51 A BIZARRE COINCIDENCE

"Hurry!" Raigon roared, which bellowed within the confines of the secluded hollow.

"Yes, your Highness!"

Azra obliged to the Crown Prince's direct command.

In a twinkle of an eye, he launched the engine of the motorboat. This private boat would be her magic carpet away from the dangerous land.

"Who could it be?" Raigon uttered.

The dubious sounds undoubtedly coming from the inner chambers were getting nearer and louder.

He was uncertain if it will do them harm or good.

It's more favorable for Zoe to disappear as promptly as possible.

"This was only a pathway meant for the imperial household. No one can simply enter this concealed channel!"

Unless the royal family themselves permitted them.

"Or someone inevitably betrayed us!"

He was anxiously hoping for the former as he narrowed his critical eyes to figure out who is approaching him.

At a snail's pace, a fragile woman advanced so as to approach him.

Her grizzled hair was tied up in a bun. And she was wearing a long-sleeve moss green blouse with black slacks.

Her head was inclined down as she was clutching gravely at her chest.

"Sir!"

She was about to reach him, but she collapsed along the way.

In a flash of lightning, Raigon ran frantically toward her and leaned down to check on her.

She was unconscious and lying helplessly on the ground.

"Milady!"

He immediately examined her pulse and breathing. Her pulsation was rapid and fluctuating. But she was still exhaling air.

"She's alive!" Raigon drew in a deep, sharp breath.

"But who is this lady? And why is she here?"

He contemplated as he gazed at her ghastly face. He was not acquainted with her.

"Is she from Terra or not?"

She desperately needed crucial help at that time.

"I couldn't merely abandon her on this pothole alone. Or she will die!"

At full speed, he picked her up and transferred her out of the hole, drawing closer to the Capital of Terra.

They were about to take off from the dark underpass and go into the broad daylight.

"I hope the soldiers in black from a while ago already left."

He carefully verified if there were no residents outside.

Fortunately, the local band of men who were there before he went inside left already.

"Whhtt.."

He whistled a recognizable tune, fervently wishing that his faithful horse could hear it wherever he is.

He had commanded him to go before he entered the subterranean area.

"Steel.."

Surely, he will not come back to the royal stable unless he is with him.

He would just roam around the woodland until he ordered him back.

That's how he disciplined him when he was still little.

"Come here, boy."

He whistled a few more times until his loyal horse galloped out of the mighty trees and into his beloved master's local vicinity.

"Milady?"

The mysterious lady was yet senseless, so he lifted her up first before he saddled himself.

With a swift move, he wisely directed the talented steed to tread toward the private residence of Gao Zemin.

Gao Zemin was a former aristocratic physician, but the royal Council banned him years ago.

Raigon was not completely aware of the key reason.

"He was dear to me when I was young. And he was one of the few notable people that I sincerely trusted in the Castle then."

"I cannot bring this lady to the Castle and ask the noble physicians to treat her. They might consider her as a potential intruder to our uncharted land."

Raigon pierced through the undeveloped forest and into the grassy fields.

The lost woman was still motionless in his philanthropic arms.

"Fortunately, no one was nearby to pay attention to us."

Because it is very alarming to see the gallant Crowned Prince with an anonymous stranger who was on the brink of imminent death.

Because of Raigon's abrupt actions, they were capable of instantaneously reaching the specific area in less than a precious hour.

"His desolate house is also hidden within these petrified woods. It will not be burdensome for me even if I fasten my stallion at the front of his lodge."

He again had gazed at the woman before he went down from the mare.

Her eyes were even closed, and she was nevertheless paralyzed.

Her face was getting pale, and her hands were running cold.

"Please hold on, milady."

He instantly assisted her down and laid her on a broad table at the right side of the ramshackle shelter.

Knock! Knock!

Knock! Knock!

He knocked on the gate with rapid thrusting movements.

'Please open the door.'

He muttered grimly, secretly pleading that Gao Zemin was behind that dingy door.

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

There is no such thing as an accident. It is fate misnamed. - Napoleon Bonaparte

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