Taia scolded her older sister through a hissing way as King Artair was still sleeping.

"No, it's all right." Zoe smiled as she waved her hands. "I'm 25."

She answered her directly and tried to be amicable with her by giving her a friendly smile. She was her beloved's sister after all.

However, it seemed like Princess Ara would not let down her wall just yet.

"Oh, you're too old. You must have children by now." She cupped her mouth with hands. 

Zoe narrowed her eyes on her which didn't escape Raigon's notice as he was just observing the conversation between his sisters and their would be sister-in-law. 

It seemed like Princess Taia would not be a problem. But Princess Ara?

Raigon heaved out a deep sigh. She was always the pessimistic one. The most rebellious of the three. But she has a deep affection for her family. 

"We believe that 18-20 years old women are the marrying age. So technically speaking, above 20 women should be married by now."

Zoe nodded as she understood. Because in their country, the average age where women marry, especially career women like her, is 28-30. And it is the reason why she is still single until she met Raigon.

However, Princess Ara's eyebrows were furrowed. 

"Why are you explaining things to her. Didn't she know it? Is she not from Terra?"

Her eyes darted from Raigon and then to Zoe. And then to Raigon again.

Raigon froze as he realized that he was too comfortable to talk with Zoe even with them. 

But Zoe thought about how to respond quickly so their cover would not be found out. 

"Yes, your Highness. I lived in the mountains so I'm not really familiar with the ways of the people in the City. But you live here and yet, you're still single?"

Zoe smiled sweetly at her. As she looked at her appearance, it seemed like she was just a year younger than her. 

"Woah!" Princess Taia's jaw dropped open, astounded by Zoe's blatant remark against her sister.

But she was stupefied as she has never seen someone stand up against her.

"I have many suitors. But I don't want to get married yet. I enjoy my freedom." 

Princess Ara crossed her arms, but she stuttered as she defended herself, revealing the childish side of her. No one has dared ask her openly about her status but her parents.

"Me too." Zoe smiled at her, but she caught on Raigon's storming gaze so she quickly added. "Then." And then she grinned at her again.

"My princesses?" Is that you?" King Artair disturbed them from their conversation as he swiveled so he could take a good look at them.

All three went to his side with Zoe assisting him to a comfortable position.

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Marrying is not about age but finding the right person.