327 STICKING ALLIANCES

"No! Don't let them take you away!" Tristan flung his arms around Zoe as she was about to go down the carriage and come with the guards.

Zoe bit her lips and swung around to face Tristan. "I'm sorry, but I have to do this." 

She was afraid of what the guards might do to her seeing how they mercilessly set the innocent's village on fire. But she was more afraid that the people who have been entrusted to her care will die because she didn't do anything. 

"Don't worry, dear. I will take care of the ladies. Just take care of yourself." Lady Dolores embraced Zoe with an affectionate warmth in which Zoe felt her burden lighten somehow.

"Me too. I will take care of the other children. But please come back to us as soon as possible, please Lady Asha, please." Tristan pleaded to her making Zoe's face lift up despite her situation. 

"I will."

Gao Zemin also nodded at her. "I can handle this, your Highness." 

"Are you ready to face them now, Dr. Gao?" Zoe's eyes narrowed at him as they will be going to the hospital where his other fellow physicians are.

As she recalled, he has been hiding from the royalties and the physicians who betrayed him for helping her mother escape before.

Gao Zemin's eyes glittered in determination as he answered her. "I had enough of Sheng Tun. It's time to turn the wheel upside down."

Zoe's face lit up even with the horrible consequence she was about to face. This situation might be chaotic but it sparks up the courage of some to face their fears like what her savior-doctor is doing now.

"Thank you, Gao Zemin. When things settle down, I will ask the King to install you as the new head of the royal physicians."

"There's no need, your Highness. I'm doing this for Terra."

"All the more reason why I should."

Zoe smiled and continued on her way to the Castle as a prisoner of Queen Wiktoria with a renewed hope that everything will be alright. 

Since she was a part of the royal family, she was taken to the King's Chamber. After Raigon escaped, Rose probably was transferred to the King's Chamber as she was present in the room.

"What are you doing here?" She asked her. 

A muscle in Zoe's jaw clenched as she bowed to her, thinking that she must have thought that she was not capable of fulfilling her promise.

Just then, she added another remark which made Zoe glance up.

"Did they hurt you?" Rose asked in a worried tone as she assessed her with a thoughtful gaze from head to foot.

Zoe didn't expect that one but she answered her as she relaxed. "Thank you for your concern, your Majesty. I'm fine. And I'm glad to report to you that we are extending our alliances so we can claim back our land as soon as possible."

As she was saying so, a sudden commotion disrupted their conversation. Princess Ara quickly ran towards the door, trying to get a feel of what was happening. 

"They said that the Wangs are here to subjugate the throne! They were gathering royal guards to protect Lady Wiktoria!"

Zoe ignored her not calling Wiktoria the Queen as she probably still considered her mother to be the one true queen of Terra. 

"It's finally happening." She excitedly announced to the royal couple as she ran towards Princess Ara's side at the door.

Confirming that the royal guards outside were in panic, her eyes bored into Princess Ara's as she suggested.

"Are you really better than me in archery?" Her lips curved up as she challenged her. 

Her eyes glimmered as she answered with zeal. "I will prove it to you now." 

She then knocked on the door and as soon as a royal guard opened it to check what was going on, Zoe dashed outside and fought with the two guards. Because she knew some martial arts techniques, she was able to knock them to the ground. 

"Wow. H-how did you do that?" Princess Ara's eyes widened in surprise seeing a woman fight with men for the first time. 

They didn't notice that another guard saw them and pulled up his arrow to kill Zoe. But Princess Ara was able to pull up the bow and arrow from the unconscious royal guard just in time. 

"Duck down!" She yelled as she pulled the arrow. Zoe immediately obeyed and Princess Ara was able to hit the guard first. The guard missed Zoe and his arrow hit the door instead. 

Zoe almost lost her breath as she heard the swing of the arrow when it passed through her. Then she looked at Princess Ara in astonishment.

"I told you I'm better than you." She smiled at her beautifully that Zoe can't help but be in awe. 

"Let's do this again next time. Without our lives at stake, that is."

Princess Ara chuckled as she offered her hand so she could pick her up, which Zoe gladly accepted. They were about to close the door when King Artair stopped them.

"Wait, are you leaving us out of the fun?"

Princess Ara and Zoe glanced at each other. It was Princess Ara who answered him. "Father, it would be safe for both of you to just stay here."

Rose also entered the scene as she patted Princess Ara's head. "I know that you are just concerned about us. But don't forget who your father is. He is the rightful owner of the crown. He has all the right to be at the middle of where the action is. Besides, I also want to confront my so-called friend."

As she said so, Zoe felt her anger rose as every muscle in her face tensed up. Feeling the same way of not wanting to be tied down, Zoe agreed with them.

"No one can hurt them since the most excellent archers of Terra are protecting them, don't you think?" 

Princess Ara seemed to be doubtful but still, she nodded her head as the four of them carefully crossed the hallways to the throne room. 

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Unity is strength. When there is unity and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.