Chapter 156 - The Duke is Coming!

"What do you mean by that?" Vaughn began to feel pity for the unlucky soul that Zenia was trying to match with Odessa.

Odessa was the tigress Baroness' niece, and there was a rumor that she inherited the Baroness' fierce personality and tongue. The only time that she was not able to use her poisonous tongue to the fullest was when she encountered a young general when she was still a student doctor. No one was clear about the reason why Odessa was not able to retaliate against that young general. 

"Of course I should be the one to choose my sister-in-law so we can preserve the peace and quiet in our family." Zenia declared proudly.

Vaughn's face darkened and pinched Zenia's chin lightly, "Don't forget that your family is already me and our future children."

Zenia blushed when he mentioned the word  children . She removed Vaughn's hand and looked away. Vaughn seemed to have just realized what he said and blushed too. His face was redder than Zenia's. Both of them could not find the right words to say and chose to remain silent for a while.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Redivo knew that the Crown Prince and Princess regarded themselves as a real couple now. He could just barge in, but he did not want to be put in an awkward situation in case the couple was sharing some intimate moments. Redivo wiped the blood from his nose before he entered the room.

He was dumbfounded at the scene before him. The Crown Prince and Princess were awfully quiet. They both seemed to be in their own little world that no one could enter, but none of them was speaking. 

'Did I miss something?'

"Your Highness, we received a report that the Duke whom you wanted us to investigate is really the son of the old Duke Milford. There is nothing suspicious about him, except he reads a lot and does a lot of research. He is also interested in dark magic and science."

Vaughn stood up, "Dark magic and science – two opposing interests, don't you think?"

Redivo was uncertain whether Vaughn was talking to him or Zenia.

"Yes, I wonder why the Duke can have such interests."

Vaughn clenched his fist, "I can tell that he is interested in you. I'm just glad that he won't be coming to the capital."

Redivo gasped, "About that, Your Highness, it seems that Duke Gordon Milford is coming to the capital any time soon."

Vaughn glared at Redivo, "What?!"

Vaughn tried to convince himself that Duke Gordon wouldn't recognize Zenia when he saw her since she was wearing a face veil. Although Zenia did not disguise herself when they met the Duke, she still looked like an ordinary woman with the dress she wore.

"Monitor his activities and whereabouts. He saw us and might recognize my wife when he sees her again. We need to avoid meeting him."

"I understand, Your Highness. I will dispatch some men now."

Redivo had no idea what happened during that fateful meeting, but Vaughn's action was suspicious. It seemed like he was dealing with an enemy. From what Redivo had gathered Duke Gordon was just an ordinary businessman and scholar. He had no interest in gambling, drinking, and women. He was just an ordinary nobleman who knew a few martial arts. Every nobleman in Tissuria knew a thing or two about martial arts.

"Do you think he is tracking us? Is he suspicious of our identity? We posed as ordinary merchants, shy would he be interested in us?"

Vaughn looked at Zenia who was busy figuring out the Duke's motive.

'Not us, my dear wife. He is only interested in you.'

* * * * *

Jorick bid goodbye to the inn manager. They received a message from the Ninth Prince that Jorick should return to Luna Inn. He just kept walking until his feet stopped suddenly in front of a building. He looked up and read the sign, Magasiner Au Coin Dela Rue. He already decided not to go there, but his feet seemed to have a mind of their own. He knew that the Duke wanted something in exchange for the information that he would give Jorick.

He sighed and walked toward the receptionist. Since he was there, he might as well try.

"Hello, I'm looking for…"

"Ah, it's you Mr. Jorick. My master is waiting for you upstairs, the second room on the left. You won't miss it." The receptionist smiled at him.

Jorick was puzzled. He did not say when he would come or if he would come, but they seemed to be expecting him. Sure enough, the second room on the left was hard to miss. It stood out like a sore thumb. Jorick's eye twitched when he saw the gargoyle decorations at each side of the door.

He was about to knock when a voice told him, "Come in."

Jorick opened the door and saw Rodham and Duke Gordon. Rodham was smiling at him – more like grinning at him.

"Take a seat Mr. Jorick. All the things that you want to know will soon be revealed." Duke Gordon invited Jorick to a chair in front of his table. 

"Do you know who I am?" Jorick asked the Duke as he sat on the chair.

Duke Gordon looked at Jorick as if he was looking at a pitiful puppy.

"I don't exactly know who you are, but I know where you came from."

Jorick stood up and slammed the table, "Please sir, tell me!"

For the first time since the Ninth Prince had taken him under his wings, someone could finally tell him where he came from.

The Duke stood up and held Jorick's shoulder and push him down gently back on his chair, "Take a seat and try to relax. I will tell you everything I know about your people," and the Duke continued, "Rodham, bring in some refreshments."

Rodham bowed his head and went out of the room. Jorick finally calmed down.

"Please begin now, sir."

"You are a Herzegovan. The Kingdom of Herzegova is very far from Tissuria, I also wonder how you got here…"

Jorick was quiet. The Ninth Prince told him that he just found him and helped him. He did not say where, but Jorick put his trust in Damien so much. He didn't know why, but the stranger in front of him seemed more trustworthy than the Ninth Prince. He felt relaxed and calm around the Duke. 

"Sir, how did you know that I'm from Herzegova?" Jorick asked politely.

It was unknown if Duke Gordon was using a sort of magic spell or hypnotism on Jorick who seemed to behave well. His usual demeanor was similar to an agitated cat, yet he was prim and proper in front of the Duke. 

"I just know. It's hard to explain, but I assure you that you are from Herzegova. Do you sometimes dream of the things to come? Were you terrified when that dream came true?"

Jorick looked at Duke Gordon, "How did you know?"

"Herzegovans have this ability to see the future, but they need to go through certain things first to awaken their power. Those who tried and failed had paid with their lives. The people of your kingdom had decided not to awaken their power anymore. It was too dangerous. To awaken your power, you need to survive an ordeal. In your case, you must be one of the lucky few who survived. But…"

"But what?"

"I think your power is not yet fully awakened or something is hindering you from using your full potential. What I want to know is how you were able to unlock your power. It could also be the culprit of your memory loss. You must've have experienced something…tragic."

Jorick looked at the Duke and slumped in his chair. He had a sinking feeling that the Ninth Prince had something to do with it. If he wanted to find out what happened to him and his family, he knew that he must face his fears head-on. He must accept the possibility that the Ninth Prince could be responsible for his demise. The kindness that was extended to him was nothing but a façade to keep him under control.

"Kind sir, can you help me recover my memory?"

The Duke sighed, "Do you remember the Young Madam that stayed in the inn that you work for?"

"What about her?"

"I have a good hunch that she will be able to help you."

"Why did you say that?"

"She has medical knowledge. She may not be able to treat you, but she knows someone who can."

"How did you know this? Did you speak to her?"

The Duke shook his head. "I have a talent for reading people. It's complicated, but I can really read people."

"Can you tell me what other things you know about me?"

"I can't give you specifics, but you are working with someone whom you owe a debt of gratitude. My advice is to try to identify the people that you can trust. Sometimes, the things you see may not always be true."

"What can you tell about my benefactor?"

"I really can't tell you anything because I don't know him. Even if you say something about him, I won't be able to help you. I need to see that person first to make a sound assessment."

"What do I owe you for telling me these things?"

"Nothing much, just keep in touch. Don't forget to notify me when you heard any information about that Young Madam."

"I can't trust your words now that you have told me your real agenda."

"I am hitting two birds with one stone. I helped you out by telling you where you came from and directing you to the person who can help you. That person happens to be someone that I also seek. I have a hunch that you will find her faster than me."

"I thank you for the help that you gave me. However, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to find that Young Madam or I will be able to tell you her whereabouts in case I found her. To be honest, you look a bit shady to me, but somehow I can also feel your sincerity."

"I am not compelling you to return the favor, but I hope you will remember that I also helped you."

Jorick stood up and bowed his head before Duke Gordon. "I am not someone who forgets a favor. I may not tell you what you want to know, but I will surely return this favor someday. It's good knowing you, Duke Gordon."

"Why don't you come with me to the capital? The Young Madam might be there."

"You will go to the capital, you cover the search there. I will go somewhere and search for her as well. This way, we will be able to cover more grounds."

"I have to admit that you have a point. If any of us found her, we just need to leave a message to the receptionist. She's someone trustworthy and won't divulge any information to others." 

Jorick nodded and extended his hand for a handshake, and the Duke gladly accepted it.

"Until we meet again."

"Until we meet again. Farewell, Duke."

The refreshments did not arrive. Jorick knew that it was nothing but a way to make Rodham leave the room. He did not need something to drink or eat anyway.

Jorick went out of the Magasiner Au Coin Dela Rue. It was almost dark. He did not know how long he stayed there, but he felt incredibly light. It was like a heavy burden was lifted from his shoulders.

He took a deep breath and decided not to return to Luna Inn. He could fabricate excuses and make them believable. If his quest led him nowhere, he would return to the Ninth Prince's side and hoped to find something that could bring light to the disappearance of his family and his memory loss.

He resumed walking. Someone from across the street recognized him. 

'That's Jorick! What's he doing here?'