Chapter 181 - Why Are You Here?

The servants of the Anisen manor helped them with their luggage. They did not bring any guards with them to avoid attracting attention. Although there were secret guards who followed them and made sure that they were safe. After their meal, Vaughn presented the gifts to his in-laws.

"Mother, these are the gifts I prepared for you. I'm sorry that I was not able to bring anything on my last visit."

Ruvin gave Vaughn a puzzled look. He did not know that Vaughn visited his in-laws before. They must've known already what he looked like during his last visit. It was no wonder Vaughn took off his mask when they were inside the manor. Zenia did not wear her face veil at all.

"This child, you should not have bothered anymore. I will accept these gifts and know that I will keep your good intentions to heart. I know you're the only one who thought of doing this. Zenzen won't even think of preparing anything. I bet she did not even give anything to the Queen yet."

Ruvin chuckled lightly when he heard it. Zenia was indeed manlier than Vaughn.

'Well, it should be expected, I guess. She's the Junior Commander after all. I wonder who started the rumor that she's an ugly, good-for-nothing woman…'

"Mother, if I give the Queen something I might just offend her. She already has everything she needs. Oh, I forgot," Zenia reached out to her side pocket and took out a small parcel and added, "The Queen told me to give this to you. She said that it's a return gift for the one you have given her before."

Renaria took the parcel from Zenia and opened it. She smiled. It was a simple gift, but it carried the Queen's sincerity. Renaria kept it in her pocket.

"Thank the Queen for me and tell her that I will try to visit her again."

Zenia nodded and picked two apples from the fruit tray. She gave one to Vaughn and did not bother giving Ruvin anything. Ovid noticed his daughter's behavior toward Ruvin, and he shook his head.

He already guessed that Ruvin might have done something to Zenia that she did not like. However, Ovid saw himself in Ruvin. He also had a hunch that his mother passed away when he was still young – the same as him. He had a difficult time trying to please his relatives who took him in. He was a bit haughty when he was young and got into trouble for so many times. Luckily, he saw Renaria and promised himself that he would only appear before her when he became a better man.

Ovid could see that Ruvin was a troublemaker with an arrogant personality. But, he was a sincere and loyal friend. Ovid knew that if he had not seen Renaria during his younger days, he might've turned to be someone like Ruvin. But, it was not too late for Ruvin to change. He decided that he would try and help Ruvin become a better man, just like what his master did to him.

Ovid picked up an apple from the tray and called out, "Ruvin, catch," Ovid threw the apple to Ruvin, who caught it easily.

Zenia looked at her father in disbelief. She was clearly showing him that she did not like Ruvin. She looked at her mother who only shrugged her shoulders. Renaria had a good guess about the reason behind the favor that Ovid was showing Ruvin. However, everything was still nothing but a mere hunch. She needed more time to observe so she could confirm her hunch.

Vaughn whispered in Zenia's ear, "I think Father likes Ruvin. I am sure that Ruvin worsh.i.p.s Father."

"I can see that. No need to tell me," Zenia whispered back, and her annoyance was quite obvious.

"Come, let the maids take your belongings to your rooms," Renaria announced, and everyone followed.

"Vaughn, Ruvin, meet me at the weapons room after you have rested."

"Yes, Father. We will be there."

Ovid walked out of the house and headed to the weapons room. Renaria instructed some maids to prepare another set of lunch. She knew that the Anisen brothers had been informed of Zenia's arrival, and they would be rushing to come home.

Zenia was glaring at Ruvin's back all the way to his assigned room when they went upstairs. It was making Ruvin uncomfortable. He sighed. He learned another peculiar side of Zenia.

"Zenzen, how long are you going to burn my back with your blazing stare?"

"Don't call me Zenzen, and I haven't burnt a hole yet. I can still see your flesh. Wait 'til I can see your bone."

Ruvin turned around and faced her.

"What did I just do to you right now? I have been behaving well in front of your mother and father. Why are you still mad at me?"

"What do you want to achieve here? I'm warning you..." Zenia walked past him followed by Vaughn.

Ruvin held Vaughn's arm and pulled him closer and whispered, "Just what did I do to her?"

"You're practically enticing her father before her eyes."

"When did I…"

Vaughn walked past Ruvin and followed his wife to their room. Ruvin finally understood everything. Zenia was angry at him because Ovid was still being nice to him despite her rudeness toward him.

'But, why do I feel like she's so cute when she does that? There must be something wrong with my brain.' Ruvin shook his head and entered his room.

Vaughn found Zenia sulking in their room. He knew that Ruvin could be so annoying at times, but why was she targeting him too much? Vaughn just stared at his wife for a long time.

"If you will keep staring at me like that, I might suddenly turn into a fireball."

"You're being unreasonable just now, don't you know?"

Zenia sighed, "I know that, but he is too annoying that I want to mince him."

"I understand the feeling. Redivo and I sometimes wanted to pound him to the ground so he wouldn't be able to say or do anything. But, he's a good person. He will remain loyal to you no matter what happens. Ruvin is probably the most loyal person that I met."

"I also know that that's why it's even more annoying. I cannot just simply slash him down because I know that he often acts according to what he feels regardless of what others may think."

"I think Father really likes him."

"I know, and I can't figure out what Father sees in him."

"Take a nap if you want, I will check on Ruvin. We might as well see Father now."

"Okay."

Vaughn tucked Zenia and gave her a kiss before he closed the door. He walked to Ruvin's room and knocked.

"It's open."

"Do you want to take a nap first or do you want to see Father now?"

"Is your wife still mad at me?"

"Make a guess. She will get over it when she got used to having you around."

"I guess there's nothing I can do about it now," Ruvin stood up and headed to the door, "Let's go down. Your father-in-law is waiting."

Zander and Zekiah finally got home.

"Where's Zenzen?" Zander asked the maid as soon as he set foot in the house.

"Commander, the Young Miss is resting in her room now."

Zander nodded, "I will see father first," and he trod the path to the garden.

"Serve us lunch, I'm starving," Zekiah ordered the maid and went inside the house.

He stopped and turned around, "Where's Mother?"

"Young Master, the Madam is with Master. They are in the garden."

Zekiah nodded his head and continued to walk to the dining area. Ruvin and Vaughn just got down and were walking together when they met Zekiah along the way. Zekiah was surprised to see Ruvin in their manor. He thought that Vaughn would let him stay in one of the inns in the capital, which was only an hour away from the Anisen Manor.

"Why are you here?" Zekiah couldn't help asking in a rather impolite manner.

Vaughn and Ruvin shook their heads. Zenia and Zekiah were really the same. Their looks, demeanor, aura, and everything about them were almost the same. However, Zenia looked more domineering than Zekiah, although she had a friendlier face than Zekiah.

" Erhem , it is more convenient if he stays here. You may have to go back to Tissuria in two or three days."

"Oh, that soon… Well, where are you headed to?"

"Father told us to meet him in the weapons room."

"Go straight here and then…," Zekiah turned to Vaughn and asked, "You already know where it is, right?"

"Yes, I have been here before."

"Okay then, you go now." Zekiah left them and continued walking to the dining area.

Ruvin looked at the departing back of Zekiah.

"What is wrong with that guy? I haven't done anything to him, but he's already showing hostility to me. Can the two of them communicate telepathically?"

"I can't blame them, though."

The two went on their way to meet Ovid in the weapons room. When they got there, Zander was also there. Ruvin was starstruck when he saw the two leading military figures of Ishelon stood side by side discussing something about the weapons.

"Good afternoon Father, Big Brother-in-law," Vaughn greeted them politely.

Zander and Ovid turned around and saw Ruvin and Vaughn.

"Is Zenzen napping?" It was the first question that Zander asked upon seeing Vaughn and Ruvin.

"Yes, brother-in-law."

"Hmm, and this is?"

Ruvin walked past Vaughn and shook Zander's hand right away.

"I am Ruvin, Commander Zander. I have heard of your achievements even when you were still a young general. Aside from the exalted Military Advisor, you and the Junior Commander are on the top of my list of people that I respect so much. I am glad that I have come here."

Vaughn began to sweat. He did not know that Ruvin had such a side to him. Did he miss something? He thought that Ruvin only acted like that toward Zenia when he learned about her true identity.

Zander felt Ruvin's grip and, just like Ovid, he praised him, "You have a good grip, soldier."

"Thank you, sir."

Vaughn could not believe that Ruvin blushed from Zander's praise.