328 THE DEATH OF THE ROYAL FAMILY?

Because of both Princess Ara's archery skills and Zoe's hands-on martial arts technique, they were able to pass through the hallways amidst the royal guards that were flocking to them.

One was about to hurt King Artair, but Zoe managed to trip his foot. However, his sharp sword brushed through her arm, making Zoe fall down as it bleeds.

"You can not hurt my princesses!" King Artair suddenly transformed into a vicious lion as he grabbed the sword that he was holding and thrust it into his abdomen with full force.

Zoe's face lifted somehow as it was wincing with the unbearable pain. She peeked over her arm, her face grimaced as she saw that it was deep in her muscles and would be needing stitching. 

To Zoe's amazement, Rose tore her royal skirt and spiraled it around her arm. "Hold on. We're nearing the end of this."

Zoe couldn't help but be moved by her actions as she felt her motherly concern for her. She even lifted her and assisted her to stand up. 

"Thank you, your Majesty. Your kindness is immeasurable." She bowed down to her.

"It is you and your mother whose kindness is boundless. Forgive me for seeing it only now." 

Rose blurted out with tears rushing down her face as her knees crumbled down on the floor as she begged for her forgiveness.

For Zoe, it was enough for her to put her arms around her and lift her up. Though she still felt that she cannot let go of what she had done to her family, her act of repentance is enough to destroy the wall that she has put up to block her.

"Zoe! What happened to you?"

Zoe's eyes immediately brightened up as she heard his voice. "Raigon? Why are you here?"

Raigon didn't answer her as he rushed to her side and lifted her wounded arm. "Who did this to you?"

She can feel his hand trembling as his face went red in rage. His fiery eyes darted around them looking for her perpetrator. It was King Artair who answered for her.

"Don't worry, son. I already killed him."

Zoe glanced back at Raigon as she thought it would pacify him somehow but his face remained unchanged.

"I have been looking all over for you. I shouldn't have left you alone. What is the sense of protecting the world when I can't even protect my wife?" 

His head swiveled from side to side and bowed down. 

Zoe didn't know if she would feel elated or guilty that Raigon would feel that way. She shook her mushy feelings aside and tried to comfort him by reporting to him the turn of events.

"But if you didn't, many would have died. You did the right thing, your Highness." She caressed his face, hoping he would feel better.

"Still, you will not leave my side from now on. Do you understand?" 

He said with an anxious tone as he stood up and lifted her off her feet. Zoe was about to disagree when her eyes caught on his mother who was nodding her head. 

"You couldn't argue anymore when he already made up his mind." She tilted her head as if she was teasing his son. 

Seeing her mother in law's cheerful side, Zoe nodded with a smile as she glanced back at the hallway where they were in. 

It looked like they were winning as they were able to have that conversation without interference from their enemies.

"It seems that the heat of the battle is on the throne room." Princess Ara responded as she also observed the scenario.

They all stood up and went there. This time with Raigon and Princess Ara protecting the royal family. 

To their horror, the opposite of their expectation was happening. It was Duke Andras and Lord Vigo's squad who were being defeated.

"Wiktoria!" King Artair's voice bellowed throughout the room making the battle halt to a stop. 

Lady Wiktoria, who was sitting on the throne watching the people being slaughtered in front of her eyes, stood up and lifted her hand with a devilish grin on her face.

"Now you caught my attention. Don't tell me you're all here to take my throne." 

All the intruders pointed their swords and guns at the Wangs who backed in one corner, protected by the remaining royal guards. 

Duke Andras, Lord Vigo, King Artair and Raigon made themselves as human shields to protect Queen Rose, Princess Ara and Princess Taia. 

It seemed that Princess Taia had been fighting alongside her uncle and cousin while they were escaping from the King's Chamber. 

"What on earth made you this way? I treated our friendship more precious than even my own family." Rose exclaimed in a bitter tone.

"That's your mistake, dear Rose. You should have put your own family first like I do. Our ancestors have every right on this chair. I am certain that they are all proud of me and my daughter now that we're finally sitting on them." 

She gave a quick glance to Lady Thana who was sitting beside her in the throne of the Crowned Prince. She looked apprehensive as she looked down on her feet.

"Any last words?" Wiktoria asked the royal family as their oppressors ready their weapons to kill them.

Zoe glanced at everyone present. 

'Is this really how we will end?' She has already found a loving family where she would be happy to live for the rest of her life with. 

'Will it not happen anymore?' She gazed at every member of the Wang family. Her lips curved up in awe as she saw both King Artair and Duke Andras having a common goal on one side. And Lord Vigo and Raigon on the other.

Her gaze lasted longer on Raigon. She was dreaming of going back to Terra even not as a Crowned Princess but as a wife and a mother to his children even though she had to live a different life. 

'Will it not be possible anymore?'

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"The life you have left is a gift. Cherish it. Enjoy it now, to the fullest. Do what matters, now."