Chapter 176 - The Next Step (Part 1)

Damien paid the Left Minister a visit in the middle of the night. He received an urgent message that something had happened to the pharmacy business of the Left Minister in Prazia, and his presence was badly needed. The Left Minister gritted his teeth when he heard it. Something must've happened to his private army, and not to his pharmacy business.

After disposing of Doctors Franco and Hugo, the Left Minister found someone who helped him develop a kind of drug that could enhance the stamina and strength of a soldier. The first few trials were unsuccessful. They lost at least twenty men before the drug was perfected. For the Left Minister, it was all worth it. He could easily replace the  casualties of the experiments  with better ones. He had the new drug to thank for.

The message was sent by Duke Mion, who was Doctor Hugo's eldest son. The Lef Minister knew then that something must've happened to the drug or the soldiers that needed his presence badly. 

"What do you think happened in your pharmacy business, grandfather?"

The Left Minister only looked at Damien. He knew that his grandson was trying to sound him out.

'Does he already know something?'

The Left Minister tried to appear as calm as possible. He had no plan to divulge the whereabouts of his private army to Damien, including the strength and stamina-enhancing drug. 

"It could be another case of formula leakage. Duke Mion may have a lead already that's why he wanted me to come in person to avoid alarming the culprit."

"Did your new team of experts develop something new? How can there be leakage if it's new? Perhaps, one of the workers betrayed you. I can help you investigate this matter, grandfather."

The Left Minister just looked at Damien and did not say anything. He was able to confirm that Damien still knew nothing about his private army. Perhaps he just wanted to take hold of the formula and use it for his own benefit.

"You don't need to worry about this. Duke Mion could be a little jittery due to the upcoming death anniversary of his father. He mentioned to me once that he had always been dreaming of him in the last few years. I will send you a message if it's anything serious. I need you to stay here to monitor the activities of the Crown Prince and see if you can talk to Verone."

"I understand, grandfather."

Damien walked out of the manor and could not help but become more suspicious.

'You still don't trust me. I bet something bad must've happened to your private army, or you wouldn't take a trip to Prazia. Grandfather, I will know the truth between you and the current King of Prazia. What secrets do you hold?'

The Left Minister looked at the departing back of the Ninth Prince and shook his head.

'If you're not the biological son of that scheming King, I could've treated you differently. This is our fate.'

* * * * *

Redivo reported everything to Vaughn first thing in the morning. Zenia accompanied Vaughn in his study to help him organize some doc.u.ments so it would be easy for Ruvin and Redivo to finish Vaughn's work on time.

"Send a message to continue monitoring the movements of Duke Gordon. He must be hiding something. Tell Ruvin that he will go with us to Ishelon." Vaughn instructed Redivo before dismissing him.

"I understand, Your Highness."

Zenia asked Vaughn out of curiosity, "What's the deal with Duke Gordon?"

Vaughn did not tell clearly to Zenia that the young Duke was still interested to meet her.

"We gathered a report before that Duke Gordon was coming to the capital, and I had a hunch that he was coming to find you. But, he suddenly changed route when he received a certain letter. He went to Venetia instead."

"Is he the one with weird interests?"

"Weird interests?"

"Yes, because he is interested in science and dark magic – two contrasting subjects. I wonder why?"

"I am curious too, that's why I assigned some men to follow him."

Vaughn could not tell his wife that he had a sinking feeling that the young Duke was planning something sinister, and Zenia was involved. Vaughn knew that Duke Gordon was serious about pursuing Zenia. He knew that Zenia would not be swayed, but Duke Gordon was not as simple as he seemed. 

For now, it was enough that his men were tracking Duke Gordon. He hoped that they would not meet Duke Gordon in Prazia. He should focus on finding the camp of the Left Minister's private army in Prazia.

"Ruvin will be here later. Let us head out to inform Mother that we will travel to Ishelon. What reason should we give?"

"Let's just say that I found a wife for my Big Brother, and I need to inform my family in person so they could prepare properly. I will tell Big Brother that it is the exact reason that I have given. So he should prepare his gifts for his bride." Zenia flashed an alluring, evil smile that seemed to intoxicate Vaughn.

"You naughty girl," Vaughn tapped Zenia's nose, "You're setting up your own Big Brother! I wonder what he will do to you once he learned that you want him to marry Odessa for real."

"Ah, I will make sure that he will like her so he won't punish me."

"You're the Crown Princess of Tissuria! He must be courting death to punish you!"

"You're so sweet," Zenia lightly tapped Vaughn's left cheek and added, "Big Brother won't punish me, I assure you. I was joking earlier. What time will we see mother-in-law?"

"After we finish this, we can set off."

"Should we tell Verone? I heard she was complaining and felt that you are neglecting her."

"She was the one who wanted to be the Second Wife of the Crown Prince, not me. Why should I trouble myself to tell her?"

"Should I tell her?"

Vaughn glared at Zenia, "Don't ever, ever step in her courtyard."

"I just think we still should inform her, at least."

"I will send Redivo to tell her after our departure."

"Okay. Send a message to my mother and father that we will be there in four days. We will bring Thunderbolt along." Zenia went back to sorting the doc.u.ments.

"Four days? We can make it there in four days?"

Zenia made a gesture like she was computing something.

"Yes, in four days we will arrive in Ishelon. We can make it in two days if it's just the two of us. We will ride Thunderbolt. We can take the secret tunnel to Gretia and travel to the Principality of Ismund. When it's just the two of us, since we are pressing for time, we can make Thunderbolt jump again from that cliff. But, we are going to use a carriage so we can just take the route that I took when I arrived at the Principality of Ismund."

"I thought we will take Thunderbolt along?"

"Yes! Thunderbolt will be one of the horses of the carriage. We will replace him with a horse that closely resembles him from the stable of the Anisen Manor. I want to take Thunderbolt in Prazia. Big Brother will no longer oppose my idea of going to Prazia with you when Thunderbolt is with me."

Vaughn felt a bit dizzy in Zenia's explanation and just said, "I'll just go with your plan."

* * * * *

It was still early when they finished everything. They decided to eat lunch in the Queen's place. King Tarendino already gave instructions that he should not be disturbed while he was analyzing the proposals. 

Vaughn told Redivo not to let Verone and her maids know anything about their trip to the Main Palace. They also received a report that the Left Minister was spotted going to the pier. Vaughn and Zenia looked at each other and knew that the Left Minister was heading to Prazia. 

Vaughn instructed Redivo to monitor the exact departure of the Left Minister and send a message to Zander so they would know the exact date of arrival of the Left Minister in Prazia. 

Verone was spending her time idly once again and was completely unaware of the movements of the people around her. She had no idea that the Left Minister was about to go to Prazia. Her maids thought the Crown Prince was busy with his paperwork, and the Crown Princess was engrossed in thinking of ways in making herself beautiful.

The couple arrived at Queen Mina's quarters before lunch. The Queen was so glad when she saw them together. She already knew that Vaughn and Zenia were about to go to Ishelon, and Zenia stated the same reason that she discussed with Vaughn earlier.

The Queen had doubts, but it would be the same reason that she would give King Tarendino and the officials. It is not surprising for the Crown Princess to look for a wife for his Big Brother. It also showed the Crown Princess' fondness to the people of Tissuria.

Their lunch was finally served, and Queen Mina requested the kitchen to prepare extra portions for the Crown Princess. Vaughn already mentioned to her once that Zenia had a big appetite and loved sweet things.

"We can finally have a meal as a family." The Queen smiled and scooped some food and put it on Zenia's plate.

Zenia wanted to refuse, but Vaughn shook his head when she looked at him. She smiled at the Queen and said, "Thank you, mother."

Queen Mina asked Zenia to take off her face veil when they were the only ones in the dining area. She also instructed her maids not to come unless they were called.

"Have you already chosen someone for your Big Brother?"

"Yes, Mother. She's Doctor Odessa." Zenia replied happily and giggled.

The Queen was certain that it was true. Whatever business they had with the Anisens, finding a wife for her brother was also included in her agenda. The Queen liked her daughter-in-law more and more.