Chapter 205 - Meeting Baroness Munchefort

Odessa did not ask for clarification even though she did not understand Zander's meaning. Something told her that she should not ask anything further.

When they joined the group, Lewis and Odessa discussed the medicine that Doctor Hugo should take. Zekiah also told Lewis about the proper way to propagate the Mortelium plant. They went discussing things until it turned dark.

Zekiah and Ruvin bid everyone goodbye and told them that they needed to return to the Palace of the Crown Prince. Zander had decided to take Odessa home. He went to the Royal Apothecary with his horse and invited Odessa to have a ride with him. Lewis gawked when Odessa did not refuse the Commander's invitation. He wanted to say something but remembered how Zander punched the pillar. He gulped and just waved them goodbye. He stood there as Zander and Odessa went farther away.

He looked at the sky and prayed, 'Oh God, I'm a man of science and does not believe in the divine power. Just this once, please hear my plea. Could you please keep my brother Odessa safe from the Commander's claws?'  

* * * * *

Duke Gordon and Rodham were already used to their jobs and had adapted well to their current environment and situation. Everything was quiet, but Zenia feared that the situation was something similar to a calm before the storm. They had no idea what the Left Minister was planning with Azer and the Dark Magic Lord, but they were certain that the Left Minister was still in Prazia.

"Young Madam, when should we leave? I can feel that something big might happen soon." Duke Gordon just confirmed the ill-feeling that Zenia had.

"What do you think?" Zenia looked at Vaughn and asked for his opinion.

"Duke Gordon, can you now lift the spell surrounding the secret base?"

"I can give it a try, although I cannot guarantee its success. I'm uncertain whether they would be able to detect that they have been exposed."

"Hmm, let's wait for a few more days before we sneak in."

* * * * *

Zander and Odessa did not say much to each other. They both tried to be as casual as possible. They did not ask each other about what happened when they got separated that day. They found a common subject to discuss – Zenia.

"Is she really that mischevious when she was little?" Odessa asked between chuckles.

"Oh, she's still naughty even now. She hates to lose the most. When she said she will make something happen, she will definitely do everything in her power to fulfill it." Zander proudly declared, and it made Odessa smile.

She liked the way Zander would go on and on about his siblings, especially Zenia. She could tell that he was a good brother.

'Would he also make a good father?'

Odessa blushed when she realized what kind of thoughts invaded her mind. But, she liked Zander more and more. She was not wrong the first time she met him. He had somewhat tamed his mouth and no longer saying annoying things.

"Zenzen is a great woman. I already knew when I first saw her that she will do something amazing to Tissuria. Prince Vaughn is truly lucky."

"Yes, my little Zenzen is really something. That brat should cherish her more and more."

Odessa was dumbfounded when she heard what Zander had said. She heard a rumor that the Commander of the Military Unit of Ishelon doted on his sister so much.   

Baroness Munchefort was beginning to feel anxious when it turned dark, and Odessa was still not home. She would usually send someone to inform her aunt when she was going to be late. Even though she knew a few martial arts, her skill was still not enough in front of a more skilled martial artist.

"Go to the Royal Palace and ask if Odessa is attending to a member of a Royal Family," Baroness Munchefort instructed one of the servants.

"I will go right away, Baroness."

The servant was about to go when they heard noises at the front gate. The Baroness and the servant looked at each other and went to see who arrived.

Zander helped Odessa off the horse. He took her hand and guided her gently to get down. The Baroness saw that scene when she opened the front door. Even the servant next to her gasped at what he saw.

Odessa looked so timid and gentle when Zander took her hand. The Baroness was beginning to think that the woman who returned to their manor was not her niece. She had never behaved in such a way before and in front of a man. She even had that certain look in her eyes. The last time the Baroness had seen it was when she talked about a certain Young General upon her return from the expedition. That look was the look of love.

The Baroness smiled, 'I guess she had finally moved on and found a new love.'

"Aunt Aggy," Odessa waved at her aunt when she saw her.

Odessa pulled Zander's arm, and they went together to where the Baroness was waiting. The Baroness saw Zander and knew that he was a good man. She was glad that her niece was sensible enough to choose the right man for her.

"You're here. I was about to send Waldo to the palace to know what's delaying you," Baroness Munchefort patted Odessa's cheek gently and turned to Zander, "And this gentleman is…"

"Good evening Madam, I am Commander Zander Anisen of the Ishelon Military Unit," Zander introduced himself politely.

"Anisen…"

"Oh, he's Zenzen's Big Brother, Aunt Aggy," Odessa replied joyfully.

'Zenzen… I never imagined that the Crown Princess and my niece would be this close within a short period.'

"Commander Zander, I heard many things about you from Zenzen. I'm glad that my niece is acquainted with you."

The Baroness had no idea when they had met, but she was glad that Odessa had chosen someone from Zenia's family. Odessa never brought any man home, aside from Lewis. But, Lewis and Odessa could be considered as…brothers or sisters, whichever description the onlooker would prefer.

When Zander heard the Baroness called Zenia by her pet name, he knew that his little sister was also close to the Baroness. He knew that Zenia was lovable, but only a few of them knew that for a fact. Zenia would often look fierce and unconcerned.

"Aunt Aggy, Commander Zander was the Young General that I met during the expedition."

The Baroness was shocked but did not let the other party notice it. She gave Zander a warm smile.

'He is that man...'

The Baroness was more than glad that her niece had finally found the man that made her youth colorful and bright.

"Commander Zander, please join us for dinner. I'm sure that you two have not eaten yet."

Zander felt his stomach grumbling and was glad that it was not loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Thank you, Madam. I will gladly take the offer."

All of them went inside the house, and the Baroness immediately ordered dinner to be served.

Meanwhile, Zekiah and Ruvin were already near the Palace of the Crown Prince when Ruvin had decided to make a detour to the Royale Palace Inn. In his estimate, no one had known about their arrival in Tissuria. Even Redivo and Damien were not aware of it.

Lately, there were lots of carriages with the Palace of the Crown Prince emblem on them. Vaughn had ordered Redivo to do it to confuse their enemies. Some people learned that there were carriages that did not belong to the Crown Prince bearing the said emblem. Since the Crown Prince did not mind, some used it to prank others.

If a certain carriage with the Palace of the Crown Prince emblem got involved in criminal activities, the Main Palace had no other choice but to investigate it thoroughly. Redivo got a ton of headache clearing the name of the Crown Prince and cleaning up the mess.

The people of the Ninth Prince tried to use the trick of implicating the Crown Prince in their criminal activities, but they failed every time. The true criminals were dealt with severely and since then, no one dared use the emblem again for unscrupulous means. But, it did not stop the others from using it to gain momentary prestige.

"Why do we need to go to the Royale Palace Inn?" Zekiah was confused at Ruvin's decision.

"It's hard to explain, but trust me on this one. I will send a message to my brother first so we can decide what to do next."

Zekiah did not ask anything anymore and just accepted Ruvin's arrangement for the time being. Zekiah knew that arguing with Ruvin would only get them nowhere since he looked adamant about his plan.

When they reached the Royale Palace Inn, Mathilda welcomed them and knew right away that it was Ruvin. Mathilda had been with Vaughn and Ruvin ever since they were young children. She knew them like the back of her hand. Ruvin knew that Mathilda already recognized him, and he did not need to act like someone else in front of her.

"Mathilda, send a secret message to my brother to meet me here."

"Yes, I will do it right away."

After Mathilda arranged for their rooms and instructed the kitchen to prepare dinner for Ruvin and Zekiah, she went to the Palace of the Crown Prince to inform Redivo. If it was a secret message, she would personally take care of it to make certain that nothing would be leaked outside.

When she reached the main gate of the Palace of the Crown Prince, the guard recognized her right away and let her in. A guard notified Redivo of Mathilda's arrival and had a hunch that Vaughn or Ruvin was in the Royal Palace Inn.

"Bring her to the study."