292 THE THREE TOGETHER

"I got you. " 

Zoe's comforting touch and warm smile seemed to calm Raigon's anxious nerves that were aching to do something about the situation in a savage way.

If Zoe wasn't around, he would easily swing his sword and cause another scene of carnage. Being pacified with Zoe's consolation, Raigon drew in a deep breath and brought down his sword, signaling his men to do the same. 

"Do what you want. I will back you up."

Zoe's lips curved into a smile as she heard Raigon's approval. This is not an ordinary chaotic mess but one that could determine the royal family's future. 

Her heart was about to burst from her lungs and she really wasn't that confident that she could change the situation. But Raigon's trust in her is enough for her to be bold in intervening this rising gamechanger.

"Thank you." Zoe bowed to him. 

Then she continued to uphold him like a skillful defendant in front of the jury who seemed to be in confusion as to whom to choose. 

"Duke Andras also mentioned the King's son. But he didn't remind us about the wrongdoing of his own son, who was the prime suspect for assassinating the Queen. He even attempted to hide it by punishing a Hou who has only been a faithful servant of the royal family."

Azra who was also there, suddenly stiffened as he just recalled what they had done to him. Though he was given double honor by the King. It is still very traumatic for him.

As he and Zoe's eyes met as he gazed at her, he nodded his head as if he was thanking her for bringing it up.

However, Duke Andras will not fall through.

"It was not intentional and that is still under investigation! Who knows if the Hous are only bluffing to escape from further humiliation? Some of you already know how one of them betrayed the royal family then.``

Duke Andras explained himself as his arms lifted his sword and swept it around,  still defending his son as if the guests haven't witnessed that the King has already given an order to put him in the dungeons forever. 

"Stop your nonsense, woman. You are just a daughter of a half-ling!" His nostrils flared as he wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. 

But Zoe wasn't intimidated at all. She made her final say as she crossed her arms.

"I trust that our people are wise enough to know who is telling the truth or not. And may I add, I am not just a daughter of a half-ling. I am a descendant of the Three."

All the guests suddenly went into rumpus with the most shocking revelation that they have heard in this event.

"How could Lin be a descendant of the Three? All they do is endanger us. The Three would never harm us."

One of the guests and elders of the royal council dared to step forward and asked on behalf of the dumbstrucked guests.

"Milady, I'm afraid what you are saying is hard to believe. Do you have any proof that the Lin are part of the Three? As far as we know, it is only the Wangs that are the remnant of the Three."

"She is just misguiding us. Don't listen to her." Duke Andras butted in. 

Raigon has heard enough. He stood in the middle of the crowd and gauged everyone, the guests, Duke Andras and the rebellious group.

"I can ascertain you that what she is saying is true." 

He lifted the book from his safekeeping and lifted it high for everyone to see.

"This is the book that was left behind by the Three."

All of them gaped at the book that Raigon was holding in his hand. 

"It is written in a different language."

"You are right. And they can only be understood by the descendants of the Three that have learned it. Uncle, do you want to do the honor of reading this passage for us?"

Raigon smirked as he handed the book to Duke Andras. He then glanced at Zoe who was also looking at him with consent 

Duke Andras immediately grabbed the book as curiosity took the best of him. All the people observed his reaction as he flipped through the pages in a fast motion. As soon as his eyes laid on what Raigon is talking about, his eyes darted on Azra. 

"You are also a descendant of the Three?! This is ridiculous!"

"Yes, your Excellence. The bloodline that you have smeared for so many years are the descendants of the founders of this land. And if you haven't read it carefully, it indicates that when we are joined together, Terra will be the safest and most prosperous land on the planet."

Zoe beamed, her face radiated from the dream that every Terran has wished for. All the guests' eyes lit up as they grew excited with just the thought of it. Raigon smiled as he too grew more confident to rule this land knowing that it was his destiny to rule it with the woman that she loved so dearly and his faithful friend at his side.

Seeing their hopeful faces, Duke Andras still wouldn't give up as he gave a half-hearted nervous chuckle.

"What can the descendants of the Three do? It's just a myth. And all the Three did was give birth to this land. It is us who cultivated it."

He folded the book and was about to throw it away. But Raigon grabbed the book in his hands and spoke with the most determined and commanding authoritative voice that he has ever mustered up in his entire life.

"You cannot just throw away our traditions just like that." 

He gave the book to Azra and lifted his own sword. "I'm done with being diplomatic. You have already defamed my family and now our ancestors. Your sins could never be forgiven."

"Those of you who still wanted to be at Duke Andras' side after everything you have witnessed today, you can go to his side. Guards, arrest them all! Even Duke Andras!"

Raigon bared his teeth and ordered at the top of his lungs as he put Zoe behind his back.

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A good change does not change traditions. It strengthens it.