Chapter 66 - On the Wedding Night

Zenia was still fast asleep when they arrived at the Palace of the Crown Prince. Each servant that greeted them gasped at the sight of the sleeping Crown Princess. Even though her eyes were closed, they could see how beautiful she was. These servants were the ones who seldom come inside the palace, and it was their first time seeing the Crown Princess.

Earlier, they asked the attendants, who helped Zenia prepare, what the Crown Princess looked like. But, the attendants kept mum about it. Nobody confirmed nor deny whether the Crown Princess was an atrociously ugly lady. The gossipy servants finally learned the truth. They understood the reason behind the Crown Prince's reluctance to show his bride to the entire kingdom.

Vaughn went straight to their bedchamber and laid Zenia on the bed. He called for some maidservants to help her change into comfortable nightwear. They did not discuss the sleeping arrangements, but Vaughn hoped to share the bed with his wife.

"Prepare my bathwater." He commanded one of the maids and went outside the balcony to wait.

After a few minutes, Vaughn went inside the bath area. The maids were still busy with Zenia. They were careful not to wake her up. Zenia had never been this exhausted before and just let the maids do their job.

She knew that she was in the company of trustworthy people and let her guard down. She kept her eyes closed as they worked on changing her clothes. It was not the first time that some maids changed her clothes for her. The maids in the Anisen Manor did those too. 

The maids were quite surprised that Zenia was quite heavy despite being slender. She had muscles due to training and the maids took a long time to dress her up. When they finished changing Zenia's dress, Vaughn had just gotten out of the bath area.

"You may leave," he commanded the maids who shut the door quietly when they got out.

Zenia had even breathing, and Vaughn knew that she was sleeping deeply. He looked at her and felt sorry for making her go through the different ceremonies. He knew that Ishelon did not have so many traditions and customs, unlike Tissuria. When he ascended the throne, he decided to abolish the unnecessary customs, traditions, and ceremonies.

He felt a presence near the balcony and knew that one of his shadow guards had come to report. Vaughn went to the balcony.

"Report!"

"Your Highness, the Ninth Prince wanted the woman named Elida to come but they have no idea where she is. It seems he wanted to find out about the man that Elida met at the Principality of Ismund."

Vaughn knew that sooner or later Damien might turn his investigation toward the young man that Elida met and the one who joined the band of assassins. He looked at Zenia and shook his head. His little devil had no idea that her little adventure created a huge ripple in the lives of the Left Minister and Damien.

"Do everything you can to lead their investigation to a dead end. They should never uncover the truth about that young man."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The shadow guard disappeared as quickly as he came. Vaughn looked up the stars and closed his eyes. Everything was just beginning. Without concrete evidence, it would be difficult to convict the Left Minister and Damien.

The King kept putting off the idea that the Left Minister could be involved. He may even find a way to pardon the sinners when Vaughn and his team could not present solid evidence.

When Zenia opened her eyes, she saw Vaughn by the balcony looking at the night sky. He looked so forlorn, but she dared not approach him. In the end, she did nothing but wait for him quietly. There was so much they had to talk about, but she could wait.

* * * * *

Damien seated himself in the dark corner of his room with bottles of liquor scattered all over the place. Some were shattered to pieces and some still contained a bit of alcohol. He would sometimes cry and sometimes laugh. Everyone in his palace, including his concubines, did not dare approach him.

He already received the report that the wedding went well. Some of the men that they stationed were subdued by the Crown Prince's men and the others went missing. He had a hunch that Ovid or Zander Anisen was behind it.

"Someone come!"

Although the assigned guards for the night were reluctant to face him, they must.

"Your Highness, what is your command."

"My sister-in-law, is she as ugly as the rumor says?"

The two guards looked at each other. Sweat formed on their foreheads.

"Y-Your Highness, the Crown Prince covered her face with a veil. No one saw her face."

Damien smirked. 'Very good, Vaughn. I wonder why you have to do that. Is she that ugly or beautiful beyond compare?'

"My Prince!" A shadow guard suddenly appeared before Damien.

The two guards felt relieved, and they retreated. They left the shadow guard alone with Damien.

"Speak!"

"The Left Minister is awake and wants to see you."

"What is my grandfather's condition?"

"He is stable for now but still needs to stay for a long time in the hospital to recuperate. He says it's important that you come tonight."

Damien already knew that in his grandfather's eyes, he was nothing but a pawn that he could use to exact his revenge. When he was young, he thought that his grandfather cared about him the most. But, he was wrong.

As his shameful sister turned into a lovely lady, his grandfather began to shift his attention toward her. Damien knew that his grandfather found a better use for his sister than him. His grandfather was still one of the most powerful men in Tissuria, and he could take advantage of that… for now.

Damien ordered someone to prepare sobering soup for him. He also ordered someone to prepare his bath. He could not face his grandfather looking so dreadful. He should at least look presentable and pretend that everything was going according to plan.

* * * * *

Zenia feared that it may take a long time for Vaughn to go to bed. She put on her robe, which was lying beside her night table, and walked to the balcony. Vaughn turned around and was greeted by a lovely visage. He smiled at her. He decided to only wear his half-mask if he must appear as the Crown Prince before Zenia when they were all alone.

"Why did you get up?"

"We still need something to discuss."

"Come here," his voice was mellow as he extended his hand to her.

Zenia hesitated for a moment but still took Vaughn's hand. He led her outside the balcony, and she was greeted by a glorious sight.

"It's so beautiful! We are up so high," Zenia gasped when she realized just how high the place was.

Vaughn put his arm around her shoulder.

"I like this place so much. This palace used to be my great grandparent's place. My great grandmother always loved high places and my great grandfather especially built this for her. From here, she could see the entire capital and beyond. She had always been a free spirit, as my great grandfather used to say."

"You seem to love them more than your parents."

"I love them a little bit more than my mother, who is my only parent."

Zenia fell silent. She could feel the pain in Vaughn's words. It must've been tough for him. She somehow felt sorry for him. She knew that the Royal Family may be the most prestigious in the entire kingdom, but it was difficult for them to be as carefree as her. Somehow, she was glad that she was not born into the Royal Family.

"Although our marriage may be based on mutual cooperation, I promise to remain loyal to you. When no one seems to take on your side, I will be there for you. If you feel like you can't take it anymore, you can count on me to give you a boost and help you stand up with pride. I can be your most trusted friend for all eternity."

Vaughn looked at Zenia and knew that everything she said was true. But, he wanted more than that – he wanted her to be his lover who would brave the storm with him. Someone who would love him unconditionally and just see him as a simple man who loves her without reservations.

"Zenia, if I tell you to stay with me forever, would you agree?"

Zenia gave Vaughn a confused looked, and he knew that it was too early to tell her anything.

"Forget it, whatever we need to discuss let us do it tomorrow. I am already too tired. I hope you don't mind sharing the same bed with me for now."

Zenia thought for a while, but she agreed in the end. They put a divider between them. She laid down on her side of the bed and felt a familiar feeling enveloping her once more.