Chapter 97 - Banquets Here, There, and Everywhere (Part 5)

The Left Minister could read the King like an open book. It was one of the reasons that he could easily get what he wanted from the King. If the Queen or the Crown Prince was not around the King, he could easily turn the King into a puppet ruler. He would not need to devise all sorts of plan to strip the title of Crown Prince from Vaughn. The pair of mother and son was the biggest obstacle in his plan.

"By the way, how is your health?"

"I still need more time to heal completely. I just have an important matter to discuss with you, my King, and I hope that you will grant me this simple favor."

"What is it?"

The Left Minister bowed his head. "My King, this humble servant would like to ask you to pass on a Royal Decree that will allow my niece, Verona Rocca, to enter the Crown Prince's harem."

King Tarendino looked at the Left Minister who had bowed his head. The King knew that the Left Minister wanted Verone to spy on Vaughn. He always trusted the Left Minister, and he did not suspect him even once.

Vaughn knew that for a fact. He knew that the King would not believe that the Left Minister was behind the plot of creating a misunderstanding between Tissuria and Ishelon. The Left Minister wouldn't stop unless he was executed. There was also the issue regarding the force that was backing him up.

They still need to find out the real reason why Damien and the masked man had decided to form an alliance. What was the masked man true agenda? Did he promise something to Damien?

"You are putting me on a tight spot, Left Minister. You know that the Crown prince hates to take in a second wife or a bunch of concubines."

"But Your Highness, he will soon become the King. There was never a King who had only one wife in the history of Tissuria."

"There was one – grandfather. He only loved one woman in his entire life and never took a concubine."

"It caused a problem later, didn't it? His only child died at a young age because he neglected him when the Queen died. He had no other choice but to designate one of his nephews to be the proper heir. Everything got chaotic as your father fought the others for the throne. Do you want the same thing to happen again?" The Left Minister purposely omitted the fact that King Tarendino killed his brothers to obtain the throne.

King Tarendino thought for a while, and the Left Minister knew that the King began to worry.

"Your Majesty, do you want to hear my suggestion?"

The King looked at the Left Minister, "Go ahead and let me hear it."

"Why don't you send the Crown Prince and Princess somewhere as a sort of vacation gift? You can do it after they attended a few more banquets. You can tell them, Your Majesty, that the Crown Princess must be tired of attending so many banquets. It is a sort of break."

"Hmm, that could work. I will issue the Royal Decree on the third day that they have been away."

* * * * *

The next few weeks became more hectic for Vaughn and Zenia. They were required to attend all the banquets, and Zenia got used to dressing up and putting on makeup. Her teacher kept reminding her that makeup could be considered as a woman's armor, weapon, and shield.

Every social gathering was no different from going to war. There would be scheming women, calculative men, and all sorts of people with their own personal agenda. There may come a time when someone would try to lift her veil and succeed. She shouldn't look shabby and must defeat them with her beauty.

Every night, Zenia and Vaughn would compare notes to know the people on the Crown Prince's side, those on the Ninth Prince's side, and those who prefer other princes.

Zenia knew that the other princes may seem quiet and uninterested, but they were secretly making their moves. They were already gathering their own people and slowly making some progress to strengthen their fortress.

"I don't think the Second Prince has any interest to fight for the throne, although he is a bit frivolous." Zenia gave her honest assessment to Vaughn.

"I know, and I already know that he is the real owner of the restaurant that we visited before. Remember the restaurant where you ordered a desserts sampler?"

Zenia just nodded her head in response to Vaughn's question.

"That's the restaurant. I received a secret message from him pledging his allegiance to me and admitting the ownership of the restaurant. He also extends his gratitude to you for giving him an idea for his restaurant. It's selling nicely."

"What idea is that?"

Vaughn flicked Zenia's forehead lightly, "The desserts sampler, of course."

"But, I thought they had… Oh, they did not have it but then you made me explain. Do you already know that the Second Prince owns the restaurant?"

"I have unverified information. I did not pursue it because we are busy. Speaking of which, while we were busy attending the banquets, the Left Minister already made his move to see the King."

"What did they talk about?"

"I am not quite sure, but we will know tomorrow. The King summoned us to the Main Hall."

"Okay, shall we go to sleep now?"

"I think we should." Vaughn was grinning, and Zenia saw it since he was wearing his half-mask.

"Right… It's your turn to put the divider and make sure to make it strong. It's for your own protection."

"I said I don't mind being kicked by you. Just let me hug you to sleep." He flashed a naughtier smile.

Zenia furrowed her brows. "Sometimes I really wonder where you got your brazenness."

She went to bed and covered her whole body – from head to foot – with a blanket. She knew that her cheeks had turned crimson from blushing too much.

* * * * *

"Grandfather what did you say to my father? I heard that he wants Vaughn and Zenia to meet him tomorrow. Does it something to do with what you discussed?"

"You can put it that way. I told the King to send the Crown Prince and Princess on a vacation. He can pass on a Royal Decree allowing Verone to enter Vaughn's harem. The foolish couple can not refuse Verone once they've returned."

"How about the people in the Palace of the Crown Prince? They may not give Verone some face."

"If they want to go against a Royal Decree, death is the only thing that awaits them."

"Verone should do her best to seduce Vaughn and have his child. That way, we can control Vaughn properly."

* * * * *

Zenia woke up at the break of dawn. Vaughn was still fast asleep. Her foot landed on Vaughn's mask once more. She lifted it slowly and shifted her position. She wanted to lift his half-mask but stopped at the last minute.

'When do you plan to tell me your secrets? I am getting impatient.'

She got up and decided to visit the training ground. She asked for a light meal and changed her clothes. Vaughn was still sleeping soundly when she left their room.

She walked out the door of the main residence and took the path leading to the training ground. She could hear the clashing and other sounds. She could even hear grandpa's voice from a distance. Everything seemed fine and in order. She looked up and saw the sun slowly peeking behind the thick clouds. She wished that every day would be peaceful, but she knew that it would take time before all of it could come true. She knew they were going to face turbulent times ahead.