Chapter 251 - Journey Back to Tissuria

The wedding went well, and Odessa's tears kept falling from her eyes while looking at her husband. She had a smile on her lips. She never dreamt that she would be given a chance to experience such happiness. She had decided not to marry, but fate did not allow it.

Zander wiped away the tears from his wife's eyes. He leaned closer to her and gave her another kiss. Zenia blushed when she saw it, and Vaughn knew what was going on in her mind. He smiled and couldn't wait to take her to Shadora Kingdom.

Lewis kept wiping his eyes and tried his best not to let anyone see that he was crying. Odessa saw him and kept mum about it. She smiled and knew that her sworn brother was happy for her.

Everyone enjoyed the feast. Crown Prince Jade invited himself to the wedding, and the couple welcomed him. Zander explained that Prince Jade was like a younger brother to the Anisen siblings, even though Zekiah and Prince Jade were not that close. Zekiah left quickly after eating. Zenia saw him and was wondering what he was up to. She was certain that Zekiah was planning something.

Ruvin stayed and joined the other military men of Ishelon in their drinking spree. Vaughn joined them for a while and only stayed for a short period. He and Zenia agreed to return to Tissuria before dawn. Lewis protested and insisted on staying for a couple of days more. Vaughn told him that he could kiss his job goodbye.

Renaria prepared a separate courtyard for Zander and Odessa so no one would disturb them when it was time to rest. Renaria knew that it would be noisy in the morning with so many guests.

"Mother, I'm sorry that I need to trouble you to take care of the people I brought with me. I cannot let them know that Lewis, Vaughn, and I will leave before dawn."

"Not even the former King of Tissuria?"

"No, not even grandpa. Let him enjoy his stay here. It's rare for him to take a vacation."

Renaria smiled, "I understand. What about the Young Duke and his aide?"

"If they want to leave, just let them. Jorick and Gustof knew each other. I think Jorick and his brother will agree to stay here for a while."

"I will prepare separate courtyards for them then."

Zenia looked at her mother lovingly, "Even when I'm not around you still have a daughter who can keep you company. There's no need for me to worry so much anymore."

Zenia and Renaria always had a great relationship, even though Zenia feared her mother – all members of the Anisen household did. To be precise, their greatest fear was giving Renaria heartaches. Ovid and his children made a promise that none of them should subject Renaria to any form of pain.   

Renaria hugged Zenia and kissed her forehead, "You will always be my only daughter even if we're not together. No one will take your place in my heart. Odessa will share Zander's space in my heart."

Zenia hugged her mother tightly, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She missed her mother terribly, but she knew that she should be with her husband.

"I will always find my way back here whenever I feel like I'm all alone in Tissuria."

Renaria had always known that Vaughn would not let his wife feel so alone.

"Of course, you are always welcome here in our home."

Vaughn stopped in his tracks when he heard the conversation between mother and daughter. He was supposed to fetch Zenia and tell her that they should rest early.

Vaughn turned around and, with a heavy heart, trod the path to their bedroom – alone. He never thought that his wife was still thinking of going back to the Anisen Manor. He clenched his fist to his chest and tried his best not to think about the day when Zenia would ask for divorce.

After talking with Renaria, Zenia went to check Lewis. He was taking a stroll in the garden and checking the different herbs and medicinal plants that Gustof had planted. Gustof and his family were about to return.

"Hey, what are you doing here? You should be prepared already."

Lewis looked at Zenia with pitiful eyes. He was hoping that the Crown Princess was easier to convince than the Crown Prince. Zenia shook her head and turned around to leave Lewis in his pitiful state. Lewis couldn't believe that Zenia did not even give him a second look.

'Did she just ignore me?' Lewis scratched his head as he looked at the departing back of Zenia.

Vaughn lied down and closed his eyes. He got tired of waiting for his wife to return to their room. He tried his best not to think about whether Zander and Odessa had finally consummated their marriage. He blushed and buried his face on the pillow. 

Zenia was welcomed with such a scene when she opened the door. Somehow, she found it cute. She guessed that her husband must be thinking something naughty and got shy.

She removed the pillow and laughed at Vaughn's reaction. He looked like a child that was caught by his mother.

Zenia leered and babbled, "What are you thinking?"

Vaughn blushed and tried to change the subject.

"Where have you been? I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Zenia let it slide and played along, "I checked on Lewis and reminded him that we need to leave early tomorrow."

Silence enveloped them until Vaughn had decided to break the ice, "Do you want to stay here with your family a bit more? I can go back to Tissuria with Lewis."

Zenia was not sure what made Vaughn sad, but she noticed that something was off.

"I'd like to stay here a bit more, but I already have a husband. I need to go together with him until we grow old."

Vaughn looked at Zenia and hugged her suddenly. Something tugged at Zenia's heartstrings, and she was certain that she just said the right words at the right time.

Vaughn let out a sigh of relief when he confirmed that his wife would not leave him regardless of the situation. He had no more doubts regarding Zenia's willingness to stay with him forever. The husband and wife hugged each other until they fell asleep.

* * * * *

"Junior Commander, are you sure you don't need my help? I can go with you to Tissuria now. I heard from my brothers that a war might break out in Tissuria soon."

Gustof and his family had finally returned when Zenia, Vaughn, and Lewis were about to depart. Gustof was trying to reach the Anisen Estate by the time Zander and Odessa were about to get married. He was too late but still glad that he caught up with Zenia.

"Brother Gustof, I need to trouble you to look after Jorick and his brother for me."

"Jorick is also here? I know that brat would leave the Ninth Prince the moment he learns the truth."

"What truth?"

"Ah, the Ninth Prince has no plan to help him find his family and regain his memory. Did he find out who he is already?"

Zenia turned her head to look at Vaughn as if she was waiting for him to give her an answer. He did not utter a single word.

Zenia sighed and turned her head back to Gustof, "You will know when you meet him. He also changed…a lot."

"What do you mean?"

"You will find out later," Zenia tapped Gustof's shoulder and walked to where Vaughn was standing.

He helped her get on Thunderbolt and joined her. Lewis boarded his carriage and Zenia brought two of Zander's men along. One would be the coachman, and the other would make sure that Lewis would remain safe. 

Vaughn and Zenia had decided to take the short cut going to Ishelon and let Zander's men take care of Lewis. There was a need to bring Lewis along to help out since Odessa was not there. They still had no idea whether King Tarendino was already out of danger. Lewis could help Doctor Hugo concoct the medicine to help in the recovery of King Tarendino.

They set off without waking anyone in the Anisen Manor. Renaria and Ovid looked out the window and saw Vaughn and Zenia galloped away. Ovid held Renaria in his arms and knew that his wife did not want to let go of their baby girl. But, they did not want to be the ones to get in the way of her happiness. The marriage between Vaughn and Zenia may have started as a political one, but Zenia fell in love with Vaughn for real. Renaria knew that Vaughn had been in love with her daughter for a long time and would remain loyal to her even after death.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Lewis tried to sit still, but the carriage was running at full speed.

"Can't we slow down a bit? I am trying to catch the pieces of myself that we left behind. I feel like my spirit was being torn apart. This is too fast!"

Lewis complained to Captain Priestone who was keeping him company inside the carriage.

"We need to reach Tissuria soon. The Crown Prince of Tissuria and our Junior Commander were already way ahead of us."

"What?" Lewis looked out the window and found no one beside them so he asked, "Where are they? I can't see them."

"Look over there sir," the Captain pointed to the cliff that Zenia made Thunderbolt jump.

Lewis traced the direction that the Captain was pointing at and saw a magnificent horse, with two passengers, lept from the cliff.

"AAHHHH!"