Chapter 183 - Truce

"So, does everyone understand the plan? If Brother Gustof can give us better material, we will be able to finish everything in three or four days. We can leave for Prazia after that, and Zeze and Ruvin can go back to Tissuria."

"I plan to stay here for a bit more," Ruvin and Zekiah blurted out the same thing at the same time.

Zenia couldn't believe what she just heard.

"May I ask why the two of you said the exact same thing at the same time?"

"Master Ovid said that I need to undergo enhancement training to improve my skills."

"What about the work that the Crown Prince should finish? You know that it's beginning to pile up, don't you?"

"My big brother can still do it all by himself, and it's not like I'm going to stay here forever." Ruvin was once again sounded righteous, and it annoyed Zenia.

"Sister, I know that Father will train Ruvin for a few days. If I go back to Tissuria alone, it might start some annoying rumors about you."

Ruvin couldn't believe that Zekiah actually used him as an excuse. He already learned from Zander that Zekiah came home to train, and he did not want Zenia to know. He did not tell them his reason, but he begged Zander not to tell Zenia anything. Ruvin had no other choice but do the same.

"Well, you have a point," Zenia turned to Ruvin, "Make sure to go back immediately once your training is finished. It should not take too long to finish anyway."

"I guarantee that it won't take that long, Zenzen. Ruvin has a good foundation. He just needs to improve some of his skills to make them more efficient and effective." Zander tried to explain in a few simple sentences.

Zenia was not someone so unreasonable, although there were times when she couldn't help but be petty.

"Okay, I understand. Let us continue and talk about the next plan of action."

"Before that, my men reported that the Ninth Prince finally visited the Luna Inn and wants his men to join the private army of the Left Minister. But until now there has been no development."

"The Left Minister must've sensed that Damien is trying to locate the base of his private army. I don't think the Left Minister would entrust his private army to his grandson," Vaughn voice out his opinion.

"Did you detain in Prison Island all the assassins that have been replaced in Luna Inn?"

"Yes, and I am treating them good just like you suggested." Zander declared proudly as he smiled at Zenia.

Zekiah looked at Zander. He had always known that it was impossible for Zander to come up with such an idea. It turned out to be one of Zenia's.

"Do you think they will soon volunteer the information that we need from them?"

"I believe so. I can proceed to replace the remaining assassins in Luna Inn with my men once we assessed the whole situation based on the information that we will receive from the detainees."

"How many of them seem difficult to turn around?"

"Only a few."

"It's a pity that they gave their loyalty to the wrong people."

"Yeah, it's a pity…"

Ruvin shuddered at the conversation between Zenia and Zander. He read the meaning between those lines. Those who remained loyal to the Ninth Prince would never be given a second lease on life. They could only wait to be reborn to correct their wrong choices in life, but it would only be possible if there was reincarnation.

They talked about the next course of action once they have gathered the needed data and other significant pieces of information. Ruvin was excited and terrified at the same time to be in the same table as the Commander and Junior Commander of the prestigious military unit of Ishelon as they discussed their plan of attack.

Just how old was Zenia when the military unit of Ishelon took part in some of the battles of the other kingdoms? In his estimate, Zenia was already the military tactician back then. He could not remember when they stopped assisting other kingdoms and the reason for it. He dared not ask, and he felt that it was no longer important.

He witnessed the way Zander doted on Zenia and something was telling him that it was Zander who spread the rumor that Zenia was ugly and useless – a woman without a single ounce of talent. The more surprising thing was that Zenia did not seem to mind even if there were various nasty rumors about her. Ruvin shook his head.

'These Anisens are too difficult to handle. I can't understand what's going on in their minds.'

Dinner time finally arrived. Everyone ate to their heart's content. It was the first time for Ruvin to eat with a lively company. The Anisens loved to talk about their day and laughed with the entire family. Ruvin felt warm inside. He had never experienced such a heart-warming meal before. He looked at Vaughn, and he seemed to be already used to it.

Renaria offered Vaughn and Ruvin more food, which they gladly took. Ruvin ate more than his fill and did not feel uncomfortable at all. He wished that he could always share a meal with everyone like that. He somehow felt that he was a part of the Anisen family. Even Zenia and Zekiah did not show any sign of hostility toward him during their meal.

Gustof arrived at the main house of the Anisens after they had supper. He apologized for being late. Only Vaughn and Zenia were there to talk to him. Ruvin walked around the grounds of the estate of the Anisens together with Zekiah and Zander. They talked about the training that would begin when Vaughn and Zenia leave for Prazia. Ruvin went to bed after taking a walk.

"Brother Gustof, it's nice to see you again." Zenia greeted Gustof with a smile.

"Greetings, Crown Prince and Princess." Gustof already knew Vaughn's real face and there was no need to hide it from him anymore.

Vaughn just nodded his head.

"Brother Gustof, I saw the Mortelium plant that you planted here, thank you."

"It's the least I can do for all the help that you have given my family. I know that you might need it again someday, and getting it from Lunaria may become a bit difficult."

"Is it ready for harvesting? I need a large supply of it. Zeze will transport it to Tissuria in a few days."

"You can get as many as you need. It is not easy to propagate the Mortelium plant, but I can do it without a problem. I am very skillful in handling all kinds of plants, and I know thousands of them."

"About that, do you know what kind of plant can produce sap similar to rubber but softer and can dry up easily?"

"Is Young Master Zekiah looking for new material for his prosthetic?"

"You can say that."

"Hmm, let me see…" Gustof rubbed his chin as he looked at the plants surrounding them, hoping to jog his memory.

Vaughn and Zenia waited patiently for Gustof's reply. Suddenly his eyes lit up.

"I know now! Let's try the sap from the Osage Milkweed. I happen to see those trees near the military camp. It's hard to miss since they are the tallest trees in the area. I will gather some sap tomorrow morning. It is best to get it in the early morning. The only downside is the smell, which will eventually tone down when it's exposed under the sun for a long time."

"I will trouble Brother Gustof to gather it for us."

"Is there anything else?"

"That's all for now and thank you."

"This is what I should do." Gustof stood up, bowed, and walked away.

"Now that we have better material for the prosthetic, let's get down to the next order of business. What doc.u.ments were you carrying earlier?"

"Father gave them to me. The doc.u.ments are the information they gathered about Prazia when they were tracing the whereabouts of Doctor Hugo. One thing popped after the other."

"Let us take a look at them now. Did you bring them?"

"I left them in our room. We can go look at it when we go upstairs later. Father also reminded me that we should be very careful when we reach Prazia."

"Hmm, every place has hidden danger even Ishelon. We always need to be very careful whenever we go out."

"Do you think the new material is the one that Zekiah needs?"

"I am not sure, but it may really take a while before Zeze can finish our disguise. If the new material's scent is unbearable, we may need to wait a bit more for the smell to become less noticeable."

"Come let us rest now. Maybe we can discuss the doc.u.ments tomorrow. I am so tired."

Vaughn took Zenia's hand and led her upstairs. Ruvin felt their presence when they passed his door. He only went back to sleep when he heard the clicking sound of the door lock.

* * * * *

"Sir, the ship going to Prazia has been re-scheduled to depart in two days. The maintenance crew reported that a mechanical failure had occurred. They need to replace a certain part of the ship to ensure a safe voyage. Please accept our sincerest apologies."

"Just make sure to check everything thoroughly to avoid any mishap in the middle of the sea. You know what will happen to you once you failed to transport me safely to Prazia."

"We understand, Left Minister. Rest assured that we will do everything in our power to transport you to your destination in one piece."

"You may go now and make sure that your company will pay for my accommodations while waiting for the departure day. I would rather stay in a nearby inn while waiting for the time to go and not go back to my estate. It takes a long time to get here, and it is too exhausting to travel back and forth."

"We understand, Left Minister."