Chapter 85 - Training, Training, and more Trainining (Part 1)

Zenia and Vaughn barely talked with each other over the past few days. They would eat their breakfast just like a normal married couple and dine together later in the day. It had been their normal routine to talk about their schedules and training progress. She already felt at ease whenever she was with the Crown Prince – it was like they had been together all their lives. 

She only met Big Brother Vaughn once, when she requested it from the Crown Prince. She just informed Big Brother Vaughn that they would go together to Lunaria for a mission. She would ask for him again when she finalized the plan. Ever since then, Zenia never met her Big Brother Vaughn nor seen his shadow around.

The familiar vibe that Zenia kept feeling whenever she was with the Crown Prince, along with her suspicions, had increased. She was not someone with a lot of patience, but she dared not disturb the peace between them as a married couple. Besides, there were more pressing matters that they must deal first. She kept telling herself that she would deal with that  one thing  that kept bothering her after they passed their current predicament.

"The obstacle training course that you designed was truly amazing. It was very basic yet our efficiency had risen almost abruptly. I also found a master that would teach us the lithe movement technique that you mentioned earlier." Vaughn informed Zenia over breakfast.

"That's good then. The Baroness taught me so many things, and she is a delightful lady to be with." Zenia smiled at Vaughn who was puzzled at what his wife had told him.

He knew that his old nanny was a good person, but being a delightful companion was not anywhere near her description. She had always been a fierce tigress when teaching. When did a tigress become a delightful companion?

Vaughn saw Zenia was smiling, and she did not seem to be making a sarcastic remark when she mentioned the Baroness. Vaughn's curiosity was triggered and decided to pay Zenia a visit during lunch.

"If you have time later, you may want to take a look at the weapons that you designed. I have some of them made already, and they are easy to handle. But, the weaponsmith cannot understand some of the weapons with intricate mechanisms. I will trouble the Crown Princess to accompany me and explain it to the weaponsmith tomorrow."

"Tomorrow might not be good. The Baroness is taking me to a shop to study the different types of glasses, utensils, and other things. She said that although we have them here, it's easier to view them from a shop. How about the day after tomorrow?"

Zenia had always wanted to visit the weaponsmith because she needed a mini-launcher for her poisoned needles. She already had the design, but she must create a prototype so she could make some adjustments. She was aiming for speed and precision.

"It's a date!" Vaughn gave Zenia a naughty smile that creeped her out.

"Crown Prince, the lithe movement master that you ordered to seek is waiting in the training ground." A guard informed Vaughn.

He stood up and kissed Zenia on her forehead before replacing his half mask with a full one. 

"Take a rest first after this. It's still early for your lessons." Vaughn reminded Zenia before he left the room.

Kissing her on the forehead or cheek, eating meals together, and holding her hand became usual that Zenia was no longer bothered by it. The simple display of affection brought joy to all the people in the Palace of the Crown Prince. 

Outside, everyone thought that the Crown Prince and Princess lived together as an estranged couple. They believed that the newlyweds were only compelled to play their part in the political marriage. 

Vaughn had finished  weeding  his palace of people who were easily blinded by money. Zenia was free to roam anywhere without her face veil. There were still times when Vaughn would personally put the face veil on Zenia without reason. Zenia got used to it and no longer question whatever weird actions he made. She just treated it as Vaughn having another  monthly period blues .

"Where is he?" Vaughn asked Redivo immediately as soon as he set foot on the training ground.

"He was waiting by the shed, Your Highness."

"Hmm, I will go there now." Vaughn walked to the direction that Redivo pointed.

Redivo got a feeling that he met the master before but couldn't remember when and where. He scratched his head as he walked away.

"Greetings, Master. I hope you did not wait too long for me." Vaughn politely greeted the Old Master who was looking at the different weapons.

"These are new weapons? I have never seen anything like them before. Where did you get them?"

"It was specially designed by a weapon master." Vaughn would not dare say that it was his wife who designed them.

The Old Master turned around quickly, "Could it be great-granddaughter-in-law?"

"Grandpa!" Vaughn recognized the old man immediately.

"Oh, crap! I thought I have a perfect disguise."

"What are you doing here?" Vaughn couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the Old Master.

"Isn't my disguise perfect? I learned this from granddaughter-in-law. This is really fun to do. I can imagine that brat Redivo's reaction when he finally learned that it's me in this disguise. I totally fooled him." The old man laughed so hard that tears formed in his eyes.

Vaughn had never seen his grandfather laughed like that and was glad that he seemed to be having a good time.

"Do you really know the lithe movement technique?" Vaughn asked his grandfather with mirth in his eyes.

The old man looked as his great-grandson with an annoyed look.

"No! I only know the basics."

Vaughn's heart suddenly sank.

"Why did you tell them that you're a master of the technique?"

The old man wanted to smack Vaughn's head, but his grandson was way taller than him.

"Hmph, do you think there's still someone in Tissuria who knows that technique? It's already fortunate that I know the basics."

"Zenia said they are still using it."

"Then find someone in Ishelon to teach you. Why don't you just ask your wife for help?"

Vaughn looked at his grandfather in disbelief. How can he ask Zenia to help him out when she was struggling with her lessons herself? If he could just turn down every invitation just to make things easier for his little devil, he would. But that would also mean earning the ire of the whole Tissuria. He did not want that to happen to Zenia either.

"I cannot burden her further. You know that she needs to learn the Royal etiquette before the series of banquets begin. She's always tired ever since the Baroness started teaching her."

"You let Baroness Munchefort teach her? That woman should have been a general in the army! My poor granddaughter-in-law must be suffering right now."