263 SECRET MEETING

Zoe was stricken with the thought that the Queen took the necklace from her mother. But she wondered how her mother could have got it back from her.

As she was contemplating these things, she tried to stay away from the royal family as much as possible. She doesn't want to talk about it with the family as she believed that it might ruin their good relationship.

But she still fulfilled her job to the King. 

"How are you, Lady Asha? You don't seem well." The King curiously asked her as she was cleaning up her medical kit one time.

Zoe gave him a smile that could melt his concern. "I'm all right, my King. How about you?"

"I'm getting better. Thanks to you. But are you sure you're fine? Is there anything I can help you with?" King Artair seriously asked her as he would gladly give anything she wants. 

Zoe pondered on his offer and after some time, she finally replied.

"I would like to have time alone, even just for one day, if you won't mind, your Majesty."

King Artair's cheek stretched as he nodded. "Of course. I'm sure it will help you clear your mind and heart."

He grinned at her as if he understands what she is going through.

Zoe beamed back as she smiled. "Thank you, your Majesty. I will be back immediately. Also, please don't tell anyone about it. I want to be by myself this time."

King Artair tilted his head in response.

At the speed of light, Zoe went out of the Castle and back into the waterfall where they went into. 

It was the most relaxing place she has been in so far and she wanted to soothe herself of the relieving pain of her mother being hurt by these people. Though she still wasn't sure about the true owner of the necklace. 

"It would be better if it was the Queen's. But if it was from my mother and the Queen did something to her so she can have it -"

Zoe sighed. "I don't know if I could ever forgive her. Even if she was the mother of Raigon."

"Are you just calling out my name?" Raigon called on her from behind her back which almost made her jump to her feet. 

She quickly stood up and bowed down to him.

"What are you doing here -" 

But as soon as she realized that he was the Crowned Prince of this land, she immediately added, "your Highness."

She really didn't want to see him right now But now that he's here, she doesn't even want to send him away. She just sat back on the rock where she was sitting and stared back at nothingness.

"Do you want to come with me?" He asked her in his deep sultry voice as he drew near to her and offered his hand to her. 

Zoe furrowed her brows as she had no idea where he would be taking him. But she refused as she bowed down her head.

"I apologized, your Highness. But I prefer to stay here."

She really wasn't in the mood to have fun right now.

However, Raigon was determined to take her off from where she is. "You forgot your promise already?"

Zoe furrowed her brows, which made Raigon remind her again as he lowered his face to her level so his eyes could meet hers.

"You told me that you will be my slave as long as you're in my territory." He lazily emphasized the word 'slave' as a sly smile curled his lips.

Zoe gulped the sudden lump that appeared in her throat. Her lungs seemed to have stopped breathing. Still, she wouldn't bulge.

"Tell me where we will go first." She stood up and now crossed her arms.

"We would just hunt some wild birds for the King. Princess Taia was dying to cook that for Father but Princess Ara seemed to be busy lately."

Raigon explained to him. But it was really just an alibi to distract her from her thoughts. It seemed to work as Zoe agreed to it. 

"Okay, I understand." She answered curtly as she extended her arm to receive the bow and arrow. 

As soon as she got it, she immediately went to the woods, hoping she could catch one quickly so she could go back to her meditating.

"Whoever shoots first will have a prize." He beamed at her, hoping he could put a smile on that lovely, yet lonely face.

But he failed as Zoe smiled using only her lips but they didn't reach the eyes.

"I will win for sure. And I will claim my prize." 

A devilish smile crept up in his face as he trotted away. But he was more concerned that Zoe be distracted and focused on searching for a game rather than think on things.

He will do the thinking for her as he already had a plan in mind. 

Meanwhile, Zoe looked around the woods, but not in a serious manner as her mind was still on solving the mystery of the necklace.

"Oh!"

To her surprise, a wild bird appeared out of nowhere and caught Zoe's attention. Zoe froze so as not to disturb her and then pulled on her bow and arrow. 

She was about to shoot it when she saw figures of people beyond a distance from it. She put down her bow and arrow and decided to check them out.

To her surprise, it was the Queen and she was talking to someone who was wearing a prison guard's uniform. 

'What is she doing here? And why is she talking to a guard secretly?'

Just then, a hand cupped her mouth and pulled her backward. 

Zoe gasped . But since she knew how to defend herself. She immediately widened her stance and ready herself to turn him upside down. 

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"The truth is always something that is told, not something that is known. If there were no speaking or writing, there would be no truth about anything. There would only be what is."