301 WAKING UP TO REALITY

"I thought I lost you. You have been unconscious for one whole week!" 

Raigon flung himself to Zoe and crushed her with his embrace. He was expecting her to hug him too. But her whole body remained rigid and even slightly pushed him away.

Thinking that she was still in shock, she allowed her to rest still. "I'm just here. Tell me what you need."

He kissed her forehead and pulled up her blanket after he had laid her back on bed as it was only in the middle of the night.

'Raigon… How could you keep all those things hidden from me?'

She wanted to ask him. But she decided to just keep mum about it and chose to mourn over her parents while silently crying for them the whole night.

The next morning, Zoe arose from the bed early hoping he could talk to Raigon. But he has already left. Zoe's shoulders dropped as she went out of the Chamber. 

But to her surprise, there were royal guards who were guarding their room.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

"Please don't give up, older sister. You are still our family no matter what." 

Princess Taia, who was supposed to visit her sobbed as she hugged her. 

"Why will we not be family?" Zoe asked in confusion as she patted Princess Taia's back. 

Queen Rose and Princess Ara might be tough on her during her stay in the Castle. But the King, Princess Taia and of course, Raigon was a joy in her heart.

However, as she recalled her times with Raigon's family, she also remembered her own family, who she now knew were killed because of them. 

Her mood suddenly changed as she gently pushed Princess Taia away. 

As she did so, one of the royal guards cleared his throat and spoke. 

"Please come with us, your Highness."

"What? Why?"

Just at the right time, Raigon appeared on the scene. 

"Let me talk to my wife." He said curtly making the royal guards step back in obedience.

'My wife'

Zoe's heart thumped loud as she heard them. 'Am I really the wife of this lovely man?' She thought as his loveliness slightly distracted her from both the external and internal issue.

She shook her head as she tried to remind herself of what his family has done to hers. Raigon's hand touched her shoulder so he could lead her back to their Chamber. But Zoe walked ahead one step farther, leaving Raigon behind. 

"Where have you been? What is going on?" She inquired of him in an aloof but still respectful manner. 

Raigon didn't mind as he knew how confused Zoe must be feeling right now. He tried to answer her question as lightly as he can so she would not be pressured somehow.

"I just put Lady Thana in the dungeons because of what she did to you. But that is not the point right now. You need to listen to me carefully."

Raigon approached her and tried to touch her but Zoe stepped backward from him as if she didn't want even the hairs on their skin to touch each other, making Raigon's eyebrows knit together in bafflement.

On the other hand, Zoe tried to sort things out.

"What did she do to me?" She thought out loud as she tried to recall. 

The last thing that she could remember was Lady Thana leading her to the Garden of Egdelwon and the Tree.

"Oh my, is it a forbidden garden? Why would she lead me there if it's not allowed?" Zoe's fingers flew to her lips as it dawned on her.

Raigon sighed as his shoulders dropped. He went to the nearest chair and sat on it. "If it would be to oust you from the throne, that would be one of the most treacherous deeds in Terra."

"Oust me? Why would I be ousted just by being in the Garden?" 

Raigon drew in a deep breath as he asked Zoe to sit beside her. Zoe obeyed him, but she sat a few distance from him.

It seemed that Raigon didn't notice as he was keen on explaining the situation to her. 

"Listen to me carefully, Zoe."

Raigon pressed her shoulders gently as he turned her towards him. This time, Zoe did not refuse as she was also curious why everything is weird since she woke up. 

"The Garden of Egdelwon is a sacred garden known only to the rulers of Terra. Not even the whole royal family knows about it."

Raigon stretched out his hand and touched the necklace that Zoe was still wearing as he was reminded of it. 

Zoe was surprised as his finger accidentally touched the skin on her neck, which suddenly sent electricity within her. But she shoved it aside as she tried to concentrate on what Raigon was telling her.

"The Three has been entrusted with the Tree of Egdelwon which was coveted by the world for centuries. It has supernatural powers which can give anyone who will eat of it an insight of the past or the future. That is why the forbidden rule that was entrusted to them is to never eat of the tree so that there is no chance of the tree being defiled and abused."

Zoe nodded her head as she understood the concept. Her fingers unconsciously flew to her necklace as a realization hit her.

"It must be the reason why this necklace with the tree pendant is so special. Does that mean that the tree itself choose the next Queen of the land?''

"I think so too. There is no accident. You were meant to be here from the start." Raigon's lips curved into an irresistible smile that seemed to melt Zoe's resolve as her lips unconsciously lifted up as well.

Raigon leaned forward and planted a sweet kiss on her lips, which took her by surprise but she's too weak to refuse as she also wants it.

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"The truth. It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution."