Chapter 133 - The Room

When Vaughn and Zenia returned, Vaughn told the steward to send in their meal. Zenia was already starving. She had no idea that the villa was so huge. It was only slightly smaller than the Palace of the Crown Prince.

Vaughn closed the door after the servants had left. He removed his mask and Zenia untied her face veil. Vaughn was feeling extremely happy at the turn of events. He always thought that he would always wear his half-mask whenever he and Zenia would have a meal. It was a good thing that he had finally surpassed that nightmarish episode in his life.

He looked at Zenia while she was eating, and she looked so happy. The dishes must have been to her liking. He should give a bonus to Ruvin once they had returned. Having a meal with his wife had always been one of his happiest moments. Spending time with her, talking, strolling, exploring, visiting restaurants, and sword fighting with her were included in his happiest moments. As he thought about it, his happiest moments had always been with Zenia. His plan to abolish Tissuria's unreasonable customs and traditions became stronger than ever.

"Why aren't you eating?" Zenia put some pieces of meat in Vaughn's plate. "They are delicious, you should try them."

He shook his head. He realized that the only time that he could see her so happy was when she was eating. His little devil was a foodie to the core. He heard that she could make a delicious meal. He wondered when would he be able to sample her cooking.

Vaughn ate the meat that Zenia gave, "It is good."

They talked about lots of things during their meal, except their hunch regarding the Royal Decree. Zenia had no plan to ruin her appetite and did not want to discuss Verone and everything that could be happening in the capital.

Vaughn felt warm inside. The most delicious meal that he had ever tasted had always been the ones he shared with his wife. Zenia was lively even when eating. She would always recount her highly mischievous days. Vaughn never got tired listening to her stories of great adventures and pranks.

He wished that nights like this would last forever, but he knew that it would end sooner than expected. They must return to the capital, and they should start their journey tomorrow. It would take at least a week to reach the capital if they would follow the usual route.

It would be much faster if they use Thunderbolt. But, they could attract too much attention. Luckily, there was an underground tunnel in Gretia that could lead them back to the capital in two or three days. The tunnel was built by Ruvin's family and they had always been the ones who could use it. The tunnel was huge enough to let an enormous carriage passed through without trouble. No one in Tissuria, except Vaughn and his loyal men, knew the tunnel.

"Let's finish up and discuss our trip for tomorrow."

"Hmm."

* * * * *     

It was the longest wait that Jorick had endured for as long as he could remember. He would not dare sneak into the room of the couple if he did not want to confirm something. He knew that he could still recover his lost memory and hoped that it would be soon.

He stealthily made his way to the room and carefully inserted the key to the keyhole in the doorknob and turned it. He slowly opened the door and was startled by the sight that unfolded before his eyes.

The room was a complete mess. Someone turned the bed upside-down. The drawers were left open. The couple did not bring anything along. The drawers and cabinets were empty. He remembered the manager mentioned before that the couple did not have any belongings when they arrived. They even made him buy them some change of clothes.

He looked at the window and saw that it was wide opened. The burglar must have gone through the window to enter and escape. What were they looking for? Judging from the mess, the couple did not have anything with them. If not for the fact that they paid in advance to book the room for a few more days, he would have thought that they had left already.

'Should I report this to the manager? He might question me what I'm doing here at this hour.'

Jorick shook his head and decided not to tell anything. He did not even bother closing the window. He came and left without touching anything, except the doorknob. He was left facing another dead end. Somehow, he began to doubt the promise of the Ninth Prince about finding his family and recovering his lost memory. But, he still kept convincing himself that the Ninth Prince would never renege on his promise. Now, he was just giving the Ninth Prince a hand in finding his family and identity.

'Yes, that is how I should think. I am helping my benefactor who is also helping me recover my memory.'

He had a bitter smile on his lips as he walked to the direction of the kitchen.

After Jorick left the room, two shadows emerged from behind the cabinet. Jorick did not bother checking anywhere for fear of moving something that he shouldn't. The two shadows belonged to Duke Gordon and Rodham. The loyal attendant was already holding a dagger ready to slit the throat of anyone who could have seen them.

"What do you think Young Duke?"

"I doubt if they will return. Those two are truly mysterious, and I can tell that they are not merchants."

"Why did they come here?"

"Who knows? I can't even read their moves."

* * * * *

Redivo received a report that the King was furious when he learned that Verone was being blocked by the people of the Crown Prince from entering the palace. Redivo had a hunch that the Left Minister or the Ninth Prince said something outrageous that made the King angry.

He already received a message from Ruvin that they were staying at their family villa. They did not see any spies or secret guards of the Ninth Prince. Ruvin had no idea for how long they would be staying there. He did not tell Redivo that Vaughn and Zenia were not with them. Ruvin sent the message a day before Vaughn and Zenia finally joined them.

When Redivo received the message from Ruvin, he had decided not to send a reply. He was uncertain if he made the right decision or not, considering the sudden turn of events. It would be too late to inform them that Verone might arrive anytime soon.   

"Master, what should we do now? What if Ms. Verone comes tomorrow?"

The old man's face darkened. He knew that there was nothing more they could do once Verone reached the gates of Vaughn's palace.

'Reached the gates…'

An idea suddenly popped in the old man's head. His eyes were sparkling when he looked at Redivo. He grinned.

"M-Master what are you thinking?"

The old man gestured that Redivo should come closer, and then he whispered in his ears. Redivo's eyes almost popped out of their sockets when he heard what the old man wanted them to do.

"Master, you wouldn't dare… The Crown Prince and Princess might get implicated. We will be facing more trouble when that happens."

"Humph, do you have any other solution? We will only keep her for a while and then release her as if nothing happened."

"That will be too troublesome, Master. She will surely tell the Left Minister about her kidnapping, and they will surely start investigating us."

"Go meet that apothecary guy under Vaughn and ask him if he can give you something that can knock out a person and let her stay sleeping for a day or two."

"Is there something like that?"

"How would I know, that's why you need to ask him."

"What if the Left Minister looks for her?"

The old man looked at Redivo and said, "Oh crap, I totally forgot about him."

Redivo sighed. They were back to square one. He just hoped that Vaughn and Zenia would return soon.

* * * * *

Vaughn and Zenia were preparing to go to bed. Vaughn was somewhat nervous. There were a lot of perverted things that were running in his head, but he knew that Zenia would not allow him.

He peeked at Zenia and found that she was writing something. Her brows were scrunched up. He looked at her more intently and realized that she seemed to be drawing something.

"What are you doing?"

Vaughn looked at the drawing and gasped. He looked at Zenia who only gave him a wide grin. 

"What is this?" Vaughn could not believe that Zenia would design something like a torture chamber.

"I call it a hundred ways to die chamber. I am designing different torture machines and tools. I am preparing for a battle."

"A battle?" Vaughn was confused.

"Yes, I'd like to show this to the new wife too and see if we have the same interest. I have to welcome her and make her feel at home. We will become sisters, don't you think?" Zenia smiled, but Vaughn felt the sarcasm in her voice.

Vaughn sighed and sat beside Zenia. He had to admit that the design was innovative. The name was terrifying, but it was a fitting one. He was certain that Zenia was furious. He only hoped that Zenia wouldn't hurt her hand when she vented her anger on Verone.

"Your Highness, we received a report that the Ninth Prince's men are on their way to the villa." A guard reported behind a closed door.

Vaughn and Zenia looked at each other. It seemed that there was a mole in the villa.

"Call Ruvin here!" Vaughn roared.

'It seems we need to go tonight.' Zenia looked out the window and saw that the moon hid behind a passing dark cloud.