284 THE PARADE

It was the day of the event and everyone was busy preparing for the parade including Zoe. 

"Don't be nervous. Just lift your head, smile and wave your hand." Princess Taia cheered her up as she observed Zoe paced back and forth, clenching and unclenching her gloved hands. 

Zoe's painted lips curved into an unconscious smile at Raigon's sister's effort to calm her. However, she wasn't anxious about the parade as she was already accustomed to a crowd during her college days.

What she was apprehensive about was the group's retaliation against her grandmother. Because of the Crowned Prince's quick action towards her grandmother's information, the group was arrested at once. 

There were some objections as they proclaimed themselves innocent and Raigon was being unjust. But he still put them behind bars. However, one of them accused Madame Lin as the mole, within the hearing range of Azra. 

"Don't worry, nothing bad will happen to her." Erin was also in the Castle and assured her as she rubbed her back. Azra told about it to her and Erin couldn't keep it to herself but mentioned it to Zoe as well. 

"Thanks Erin. I was thinking if I should have run away with her instead." Zoe heaved out a deep sigh. Princess Taia has already left to go to her own palanquin as the parade was about to start so she could speak freely with Erin. 

Meanwhile, some of the royal council members murmured as Raigon passed by them while walking towards the Crowned Palanquins.

"Why is the Crowned Prince making such irrational decisions? He has put his own cousin in the dungeons and removed the High Chancellor from his position. But he raised Lady Asha as the King's personal physician. Now he has arrested innocent Terrans whom he accused of rebellion when everything is peaceful and in order. Is he really fit to be our next King?"

The others agreed as it is the first time in their history that someone put their own family member in jail. And a lady physician to reach the highest position of treating the King. They also weren't used to putting people in jail without sufficient evidence. 

Raigon heard all that. But he still continued on walking. He did not care with the previous causes as he knew that it was the right thing to do. However, he cannot announce that he has an informant as being the reason for his sudden arrest as Madame Lin would be in greater danger. She left the old cabin which made her suspicious enough to be the traitor.

"All hail the King!"

The parade started on with loud music in the front celebrating the restoration of the King's health. The citizens of Terra knelt to their feet and laid down their offerings to God as they shouted, "God bestowed His grace upon our benevolent King!"

Zoe couldn't help but give a genuine smile at the people as they all adored and loved the King. Why wouldn't they? She had a close encounter with him and he is a man worthy of all the honor that he is receiving now.

As she observed the people around her, she also saw that they were also looking at her. 

"Look, it's Lady Asha! She saved you from the outbreak." She heard a mother tell her daughter. 

Another one was waving at her. "Lady Asha! Thank you for saving our King!" 

Zoe bowed to them, her head reached her waist level. "Thank you for trusting me and our God for keeping us safe. Let's give Him all the glory." She spoke loud enough for the people to hear. 

As they heard her, they all knelt down and lifted their hands in the air. "Thank you God for blessing Terra."

Zoe felt as light as the winds as she saw satisfaction in the faces of the people. As she did so, her eyes caught on a woman with a shawl, who was also smiling at her with a proud look on her face.

"Grandmother! What is she doing here?" She blurted out as her finger flew to her parted lips.

"What? She is here?" Erin drew near to her as she was also in the palanquin. She was also basking in joy at the appreciation of Terra for her friend who deserves it, when her words distracted her.

"She must have wanted to see her precious granddaughter being honored by the people that once disowned her. Let her be. This could be her consolation from her lifetime of regrets." Erin whispered to her, soothing Zoe's uneasy feeling about this. 

She was right. She must be so used to feeling rejected by Terrans because of her mistake then. Plus the tragedy that happened to her mother. Her seeing her granddaughter being respected and admired by them must have pacified her ill feelings toward this land somehow. It might be helpful for her if she wanted her to stay in the land.

Still, her eyes darted everywhere as there might be people from the rebel group who would be familiar with her. She dared not wave her hand at her and removed her eyes away from her for fear of her being exposed. 

"Don't worry, Grandma. Our name will be heralded in just a little while. Please hold on." Zoe whispered in the air hoping she would hear it and gave a quick glance at her.

To her horror, a man from behind her almost put his hand over her mouth. If not for another man who was behind that oppressor, who pulled his hand and grabbed him out of the crowd at the speed of light.

Then an old man stood beside her and smiled at her. 

'It was Lord Hou and Azra.' 

Zoe sighed in relief. She knew that they would protect her no matter what happened. She decided to lift her chin and proceeded on with the plan. 

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Let's not grow weary of doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up.