298 THE UNPARDONABLE SIN

It didn't take them long before they reached the place that Lady Thana was mentioning. It is in the back part of the Castle, an area which she didn't try to go through.

"It is inside the labyrinth?" 

Zoe swallowed hard as she scratched her head. She has often seen this place from the Castle Towers. But she has no idea that there could be a mysterious garden inside it. 

'Yes, your Highness. The Castle is intentionally structured to guard the Garden, thereby guarding the Tree."

Lady Thana stepped forward and was about to enter the maze when she realized that Zoe was not following her.

She turned her back and saw her spotted in her place as if hesitant to come with her.

"Maybe I should go some other time. I will ask permission from my husband."

Lady Thana's face lifted into a smile as she replied. "All right. But don't you want to just take a peek? See what it looks like?"

Zoe bit her lips as she contemplated it. 'Maybe it would not be so bad.'

She nodded her head in agreement, making Lady Thana's face radiate in excitement.

She walked ahead, guiding her through a series of turns until finally at the last turn, they came face to face with the Tree of Egdelwon. 

Just like in her dream, it looks ancient and magical and seems to be like breathing with life. There was a sense of aura around it that would make anyone feel peaceful and serene. 

"It is beautiful." Zoe stepped forward and lifted her hands. "Can I touch it?"

"Yes," Lady Thana immediately replied as Zoe's hands touched its leaves that had colors that were different from any part of the planet that she has seen before.

"Is it true that if you eat of its fruit, you will see the past or the future?" Zoe unconsciously asked as her eyes beholden its fruits that seemed to tempt her with their luscious appearance. 

"That's the legend. I don't know if it is true though. Do you want to know anything about your past?"

Lady Thana insinuated her. And to her delight, Zoe seemed to take it into consideration. 

Even though bits and pieces of her past were slowly returning to her memories, she still hasn't found out what happened during the Great Bloodbath and how her parents died. 

She stared at the fruit that she already picked in her hand as she tried to think of a way how she would be able to know it. All the people around her now have no idea what happened then. 

Her stomach swirled in an uneasy feeling as she recalled how her life turned from being admired to being hated in just one act of fate. 

Or is it?

"Maybe it wouldn't matter if you would just take a bite. Just do not eat the whole fruit. It is only us here so no one would know."

Lady Thana encourages her as she sees the desire in her eyes to know about whatever her past is.

"No, don't do it or you will die!"

A loud voice roared through their midst, hoping it would stop Zoe from doing what she desired to do to the fruit.

It was Raigon.

He was looking for Zoe after their meeting with the women in the court. Fortunately, he was able to meet Princess Ara who told her that she was asking about the Garden of Egdelwon. 

He immediately bolted out and dashed to the Garden. But it was too late.

"Zoe!"

She has already taken a bite and ate. And as she did so, a sudden bolt of electricity went through her body which it couldn't tolerate, and it fell down on the ground.

"What did you just do? Zoe! Zoe!"

Raigon growled at Lady Thana as he ran to her side and put her on his lap. His eyelids welled with building tears as he tried to revive her.

"I didn't do anything. She did it herself." Lady Thana said innocently as she also tried to wake Zoe up. But she was not responding.

Raigon wiped his tears that were blurring his vision as he checked on Zoe's pulse. "She's still alive!"

He immediately picked her up and commanded Azra, who was just behind him and saw everything. 

Even though he, together with Lord Hou was recognized as part of the descendants of the Three after the revelation three months ago, he still committed himself in serving the Crowned Prince. But he has more freedom than before.

Being his faithful servant and part of the Hou Clan, Azra also was aware of the Tree. And he was the one who always reminded Raigon to protect it at all cost.

"Put Lady Thana to the dungeons." He ordered Azra in a croaking voice, in which Lady Thana immediately declined.

"Why would I be in the dungeons? It should be Lady Asha. She disobeyed a royal decree. And her being a descendant of the Three doesn't count with it." She crossed her arms and stood fixed on her position.

"You knew about it? Is this your plan all along?" Raigon grimaced as he stared at Lady Thana with a look expressing his disdain for her. 

He knew how sensitive and complicated the issue of the Tree is and he was waiting for the right time to reveal it to Zoe. But not in his normal mind would he think that she would know about it this way and would even attempt to eat it.

"It doesn't matter. Even if she lives, she is not fit to be the Queen anymore. She must even be banned from Terra for committing the gravest sin of all." Lady Thana tilted her head and squared her shoulders.

Raigon clenched his fist in frustration as he stared at Zoe's unconscious face with a drop of tear on her cheeks.

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Sin is not so sweet in the committing as it is heavy and bitter in the reckoning.