280 HOW CAN I LEAVE YOU?

Everyone in the room was stupefied at Madame Lin's revelation. Lord Hou went near the window and peered at the vast expanse of their residence in deep thoughts.

Meanwhile, Erin continued to prod on the other details of the recent information that could be a way for Zoe to stay. 

"If Zoe would be the Queen of Terra, will that lift the ban from you as her grandmother?" 

Zoe gazed at her grandmother with hopeful eyes. In her heart, she really wanted to stay because of Raigon. But she also doesn't want her grandmother to fend for herself alone outside of Terra. 

She was reminded of how Lady Zhou treated her as a mere servant who has no right to live. She might have managed to escape from her. But she didn't know where she is staying now and if she is all right.

"Yes. My only fault is I fell in love with an outsider. But I never murder, stole or led other intruders here in Terra." 

Madame Lin explained in a wobbling voice as she rubbed her palms in her thighs. Zoe's heart drop, seeing her grandmother emotionally hurt for decades.

'Will it really be beneficial for our family to stay in this land? Will they really accept us?'

She didn't speak it out loud as her eyes fell on Raigon as his shoulders were scrunched down. 

Zoe heaved out a deep sigh as she massaged her temples. She was so confused on what she needed to do. 

Fortunately, there is Erin and Azra who managed to be logical as they tried to make ends meet.

"Even if Lady Asha has the necklace, can she still bestow clemency as a Queen to her relative even if her parent is only a half-Terran?"

Azra asked Lord Hou as he knew his extensive knowledge on the law and history of Terra.

Lord Hou drew in a deep breath before making a conclusion. "I think it's time for us to open the vault."

Everyone's eyes darted towards Lord Hou as he said something that is so out of the blue. 

But Lord Hou seems to be resolved as he went to his room to get the key and bowed to them before leaving them.

"As what my great-grandfather told me, inside the vault is a mysterious book that must not be opened unless necessary. And it is the only copy that the Three have left. Our ancestors kept it for the sake of unity and order. But now that you have told me of what was going on -"

He then glanced at Azra and Raigon as if they understood what he was speaking about. Raigon and Azra gazed at each other and nodded as they both knew that he was talking about the upcoming coup against the King, which they told them during the trip before they entered their residence. 

"I guess it's time for us to know about those secrets. Please wait for me as I'll check them out."

He bowed to them and was about to leave. 

However, Raigon stood up. "Let me come with you." Lord Hou pondered for a few seconds, but he nodded afterwards. Azra also followed after his Crowned Prince, leaving the women behind.

Erin also stood up so she could ask the servants for some lemonade and snacks for them.

Now it was only Zoe and Madame Lin. 

"How have you been, granddaughter? Has life been too hard on you?" She asked her as she cupped her face with her wrinkled rough hand. 

Zoe closed her eyes, her lips stretched as she felt its warmth on her cheeks. "Everything's fine now, grandmother."

Her hands were very comforting as she felt cared for and loved for the first time by her very own grandmother. She opened her eyes and gaze at her almond eyes, her slightly turned nose, and her narrow lips. 

"Why didn't I notice then that you look just like Mother?" Her eyes welled up again as she made a decision that she will never leave her grandmother no matter what. 

"And you also look just like her, my precious one. I'm sorry if I hadn't been there during your difficult times. But I'm glad that you have the Crowned Prince by your side." 

Zoe's eyebrows furrowed as she mentioned Raigon. A small chuckle escaped from Madame Lin's lips as she responded to her questioning look.

"I'm not too old to not see how much he cares about you." Her lips stretched into a wide smile which made Zoe blush. 

Madame Lin's eyes darted far away as she thought about her own daughter and Zoe's mother. "However, I don't want you to experience the same fate that your mother encountered in the hands of that royal family."

Her kind face grew stern and unperturbed. But Zoe grabbed her hand and massaged it, then giving her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, grandmother. The Crowned Prince is different from the King. He fought for me. And he was fighting for me until now."

Her voice trailed off as she recalled him saving her life over and over. And even being against his own family and people. 

'How could I leave him just like that?' Zoe drew in a lungful of air as her head bent down. 

On the other hand, Madame Lin observed her sudden downheartedness as she recalled how the Crowned Prince must have protected her. 

'Can she really make it here in Terra and come out with a different fate then me and her mother?'

She also mulled over if she could stay here in Terra and protect her. Her other grandsons and daughters were already living fine on their own.

'But how can I protect her when I am a fugitive?' 

Just in time to lift up their mood, Erin entered in with cups and a jar in her hands. 

"Nothing a delicious food on an empty stomach cannot solve."

She grinned at them, hoping Lord Hou and the other men could find the answer as soon as possible. 

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Never leave someone who touches your soul more than your body.