Chapter 108 - The Young Miss is Home

Ovid and Zander received the news of Zenia's return. Zander was about to go with Ovid when his father stopped him. Ovid told his son to continue training his men so they could get them ready at an earlier time. Zander understood his father's intention and no longer insisted.

Ovid was having mixed emotions while walking out of the training ground. He already imagined lots of possible reasons for the sudden return of his daughter. Zenia was never reckless. He wanted to gather his troop and march to Tissuria. Fortunately, he allowed his rationality to win over the foolishness of a doting father. 

Renaria ordered the kitchen to prepare some nourishing soup for Zenia. After drinking the soup, she personally helped Zenia changed into her nightdress.

"Mother, can you stay here for a bit?"

In Renaria's eyes, her daughter was still a little girl whom she held in her arms. She smiled and nodded. She joined Zenia in her bed and hugged her.

"Although I want to know the reason for your return, I will wait for you to tell it yourself. Rest now, you must be tired. You had a long journey." Renaria kissed her daughter's forehead and hugged her to sleep.

Renaria looked at the sleeping face of her daughter and sighed. She had seen traces of tears. She had a hunch that her daughter found out the truth about the real identity of the Crown Prince, who failed to reveal it himself. If he truly loved Zenia, he would fetch her right away and would not hesitate to disregard his title as a Crown Prince of Tissuria.

She really liked her son-in-law, but she was not certain about his way of thinking. She clearly saw how much he loved Zenia, but to what extent? She shook her head and saw that Zenia was breathing evenly. She looked peaceful as she continued to hug her mother tightly.

Ovid just arrived at the Anisen manor and asked the servants where Zenia was.

"Master, Madam is with the Young Miss right now in her bedroom."

Ovid nodded and went to Zenia's room. He was about to knock when he noticed that the door was open. He saw that Renaria was hugging Zenia who was already fast asleep.

He opened the door gently and walked to Zenia's bed. Renaria signaled him to keep quiet. Ovid looked at his daughter and saw the little girl that he used to hold in his arms. He touched her cheek gently. Zenia smiled and it warmed Ovid's heart. His little girl was still his little girl.

When Zenia loosened her hold to her mother, Renaria had decided to let her sleep alone. Ovid helped his wife to get away from their daughter. They tried to walk as quietly as possible as they walked out of the room. Zenia was sleeping soundly knowing that she was being protected by her family.

"Why did she come home? Did that brat do something to her? Is she injured? Were there any signs that she was mistreated?" Ovid was so anxious that she bombarded Renaria with questions.

Renaria used her finger to stop Ovid from asking too many questions.

"I still don't know what happened, but I don't think it's that bad. Why are you asking if your daughter was mistreated, don't you know her at all? If someone had to do any maltreatment, it should be your daughter."

Ovid sighed and seemed to realize that he was indeed worrying too much. In his estimate, his daughter might be stronger than the Crown Prince.

"Where is that brat? His wife is here, why did he not follow her?"

"Zenia came with Thunderbolt."

"So, what?"

"She came from Tissuria."

"So, wha… oh."

"It is possible that the brat you were looking for could be on his way here. It takes days for someone coming from Tissuria to reach the Anisen Manor. He might reach us in two or three days if he won't take a rest."

"Humph, he better not take a rest if he wants to get his wife back. It is better if he doesn't want to take my daughter back to that dreadful kingdom."

Renaria shook her head and stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to prepare you for something to eat. You are being unreasonable again. I bet you are hungry."

Just as Renaria finished her words, Ovid's stomach grumbled. She laughed, and Ovid blushed a bit.

"My wife still knows me the best."

Renaria kissed Ovid on his forehead before going to the kitchen.

* * * * *

Vaughn and Zenia's people in the villa began to get worried when the Crown Prince and Princess failed to return on the designated time. They had no other choice but to play their part in the play. The spies that the Ninth Prince had placed within the villa did not suspect anything.

Zekiah knew how to act like Zenia, and Ruvin knew Vaughn like the back of his hand. The only difference was they rarely spoke with each other. The people in the villa did not know that Vaughn and Zenia were always talking with each other back in the Palace of the Crown Prince. They thought that both parties were still reluctant to accept the fact that they were already husband and wife.

They both took their meal just like how Vaughn and Zenia usually took theirs, except, there were no talkies. They ate their meal silently, and Ruvin was cursing silently. It was too difficult for him to eat with an ugly wench.

Ruvin looked at Zekiah who sipped his tea elegantly, just like any normal young noble lady would. Ruvin thought Zekiah was a lovely woman, but he already saw Zenia in a man's clothing and did not like it at all. He shook his head, hoping to clear his mind. Why did he even think that the woman before him seemed lovely? He was just fascinated that she could drink and eat without removing her face veil.

Damien received a report that everything was fine in the Royal Villa and there was no suspicious activity. The Ninth Prince sneered and thought that he had everything under control.

* * * * *

Vaughn was experiencing some difficulties avoiding Damien's men. He knew that no one could recognize him, but he still needed to be cautious. A day had already passed, and he was already near Ishelon's border. He only rested for half an hour. Luckily, there were edible fruits on the trees that he recognized. It was the first time that he traveled without staying in an inn. It was a totally new experience, but it was exhilarating.

He was still nervous about his wife's reaction, but he was determined not to go back if he could not convince Zenia to go with him. He could imagine the looks on the faces of his in-laws. They may not allow him to take Zenia back, but their marriage was not simply a political one.

He married Zenia because he loved her, and he knew that he already occupied a significant part in Zenia's heart or at least that was what he wanted to believe.