Chapter 150 - Another Side of Zenia Anisen? (Part 2)

"I can't just send anyone to the main residence. Don't you know the palace rules? The Crown Prince specifically ordered that the servants assigned in the main residence are the only ones that should be allowed there. The most we can do is wait by the door or get a day pass from the Crown Prince himself. Not even the Crown Princess can do anything about it." The head cook was huffing when she finished explaining things to Johana.

Everyone in the Palace of the Crown Prince was cautious when welcoming a new face. The Ninth Prince was able to plant too many spies before, and they hoped it wouldn't happen again. They knew that Verone was up to no good. 

The head cook hated Verone and her maids, but she could not decline the Second Wife's demands regarding the dishes that she wished to be served to her. She tried to prepare the dishes according to Verone's wishes, and she would still get berated for doing a sloppy job. 

Johana looked at Zenia as if hinting something. Zenia knew what she wanted to do.

'Should I help her out?'

"If I can get a day pass for one of your kitchen workers, will you help me out? Our mistress is picky with her foods. Making her angry is not good at all. You should all keep in mind that the King granted this marriage – that's how important my mistress is to the King."

The head cook tried to suppress her anger. She had never met someone so arrogant.

'Like mistress, like servant – no manners at all.'

"Head Cook, how about this… I will go with her to ask for the day pass. That way, we can avoid facing trouble later. What do you think?" Zenia smiled at the head cook.

The head cook turned to Johana and said, "Excuse us."

She dragged Zenia to a corner far from Johana.

"Are you crazy? Do you know who the Crown Prince is? He is kind to his people, but he doesn't tolerate presumptuous ones."

"I am being presumptuous?"

"Exactly! Why would the Crown Prince take time to talk to a newcomer like you? Do you think just because you want to see the Crown Prince, he will see you?"

"He won't? He seems to be easy to talk with."

"Look, our Crown Prince is the nicest among the princes of this kingdom, but he is also the most terrifying. You should not touch his bottom line."

"His bottom line?"

"Well, anything that he doesn't want."

"What are they?"

"It's hard to explain, you will know them all in due time. Right now, you should not offer yourself to be mutilated. Don't go with that maid to ask for a day pass. I don't know what will happen to you when you do that."

"Did the Crown Prince punish everyone who asked for a day pass?"

"Well, no one asked for a day pass from him before. He's the one who usually gives it to the person that he wants to go inside the main residence for a day. It happened when the main residence needed extra help to finish the cleaning."

Zenia became curious regarding the fierce side of Vaughn. It was not the first time that she heard how fierce Vaughn was. When they were together, he had always been attentive to her needs. He would smile and never frowned. The only time that she saw him really angry was back in Ishelon. But, that too did not last for long.

"What kind of punishment does he usually give to the ones who offended him?"

The head cook looked at Zenia with an awkward expression. She did not know how to answer Zenia's question.

"Let's just say you'll never be able to repent once the punishment has been bestowed."

Zenia gave off a deep sigh, "I will be careful. I promise that I will never offend the Crown Prince."

"Suit yourself. If I were you, I will not give in to the whim of that despicable woman. Our Crown Princess is way better than her."

Curious to the remarks of the head cook, Zenia asked, "Why is the Crown Princess better?"

"I haven't seen the Crown Princess yet, but I think the rumors about her are baseless. The maids in the main residence are content with her. If there are elite soldiers, those servants in the main residence belong to the elite ranks. If they say that the Crown Princess is good, then she must be. I can't wait to meet her."

The head cook smiled, and it warmed Zenia's heart. The Crown Prince's loyal people were really something.

"Do you want to meet the Crown Princess?"

"Everyone in the kitchen wants to meet the Crown Princess. We all think that the Crown Prince truly loves his wife and not just because of the alliance between the two kingdoms. We just hope that the Crown Princess feels the same for our Crown Prince."

"You will surely meet her. Right now, I will go with that maid and obtain a day pass."

The head cook looked at Zenia and sighed, "If you have decided, then I will no longer say anything anymore. I hope that despicable woman will stop pestering us once she tells you what she wants."

They walked back to where Johana was, and Zenia told her, "I will go with you to ask for a day pass."

Johana nodded, and they walked out of the kitchen. Johana kept looking at Zenia and sizing her up. Zenia tried to keep her composure. She knew that the maid was just trying to make sure that she was the spy that they had been searching for.

"How long have you been here?" Johana was the first one who broke the silence.

"Not too long."

"Where did you work before?"

Zenia looked at Johana and simply said, "I always switch masters to serve."

"Is the Left Minister one of them?"

Zenia did not answer.

"Is it the Ninth Prince?"

"Why do you need to know?"

"I am the trusted maid of my mistress Verone. You can tell me anything."

"I will be getting a day pass and ask Ms. Verone myself. There had been too many incidents of false claims. I need to be careful."

Johana smiled. She was certain that Zenia way the one they must contact.

"When you talk to Ms. Verone, address her as  Your Highness ."

"Why?"

"Because she will soon replace the Crown Princess."

Zenia just nodded her head and did not say anything to Johana.

'Dream on, Verone.' 

"What is your name?"

"I am Leyna."

"Leyna, if you will follow my mistress and remain loyal to her, you will surely enjoy a good life."

"If I don't?"

Johana stared at Zenia in disbelief. It was the first time she encountered someone so blunt. She turned pale. Zenia saw the maid's reaction and sighed.

"I'm just teasing you, I'm sorry if I startled you. Of course, I will assess everything first." Zenia smiled at Johana who was puzzled at her reply.

"Whatever you say." Johana scratched her head lightly as they walked the path leading to the main residence.

When they reached the main residence, Harnen was outside and recognized Zenia's disguise right away. He stopped Zenia and let the maid go inside the main residence.

"Kind sir, I would like to take Leyna to see the Crown Prince so she could get a day pass. My mistress has dishes that she wants to be prepared for her."

"Why don't you just ask your mistress instead of allowing this maid into the residence?" Harnen tried his best to sound harsh.

Johana began to tremble, but she knew that she must take  Leyna  to Verone.

"I apologize, sir, but I have a very limited intelligence that I can't understand what my mistress wants the kitchen to prepare."

"How about the others?"

"They have the same level of intelligence like me."

"How about your mistress? She can go to the kitchen directly and say it to the head cook."

"My mistress is currently being detained in her room, and she is not allowed to leave in the meantime."

Johana intentionally did not mention about Verone's illness. 

"Go inside now, I will interview this maid here first."

"But…"

"I'll be fine. I promise to look for your mistress later."

Johana reluctantly went inside the main residence, leaving Zenia behind.

"How long should we stay outside, Your Highness?" Harnen whispered to Zenia.

"Just act like you are asking me something important. For all we know, the other maids could be watching us right now."

Johana looked out the window and saw the ongoing interview. When she saw that the guard and Leyna began to walk to the door of the main residence, she trod the path going to Verones's room. She must inform Verone in a hurry.

"Your Highness, I fond the spy! She will be here later after she obtained a day pass from the Crown Prince."

"Good… Claim your reward later."

Verone sneered, 'Just you wait, Zenia Anisen. Soon, you will step down from your position.'