Chapter 98 - A Meeting with the King of Tissuria

"Crown Princess!" Grandpa called Zenia when he saw her silhouette.

"Gra… Teacher, how did you know that it's me?"

"I will always know it's you. That's my talent." The old man playfully winked at her.

"You have one heck of a talent. I guess I wouldn't be able to hide from you."

"You're not wearing your face veil?"

"As you can see, I am dressed as a guard no one will know. It's you who noticed it first." 

"Why are you here?"

"I want to exercise, but the men are already training. I guess I'll just go someplace else."

"Don't go outside the palace walls. It's dangerous."

"I know grandpa. I will not try to sneak out or that grandson of yours might throw a fit." Zenia chuckled.

The old man looked at Zenia and became serious.

"How is your relationship with him? Have you adjusted to your new life?"

"We are okay, I guess. I don't have any complaints. He takes care of me well and sees to it that I have everything I need."

The old man sighed and knew that there was something that Zenia was not quite satisfied. He had been around for so long. Most people around his age had gone already. Perhaps, he did something wrong in the past, and his punishment was to live longer than most men and witness how his clan would fall apart.

His only consolation was seeing his great-grandson doing so well and even managed to marry a wonderful woman. He could not predict the future, but he knew that his great-grandson would lose the woman that he loved dearly if he remained indecisive about confessing.

"Zenzen, do extend more patience when you are with my grandson. Whatever it is that you are not satisfied with, please give him more time to fulfill it. I know he is trying his best to meet your satisfaction."

Zenia looked at the old man and saw the eyes of someone who loved his grandson very much. She knew those loving eyes because she had seen them. In the end, she did not utter a word and just nodded her head.

When Zenia returned to their room, Vaughn was already eating his breakfast.

"Where did you go? Have you eaten?" Vaughn stood up and walked to her to give her a kiss on her forehead.

Zenia was used to it already. In fact, she would think that something might be wrong with the Crown Prince if he wouldn't try to hold her hand or kiss her on the forehead. The more intense form of a kiss – Zenia wouldn't allow it anymore. She had learned her lessons and knew how to fend herself from such a form of attack.

"I just went out. I would like to train my body. It feels stiff and less agile. Since I came here, I barely exercise. But your men are already using the training ground so early in the morning. I also had a chat with grandpa."

"What did you talk about with grand…pa?" Vaughn had yet to get accustomed to addressing his grandfather that way.

Zenia looked at him and decided not to divulge anything.

"Just things about his talent for recognizing people from a distance. Also, how capable he is in teaching things."

Vaughn was not convinced but let it slide. It was a beautiful morning, and he did not want anything to ruin it. Forcing Zenia to spill everything may only invite trouble.

* * * * * 

They reached the Main Hall on time. The King, Queen, and the Tissuria Ministers were there. Vaughn and Zenia looked at each other. They thought that it would only be a simple meeting with the King. 

"Greetings, Your Majesties." They both said in unison.

"My King, why did you summon us in front of the officials?" Vaughn did not hesitate to ask.

The King and Queen were smiling at them both. Although there was nothing wrong with the way they smiled at them, Zenia had an ominous feeling.

"We know that the Crown Princess may be very tired in attending the different banquets. She is not originally from Tissuria and may have been overwhelmed with our many customs and traditions. But, these customs and traditions should be honored by all means. We appreciate the efforts of the Crown Princess for doing her part," the King announced proudly, but Vaughn and Zenia had a hunch that there was something more behind it.

"Your Majesty, it is my duty as a member of the Royal Family to follow Tissuria's customs and traditions. The banquets that I have attended taught me a lot. I also had the privilege to get acquainted with some of the dignified figures of Tissuria who contributed a lot in making this kingdom better day by day."

The Ministers liked what Zenia had said. They immediately changed their opinion about the Crown Princess. She may not be as foolish as what the rumors said.

"We are glad that you think that way, Crown Princess. As a reward for your hard work, I am giving out a Royal Decree for you and the Crown Prince to go on a vacation for three weeks. All banquets shall be re-scheduled so you don't miss any of them."

The entire Main Hall was filled with the Ministers' murmurings. They had no idea why the King couldn't wait for the scheduled banquets to end before sending off the Crown Prince and Princess on their vacation.

"Isn't that honeymoon?" Zenia whispered to Vaughn.

"Honey what?"

"In Ishelon we call it a honeymoon. It is when the newlyweds go on a trip together as a sort of strengthening their bond. They would rarely go out once they have children. They should take the opportunity to explore while they still can without the little ones tugging at their clothes."

"Honeymoon… I like the sound of that." Vaughn grinned behind his mask.

Although Zenia could not see Vaughn's mischievous grin, she knew that he could be thinking something perverted. She wanted to smack his head but that would be inappropriate. Besides, she could only do atrocious things to him when they were alone. She did not want others to know that the Crown Prince was her slave.

She had known for a few days now that the Crown Prince was her pet and slave who would always be willing to do her bidding. Everything could have been fine if he would just confess already. Her patience was really running thin. 

"Can we ask for a rain check?"

"Rain what?!"

Zenia waved her hand in front of her face, "Never mind. Can't we postpone the trip until the end of the scheduled banquets? I'd feel more comfortable that way. After the hard work, comes the moment of pleasure."

"It's a Royal Decree. We must follow it at all costs. Otherwise, we could be sentenced to death?"

Zenia's eyes widened. "That's how Royal Decrees are treated in your Kingdom?"

Vaughn gave Zenia a puzzled look. "How do you treat Royal Decrees in Ishelon?"

"Of course we honor it, but they can't make me follow it if I don't want to…"

Zenia suddenly stopped speaking and turned to look at Vaughn, "Oops, the Crown Prince of Ishelon helped me a lot back then. He was always clinging to me when he was small and even called me Big Sister. He would often threaten King Jarod that he would not take the throne if the King would not retract the Royal Decree, which I did not want to follow. We just couldn't do anything about this political marriage because lives are at stake."

Vaughn no longer uttered a word. For the first time, he felt like he really did force Zenia to marry him. He did not even ask for her opinion and acted selfishly. But, it was the most effective way to tie her to him without inviting suspicions.

The confession that he was planning to do within the week was pushed back again. Hopefully, the  honeymoon  could bring them closer than ever.