Chapter 247 - Welcome Home, Sister-In-Law

Zenia stayed cooped up in her room. She instructed the steward to arrange for a mini-tour of Ishelon for the guests and make sure that they would be out of the manor for a long time. Everyone was excited when they learned that they were going to explore Ishelon.

Vaughn and Zenia still stayed in their room most of the time, even though there were no unfamiliar people around them. Gustof and his family went to attend a festivity in Nollon, which was a prefecture in Ishelon, and they would stay there for a few days. 

Zenia slept most of the time, and Vaughn read some books about Ishelon. They did not talk much, but Zenia felt at ease being like that with Vaughn. They cuddled most of the time, and it was making Vaughn quite uncomfortable. He could not tell his wife that his manliness was swelling. He knew that it was not the time or place to be having some unearthly thoughts.

Vaughn also thought about what Richaem had said, and he was seriously considering it. They should have consummated their marriage already, but he was waiting for Zenia to show some initiative. Hopefully, he wouldn't resort to doing something forceful. As long as they had not consummated their marriage and a lunatic, powerful admirer got hold of that information, she could still be taken away from him.

They never had a proper honeymoon. As soon as everything was resolved, Vaughn had decided to give Zenia a proper honeymoon. It should only be the two of them, and no one else should come along. He was thinking of taking a trip to the small Shadora Kingdom where people put great importance on love and family.   

It was already dark when everyone returned. They were so tired and decided to hit the sack after resting for an hour. Vaughn and Zenia were already fast asleep when the touring party had returned. Zenia's eyes had started to go back to their original size.

"Good sir, is Zenzen okay now?" Wolstan asked the steward, who served them some light snacks.

They already had their dinner outside as per Zenia's instructions. 

The steward smiled at Wolstan and assured him, "The Young Miss is already fine, sir. She should be able to greet you all tomorrow."

"That's good to hear."

Duke Gordon and Jorick heaved a sigh of relief when they heard the steward's response. They had no idea what happened to Zenia, but they knew that she was not feeling well.

After finishing their light snacks, everyone washed up before they went to bed. It was still an amazing day, even though Zenia was under the weather. Everyone looked forward to another exciting day.

* * * * *

"Report!"

"Sir, the Left Minister has already arrived in his estate. The Ninth Prince was not able to meet him."

Redivo smirked and knew that the Left Minister would start causing trouble as soon as he recovered his lost time for sleeping. They already guessed that the Left Minister would start gathering his allies to topple King Tarendino's reign.

They were certain that the Left Minister's private army would arrive anytime soon. In fact, they were expecting the arrival of the secret soldiers long before the actual return of the Left Minister. They had no idea regarding the reason for the delay. Redivo hoped that Vaughn and Zenia would be able to return on time. He was also hoping that they managed to acquire a piece of strong evidence that would convict the Left Minister.

Damien had decided to pay his sister a visit under the pretext of thanking her further for not telling their grandfather what happened that day and for suppressing the servants and guards. Damien knew that no one in the Left Minister's estate would listen to him. He wanted to sound out his sister on the real intention of their grandfather.

"It's rare to get a visit from you, dear brother. What brings you here?"

Damien was already in the garden, sipping his tea when Odette had arrived. She seated across Damien and poured herself a cup of her favorite Jasmine tea.

Odette already had a hunch regarding Damien's aim for visiting her. But, she played along and pretended that she was still that same naïve young girl.

Damien smiled at her and said, "I will cut to the chase. I came here to thank you for doing me a huge favor earlier."

Damien took out a small box from his pocket and pushed it to Odette's direction. 

She picked it up and asked, "What is this?"

"Open it," Damien flashed a mischevious smile.

Odette's eyes widened when she saw the content of the box. It was the rare Scarlet Diamond. When she was younger, she saw Damien's storage of rare treasures and asked for it. He refused to give it to her and told her that it was not something that she should toy with. They still had a close relationship at the time. It was the time when Damien was still behaving like a proper elder brother that he should.

Their relationship turned sour when the Left Minister started giving Odette some of the most important tasks that he would usually hand over to Damien. The Ninth Prince began to suspect that their grandfather had changed his mind regarding the grandchild that he would favor.

The Scarlet Diamond was also called the Blood Diamond. According to legend, the Blood Diamond had been given such a name due to its insatiable appetite for blood. Once awaken, the owner should feed it with her own blood, and it would provide the owner with power beyond imagination. However, when the owner could no longer satisfy its voracious appetite, it would turn to its owner and drain her of her blood.

It was just a legend, and no one saw the rumored awakening of the Scarlet Diamond. Damien refused to give it to Odette when she was still young because he believed in the legend. He still believed that the legend was true, but he no longer cared about his sister. Whether she would be devoured or not was up to her.

Odette smirked and taunted Damien secretly.

'He must've thought that I still don't know the legend about the Blood Diamond. I'm sure that he didn't know that there's another story about it – the Blood Diamond needs a drop of blood from its owner to awaken.'

"Why are you giving this to me? Isn't this one of your rare treasures?"

"I remember that you were fond of it when you were younger. I did not give it to you because I did not want to part from it. I don't want to owe you any favor… Consider it as a payment for your help earlier."

Odette smiled and handed the box to her maid.

"I will treasure it, brother. Is there anything else?"

Damien hesitated and wanted to ask about the Left Minister, but he decided not to. 

He stood up and bid his sister goodbye before he trod the path leading to the exit. He smirked and there was an evil glint in his eyes.  

* * * * *

Someone from the camp rushed over to the Anisen manor just to report that they had spotted a carriage similar to the one that Renaria and Ovid had boarded en route to Tissuria. The people of the manor got busy and Zenia had been awakened by the noise. She put on her robe and got down to see what was going on.

"Young Miss, someone spotted the carriage that Madam and Master had used when they went to Ti…the port. They might be here anytime soon."

Zenia clenched her fist and took a deep breath. Although she was reluctant to welcome that woman, she had to. It was the woman that her dearly beloved Big Brother had been searching for almost all his life. She should be happy for him. 

She was against having concubines in a household. However, having several concubines was normal for a man who could provide financial support to his women. If Odessa would agree to be Zander's concubine, Zenia would do everything in her power to kick the main wife out of the picture. She would try to endure for now.

Vaughn went down and saw that his wife was in deep thought. He knew that she was still thinking of ways to get rid of Zander's bride. He heard the servants talking and knew that his in-laws were coming.

He hugged Zenia from behind and kissed her cheek.

"Good morning. It's a nice morning, isn't it?"

Zenia turned to look at him and complained, "It's not nice at all."

She removed Zander's hands and went back to their room. She took a shower and changed into formal attire. She would welcome Zander's bride, but she would not get close to her. For her, Odessa would always be her one and only sister-in-law. She just wished that her Big Brother would give Odessa a chance.

Vaughn also took a shower after Zenia and dressed up as well. Everyone was already awake and learned that the true masters of the Anisen Manor were arriving soon. They also prepared to welcome them and the new bride.

Wolstan would look at Zenia every now and then. He knew that Zenia was not eager to meet the new bride. But, she still tried her best to display her best behavior.

"Madam and Master are coming!"

The guard at the gates shouted to inform everyone to get ready. The servants lined up, and Zenia and the rest waited patiently at the entrance of the main door of the manor. She gritted her teeth, and Vaughn held her hand to make her feel at ease.

The gates opened and the sound of the galloping horses and creaking wheels of the carriage were like thunder in Zenia's ears. Her heart pounded, and she took a deep breath to calm her nerves.

"Welcome Master and Madam."

The servants greeted in unison. Zenia turned her head and refused to look in front. Renaria and Ovid already saw her reaction and knew that she did not want to welcome Zander's new bride. Renaria already knew that Zander deliberately concealed the identity of his bride from Zenia.

"Greetings Madam Anisen and Military Advisor," Wolstan and the rest uttered their greetings. 

Zander chuckled when Zenia did not even say anything. Odessa glared at Zander for teasing his sister. Odessa felt warm upon seeing Zenia's reaction. She wanted to pinch the cheeks of her cute sister-in-law.

Odessa walked in front of Zenia, who did not bother to look at her.

"Hello, Zenzen." 

Zenia recognized the voice immediately and turned her head to look at Zander's bride. She couldn't believe her eyes and not a word came out of her mouth.

Zenia looked at her Big Brother, then her mother. They both nodded their heads.

Zenia suddenly hugged Odessa and said with a smile, "Welcome home, sister-in-law."