279 GRANDMOTHER'S PAS

As soon as both grandmother and granddaughter were refreshed after their sentimental reconciliation, Madame Lin told them her story.

"I admit of my mistake and even though they have ostracized me and banned me from Terra, I still believe that Terra is the best place to live. So I left your mother here. It was already too late when I learned about what happened to her."

Her voice quivered as she mentioned Zoe's mother. She drew in a deep breath so she could continue in sharing her tale.

"I tried to sneak into the outskirts of Terra. And that is where we met in the boat." She gave a tepid smile to Zoe as she was still holding her hand. 

Zoe smiled back at her as she was still elated that she has met her over and over again even without her knowledge of who she was. And she was able to help her somehow.

"But where were you after that? Did they catch you then and bring you to the dungeons?" Zoe asked her in a concerned tone. 

To pacify her anxiety, Madame Lin shook her head and answered her.

"No. Someone saved me. He brought me to Physician Gao Zemin."

She then turned to Raigon to check his reaction. And she was right. His head suddenly tilted up with his pupils dilated as he heard her response.

She then swiveled to Raigon and knelt at his feet to their surprise. 

"It is probably you. Thank you, your Highness. I owe you my life."

After being bewildered for a fraction of a second at her gesture, Raigon picked her up so she could sit properly again. 

"I apologize for not coming back to you at once, Madame." Raigon bowed down to her.

Zoe couldn't help but gaze softly at Raigon as she felt thankful also to him for saving her only nearest relative left even if he doesn't know her identity yet.

Her heart felt that it was about to explode in her chest as she felt so blessed for having these wonderful people around her.

"Do not worry, your Highness. I also left his care to return back to the world where I should be as the law of Terra required. The only reason I returned back is because I learned that my granddaughter is here."

She then turned her attention to Zoe with a sad countenance.

"I'm afraid that she might suffer like her mother too. It is my fault that I left my daughter here. And I don't want to make the same mistake. I want to take her with me out of Terra."

She then stared at Zoe with a determined look,hoping she would agree with her. 

Zoe was taken aback by her grandmother's plea. She could feel her as she too would protect her family member from getting hurt as much as she can.

But then, her eyes darted to Raigon. He was gazing down with both his hands clasped together. But he was not saying anything.

Zoe's heart broke, seeing him in that desolate demeanor and she hasn't even left yet. She understood as they were just talking about her being his Crowned Princess just a while ago. And now this happens.

On the other hand, Erin and Azra glanced at each other with misery in their eyes. 

'It seemed that Erin had finally decided to settle down at the Hous. I am glad that she finally found her secured place.' 

Zoe made a bittersweet smile at the couple in front of her.

Meanwhile, Lord Hou was rubbing his beard as he contemplated the situation. 

"Can it not be possible that you stay here with us, Madame Lin? So that Lady Asha can stay here too?"

Raigon tilted his head, hoping to hear a positive answer from Madame Lin. However, Madame Lin's head shook from side to side as she responded.

"I'm afraid not. The law states that I should be banned from Terra. Not unless -"

"Not unless what?" Raigon abruptly reacted as his shoulders straightened. Having the slightest bit of hope that Zoe would stay is better than no hope at all.

"Not unless, she would take her place as the Queen of Terra."

Her eyes brightened for a few seconds before they dimmed again.

"What do you mean, Grandmother?" Zoe furrowed her brows as she gently inquired about her. 

"Do you still have the necklace with you?" She replied with another question. 

Zoe's hand unconsciously flew to her chest. But then she remembered that the Queen and her had an argument about it. Her shoulders dropped with the corners of her lips. 

But then Raigon pulled it out from his Hanfu dress and exclaimed. "I have it with me."

Madame Lin gave out a satisfied smile. "Those who have it will be the next Queen of the land."

"Whoa! And you had it with you since you were a child, Lady Asha? That gives me the creeps." Erin rubbed her arms as her hairs were all standing.

Zoe too started with wide-eyed wonder at the necklace. She recalled her mother giving it to her while they were staying at Lord Howe Island during their vacation and telling her to never take it off. 

She also remembered her mother when she was dropped at Lady Dolores door as a baby. She also had the necklace with her then.

'Then does that mean that we are the legitimate Queens of the land?' Zoe thought to herself.

But then she also remembered the words of the Queen. 

'We probably must have forfeited it because of our connections with the outside world.' Zoe heaved out a deep sigh.

"Yes, I know about it. It is in the legends." Raigon acknowledged her information. But then, Madame Lin countered him.

"It is not a legend. It is one of the instructions left by the Three." Madame explained as a matter of factly.

Lord Hou lifted his glasses and gazed at her.

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