Chapter 39 - Kenzo's Identity

Kenzo left the house earlier to follow her wife and make sure that she arrived at the office safely. Instead of going straight to the office, he went to the hotel that is owned by the Royal Empire Etrama. In front of the hotel, one man approached him and bowed at him as they took the scooter to park. He put his cap on. Then, another followed to escort him inside. He noticed Secretary Bryan in the reception area. He bowed at him, gracefully and approached him.

Without any word, he followed them to the presidential elevator. On the 51st floor, the elevator ding opened. The whole place was meant to be a penthouse or a Presidential Suite. They entered two rooms and finally to the master's bedroom. The smell of herbs and lemon entered his nostrils.

From the sofa to chairs, everything is in red. Even the heavy curtains in the full-length window. On the right side is the king-size four-poster bed with curtains around it. An old man was sitting on the bed and leaning on the headboard.

He removed his cap and bowed at him like a prince.

"Are you supposed to exercise at this time, grandpa?" Kenzo asked as the old man laughed. Somehow, his laughter was mixed with coughs. He quickly approached him and sat beside him, rubbing his back. The old man took his handkerchief and wiped his mouth. Then, Kenzo reached the glass of water and placed it in his hand as he assisted him in drinking.

Duke Philip stared at his grandson's face that looked so much like his son when he was his age. He grew up so tall, big, and handsome. The Duke reached his cheek and smiled bitterly.

"I'm sorry for leaving you there."

"I should be mad at you, but I couldn't."

"You were so young," He sighed. "And I let you go to that orphanage and suffer from hunger and god knows what else…"

"Grandfather, I know that you did it to protect me."

"Yes, I did. I thought that I failed. But you survived." He smiled. "I'm sorry about that cough. It's been a while since I laughed."

"Then, you'll laugh even more. So, stay healthy." Kenzo bent down and kissed his grandfather's wrinkled hand. It became more wrinkled than the last time he saw it. He looked frail and his heart ached that he's living in loneliness for long without someone, a real family to take care of him.

"Son, take over our family Empire. You'll be powerful and you could protect yourself more. I already gathered more knights on our side."

"Grandpa, I know that you are eager for me to come back, but I have a wife now. She needs me too."

"I know," the man looked away. "Would she accept who you are?"

"She accepted me as a broke. Why can't she accept me as someone who can give her everything?"

"You are right." The old man smiled.

"But it'll take some time. I have gotten used to normal life ever since. My wife provided for us most at first and she said that it's okay as long as I am faithful to her. It's hard to find such a woman like that even though we just met." Kenzo said. And as he mentioned about his wife, his face glows in happiness.

"But you love her?"

"I love her so much."

"Then, accept the throne because everyone is racing to be the King and you are what I promised."

Kenzo knew that it's a big responsibility. At the moment, he doesn't know what to choose. But whatever the choices, he'll have to bring his wife. His wife isn't one of the choices. She's the given and he'll protect her and bring her wherever he goes. The choices are, either live a normal life with his wife or take the throne.

"Even if you don't want to be the King, just come back home." The old man said, to ease his mind. "But, I won't promise that I'll keep nagging you."

"Come back home, your highness." Secretary Bryan, Butler Grayson, and Headmistress Rhianna said at the same time as they bowed to him. He looked at them. The familiar faces who always take care of him when he was young. He turned back to his grandfather.

"Please give me time, grandpa. A month? My wife needs me."

"Alright," He sighed. "I'll also set protection for your wife and watch from afar."

"Thank you."

"First, join me in our breakfast."

Kenzo helped his grandfather to the table with a breakfast that the maid had ready. Everything is served in silver and Butler Grayson checked everything first if there's a poison that was put on the food. The Butler specialized by determining any type of poison in the food. Then, he joined his grandfather and Secretary Bryan to eat breakfast. Secretary Bryan handed the files to him and he pulled out the data that they received. He was sure that his grandfather already dug into his wife's background and the Parson's secret and he had to know it all.

He opened the black envelope and took out the photos. He saw a beautiful woman with long black wavy hair. She has Victoria's eyes and she has that porcelain skin. She's also wearing a maid outfit.

"Who is she?" Kenzo asked Secretary Bryan.

"She's Lady Victoria's biological mother."

"Hmm, how?" He looked up at Secretary Bryan.

"I assume that she fell in love with Lord Bailey, but something was more. The woman was raped in her headquarter many times and she was locked out to be his secret toy. The maids were quiet until the woman got pregnant. Lady Regina finds it out and they conceal everything. They sent the woman and Lady Dana to another country to give birth to the child and took it from her. She was sent away by Lady Dana after paying an amount of money."

"It must be painful for Victoria's real mother to be away from her." Kenzo felt sad that Victoria's loving mother was forcefully taken from her. Even though Kenzo hasn't met her, he knew that every mother would feel broken if their baby was taken from them.

"Yes," he nodded. "We try to search for her mother. There's no trace of her. My first theory was she's been murdered to keep quiet about this big scandal." Secretary Bryan added.

Kenzo's chest tightened. If Victoria was with her real mother, she wouldn't suffer in that house. But he doesn't know, maybe her mother indeed abandoned her. He checked other photos. Victoria's photos when she was five years old. She looked so beautiful as she smiled with a gap between her teeth in the upper front. Her eyes were tantalizing and everyone was allured by that adorable face.

"What else?"

"We already sent someone to dig about her childhood." Secretary Bryan sent as he took out a flat phone and extended it to him. "This is a much safer phone. I'll send the details here."

Kenzo accepted it and then he checked other files. Victoria became excellent in the class and she tried hard to get into other activities. Then, there's a year in high school that she has low grades from the first quarter to the third and in the fourth quarter, she passed. Then, in the next few years, she succeeded although she didn't make it to the very top. She became an average student with an exemplary award. But in that award, she received it all by herself without her parents or anyone from the family. She still smiled in the photo and there's a stolen shot that she came down the stage with a sour face.

"These traumas were connected to what my wife is feeling right now. Grandpa, please give me more time." He asked his grandfather, sincerely.

"Of course," his grandfather nodded. "You keep saying 'my wife'. I am accurate that you already love her so much. But, Kenzo, you are the man and you need to know your duties."

"Yes, I know grandpa. Victoria isn't like others. She's different. That's why I marry her."

After Kenzo left the hotel, he drove to the company building and just five minutes before the time. He got back to work and checked on her wife during breaks. He always texts her during lunchtime or when he goes to the bathroom. Every time he stopped working, he'd think of her, that's why he checked on her consistently even though she'd reply slowly.

"Looking good huh."

Caleb said as he entered the comfort room.

"Good afternoon, sir." Kenzo greeted me.

"So, how's the honeymoon stage?" Caleb grinned.

"It's all good." Kenzo grinned.

"I heard that you are visiting Stace's house?"

"Yes, it's about V's limited edition bags." Kenzo bows his head. "I'll be going now."

"Yeah, sure." Caleb nodded and watched him leave.

Caleb crossed his arms. He wondered what Kenzo was doing in the Golden Palace Hotel. He saw him dropped or stayed for more than an hour. Since he drove twice by the hotel. It's not like Kenzo would cheat on Victoria but it's kind of suspicious. Also, he's constantly texting his wife during breaks. He noticed it from the cameras even in the lobby.

He's sure that Kenzo had his reason. Maybe visiting someone? But who would he visit in the luxury hotel? Or perhaps he booked a hotel for their honeymoon? However, Kenzo doesn't have a paycheck.. And he's not going to tell it to Victoria unless he caught Kenzo cheating, he'll beat up the guy first even if he's the best friend he ever had.