Chapter 182 - Planning for the Perfect Disguise

Zenia woke up when she heard the sound of laughter. She felt better after her nap. Vaughn was nowhere in sight, and she surmised that he was among those people who were laughing earlier. She could hear her father, big brother, and…Ruvin.

She sat up on her bed and crossed her legs. She took a deep breath and exhaled. She repeated it a few more times until she calmed down, and her mood became lighter. It was rare for her Big Brother to laugh like that, and he was laughing with Ruvin.

'I really underestimated you.'

Zenia went down and saw Zekiah sitting alone in the dining area and eating junk food. He was in deep thought and there was a need for Zenia to tap his shoulder to make him notice her.

"Zenzen, you're awake! I went to your room earlier to wake you up, but you were snoring. You must be very tired."

"I don't snore! Watch your words. I am so pissed, but I know I need to calm down." Zenia took one of Zekiah's bags of ch.i.p.s and opened it. 

"Ruvin?"

"Uhuh."

"That guy drives me crazy too, but I know I should not get angry at him. He always looks arrogant and so full of himself."

"Yeah, it puzzles me too. Just one look at that face and I get so angry. I get mad even if he is not doing anything wrong. It's like I'm waiting for an opportunity to point out his mistake or weakness."

"Just look at how he easily won Father and Big Brother. Is that really Big Brother? I can somewhat understand Father for being like that to Ruvin, but Big Brother?"

"Oh yeah, where have you been? Did you find out anything?"

"Just here and there – no particular place. I just want to explore. I did not find anything that you did not know."

Zenia knew that Zekiah was keeping something, but she did not want to put him in an awkward position. Whatever it was, she knew that he would tell her everything eventually.

"I need to bother you to make a prosthetic for us. I know that you have improved the technique."

"What kind do you need?"

"We will go to Prazia to investigate something. I'm thinking of disguising ourselves as an old couple."

"I don't think that it's such a good disguise."

"Why?"

"How can an old couple go on a journey by themselves? Have you seen an old couple took a trip without their children or anyone to support them? They wouldn't be able to support each other properly."

Zenia looked at Zekiah in disbelief, "Just how old is the old couple you are thinking?"

"About ninety years old?"

"Wah! That's way too old! I'm thinking sixty to seventy years old. I know a lot of couples around that age who travel by themselves."

"Why not middle age? You don't need to move way slower than you usually do. What if you need to run? They might chase you more when you run faster than those in their twenties or teen years. They would surely like to know your secret for being agile at your old age."

"Then middle age it is. Make me look a bit fat, but I want something that won't restrict my movement. How long would it take you to make them?"

"A week or two, maybe?"

"Even if I help you?"

"Let your husband and his friend help as well, and we will be done in six days."

"Six days? That's the best number you can come up with?"

"If you can find a better material that I can work on, then we can cut the time a bit more. I need something that dries up easily. The sap we are using usually takes five days to dry. If you all will help me, I can finish the prosthetics in one day and let them dry in the next five days."

"Is there anything that can be molded anyway you want and dries up fast?" Zenia stopped eating her ch.i.p.s and tapped the table with her fingers.

"Why don't we ask Brother Gustof later? I heard that he knows thousands of plants and even use some of them in his crafts. Maybe he can tell us something." Zekiah remembered the stories that Gustof told him when he was in the military camp.

At a distant, Zander was observing them. It had been a long time since he last saw the two of them huddled together as they thought of ways to pull a prank on someone. What could they be thinking now? They looked so serious, and it seemed like they were going on a mission.

Ruvin wondered what was taking Zander so long. He was interested to know more about the crazy things that Zenia and Zekiah had done when they were young. He could tell that Zander liked his siblings very much, especially Zenia. The things he heard about Zander's doting were actually true.

He followed Zander and saw him looking at his siblings, who were oblivious of his presence. There was no need for Zenia to keep her guard up whenever she was at the Anisen Manor. 

Ruvin stood next to Zander and looked as well. 'These two looked like well-behaved children when planning something. It's quite refreshing to see, unlike their usual way of treating me.'

Vaughn, Ovid, and Renaria were left in the garden discussing some important matters about the Royal Couple's trip to Prazia. Ovid was telling Vaughn about the things that he should be wary of when they arrived in Prazia. 

"I took Zenzen in Prazia when she told me that she would join the military when she reached the minimum age requirement to undergo military training. The people of Prazia are divided into two factions – one faction supports science and the other one supports dark magic. I am not certain if the existence of dark magic is real. So far, I have never seen it nor heard that someone got into trouble because of it. However, instincts tell me that it could be real."

"Father, am I putting Zenzen in danger by taking her to Prazia? If I am, I would rather go alone and let her stay here for a while. With her personality, she might only follow me to Prazia. If she's here," Vaugh turned to Renaria, "Mother can restrain her."

Ovid and Renaria looked at each other. They were glad that Vaughn knew his wife well and would never put her in danger.

"It is dangerous even for you that's why we are telling you these things. Zenzen will just worry if she's not with you," Renaria explained and turned her head to Ovid and nodded.

Ovid stood up and went to the garden shed. When he returned, he was carrying a bag that contained various doc.u.ments. He gave it to Vaughn.

"These are all the things that we have gathered about Prazia. You already know that we went to Prazia before to meet Doctor Hugo and brought him in Ishelon to treat Zenzen. When we lost contact with him, Zander and I went back to Prazia to see if we would be able to trace his whereabouts. That's when we learned about the two factions. We were desperate. We were willing to try everything and anything to help Zenzen. I admit that I was considering meeting the leader of the practitioner of dark magic, but I received a message from King Jarod telling me to return to Ishelon right away. We did not tell Zenzen, and we never stopped monitoring the activities in Prazia. We also discovered the existence of the group that intends to combine science and dark magic. We are still investigating this matter until now. We don't have any information regarding their intention."

"Thank you, Father. Mother, I will make sure to keep Zenzen safe all the time."

"Zenzen always loves to travel, don't you know?"

"Yes, I've already known it. If there is nothing else, I will go see if she's already awake. Please excuse me, Mother, Father." Vaughn stood up and took his leave.

"Do you think they will be safe?"

"They will be… They should be."

Vaughn saw Zander and Ruvin standing by the doorway and looking at the direction of the dining area. He checked what they were looking at and saw Zenia and Zekiah discussing something, and it seemed serious.

"What are you two doing here?" Vaughn asked the two men, and he walked straight to the dining area.

Zenia sensed his presence, "You're here. Are you done talking?"

"Yes, what are you doing?"

"I am commissioning Zeze to create a disguise for us when we go to Prazia."

"Yeah, yeah, and all of you will help, including that…friend of yours," Zekiah commented when he saw Ruvin and Zander walking toward them.

"Big Brother, you're here too!" Zenzen smiled at Zander who went to her side.

He ruffled her hair, "Yes, yes, and you did not even come to see me earlier."

"Zeze and I are discussing something."

"By the way, Father had decided to train Ruvin for a few days – just give him some pointers and improve his swordsmanship."

Zenia looked at Ruvin, who looked away, "Oh, is that so? Well, if Father says so, it must be something beneficial."

Zander detected that something was off. He knew Zenia's personality very well. He decided that it was best not to say anything anymore. Even Zekiah was showing the same reaction as Zenia. He shook his head and looked at Ruvin. He pitied him, but there was also something wrong with his personality.

They all took their seats, including Ruvin. Zenia explained her plan on how to help Zekiah with the prosthetic makeup. 

"Big Brother, can you send a message to the camp and tell them to make Brother Gustof go home earlier. There are lots of things that I want to ask him."

"What is prosthetic makeup?" Ruvin tried his best not ask anything for fear of being ignored, but he was curious.

"You can say that it is a high-level form of disguise…"

Zenia went on to explain things, not only to Ruvin but to everyone. Zander became more fascinated when Zenia was the one who explained it.

Ruvin kept looking at Zenia while she was explaining and remembered Ovid's words and their conversation.

"I will help you improve your skills, but I want you to promise me one thing – become Zenzen's extra layer of protection while she's in Tissuria."

"I will do that sir even if you don't tell me, but what made you trust me completely?"

"It's because I saw myself in you."