Chapter 70 - Spending Some Time with Daughter-In-Law

Odette saw how the Queen treated Zenia. In her eyes, the Queen seemed to treat Zenia way more nicely than her. She was the Queen's adopted daughter, but the Queen did not show her the same affectionate gesture that she had been sending Zenia. Was it because she was a daughter of a concubine that the King favored the most?

Damien and Odette knew that the Queen only adopted them due to the King's order, which was influenced by the Left Minister. Damien even felt the strong hostility from Vaughn. For years, he tried to win the hearts of the Queen and his son. But, he failed. From then on, the Left Minister's affection toward him began to wane.

He learned that Vaughn even told his mother not to adopt them at the time. However, Queen Mina could do nothing but obey the King's order. Declining the King's order may also affect the Queen's maternal family. She had no choice.

The Queen asked her son to exercise tolerance when dealing with Concubine Jayda's children. Vaughn was forced to look after Odette who kept on clinging to him when they were young. After spending some time with Odette, Vaughn would often order his servants to burn his garments that the young princess had touched. He had always despised the girl, especially when he heard the rumors that she had romantic feelings toward him.

Odette was the one who kept forcing those Crown Princess candidates to withdraw. Some even disappeared without a trace. Vaughn and his subordinates knew that the Left Minister and Damien were helping Odette, but they had no concrete evidence.

All of King Tarendino's sons were given their own residence when they turned thirteen. The princesses usually stay with their mothers until they turned eighteen. The princesses with the same mother should stay together in one palace. Only the princes had the privilege to have their individual palace. 

On Odette's 16th birthday, Queen Mina had decided to let her have her own place. The Queen told the King that her obligations in raising Concubine Jayda's children had already been fulfilled. There was no more reason for her to keep looking after a grown woman. The Queen knew that the Left Minister wanted Odette to stay in her residence to spy on her.

When Odette learned about the political marriage between Vaughn and Zeniam she went berserk and almost destroyed her place. Nothing could quell her anger. It was the Left Minister who was able to subdue her when he told her that she still could marry Vaughn.

Right now, Odette wanted to tear off the veil that was covering Zenia's face and reveal the ugly monster that was hiding behind it. Her hatred toward the Queen had gone two notches higher when she saw how the Queen pulled Zenia along with her as they headed to the Queen's quarters.

"Vaughn, I will be bringing my daughter-in-law along and fetch her later."

The Queen dragged Zenia with her and left her son in a daze. Even the King was surprised at the demeanor of the Queen. They were almost running and disappeared quickly in front of everyone. The Queen continued to pull Zenia along and did not slow down even when they were about to reach the garden in the Queen's quarters.

"My Queen, let us slow down a bit. You might…" Zenia was not able to finish what she was about to say when the Queen tripped.

Zenia caught the Queen's body with one hand and prevented her from hitting the ground. Queen Mina's heart was beating so fast that she felt like it was going to jump right out of her ribcage.

Zenia practically lifted the Queen up and let her stand on her own. Queen Mina looked at her daughter-in-law and couldn't believe that such a slender body was packed with so much strength. On top of that, she was a young woman from a prominent family. Didn't they say that the daughter of the Anisen family was a good-for-nothing?

"Thank you, daughter-in-law. I might have a scarred face already if not for your help." The Queen gave Zenia a faint smile.

Zenia suddenly realized that she may have just revealed something to the Queen that she should not know yet.

"M-my Queen, the incident just now…"

"Shh," the Queen put her finger in front of Zenia's lips and stopped her from talking further. "My son must've his reasons for not revealing anything to me. Let us keep it that way."

"Thank you, my Queen."

"Call me mother, Zenzen. When we are all alone I will call you Zenzen and you can call me mother, can you do that?"

Zenia was a bit confused but nodded to what the Queen just said.

"I can do that… mother." Zenia blushed a bit.

The Queen liked her daughter-in-law more and more. Her son was truly amazing in spotting a rare gem.

The Queen invited Zenia to sit and have the servants serve some herbal concoction that can aid digestion. The servants could see that the Queen and Crown Princess had a harmonious relationship.

After delivering the things that the Queen had asked, she immediately dismissed the servants. The Queen started to narrate the things that Vaughn had done during his younger years – from infancy to the present. Of course, the Queen intentionally omitted some parts that Zenia should not know. It would be up to his son whether to tell them to his wife or not.

Zenia enjoyed the company of the Queen. She had some similarities with the main boss of the Anisen household.

"Mother, can I go see you whenever I feel like it?"

The Queen felt so happy when she heard it.

"Of course, Zenzen. I would love to always have you here with me."

Zenia told the Queen a little something about her younger years, and the Queen laughed at her crazy adventures. Zenia deliberately skipped the parts where she met the young Big Brother Vaughn and what she did to him. The Queen never had such a delightful conversation before. She had decided to pay the Palace of the Crown Prince a visit from that point onwards whenever she felt like she wanted to drop by. Her son wouldn't be able to refuse her once she visited unannounced.

"Now that we are all alone here, I hope you can grant me this small request." The Queen gave Zenia a meaningful smile.

"What is it, mother?" Zenia tried to sound calm, but she had a hunch that the Queen might ask for something outrageous.

"May I see your face?"