Chapter 92 - Ready for the Banquet

After visiting Vaughn's great-grandmother's graveyard, Zenia did not feel like returning to the restaurant. She had a hunch that Vaughn's melancholy must have something to do with his grandmother. She wanted to console him by telling him things, but she decided that it must be best to leave him alone for a while.

Vaughn did not insist on going back to the restaurant for their lunch. They boarded the carriage and instructed the coachman to head back to the Palace of the Crown Prince. He took Zenia to visit his great-grandmother to present her and for him to strengthen his resolve. Zenia promised to help him and that was good enough for him to continue with his plan.

The journey back was quiet and peaceful. Vaughn held Zenia's hand more tightly than before. Zenia thought that Vaughn was trying to suppress his tears from falling. She knew that there were times when men also had to cry. She had seen Zander and Zekiah shed tears whenever she unintentionally mutilated their favorite things.

"Your Highness, would you like to lie down for a bit? I will call you when lunch is ready."

"I'm not really hungry."

"But you did not even try the sampler at the restaurant. I admit that I am still full from eating all of those desserts."

"I'm not really hungry. We can ask for the meal later. Accompany me to sleep." Vaughn was only teasing Zenia when he said that.

"Okay."

Vaughn was surprised for getting such a response from Zenia. He was expecting that she would reject the invitation. She should not blame him in case he could not control himself.

"I still need to modify something in one of my designs. You can sleep while I watch over you. I will move the desk right beside the bed so you can sleep without worries."

He knew he should not have expected something. On the other hand, he would be suspicious when Zenia did not give him that follow-up response. He closed his eyes knowing that Zenia was right there by his side. As he recalled everything that transpired that day, he felt that a heavy burden was lifted when Zenia made that promise to his grandmother.

* * * * *

Damien and the Left Minister had gathered information regarding the relationship between the Crown Prince and Princess. According to the last remaining spy that they planted in the Palace of the Crown Prince, all the servants were saying that the affection between them was just for show. It was a political marriage after all.

"Grandfather, you can easily persuade the King to accept Verone as Vaughn's second wife. With Verone's ability, she should be able to capture Vaughn's heart and control him. Once she controls him, it would bring us a great advantage." Damien was ecstatic and already counting his chickens before they hatch.

The Left Minister's face darkened. His foolish grandson was already elated without thinking about possible consequences or turn of events. It was no wonder he kept failing even though he had a great mind. He only looked at the present and did not bother about future consequences.

"Lately, I am beginning to doubt Verone's loyalty to us. She could be planning something behind our backs. Did you check the identity of the man that she met in Solaria? I heard that she was aiming at that man. What if they meet again?"

Damien smirked. "I already checked it out, and the man came in with his wife. From what I gathered, that man was totally in love with his wife and did not even spare Verone a glance. We don't need to bother ourselves with that man."

"That's good to know. You should double the threat that her family receives so they will be the one to beg her not to do something stupid. Otherwise, she might ask help from Vaughn and turn against us."

"I understand, grandfather. Rest assured that I will do everything to put Verone in Vaughn's harem and to obey us."

The Left Minister looked at Damien. This grandson had a face similar to that of Concubine Jayda, but the King was resolute in bestowing the title of Crown Prince to Vaughn who was the legitimate son of the King and Queen. He knew that the King still feared the strong family backing of the Queen.

Even though he put Damien at the Queen's side and became her adopted child, the Queen only had eyes on her son. She did not even spare Princess Odette a glance. She even told the King to prepare a separate residence for Odette. 

"How confident are you in pursuing a woman?"

"What do you mean grandfather?"

"Don't you want to make the Crown Princess fall in love with you? I'm sure that the Crown Prince won't mind if you get close to his wife."

"Grandfather, if you are joking, it's not funny. How can I be with such an ugly wench?"

"Who says you're going to be with her?"

"What do you mean?"

"Make her fall in love with you and let her make the first move to give herself to you. That way, Vaughn or the King will not blame you in case they find out. I heard that Ovid Anisen dotes on her too much. You can tell her not to let the Crown Prince know and let her convince her father to support you."

Damien looked at his grandfather and couldn't find the right words to refute.

* * * * *

Zenia and the Baroness wrapped up the lessons and decided to test it out. They called in Vaughn to practice. It was not perfect, but Zenia had everything covered. She learned the things she must do whenever someone was trying to provoke or humiliate her in the banquet. Vaughn had a duty to mingle with other nobles and people of influence. There would be times when Zenia must be left all alone.

"Do you understand, Zenia?" The Baroness asked gently, which startled Vaughn.

The nanny that he knew did not show her gentle side to him. How come she was like that with Zenia? After being together with Zenia for a number of days, the Baroness had a good grasp of Zenia's personality.

"Yes, I understand. If I can't stand it anymore, I will just secretly stab them with my dagger." Zenia declared proudly as if she did not say something outrageous.

Vaughn and the Baroness looked at each other. 'Lord, have mercy on us.'