Chapter 83 - Learning from the Royal Etiquette Teacher

Vaughn learned from his steward that Baroness Munchefort had arrived. He grinned. His old nanny was rather strict with him when he was still a child. As husband and wife, Zenia should also taste the hardsh.i.p.s that he went through in the hands of his old nanny. But, due to that, he grew up really well. Zenia should be able to learn Tissuria's Royal etiquette in a matter of time.

The seemingly endless banquets should begin next week or after two weeks. The Baroness had to teach Zenia so many things and turn her into a true-blooded Crown Princess of Tissuria. The Baroness knew that the customs and traditions of Tissuria and Ishelon were very different from each other. To put it bluntly, the two kingdoms were polar opposites.

It was a good thing that Zenia had traveled almost the entire Maecaea. She learned that different kingdoms follow different customs and traditions. Some kingdoms had so few and some, like Tissuria, had lots of them. Ishelon had only a few traditions and customs.

"So dear, when do you wish to begin our lessons?" The Baroness was still holding Zenia's hand and still smiling so warmly.

Zenia felt that she just found herself a grandma. She never experienced spending some time with her grandmother since they rarely visited their relatives. As a matter of fact, she rarely interacted with her relatives. There was an unresolved issue between the Anisens and Lutherias. To avoid further misunderstandings, her mother and father had decided to visit either family on occasion until they no longer did. 

Zenia was not close to any female cousins on either side. She was content to only have her brothers with her all the time. Besides, she was already busy learning martial arts at such a young age that she had no time to bother with making friends with other girls her age. She also thought they were annoying, just like what Big Brother told her.

'My adorable Zenzen, don't be like them. Don't go with them when they try to drag you with them. They will only talk about boys all the time, so annoying.'

When she turned thirteen, Zenia knew that most of the older girls only wanted to befriend her because of her Big Brother. Some of them were brazen enough to make her deliver their letters to her Big Brother. The younger Zenia would not hesitate to do it for them, but they were required to pay her a fee. They did not think twice and handed her the fee.

She knew that her Big Brother hated those types of girls. But, she accepted their fees and must deliver the letters to her Big Brother. The young Zenia put the letters inside Zander's locker, which he rarely visited. In Zenia's mind, she already fulfilled her end of the bargain. It wouldn't be her fault if her Big Brother did not see the letters.

"I'd like to start right away, Baroness. I'm afraid that I may not be able to memorize all of them if we delay any further. I heard that there are different sets of rules to be followed for different types of gathering."

"Hmm, that is true." The Baroness began walking with Zenia toward the desk.

They each pulled out a chair and sat. Zenia ordered the maid to bring in some refreshments that the Baroness would like to have.

The Baroness continued, "Although there are so many of them, there is a way to get out of an awkward situation or when someone is trying to make things difficult for you."

"What can I do, Baroness?" Zenia's eyes sparkled when she heard that.

The Baroness looked at her and gave her an impish smile.

"Just think of any reason that includes the Crown Prince. Most of the Royals don't really want to have the Crown Prince in their banquets. But, they need the power and protection of the Crown Prince to secure their positions or go higher."

"The position of the Crown Prince is that powerful?"

"He is to become the next ruler of the kingdom, why wouldn't the position of the Crown Prince hold so much power?"

"There is still a possibility to change the Crown Prince, right?"

The Baroness looked at Zenia in disbelief. "You did not do your research before you got married, did you?"

Zenia shook her head while looking at the Baroness. The Crown Prince's old nanny could only sigh.

"When a Crown Prince of Tissuria marries a wife, his position is totally secured. You may not notice this, but any prince of this kingdom can take in as many concubines as he wants but can only marry one wife."

"But the Left Minister was trying to make his niece the Crown Prince's second wife before and even wants to be married first."

"Hosh posh, the second wife is always as good as a concubine. The position of a second wife is nothing but a name to give some face. Long before Prince Vaughn was born, many kingdoms sent their princesses to be married to the current Crown Prince of Tissuria at the time. The war in other kingdoms never ceases and all of them wanted a strong ally in Tissuria. Well, Ishelon had always been indifferent and the monarchs there don't have loose morals. Even the current King of Ishelon doesn't keep too many concubines and remains loyal to the Queen of Ishelon."

"But a loyal husband should only have one wife." Zenia murmured to herself, but the Baroness heard it clearly.

Although the Baroness may seem old, her hearing ability was still superb. Her eyesight may be bad, but her hearing remained as sharp as before. Even she was baffled because she knew that once the eyesight had gone bad, it would be difficult to hear clearly.

"Crown Princess, don't you want to stay in your current position and become the next Queen of Tissuria later?"

Zenia gave the Baroness a puzzled look. She should be aware that the marriage between her and the Crown Prince was nothing but a show. It was nothing more than a mission for her.

"Baroness, you should know the real reason for this marriage. Besides, I am not someone who needs power and position to accomplish my goals or gain riches beyond compare."

After talking with Zenia for a while, the Baroness had a clear assessment of her personality. It was no wonder that the Crown Prince was determined to marry her. She knew what happened to the Crown Prince when he visited Ishelon when he was only ten years old. She also knew about the mischievous little girl named Zenia at the time. 

"Crown Princess, you may not believe me but this marriage means everything to the Crown Prince. All I can say for now is that he really means well and will not treat you unfairly."

The Baroness gave Zenia another pat on her hand and smiled at her. Zenia saw the sadness in the Baroness' eyes. She was smiling, but her heart seemed like it was breaking. She wondered why but couldn't find an answer.

"I know he will always treat me well. In these past few days that we have been together, I think I know him better now."

"That is good then. Please give the Crown Prince a chance to prove his worth. I hope that the Crown Princess won't ignore the effort of the Crown Prince. I will tell you more about the Crown Prince some other time. We can begin our lessons now."

Zenia liked the Baroness very much but the things she was telling her now seemed to be a cryptic message that she should try to crack. She shook her head slightly and paid attention to the lesson.