Chapter 123 - Thank You, Mother-In-Law

Zenia was not able to finish what she was about to say when she suddenly fainted due to exhaustion. Vaughn was super quick on his feet and prevented Zenia from hitting the ground. Everyone was speechless when they witnessed the speed that Vaughn displayed to catch Zenia.

He smiled and carried Zenia to the Anisen manor. His exhaustion seemed to vanish into thin air as he carried his trophy that could only belong to the rightful winner of the rematch.

Vaughn sat on a chair near Zenia's bed. He was surprised that after a few minutes, he regained his strength and energy without taking an energizing tonic. His body was recovering on its own.

He looked at his hands, which were trembling before, and they looked fine. His body was no longer aching – his body was back to its original state before the rematch. He pinched his arm to check if he would feel pain.

Zander saw him and chuckled a bit, "The Cave of Fire did that to you. The military men of Ishelon went through that cave. The flame can purify the body and melt away any blockages in your nerves and arteries. It can help increase your stamina and strength. The more you train, the more benefits you get."

"Did Zenzen…"

"No, she did not go through the Cave of Fire. Men have different body constitutions from women. Only a man's body can withstand the Cave of Fire. Your stamina and strength will increase greatly. You will be able to increase your stamina and strength as you train your body. You already know the routine, do it every day and don't slack off when you are in Tissuria."

"I understand brother-in-law."

Vaughn already knew the thing about the Cave of Fire. He wanted to ask whether Zenia knew the effect of the Cave of Fire. He decided to keep his mouth shut when Zander began his explanation.

"I hope you will take good care of Zenzen. I will leave her in your care. She could be a little too much sometimes, but she will never abandon you."

Zander tapped Vaughn's shoulder and left the room.

Vaughn looked at the exhausted face of his wife. He still could not believe that he was able to defeat her. He wondered if he could still defeat her if he would face her head on and did not keep running.

He knew that Zenia was good, but he never thought that she was great. He was truly blessed to have a wife like his little devil. He kissed her lips and smiled. She remained oblivious of her surroundings. Vaughn kept watching over her as he sat on the chair while holding her hand. He did not notice when he had dozed off.

Renaria and Ovid went together to check on Zenia and saw that Vaughn fell asleep on the chair while holding his wife's hand. They looked at each other and smiled. They gently closed the door and walked to the direction of the garden.

* * * * *

It was already late in the afternoon when Vaughn woke up. He looked at Zenia and saw that she was still sleeping soundly. She was snoring lightly. 

He stood up and gently walked out of the room. He closed the door behind him and looked for Renaria. Ovid and Zander were nowhere in sight. They were summoned by King Jarod and left immediately.

"Mother-in-law, let me help you with that," he said quickly as he helped Renaria with the box that she was carrying.

"Thank you, dear. I just need to put that in the training hall."

They headed to the training hall. Vaughn was looking for Renaria earlier to thank her for everything that she had done for him. He knew that he got the strongest backer in the Anisen household. He did not know the number of good deeds that he made in his past life that he had able to acquire the favor of the most influential figure in the Anisen Manor. Even his little devil would not be able to go against her mother.

After putting the box in its proper place, Vaughn bowed his head to renaria who was startled at her son-in-law's action.

"Mother, this son-in-law can't thank you enough for helping me win my wife back." He lifted his head and looked at his mother-in-law.

Renaria smile at him warmly. "Zenzen is fortunate to have you as her husband. She could be a little too much sometimes, but she will never abandon you. I hope you will not abandon her too."

Vaughn was surprised that his mother-in-law spoke the same line that Zander had given him earlier. He could no longer imagine the things that Zenia had done in the past and how little was the  little too much  they spoke of.  

"I promise that I will cherish and love her for as long as I live."

"I know that it is inevitable for you to have some concubines. Please understand Zenzen when…"

"Rest assured, Mother, that I will never touch other women even though they may fill my harem. I will only have Zenzen as my wife and the mother of my children."

"I believe you, but what I'm trying to say is please understand Zenzen when she goes berserk and starts cutting those women. My daughter is no pushover. I fear for the lives of those women more than my daughter. No one would be able to scheme against her. On the contrary, Zenzen might be the one who will do the bullying."

"She can bully them to her heart's content, and I will support her. I will never let those women complain. I will even cut their tongues when they start complaining." Vaughn grinned, which made Renaria shudder.

She shook her head and pitied those women who would join Vaughn's harem.

* * * * *

When Zenia woke up, she was all alone in the room. She looked at the window and saw that it was getting dark.

'How long have I slept?'

Even though she was defeated by her husband, she did not feel bad. 

'Father and Big Brother taught him really well. He improved so much considering the limited time he spent on his training.'

She was proud of her husband. She walked to her window and looked around the manor. She had no idea when she could see the entirety of the Anisen Manor again. She knew that Vaughn loved her and wouldn't allow the divorce, which was already far from her mind.

Vaughn entered her room and saw her looking out her window.

"When did you wake up?" Vaughn walked to her and hugged her as he put his arms around her waist.

"I just woke up." Zenia did not move from her spot.

"I'm sorry… I will never ever lie to you again."

Zenia did not expect that Vaughn would still say sorry to her.

"I believe you." Zenia held one of Vaughn's hand as she gave him a reply.

"What are you looking at?"

"The manor. I am imprinting it in my head. It may take a long time before I can visit again."

"We can visit as often as you want."

Zenia turned her head to look at Vaughn.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Even once a month?"

"Even for two to three days a month."

She gave him a quick peck on the lips and looked out the window again.

"I can settle for once a year, and we stay here for a week. Is that okay?"

"I will follow whatever arrangement you have in mind."

They stayed like that for a while and wished that it would be the start of the good old days. But, they knew it was far from the truth.