276 AT THE BACKROOM

"I suggest you leave the Capital early. The sun is scorching hot. Watermelon might not be enough."

Raigon proposed to the Mother as he put his hand over his eyes to shield them from the glaring sun on top of them. It is only a good thing that they have a roof on where they were at. But still, it isn't enough to protect a little girl from dehydration's complications.

"Yes, my lord. We were just waiting for his father. It's really taking him a while." 

The mother rubbed her arms as her face got more anxious from the stress already given by the situation of the little girl. 

"Maybe you could tell us where he went and we'll look for him." Zoe suggested with an amicable smile after she helped the little girl clean herself from eating a piece from the watermelon that Raigon bought for her.

Raigon nodded his head as he agreed with the idea. However, the mother's face scrunched up as she replied.

"He just said that he must meet some old friend and he will be back at once. He went that way and then he turned right." 

The mother pointed to a narrow alley, making Zoe and Raigon swivel to check them out. It looked like there were not many people around that side of the Capital.

"I was about to follow him. But he said children are not allowed."

The little girl butted in with her lips twitched downward. 

"Don't worry, little one. We'll find your father." Zoe gave her a reassuring smile as she gave a quick glance at Raigon to ask for permission.

Raigon nodded. But as soon as they were out of the mother and daughter's eyesight, Raigon faced Zoe and gave her a different instruction.

"I have a bad feeling about this. Please come back to them and call on Azra. I might need his help." His determined eyes bored into hers, making Zoe nod and bowed her head. As she understands.

"Yes, your Highness. Please be safe."

It didn't take Zoe long before she reached them. She told them about what happened. Like lightning, Azra immediately went to Raigon's location as described by Zoe. 

As soon as he turned right, he saw the Crowned Prince eavesdropping into what seemed like a backroom. Raigon hushed him and made a sweeping motion with his hand, inviting him to come nearer.

Azra quickly obliged as he too leaned on the wall so he could hear what they were talking about. 

"They already sent us a date. And it will be a day from now, during the King's celebration."

Azra's eyes widened as his hand immediately flew to his sheath to withdraw his sword. But Raigon shook his head and whispered to his ear.

"We must know who is the mastermind and what they are exactly planning to do."

Azra nodded as they continued listening. 

"The King will have a parade and they will pass here at the Capital. We can do it then."

"But what if it backfires? What is our next option?" 

"We will sneak out of Terra. A boat is already waiting for us."

Raigon and Azra glanced at each other and gave each other a knowing look.

"Are these the people who were secretly making negotiations outside of Terra? Why would they try to hurt the King?" 

Raigon's jaw clenched at the thought that he himself pulled out his own sword. But then, the people inside had another conversation that made him stop from his tracks. 

"What about Madame Lin?"

Raigon's eyes widened as he quickly glanced inside to see them. They were all wearing men's outfits. But there is no sign of Zoe's grandmother. 

"She's with us. If we don't get to the King, we would use her as bait. She has to repay her debts to us anyway."

Raigon gritted his teeth as he was about to bounce inside. Now, it is Azra who stopped him.

"We can just follow their tracks. They might deny it if we interrogate them, your Highness."

Raigon nodded as he also believed it would be best. 

They continued to eavesdrop until one of them spoke up. "I think there are people nearby."

In a fraction of a second, Raigon and Azra quickly removed their hats and bolted behind the barrels, hoping that no one would not notice them there.

They were just in time before a man opened the door and surveyed the area. His eyes darted from left to right, observing if there was anyone in sight. 

A piece of Raigon's sheath pointed out from behind the barrel. 

'Is that a stuck up wood or is it something else?'

The man noticed it and walked towards it to check it out when the other man called him back inside. 

"Your wife and daughter are looking for you at the front table."

Raigon's eyebrows knitted together as he thought that it might be the mother and daughter that he and Zoe helped just a little while ago.

As soon as he left, Raigon and Azra breathed out a lungful of air. However, Raigon was still perplexed at the situation.

"What would make them do this to Terra or to the King? They already have everything that even the other part of the world doesn't have." 

He rubbed his chin as he contemplated. He knew how the King fairly divided the wealth of Terra unlike the other governments in the world.

As they stayed there and pondered, the men slowly came out one by one to avoid suspicions. But Raigon memorized each and every face. All of them went back to the Capital except for one who made it to the Mountains.

As he left, Raigon and Azra immediately followed him. He sneaked into the woods until he reached an old cabin. Raigon and Azra waited behind a tree until he came out and returned to the Capital.

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"You might lose battles in your lifetime. However, every person that stands bravely on the side of justice, for people that have no voice, wins the true battle