Chapter 69 - The Newlyweds Greet the King and Queen

Vaughn instructed the coachman to move a bit faster than usual to ensure that they would arrive on time. He decided to take a different route, which was already checked by his men and confirmed to be safe. With a scheming brother like Damien, Vaughn just couldn't take the risk. 

Vaughn and Zenia were just on time for the greeting. The princes and princesses were already there, including Damien. Zenia was wearing a face veil and everyone could only see her eyes. The King and Queen already agreed to Vaughn's request that Zenia would not reveal her face to anyone.

The Second Prince smirked. He was convinced that Zenia was indeed an ugly girl, but with exceptional martial arts. He did not succeed in lifting her veil during the ceremonial dance but her lithe moves gave her away. The Second Prince, Renard Pernell, may seem to be a frivolous man but he was knowledgeable of the different forms of martial arts. He also knew that his sister-in-law was not someone that he or anyone could easily toy with.

Odette was burning with anger when he saw Vaughn and Zenia holding hands. She bit her lip out of jealousy. Vaughn's hands belonged to her alone. Every part of him belonged to her. Vaughn used to cradle her in his arms when they were still young. He was only attentive to her and no one else. She had always been there for him even though she could only see him from a distant. As she grew up, she knew that the Crown Prince was destined to be her man.

Her grandfather promised her that he could be her husband. Her grandfather guaranteed that all the negative things that people thought about her would soon vanish into thin air when they finally learned the truth. She was the only one who should stand beside Vaughn as his Queen.

Her grandfather refused to tell her what that truth was even when she tried to act cute in front of him. Was it the truth about Vaughn, Damien, her mother, or her? Her grandfather told her that she would be the most powerful woman in Tissuria, and she could get everything that she wanted to obtain. She believed the Left Minister, and she always looked forward to the realization of that dream.

Damien barely made it on time and felt gloomier when he saw that Vaughn and Zenia had arrived unscathed. He was not looking forward to a good result, but he still hoped that Vaughn wouldn't make it on time and spark the ire of the King.

The rest of the princes and princess remained indifferent. They had no interest in meeting the wife of the Crown Prince. They were there because they were told that their monthly allowances would be suspended for a year if they failed to appear.

The newlyweds ignored the gazes of the people in the Main Hall and continued walking. When they reached the area where the King and Queen had seated, they bowed their heads. 

"We pay our respects to the King and Queen," they uttered in unison.

"Be at ease, we are all family here." King Tarendino quickly spoke.

When Zenia lifted her head and looked around the room, she found out that it was indeed just a family gathering. There were no unrelated people in the Main Hall, except the stewards and few servants that were preparing to serve the food.

The Main Hall was so luxurious and grand. Each prince and princess had an air of arrogance surrounding them. Zenia hated these kinds of people, but she should play her role well. She must exchange pleasantries with them even though she found it repulsive.

"Introduce yourselves to your sister-in-law." The King commanded and the princes and princesses could do nothing but obey.

One by one, the princes and princesses introduced themselves. Zenia's ears began to hurt. She was more interested in listening to their murmurs than their names.

'This stupid lot, they did not expect that I can hear them whisper insults directed at me and the Crown Prince.'

Zenia kept smiling, even though she knew that they could not see her lips. She did it for her to calm down and prevent herself from throwing the nearby steward or servant at the malicious bunch of leechers.

After their introduction, it was Zenia's turn to tell them something about her self. She knew that she wouldn't be able to get out of it. She had no choice but to come up with something. It was a good thing that her skill at fabricating stories was still as sharp as ever.

Zenia took a deep breath and began introducing herself. She told them that she was a medical apprentice in the military unit of Ishelon. She led a simple life even though her family was well-known. She rarely attended banquets because she and her teacher were always out searching for herbs and other things that could help them discover new medicines or enhance the current ones.

Some of the members of the Royal Family, including the King and Queen, had an improved impression of her. She was no longer labeled as a good-for-nothing daughter of the Anisens, but her being ugly may stay for a while.

"Now that all of you know each other, I hope that all of you can get along well."

The servants began serving the dishes for everyone to enjoy. A steward led Vaughn and Zenia to their table. The newlyweds thought that they would just greet the King and Queen and that was it. They ate a heavy breakfast earlier, and it would be impolite to decline.

Vaughn was secretly cursing, while Zenia seemed to have no problem with the arrangement. They took their seats and the servants served the dishes.

"Your Highness, you can just eat a little and leave the rest to me," Zenia whispered and winked at Vaughn, and she also flashed him a faint smile.

The newlyweds looked intimate that made Odette almost threw her cup on the floor. Zenia remained vigilant all throughout even though she was discussing something with Vaughn. Aside from the occasional cursing of the bunch of leechers, Zenia did not hear any devious plots. She knew that someone was shooting daggers at her, and she had a hunch that it was Princess Odette.

Everyone ate in silence. Zenia thought that it was another custom that must be followed at all costs. She tried her best to keep her mouth shut and did not ask anything to the Crown Prince.

When everyone had finished eating, the servants began to take away the used plates and utensils. The princes and princesses stood up one by one. The King and Queen led the party out of the Main Hall.

Vaughn and Zenia were walking behind the King and Queen. 

"Do we still need to go through another ceremony, custom, or tradition of your kingdom?" Zenia whispered to Vaughn.

"No, we are through for the day. We will go home now."

"For the day? You mean there are more ceremonies in the succeeding days?" Zenia's voice got a bit louder than necessary.

The Queen heard her and smiled, but the King did not like it. In the King's mind, Zenia should value their customs and traditions as a true Crown Princess of Tissuria. However, he could not reprimand Zenia outright. He knew how much Ovid doted on his daughter, and he did not want to touch Ovid's bottom line.

"Zenia, join me for a bit in my quarters." The Queen turned her head to Zenia and smiled.

Zenia looked at Vaughn who gave her a nod of approval.

"Yes, Your Majesty," she answered politely.