Chapter 246 - Should I Say Goodbye?

Zenia explained the purpose of her visit. She told him that she must take over the troop for a while to make sure that Zander would not use his men to protect his bride. She planned to keep the bride captive until she was sure that Zander would abandon that bride.

"Where did you find the lady that you want Big Brother Zander to marry? Is she worthy of him?"

Prince Jade had a close relationship with the Anisen siblings, except Zekiah. Prince Jade had always been jealous of Zekiah who was the biological sibling of his favorite people. Zekiah did not bother dealing with Jade. Aside from the fact that Prince Jade was the only prince and future King of Ishelon, Zekiah knew that his siblings wouldn't choose that brat over him.

"Forget about Big Brother, she's truly worthy to be the daughter-in-law of the Anisens."

"Sister Zenzen, are you sure that she's still innocent and pure? I mean, you've only met her."

Zenia looked at Prince Jade with bewildered eyes and said, "That's impossible! My eyes would not deceive me. I already talked to her for so many times, and I did not see anything odd about her."

"Why do you hate Big Brother Zander's bride so much when you haven't seen her yet? For all you know, she could be someone more outstanding than your sister-in-law."

"We don't know that for sure. She could be someone from that kingdom where women have so many men in their lives."

Prince Jade gasped and looked at Zenia, "There's such a kingdom?"

Zenia realized that she said something that could be considered disconcerting considering the age of the person she was talking with. She had decided to change the subject.

"Anyway, my sister-in-law should be the one standing right beside my Big Brother and not some random woman. I don't even know where he found her. If she's the lady that my Big Brother entangled with when he was young, who knows how many men she…"

Zenia stopped before she could blurt out something uncalled for again. Prince Jade somewhat understood what she was trying to do.

"So, sister Zenzen wants to use the military unit of Ishelon for her own benefit, am I right?" Prince Jade smiled warmly at her, and she was lost for words.

She sighed and bowed her head, "Yes, it is for my own selfish desire. I guess King Jarod will not consent it."

"Your guess is correct. Sister Zenzen, don't you think you're being impulsive here?"

"Yes, I just realized that now. Just when I thought that I already found the perfect match for him. I just can't accept the fact that he will be marrying someone I don't know."

"Well, this event also made me realize something."

"What's that?"

"The invincible sister Zenzen is not so invincible at all. She can be muddle-headed sometimes."

Zenia smiled and ruffled Jade's hair.

"I know that you will be a good King someday. Although you always claim that I'm your most favorite person, you still slapped the truth to my face. You are not willing to help me with my unreasonable favor."

Zenia bowed her head and looked so down. Prince Jade turned pale when he heard Zenia's last sentence. He panicked and thought that Zenia got angry at him. But, he would be the future King of Ishelon. He knew he should not waver.

"I'm sorry, sister Zenzen. I need to be resolute."

'This brat, when did he learn to act like this? It's a good thing, though. He has more backbone than that father of his.'

Zenia returned to her usual self. She already confirmed that Prince Jade wouldn't give in. Her desire to push her original plan had been extinguished. She did not want to hinder her Big Brother's life-long happiness, but she just got to do something to ease her mind.

"Just tell King Jarod that I dropped by to ask for something, but I changed my mind after talking to you," she stood up and walked to the direction of the palace gate and added, "See you around, brat."

Prince Jade smiled and whispered, "See you around, sister Zenzen. I'm glad that I was able to help you clear your mind."

When Zenia left the Palace of King Jarod, there was an eerie smile on her face that made the guards shudder. They did not ask why she was leaving without meeting the King.

King Jarod finally finished his meal and saw prince Jade waiting alone. He looked around and found no traces of Zenia.

"Where's your Big Sister Zenzen?"

"She left already."

King Jarod couldn't believe his ears. Jade would always cling to Zenia whenever he would see her in the palace. He wouldn't let her go until he was satisfied with the amount of time they spent together reading books and exchanging opinions.

"You allowed her to leave just like that?"

Jade looked at his father and was wondering whether he should tell him the truth about Zenia's aim for her visit.

Prince Jade sighed and explained, "Father, it's like this…"

He narrated Zenia's plan to his father and told him that something must've happened that made Zenia seemed anxious.

"It's a good thing that you did not agree with her plan. But, it is indeed rare for her to act foolishly. I hope that Commander Zander is not making any mistake with his decision. I'm sure that the woman that Zenzen had found for her brother is someone amazing."

* * * * *

The party traveling to Ishelon had decided to rest in an inn. They would reach Ishelon in two days or less. Zekiah had a bad feeling that something unpleasant would happen.

"Big Brother, Zenzen must be in the manor right now."

"She should be. What about it?"

"Does she know that you're going to marry Doctor Odessa?"

Zander grinned at Zekiah and said, "She doesn't know anything. I just sent a message to tell everyone that I will bring home a bride, but they should not say who it is."

"Isn't that a foolish thing to do?"

Zander looked at Zekiah scornfully, "Why do you consider it as something foolish? I just want to surprise Zenzen."

"Don't you know her at all? As we speak, she might already be planning something to disrupt your marriage. She had been looking forward to introducing Doctor Odessa to you."

"What can she do? I don't think she can do anything while she's in Ishelon. I might think otherwise when the wedding will take place in Tissuria."

Zekiah murmured to himself, "I hope you're right."

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing."

* * * * *

Zenia rode Thunderbolt and decided to go to the places that she would often visit together with Zander. She had a feeling that she might not return to Ishelon anymore once Zander got married to that woman. Everyone in her family must be happy about the wedding, except her. She already regretted staying in Prazia and put her husband in danger. Another reason made her even more remorseful.

If they had returned immediately, she might have done something to prevent Zander from meeting that woman again. She really could not blame anyone, but herself. She just hoped that the woman that her Big Brother had fallen in love with was as great as Odessa Munchefort.

She returned late at night, and her guests seemed to be sleeping already. Vaughn waited patiently for her return. He knew that she must be feeling down. He wished that someone had a talk with her and knocked some sense into her head. He was not brave enough to tell Zenia that she was planning to do something foolish.

Zenia went to her room and knew that her husband was still awake. Little did they know, the other guests were also still awake and patiently waiting for her to come home. Vaughn already explained the reason for Zenia's odd behavior earlier. They were worried that she might do something that she would regret later. Everyone was put at ease when they were certain that Zenia had returned.

The room was dark, but the moon was shining so brightly that night. It illuminated the room. Zenia did not turn on the lights and simply removed her uniform and went to the bathroom. Vaughn could hear the splashing of water and faint sobbing. He wanted to go there and comfort her but decided that she might want to be alone for a while.

Vaughn felt like his heart was breaking when he heard her faint sobbing. It was clear that she did not want anyone to know how sad she was. He was used to seeing her so gallant and brave. She may not always have the best solution for every problem, but she would surely come up with one. She seemed invincible but at that moment Vaughn realized that his wife was also someone whose emotions could get hurt.

Zenia changed into more comfortable clothing and joined Vaughn to sleep. She tossed and turned. Vaughn wanted to pretend that he was already in deep slumber but couldn't.

He reached out his hands and gathered his wife into his arms. He whispered in her ear.

"Zenzen, I'm here whenever you want someone to listen to you. Remember that you are not alone."

Vaughn felt the warm tears soaking his chest. He did not say anything anymore. Words were unnecessary, and he just let her pour out her sadness. Vaughn hoped that by tomorrow she would be okay. Zenia cried herself to sleep while within her husband's embrace.

Zenia's eyes were completely swollen when she woke up in the morning she refused to go out and asked Vaughn to come up with a nice reason. They had decided to tell the others that she was not feeling well.