Chapter 101 - Zekiah, the Old Man, and the Royal Apothecary

Redivo led Zekiah to the training ground that Zenia had designed. He recognized it quickly since the design was almost identical with the one that the military men of Ishelon were using.

Grandpa saw Redivo and Zekiah, and he mistook Zekiah for Zenia in disguise. Redivo already knew that the master that they found was actually Vaughn's great-grandfather.

Grandpa went closer to Zekiah and whispered, "Lass, your disguise is getting better and better. You really do look like a man today. You seemed to be a bit taller than usual too."

Zekiah looked at the old man and knew that he was Zenia's comrade.

"Grandpa, you must be mistaken. I am Zekiah Anisen, Zenia's younger brother."

The old man looked at Zekiah and circled around him as if looking for a flaw in his disguise. Redivo was trying to suppress his laughter. He finally got even with the old man.

The old man slapped Zekiah's butt and was surprised.

"You're really a man! My goodness, you look exactly like her. It's no wonder you two were able to pull your pranks so well."

The old man let out a hearty laughter. Zekiah touched his butt and could not understand how the old man was able to verify his gender by slapping his butt.

'Is it a sort of technique that people in Tissuria use? How can they know?'

"Master, please don't put the Young Master in an awkward position."

"Good day, grandpa. You must be someone that Zenzen trusts. Otherwise, she won't reveal anything to you." Zekiah believed that the old man was someone he could also trust.

"Ah, this lad I like you too very much. I will make you my honorary great-grandson." The old man held Zekiah by his chin and turned his head on the left and then on the other side.

"What is it, grandpa?" Zekiah was puzzled at the old man's action, but he did not find it annoying.

"Now I know how to tell you two apart when you are both in disguise." The old man leaned on Zekiah and whispered in his ear, "I bet this Redivo could not tell you apart."

The old man winked at Zekiah before he left.

"Sir Redivo, how old is great-grandpa?"

"Young Master Zekiah, he is much older than you think. I believe you can say that he is already an ancient one – a devil incarnate."

Redivo trod the path that the old man went, and Zekiah followed behind. He was amused and smiling silly while walking.

'Staying here won't be so bad at all, yup, not so bad at all.'

* * * * *

The Crown Prince finally convinced Zenia to go to the Royal Apothecary. How? He told her that he could take her to the inner section of the Apothecary where all the plants were cultivated. The Head Pharmacist may know the other plants that she had been searching for.

Vaughn was ecstatic when Zenia finally agreed to go together with him. It wouldn't be long and the thing that he was worried the most would be resolved.

Vaughn and Zenia used an ordinary-looking carriage to avoid attracting attention. Zekiah spent his time with grandpa and Redivo. Damien and his men were busy plotting the station of each man to monitor the movement of the Crown Prince when they depart in two days.

When they reached the Royal Apothecary, Zenia could not believe how huge it was. The Royal Apothecary building was probably the biggest building that she had seen, aside from the palaces of the different kingdoms that she had visited.

"How many plants do you store in there?"

"More than you imagine."

Vaughn took Zenia's hand and led her to the main entrance of the apothecary. The people there were especially grateful to Vaughn because most of the rare and hard-to-find plants that they were cultivating were given by the Crown Prince.

They kept walking until they reached the huge, messy office of the Head Pharmacist who was practically concealed behind the tall piles of books on his desk. He got up and walked toward Zenia and Vaughn.

"Greetings, Your Highness. What brings you here?" The Head Pharmacist welcomed Vaughn.

He saw Zenia and asked, "Your Highness, this young lady is…"

Vaughn glared at him. "She is my wife, the Crown Princess. You do remember that I recently got married, don't you?"

The Head Pharmacist gasped and immediately kneeled before Zenia.

"I am so, so sorry Crown Princess. Forgive my impudence." The Head Pharmacist began slapping his face.

"Kind sir, don't do that," Zenia immediately reached out her hands to stop him, but Vaughn beat her to it.

"Up you go." Vaughn yanked the Head Pharmacist by pulling up his collar.

"Your Highness, did I just miss your wedding day?"

"What do you think?"

"Excuse us, Crown Princess." The Head Pharmacist pulled Vaughn in a corner far away from Zenia.

He took Vaughn to his private stash of new medicines and handed a small vial to him. He grinned sheepishly at Vaughn.

"Your Highness, you just need to mix three drops of this potion in the Crown Princess' drink and the effect is guaranteed. This is my wedding gift to you," he giggled like a giddy young lady.

"What is this?"

The Head Pharmacist whispered, "It's a potent aphrodisiac that I concocted as a gift for you. I'm sure you haven't spent your first night yet. Enjoy."

Vaughn stiffened on his spot as the Head Pharmacist returned to where Zenia was standing.

"Ah, Crown Princess, let me introduce myself. I am Lewis Cordove, the Head Pharmacist of Tissuria."

"Cordove? Are you related to the Defense Minister?"

Vaughn suddenly got back to his senses when he heard Zenia mentioned the Defense Minister. He kept the vial in his inner pocket before returning to Zenia's side.

"He is my uncle."

"Your surname is Cordove? Why didn't I know that?"

"Because, Your Highness, you've always called me Head Pharmacist."

Zenia could no longer hold it in and laughed loudly.

"Good sir, do you have other relatives who work with the Royal Family?" Zenia had a hunch why Vaughn did not call the Cordove uncle and nephew by their names.

"My Uncle Liam Cordove is the Minister of Finance, my cousin Rudolf Cordove is the Head Palace Guard, my grandfather was once the Chief Judge, and…"

"Please stop, Head Pharmacist. I get it now, Your Highness. You must have changed their names into their designated positions so you wouldn't forget their roles. There are so many Cordoves with distinguished positions."

Vaughn and Lewis looked at each other.

"It seems that the mystery behind Your Highness' manner of calling the Cordoves' names has been solved. I salute you, Crown Princess." Lewis gave Zenia a dazzling smile, which was a bit less annoying than the Marquis.

"Thank you, Head Pharmacist."

Vaughn pulled Zenia gently behind his back.

"Don't do that."

"Don't do what, Your Highness?"

"Don't smile like that, it gives me the creeps. Your smile is quite similar to Marquis Vermont."

"He is also my uncle. He is my mother's brother."

Vaughn looked at Lewis and felt like he should begin hating him. He wondered if he could find a replacement for the Head Pharmacist position.

"Head Pharmacist…"

"You may call me Lewis, Your Highness."

"I'd rather not, Head Pharmacist. My husband might get confused. I will address you in the same way as he addresses you."

Vaughn felt warm inside. His wife was so considerate.

Lewis shrugged his shoulders, "It's also fine with me since the Crown Prince is the only person that I usually talk to. I sometimes forget my own name."

Zenia rolled her eyes. "Anyway, we came here today to ask you if you have poisonous plants in here."

Lewis turned white when he heard what Zenia was looking for.