285 YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL

"Are you certain that everyone is in the dungeons? Where is Madame Lin?"

Raigon whispered to Azra as he drew near his palanquin. They were already nearing the location where Madame Lin said that the rebels would be hiding by now. 

With the faces that he recalled that were meeting in the Capital and the names that Madame Lin confessed, he was able to ambush them in their last meeting before the actual event. 

However, he was still anxious if he missed even a single person. If he did, Madame Lin would be in big trouble and Zoe would be hurt terribly.

"Affirmative, your Highness. Madame Lin is with Lord Hou right now. But they are among the crowds."

Azra bowed to him as he continued to walk beside his palanquin. "There was one who tried to harm her, but I have already taken care of him."

Raigons head jerked towards him before he swiveled back to check on Zoe. As he did so, he didn't expect that their eyes would meet and she would give him a warm smile.

His lips unconsciously curved upward as he sees her enthusiasm with the cheering crowd and possibly her grandmother witnessing them too.

"I guess everything is alright." He concluded as he faced the direction of where the parade was going again. 

"Thank you, your Highness, for your efforts to preserve the health and unity of our land."

"You deserve to be the next King of Terra. We will support you, your Highness!"

"All hail the next King of Terra!"

Raigon's mouth partly opened as he was flabbergasted at the people's encouraging words to him. As far as he could remember, he was only hearing them tell him that he was incompetent and doesn't deserve the throne.

He gulped as he wasn't expecting these words. Everything he did was done in secret, from helping in treating those who were affected by the outbreak to putting the lawbreakers in prison.

As he felt honored, he bowed low to them, his head was as low as his waist, making the crowd kneel at their feet to the next King of Terra.

Everything didn't escape Zoe's attention as she also clapped her hands for him with the others who were cheering him. 

'You are worthy, your Highness." She whispered through the air. 

Everyone in Terra was in a festive mood. And the royal family together with Zoe and Erin managed to pass through every area safely. 

As they finished the route and went back to the Castle, the other invited leaders of the affluent family were already seated in the grand tables, set up in two long columns in both sides of the hall and waiting for them with smiles on their faces. 

"You can sit beside me." Princess Taia said to Zoe in a hushed tone as she scurried gracefully toward Raigon before she could even reply.

The royal family were seated in two short tables in front of the long one. And the King was gallantly seated in the middle. Queen Rose was at his right side with Princess Ara and Raigon and Princess Taia on his left.

"I will be with the Hous on that table. Good luck, girl!" Erin also informed her behind a cupped mouth as she rushed towards where Azra is, leaving Zoe no choice but to obey Princess Taia.

As she walked towards the seat beside Princess Taia, her eyes secretly glanced towards the Queen and Princess Ara, wondering how they would react.

As she expected, Queen Rose stood up and was about to go to her, but King Artair nodded to her and stopped her.

"Let her be. She is one of the honored guests today."

Queen Rose grunted but she obliged as she bowed to the King and seated herself again. Princess Ara rolled her eyes at her as she gently pushed the appetizer that was on her plate away from her.

Zoe swallowed hard as she was more comfortable with Erin and Azra. It's just the same location and same event anyway.

However, her anxious eyes landed on Raigon whose gorgeous dark blue eyes stark stared at her like he was photographing her with them.

"Please."

He extended his hand to the seat beside Princess Taia while Princess Taia grinned from ear to ear. 

Zoe's rosy lips curled into an awkward smile as she stepped forward to the vacant seat in the royal family's table.

'I hope nothing bad will come out of this.' She wished to herself as she sat with elegance, which is opposite from the tumultuous feeling that she was experiencing right now. 

Her eyes then searched for Erin and others. While she did so, she saw a hand shoot out from the long table on her right side and waved at her. 

'There they are. But where is Lord Hou and Grandmother?' Zoe's forehead scrunched up as she saw Erin's figure and Azra. Her eyes then darted through all the people that were coming in and out of the Great Hall as they settled themselves.

"I asked them to stay in a room where they can be safe for the time being."

Raigon's rich and commanding voice penetrated through Zoe's attentive ears, making her pivot to his side.

With her apprehension, she didn't realize that Princess Taia stood up as she was called upon by the King to his side.

"I see." Zoe unconsciously uttered as it was also the only time that he saw Raigon up close. 

He looked ravishing in his Crowned Prince attire with his head dress. The reflected light also glimmered on his handsome face, making him look like a man in every woman's dreams.

"You look beautiful, Zoe." His eyes raked boldly over her, amidst the crowd, making Zoe blushed in crimson red as she cleared her throat. 

"Thank you, your Highness. You - you look ravishing as well." Zoe stuttered in an uncomfortable tone, but she meant what she said, proving it with a gorgeous display of her perfectly curved smile.

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No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor is given to what he gave.