281 THE THREE

Meanwhile, Lord Hou has already opened the vault that was kept hidden in Hou's family line for generations.

Raigon and Azra were also with him, but they were only outside the grotto where the vault lies. Raigon was pacing back and forth, clenching and unclenching his fist hoping that it had the answer to Zoe's dilemma. 

He understood that Zoe needed and should be with her grandmother. After what she's been through. But he also couldn't imagine himself living without her. They must find a way so both of them can stay in Terra!

"Grandfather!"

Azra exclaimed as Lord Hou went out of the grotto with books on his hand. He was keeping mum about the other things that he found out in the vault. But they immediately went back to the room where the ladies are. 

"That was quick." Erin beamed as her prayers were answered. Zoe and Madame Lin also swiveled to face them with hope visibly seen in their eyes. 

"I hope there is something in there that could give us both what we want." Madame Lin whispered to Zoe, giving her a heartening smile.

Zoe returned the favor, even though for her that would be a .001% chance.

Lord Hou placed the books on the table. And as they circled around it, they noticed that the books were written in a different language. 

"Uh-oh, bad start." Erin's tongue clucked as she shrugged her shoulders. "But there's a picture here. What could it possibly mean?"

She asked as she pointed to a drawing drawn underneath the title. They were three children holding hands together. One wears a crown, one wears a bracelet with a key and another one wears a necklace.

"Don't worry, I understand this. It said that this is the genealogy of the Three." Madame Lin uttered as her palm went through the cover to slightly dust it off.

Lord Hou lifted his glasses to his eyes and glanced at Azra then focused on Madame Lin. "How is that possible, Madame?"

He can also read the title as he was taught by his great grandfather of this language which he has also managed to teach Azra.

"My great grandfather taught it to me. However, I wasn't able to teach it back to Lady Asha or her daughter as I've been away from Terra since." 

Madame Lin explained, making Lord Hou nod his head. Even though he was still curious why her great grandfather could have known the secret language of the Three.

As they opened the book, they scanned the names of their previous ancestors and to Lord Hou and Madame Lin's surprise, they chorused the names of the Three together.

"Wang, Hou and Lin?!"

Then they both look at Raigon, Azra and Zoe who were also gazing back at them with stark eyes.

"We were the descendants of the Three?!" They all blurted out in unison. 

"Yes. It stated here that after the Three's conclusion that the Wangs would lead Terra, the Zhang and Yhang changed their surnames to Hou and Lin and decided to be unknown to the next generation to prevent a usurp of the throne."

Raigon was already aware of the fact as it is always the Wangs who are the most prominent. But he has no idea who the other two were. Even in the history books that he learned then, they were not also mentioned.

Azra was surprised too as he only knew that the Hous legend is to serve the Wangs. On the other hand, Zoe was the most surprised of all as she couldn't believe that her blood which the whole land is looking down upon was actually one of the three most powerful clans in Terra.

"Does that mean that Lord Azra and Lady Asha's ancestors didn't tell their sons and daughters that they were actually part of the Three?" Erin inquired as her finger tapped on the table.

Lord Hou and Madame Lin both shook their heads.

"It is also indicated in a note here that Terra is most powerful when the Three acted as one and most powerless when they are divided." Madame Lin continued to scan through the pages. 

"Wait, I'm getting lost here. I get it that the Three were able to establish Terra then because they acted as one. Then who are the Three now that needs to act as one?"

Lord Hou closed the book to their astonishment. But he only pointed to the pictures in the front. 

"Could it be that the crown represents the child of the bearer of the crown, the child of the bearer of the key and the child of the bearer of the necklace?"

Zoe lifted her head, her eyes went wild as she thought about the scenario. "His Highness is the son of the bearer of the crown. Lord Azra is the grandson of the bearer of the key. And I am the daughter of the bearer of the necklace? Does that mean that as long as we agree on something, Terra will be safe and protected?"

She then glanced at Azra and Raigon, with her eyes lasting longer on Raigon.

'Does that mean that we are destined to be together from the start?' Her lips unconsciously curved upward as the realization hits her. 

Meanwhile, Raigon also gazed at her as he recalled his affection for her since they were teenagers even when he knew that she was an intruder in Terra. And how he continued to fight for her to stay in their land amidst controversies. 

Azra also thought about being very supportive of the Crowned Prince not just because it was his duty but because he wanted to.

"Whoa! I remember also when you three unite yourselves to treat Terra during the outbreak. It must be true." Erin rubbed her arms as all her hairs were standing up.

"Wait, there is something more." Madame Lin interrupted them as she turned on the next page.

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What is meant to be will always find a way.