264 GRANDMOTHER IS ALIVE

"It is I. Don't panic."

Raigon whispered to her ear as he continued to cup her mouth with his brawny hand. Zoe's stiffened shoulders finally dropped at the realization that he was in safe hands.

As they were in that position, a memory flashed back in her mind. It was at the time where her feet first landed on Terra and she woke up in his room and she thought that she was dead and he was her angel.

There were guards outside and they were looking for the intruders in the land.

"So that wasn't a dream after all. It is true." Zoe mumbled to herself as the realization hit her. He was saving her since they were young!

A fuzzy feeling filled Zoe, making her lips curl up even in the midst of a very uncommon situation. She shook her head so that she could focus on what is in front of them.

The Queen was still talking to the guard and she seemed angry. 

"Stay here." Raigon finally let her go, deciding to come forward so he could inquire what was going on. 

But Zoe stopped him by holding on to his arm, her pleading eyes fluttering as she gazed into his.

"Let's just stay here and listen." She requested him as she thinks that the Queen might give them a different reason if they confront her. 

Raigon's eyes narrowed before glancing to the two who were oblivious that they were being watched.

He was not used to eavesdropping in the affairs of his mother. But since it is Zoe who requested her, he nodded his head. She then put Zoe behind his back before sneaking in closer so they could hear their conversation clearer.

"Why did you let her go?! I told you to keep an eye on her! Did you look for her everywhere?" The Queen was snarling at the guard whose head was bowed down in shame for not fulfilling his duty properly. 

"She?" Raigon and Zoe made a quick look at each other before tilting their ears at them. 

"Yes, your Majesty. But it looks like she has already escaped. Forgive me, your Highness. I don't deserve to live." The guard knelt down and glued his head on the soiled ground.

The Queen crossed her arms and continued to gnarl at the guard.

"You will surely die if you don't see her at once! She cannot meet her granddaughter! Especially now that she knows about the necklace!"

Zoe's knees went weak as she crumbled, almost losing her balance if Raigon wasn't able to catch her at once. 

As she did so, the leaves under their feet made some noise which caught the attention of the royal guard. 

Sensing that the guard was about to come to them, Raigon immediately lifted Zoe and hid behind a larger tree which could conceal both of them. 

"Calm down, my love. We will sort this out."

Raigon planted a comforting kiss on her forehead as one of his arms curled around Zoe supporting his weight at the same time. Zoe was still trembling at the newfound revelation and both her hands were clutching his Hanfu robe. 

He tilted his head so he could see where the guard was. His eyes widened as he saw him already approaching their location. 

"Is somebody there?" The Queen shouted from where she is. 

Being distracted by the voice of the Queen, the guard swiveled to turn back. But as he turned his head, a bright idea came to Raigon.

"Don't move." 

He instructed Zoe. And at the flash of lightning, Raigon gently removed his hand from Zoe and slowly squatted so he could pick up a rock.

He then threw it at the other direction from them, hoping it could catch the guards's attention. 

To his good fortune, his plan was effective as the guard immediately went there. And as he did so, Raigon gently pulled Zoe so they could look for another location to hide.

He saw a mini cavern covered with crawling plants and they quickly went inside. 

"Come out in the name of the Queen!" 

The guard continued to shout with his sword drawn out. 

Raigon stood up as he was about to go out and show himself so that he could keep Zoe safe. He could just make an excuse why he was there and deny that he knew anything. In this way, Zoe would not be involved. And he could continue investigating.

But Zoe pulled him back. "Please stay here."

She quivered as she pulled herself closer and hugged her knees.

Seeing her in that troubled state, he drew in a deep breath and sat beside her. Since the cavern is a little large enough for the both of them, he stretched out his feet and leaned against the rock. 

He pulled Zoe and encouraged her to lay her head on her chest, in which Zoe just did as she closed her eyes. Raigon's hands fingered through her long black tresses, hoping he could relieve her of her anxiety. 

"Is she just talking about my grandmother? Does that mean that she is still alive? Why is she being kept in prison? Where is she now?" 

Zoe ranted on with her pale lips. She was still horrified with the idea that her grandmother could still be alive. But for her to be escaping from prison?

Raigon's chest got wet with Zoe's tears. 

She immediately lifted her head with her tear-stricken face and uttered. 

"I better go find her!"

At her sudden adrenaline rush, she stood up and dashed outside the cavern to Raigon's surprise. 

"Wait!"

Raigon bolted outside to stop her. But he was too late.

To their surprise, the Queen happened to be walking in front of them. And as they both went outside, both her and the prison guard swiveled to face them. 

Zoe gritted her teeth and her fists clenched as her fiery eyes glared at the Queen.

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Grandmothers hold our tiny little hands for just a little while. But our hearts forever.