Chapter 157 - The Invitation

The old man finished his meal quickly, and then he followed Jorick. He knew that Jorick was the Ninth Prince's loyal dog. He had decided that following Jorick might reveal another plot of the unscrupulous grandfather and grandson duo. It would be a big help to Vaughn.

The old man grinned and rubbed his palms together. 

'I wonder what kind of reward I should ask from my great-grandson and granddaughter-in-law. Spending a day or two with great-granddaughter-in-law is good too.' 

Jorick had no idea that he was being tailed by the cunning old man. Jorick veered from the path that would lead him to Lunaria. A sudden realization struck him - he should find out the truth using his own abilities. 

The Ninth Prince and his men could have told him already if they really wanted to help uncover his past. It had been years and nothing came out from the investigation if there really was an investigation. Considering the might and power of the Ninth Prince, it should be a cinch for him to know everything up to the last minute detail.

The old man already noticed that Jorick was not going back to Lunaria.

'Where does he intend to go?'

Although he had something important to check at Luna Inn, the old man still followed Jorick who managed to avoid every secret guard that the Ninth Prince had placed all over Tissuria. 

The old man kept his attention on Jorick as he followed, and did not bother to check his surroundings. It was too late to turn back when he realized that the place was unfamiliar to him. He could not recognize it all.

'Is this one of the secret places of the Ninth Prince?'

The old man could do nothing but follow. The business that he had in Lunaria should wait for now.

* * * * *

Vaughn transferred all of his work in the old man's place. Verone and her maids learned that Vaughn had decided to stay out of the main residence. The maids were not allowed to disturb Vaughn in the old man's courtyard. The task of taking care of everything in the main residence fell in the hands of Redivo. 

After two days, Zenia felt better already. But, Zekiah was still bedridden. It was Vaughn who personally took care of Zenia and did not allow anyone, except Harnen and Redivo, to come in the old man's courtyard while Zenia was recuperating. He would order one of the guards to fetch something from the kitchen. Mara already felt that something must've happened to Zenia and did her best to prepare light, easy to digest meals.

Zenia asked for a day pass from Vaughn. She wanted to end her mission already.  

Vaughn handed her the day pass and asked, "Are you sure you're okay to move around?"

"Yep, and I also need to check Zeze."

Since no random person would be able to enter the old man's courtyard, Vaughn had decided not to wear his mask. Zenia gave him a peck on his lips before she went out of the room. 

She went directly to where Zekiah was staying. Luckily, Verone's maids were nowhere in sight. Entering the room of the Crown Princess had been smooth.

Zenia opened the door and saw Rosalie by Zekiah's side. She was the only maid in the room.

Rosalie stood up, "Your Highness, Young Master Zekiah is a lot better now. There's no need for worry."

"Thank you, Rosalie. Just keep this a secret from the other maids."

Zekiah slowly opened his eyes when he heard a familiar voice.

"Sister…" Zekiah tried to sit up, but Zenia stopped him.

"Hush, don't get up yet. You still need to recuperate. Rosalie will take care of everything in my stead."

Zekiah nodded his head and closed his eyes once more. 

"He already looks better now compared to the previous days. I heard that you fell ill too, Your Highness. I'm glad that you are fine now."

"Hmm, I entrust him in your care for the meantime. Look after him and bear with him for a bit more. He could be fussy when sick."

"I understand, Your Highness. This is what I should do. You don't need to worry about anything."

Zenia nodded her head and went out of the room. She trod the path leading to Verone's room.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Your Highness, it's Leyna." Zenia introduced herself right away.

The maid opened the door, and Zenia stepped in. The room seemed to be livelier than before. It looked like Verone and her maids were having a party.

"Ah, Leyna you're here at last. Why did you not come anymore? I thought the Crown Prince might have discovered you."

"That won't happen, Your Highness. I am very careful. They sent me to help out in the Royal Villa, and I just returned. It's a good thing that the head cook requested for a day pass for me. I need to visit the Crown Princess and ask what she wants the kitchen to make for her."

Verone smirked, "Humph, Zenia Anisen is already paying for everything that she did to me. I heard that she can't even move. I wonder how long she would last."

Zenia tried her best to stay calm and not deliver a powerful punch to Verone's face. She would take a raincheck for now and guaranteed that Verone would receive double the amount of punches that should be delivered earlier.

"Your Highness, do you have a plan? Did the Left Minister or the Ninth Prince send you a message?"

"They still haven't contacted me, and I can't find a way to go out of the palace. Didn't you try to contact them when you went to the Royal Villa?"

"There were so many guards looking at me when I went to the Royal Villa. I think they are beginning to suspect me. There's always a guard wherever I go. I can't make a move. My apologies, Your Highness."

"If they are having trouble sending a message to us, they should not blame us for not being able to send any message too. I don't know what happened to the Crown Prince, but he seemed different from what the Left Minister had told me. If his subordinates are not treating him with respect, I would think that the one who returned is a different person." 

The conversation seemed to go nowhere. There were lots of things that Zenia must do.

"If you don't have anything for me to do, I'll take my leave, Your Highness."

Verone simply waved her hand, and Zenia went out of the room.

Verone asked Stella, "What do you think? Did you notice anything unusual with Leyna? Do you think she's still loyal to us?"

"I really can't tell, Your Highness. We've only met her and this is only the second time. But, it is possible that she's being coerced."

"I also think so. Perhaps the Crown Prince and Princess are already suspicious of her. Don't tell our plan of using Lotharia. She might not help us at all."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zenia noticed that Verone seemed to doubt her loyalty. But, it was certain that none of the messages of the Left Minister and the Ninth Prince had reached her. 

'It's time to end this charade.'

Zenia visited Verone's courtyard and checked the on-going renovations. In her estimate, it should be ready in two or three days. After Verone had moved out, she could be at ease in the main residence once more. The Second Wife could not simply go to the main residence without prior notice.

* * * * *

There were piles of doc.u.ments on Vaughn's table that must be signed. Vaughn was almost buried in the doc.u.ments when Zenia returned. He received another invitation to a banquet. It specifically indicated to bring along the Second Wife with him. He had a pretty good guess that the Left Minister was behind it all.

"Your new defense system is too tight. I can't get any information from Verone."

Vaughn sighed and handed her the invitation, "Yes, it's too tight. That's why the Left Minister can only do this." He tapped on the invitation.

Zenia opened it and chuckled after reading it, "Oh, they want you to bring along the Second Wife and did not mention anything about me. I guess you will go there with Verone - alone."

The Crown Prince glared at his wife and snatched the invitation from her hand, "It's not funny. Don't make such jokes again."

Vaughn walked away from Zenia who smiled behind him.

'This man is like a big child.'

After being together with Vaughn for so many months, she already knew how to coax him. She went after him and hugged him from behind. Vaughn was caught by surprise and stopped walking. He did not move from his spot.

"I'm sorry, okay? I promise not to make jokes like that again." 

Vaughn remained silent and did not move at all. He was angry, but he was also happy that his wife took the initiative to hug him.

"What am I going to do with you when you do it again?" He did not even turn around to face her.

'Ooh, it seems I'm in big trouble. He must be having a monthly period blues already, and I made it worse.'

There was nothing she could think of but, "I swear that I will never ride Thunderbolt again."

Vaughn finally turned around and hugged Zenia. "My wife, you are the only one for me. Don't push me to other women – I don't like it."

"I won't push you to other women, and I will never allow any other woman to get close to you. I will protect you from all of them."

Somewhere in the stable, a gallant black horse became restless. The caretaker tried so hard to stop Thunderbolt from trying to break free.

The moon was bright, although some passing dark clouds would cover it from time to time. There was no star in sight, but the night sky looked peaceful and tranquil. It was a sign that a storm would come soon.