271 HALFWAY THERE

"It's good to see you both again."

Lord Hou let out a mirthful chuckle as Raigon and Zoe bowed down to him. It didn't take them long before they reached the Hous residence. As they expected, the ambiance in that place is like a breath of fresh air from the suffocating atmosphere in the Castle.

"I've been wondering what you're both enduring without us." 

Erin hugged Zoe as it's been a while since they last saw each other. Azra bowed down to Raigon and assisted them to the patio where they can comfortably talk.

"A day's not enough." Zoe sighed as she could just imagine the look on her friend once she went into the juicy details of the sisters of Raigon, the necklace and the upcoming party.

Raigon gave a quick glance at Zoe as he knew how she needed a friend like Erin right now. It is the reason why he personally insisted on going there instead of sending an invitation. 

"Don't worry, we have a lot of time." Raigon gave a reassuring smile to Zoe as he was sitting just adjacent to. her. Zoe can't help but reciprocate back in appreciation.

"It seemed that I would be calling my best friend 'your Highness' anytime soon." Erin crossed her arms with a twinkle in her eyes.

Zoe's eyes widened in surprise, her palms flew to her cheeks as her eyes darted to everyone in the room. 

'Are they all just approving of me to be the Crown Princess of this land?'

They were all gazing at her and Raigon with admiration visibly seen in their eyes.

"Stop it. I am not even accepted by the family yet." Zoe's head bent down together with her lips.

"They will. Soon." Raigon chimed in hoping it could cheer her up. However, it was Erin who giggled in excitement. 

"Taan-tanantantan-tanananantantan…" Erin immedia stood up and took a pen that was nearby as an improvised microphone and sang a wedding chant to everyone's laughter. 

She was not even content, she pulled up Raigon and Zoe to stand up. Zoe was rolling her eyes but Raigon nodded at her as if encouraging her to just play along. 

Erin cleared her throat so she could deepen it, pretending to be a male voice. She then uttered these words in a priest-like tone.

"Your Highness, do you accept Lady Asha to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Raigon's eyebrows furrowed as he was not familiar with that oath. But he responded accordingly. 

"I do."

Zoe's hands flew to cup her jaw-dropped mouth as she couldn't control her joyous emotions. Even if it's just a pretense, she felt elated like she was floating in the heavens as Raigon's answer rang in her ears.

Lord Hou's stomach wiggled as he laughed while Azra's shoulders vibrated in response to Erin's antics.

"Let's continue this roleplaying later. You know we need to get to the Lim's before lunch."

"To the Lim's?" Raigon and Zoe chorused together.

"Yes, your Highness. I apologize for the inconvenience. But Lady Wiktoria was expecting to see Lord Hou today. We decided to accompany him during the trip so we could also buy some things in the Capital." Azra explained to them. 

"We don't mind. We could come with you." Raigon glanced at Zoe as if asking for permission from her. 

"To the Lim's, your Highness?" Zoe stuttered as she asked him as if it was a very ridiculous request that he was asking of her.

'Why would I go to your ex-fiance's house? Or should I say fiance? Are you still engaged?' Zoe wanted to ask him but he didn't want to ask it in front of everyone else. 

Seeing the confusion in Zoe's face, Raigon stood up in front of everyone and uttered. "Let me talk with Lady Asha for a few minutes."

Raigon bowed down to them and walked a few distance away from them. Zoe did likewise.

"I'm sorry for confusing you. But Lady Thana and I aren't formally engaged ever since. It is only our parents who have planned it."

Zoe's lips curled up a little as she felt gratified that Raigon is clearing her thoughts just now. However, even if they refused, there are still the parents who could push on with the idea like every rich heirs and heiress do.

"How about the Queen and Lady Wiktoria?" Zoe asked Raigon after pausing for less than a minute.

"I already talked to Lady Thana about you." His gaze suddenly softened as his lips curled up. It was in total opposite to Zoe's eyeballs that almost popped out from their socket.

"You did what?! What did she say? Is she all right?" Zoe slightly shook her head to make sure that she was hearing it correctly.

She knew how difficult it would be for her since she was expecting him to be her husband ever since they were children. She even felt terrible now to see her.

"I think she's fine. She even volunteered to help you learn the royal etiquettes." Raigon assured her, his dimples never disappearing from his cheeks.

"Whoa! Is that really true?" Zoe's cheeks lifted as a heavy burden was suddenly lifted off her chest. But it was short-lived as she recalled the other side of the party.

"How about the Queen?" Zoe's shoulders shrugged as it was a hopeless case. She turned her back as she was not expecting a good response. 

However, Raigon touched her arm as he answered her. "I'm halfway there."

Zoe swiveled around with her forehead scrunched up. 

Raigon gazed at her and gently pressed on her shoulders, slightly rubbing them with his fingers.

"You already fulfilled the first condition. And you're on your way to fulfilling the last one."

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"Each of us must confront our own fears, and must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it."

--Judy Blume