295 CASTLE LIFE AND THE TREE

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE FIRST PART OF VOLUME 4: THE CHAIRWOMAN. HOWEVER, I CANNOT CHANGE THE VOLUME NUMBER IN THE INKSTONE. FORGIVE ME FOR THE MIXTURE. :*

"Hmm.. Sticky?" 

Zoe hummed as her hands ran through the space beside her while her eyes were still closed. Feeling the cold sheets beside her, her eyes immediately opened up.

"I'm still here."

Raigon's husky bedroom voice calmed Zoe's anxious nerves and made her lips curved up. She still wasn't used to the freedom of being with him now that they were already married for three months as the Crowned Prince and Princess.

"I don't want to wake you up. But now that you have, I guess it's not bad to have some 'exercise' before I leave." 

He drawled as he removed his outer garment and walked over to the side of the bed.

Zoe chuckled as she threw a pillow at him. "I thought you have to accompany the King today?"

"That can wait." Raigon whispered as his nose caressed hers. His towering body was leaning over hers that were only supported by his brawny arms.

"Are you sure? The King is waiting for you, I mean, Father-in-law -"

Zoe's lips curled up as she lifted her arms and encircled them around his head. But she wasn't able to finish her sentence as he delved down and kissed her passionately.

Zoe's eyes unconsciously closed as she felt the sweetness of Raigon's mouth on hers. Her chest heaved up and down as it was one of the most pleasurable experiences she has ever felt since she got married.

However, it was only momentary when a servant announced a surprise guest.

"Y-your highness, Lady Thana is here."

Both Raigon and Zoe pulled away and furrowed their eyebrows at each other. 

"What is she doing here? I don't remember inviting her, especially this early in the morning." Zoe immediately stood up and fixed herself.

"Tell me what she's up to. I'll see you later." Raigon pulled her in his arms and planted a warm kiss on her nose.

Zoe's lips curved up as she patted her cheeks. She still wasn't used to Raigon's display of affection whenever they are in a private place. 

"Your Highness." Lady Thana bowed to her as soon as she saw her.

They may not have been the best of friends. But she was true to her word that she would assist her in being the Crowned Princess of the land. 

"Is the Crowned Prince awake?" 

Zoe's arms crossed over her chest. She still hasn't forgotten that she was his ex-fiance. 

"He has left already. Do you need something from him?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong. It's just that I don't often see him around. Perhaps he was just fulfilling his job as a Crowned Prince of this land."

At her answer, Zoe's shoulders slightly dropped as she recalled the times that she was often alone because Raigon was out and doing his duties. 

She cannot accompany him anymore as it wasn't fit for a Crowned Princess to walk outside like she used to. Everyday, all she can see are the Castle walls and the servants who weren't even allowed to talk much with her.

"Yes, he is a very responsible Prince of Terra." She lifted herself up and gave her a confident smile.

"I believe so too." Lady Thana returned back her smile as if she was certain of what she said. 

Zoe narrowed her eyes on her as she wasn't sure if she had already moved on from her feelings for him or she was really appreciative of him as a citizen of Terra.

"Anyway, I would like to invite you to a little celebration at our house. Our farm just harvested a bountiful this season. I'm sure the Crowned Prince wouldn't mind."

Seeing an opportunity to get out of the Castle and breathe fresh air, Zoe immediately went with her to their place. 

'I will be back in a jiffy.'

Zoe, dressed in a disguise, was able to mingle with them and have fun somehow, releasing the boredom she has felt inside the Castle walls.

"Lady Asha? I mean Crowned Princess?" Lady Wiktoria was able to see her through. But Zoe immediately shushed her with a pointed finger on her lips.

"Greetings, Madame. Lady Thana invited me. I am in a disguise though so as to not cause any commotion."

Zoe sheepishly responded, making Lady Wiktoria nod her head in agreement. 

"I understand. I also invited Queen Rose out during her first months as the Crowned Princess then." She chuckled as she recalled about it. 

"By the way, since you are already a part of the royal family, have they already told you about the tree?" She added.

"The tree?" Zoe 's face looked dazed.

"You've never been to the Garden of Egdelwon? The Crowned Prince hasn't even mentioned it to you?" Lady Wiktoria's face looked more dumbfounded than Zoe's.

"Y-yes, he has." Zoe's lips stretched into an uncomfortable smile and lied. 

'What is this woman just talking about? And where is the Garden of Egdelwon? Why is Raigon not talking about it?'

"I see." Lady Wiktoria breathed out a sigh of relief. "I have only known it through Queen Rose. But it's only a secret within the royal family. Is it beautiful? She said that the fruit is really tempting to eat." 

Zoe's eyebrows knitted together as she didn't know how to answer her. 

'Why is Raigon still hiding it from me and the Queen was able to know about it and even told Lady Wiktoria about it?'

"Yes, it indeed is. It's the most beautiful tree I have ever seen." She continued to bluff. And as she uttered those words, she recalled the dream that she had twice about a tree that looked like the tree of life itself. 

Her hands immediately flew and caressed her necklace that she hasn't removed since then. It was also designed as a beautifully crafted tree. 

'Is it perhaps connected?' She thought to herself.

***********************************

A great marriage doesn't happen because of the love you had at the beginning. But how well you continue building love until the end.