Chapter 87 - An Explanation is not Necessary

After they finished their refreshments, the Baroness prepared to leave.

"I will go ahead, good day to you all." The Baroness made a slight bow and walked toward the main gate.

When the Baroness was no longer in sight, Vaughn immediately questioned the other two people.

"I can see that you two know each other – spill it, NOW!"

Zenia sighed and decided to explain everything when grandpa stopped her.

"Let me do it, lass."

"But, grandpa I am his wife after all."

Vaughn liked the sound of that.

'Wait… Grandpa? When did she become close to him?' Vaughn's face turned as dark as the bottom of the pot. 

The old man sighed, "Lass, it's like this… I am this brat's real grandfather."

"What?!"

"Spill it, grandfather, what happened? When did the two of you meet?" The anger in Vaughn's tone was obvious.

"You're using that kind of tone to me now? This brat!" The old man was huffing when he finished talking.

"Grandpa calm down." Zenia tried to appease the old man's anger.

"You don't need to do that…" Vaughn felt so angry, but he had no idea why.

"Your Highness, grandpa is already old. Please be gentle with him. I don't understand why you are angry." The old man got teary-eyed when he heard what Zenia had said.

'It's truly a blessing to have a caring and sensible granddaughter. Lass, I will be your honorary grandfather in case the divorce between the two of you is inevitable.'

Vaughn was getting more annoyed whenever Zenia showed concern for his grandfather. He should be happy, but he couldn't help it. Was he angry because his grandfather did not even bother informing him that he already met Zenia? He was not sure.

"I met him in Luna Inn, and he was the one who helped me while I'm there. He was working as a counter manager. He was already there when I arrived."

Somehow, Vaughn's anger had dissipated a bit.

"Someone else took you there?"

"Yes! How am I going to reach Lunaria on my own? It was a good thing that I met your grandfather. He made things easier for me. He was also the one who took care of my meals and lodging."

Vaughn finally calmed down. It was not his grandfather who took Zenia to Lunaria. Silence enveloped them. The old man somewhat understood his grandson's feelings. He could not deny that he was still a little  adventurous  for his age, but he would not put anyone in danger – at least that was what he intended.

"Now that everything has been cleared, let us go to where the weapons are." The old man did not wait for the couple and went ahead.

"Hey, are you still mad?" Whatever it was that made Vaughn react that way, Zenia knew that she was partly to blame.

Vaughn looked at her and did not say anything. He was not really angry at Zenia, but he couldn't seem to find the right words to say. He was angry at himself for not protecting her well. He thought she met his grandfather in Solaria, and it was his grandfather who really took Zenia to Lunaria. 

Now that everything had been cleared, he was relieved. He should apologize to his grandfather. He turned and walked away from Zenia. He did not think that Zenia might misunderstand his action.

In the end, Zenia could only sigh and hoped that whatever was bugging Vaughn would soon go away. She knew that she made the Crown Prince worry so much when she had decided to go to Lunaria. She followed the direction that the two men had taken and tried to catch up to the Crown Prince. Vaughn slowed down and made Zenia follow him at safe distance.

The old man was inspecting the different weapons, and he found them fascinating. In all his life, he had never seen such weapons that looked sophisticated yet easy to handle. He picked one and tried it.

'Hmm, the weight is just right and perfectly balanced.'

When Vaughn entered the hall, he saw his grandfather testing a weapon. Although he was advanced in age, he still looked strong and healthy. Most of the time, Vaughn forgot that his great grandfather was already too old due to this reason.

The old man felt his grandson's presence.

"Grandfather, just now I…"

"Vaughn, I understand why you feel that way. I also know that I sometimes go overboard with my adventurous personality . But, I will never ever cause harm to you or that lass. Besides, she's not weak at all. You may not want to hear this from me, but she's better than some of your men."

Vaughn sighed, "I know, but I can't help it. I always worry even if she's by my side. I want to give her everything, but I only dragged her into this mess. I know that I only put her life in danger."

"Then just let her go. You know that there are so many snakes in our Royal Family. They will come after you, and they will target her."

Vaughn looked at his grandfather and couldn't find anything to refute him. Should he really just let her go like what his grandfather suggested? He clenched his fist so hard that his fingernail scratched the skin of his palm.

"I cannot do that grandfather. I truly love my wife, and I will love her for as long as eternity permits it. I can give up everything but not Zenia."

The old man smiled. He liked the response of his foolish grandson. Just now, the old man already felt that Zenia was nearby. He also knew that Zenia had a sharp hearing.

Zenia stopped walking and seemed she had forgotten how to breathe. Her heart seemed to go berserk and her legs went soft. She saw a bench and walked there. She sat on the bench as she tried to calm down. It seemed like she heard something that she shouldn't have. She tried to get it off her mind, but she couldn't. 

'The Crown Prince loves me, the Crown Prince loves me… my husband loves me.' She smiled foolishly by herself.

"Don't you think that it's time for the two of you to sort things out? *Sigh*  I want to hold a grandchild in my arms and be the first great-great-grandfather in Tissuria to see and hold his great-great-grandchild." The old man grinned as he pictured a scene in his mind.

Vaughn's entire face turned red when he heard his grandfather's response and recalled what he just declared to him a moment ago. Even though it was the truth, he suddenly felt embarrassed for saying cheesy lines. He did not expect that he could utter something like that. He knew he was not the romantic type but just now… His face turned crimson all over again.

The old man knew that his foolish grandson's face should turn beet red. Ah… he wanted to remove that mask and see it for himself. He looked at Vaughn and walked to where he was. The old man was about to pull off the mask when his other hand prevented it. The old man struggled and couldn't decide whether to take off the mask or not, while Vaughn remained oblivious of what was happening.

In the end, the good grandfather defeated the adventurous old man. 

"You're wife is taking so long to get here. Why don't you take a look." The old man just wanted his grandson to stay away from him. 

'Go, before I change my mind and take off that darn mask.'

Vaughn looked around and did not find Zenia. He went out of the weapon shed and looked for his wife. He found her sitting on a bench and seemed to be catching her breath. He walked there in a hurry and feared that she might be injured.

"What happened?" Vaughn asked his wife as he looked for any signs of injury.

Zenia's face turned red when she heard him. It was indeed the same voice that she heard earlier. There was no doubt about it, and she blushed even more.

Vaughn panicked when he saw that Zenia's face was getting redder.

"Do you have a fever?" Vaughn touched Zenia's forehead.

Zenia held Vaughn's hand to stop him from what he was doing. Her heart couldn't take it anymore. She had a hunch that she would faint if he continued with his actions.

All that time, Zenia was holding Vaughn's hand, and she did not even notice. She was busy calming herself down.

Vaughn sighed and pulled out his hand from Zenia's hold and looked at her. Zenia was startled by his actions and looked up to him. The sun was radiating brightly and her eyes were blinded by the light. Vaughn lifted his mask and Zenia was so shocked that her whole body went numb.

Vaughn held Zenia's hand and pulled her close to him in one swift, gentle motion and did not hesitate to press his lips against hers and kissed her deeply. Zenia was lost in the sweet sensation and tenderness. Her husband was kissing her, and she couldn't help closing her eyes as she put her arms around him and savor the moment.

Vaughn deepened the kiss and time stood still for them.