Chapter 254 - Paying the King of Tissuria a Visit (Part 1)

Vaughn tossed and turned as he laid wide awake. He turned to his side and looked at the face of his sleeping wife. Zenia was already sleeping soundly, and Vaughn could even hear light snoring from her. He smiled and gathered her in his arms. He held her tightly and finally fell asleep.

Zenia opened her eyes and smiled. She woke up when Vaughn pulled her close to him. She had a hunch that he could not sleep in unfamiliar territory, especially when he knew that it belonged to the Ninth Prince. She went back to sleep and snuggled closer to her husband. 

General Dietrich did not waste time and sent his men to gather Zenia's private army for a meeting. They should be clear on the attack plan to follow. General Dietrich had no idea what Zenia was planning to do, but he was certain that everything was in preparation for that plan. The Commander sent them there to ensure the safety of his little sister, and they swore to follow the Commander until they breathed their last.    

Vaughn and Zenia had a good rest. Zenia got up first and let Vaughn sleep for a bit more. She borrowed the kitchen to cook something for her husband. She frightened him earlier when they jumped off the cliff. She had yet to appease him so he would forget that incident.

In a few minutes, an enticing fragrance filled the air. Everyone who caught a whiff of the delicious aroma drooled instantly. Although there were good cooks in the inn, they were not as good as Zenia. Vaughn suddenly opened his eyes and sat up. He smiled when he verified that he was not mistaken – his wife could be cooking something for him.

Vaughn got up and tidied the table. He knew that Zenia would bring the food once she finished cooking.

"Mr. Head Cook, please remember how I prepare the dish so you can serve it to them even if I'm not around. They will surely like it," Zenia smiled and picked up the tray that she would take to Vaughn.

Zenia knew that ears were listening to what she was saying. After she left, the men came rushing to the kitchen and helped themselves. The Head Cook could not believe what just happened and ordered the kitchen helpers to prepare another batch of ingredients. He hoped that he could replicate the dish on his own.

Vaugh heard the sound of footsteps outside and knew that it was Zenia. He opened the door for her, and she went straight to the table and laid down the tray. Vaughn closed the door and joined his wife.

There was only one chair, and he pulled out a chair and scooped up Zenia immediately. He sat on the chair and made Zenia sit on his lap.

"Feed me, my dear wife," he smiled at her, and she thought that it was too dazzling.

'It looks like he recovered his energy completely.'

Zenia obeyed happily and fed Vaughn. They ate together with gusto until they wiped the table clean. Zenia stood up and called for someone to take out the empty plates.

"What do you want to do now? It would take a few days before General Dietrich gathers all the men." Zenia asked Vaughn earnestly.

Vaughn looked at her and pondered for a while. He wanted to see his mother, but he also knew that Damien's men could be monitoring the Main Palace. 

"Why don't we return to our palace first?"

"Are you sure that's what you want to do?"

Vaughn gave Zenia a silly, meaningful smile, "What do you think I want to do in our palace, my Crown Princess?"

Zenia glared at him and snorted, "I don't know what you want to do in your palace, but I just thought that you want to check on the Queen and make sure that she's fine. Don't you want to know the condition of King Tarendino?"

Vaughn fell silent when he heard his father's name. He was not interested at all to know the King's condition. He looked at Zenia and could not bring himself to utter his true feelings. 

After learning that the King was under the effect of the hypnotic powder for a long time, Vaughn did not change his opinion about his father. For him, King Tarendino was a total sc.u.mbag be it a husband or a father.

"I want to know how my mother is coping, but it is too risky to go there. Damien's men are surely monitoring the Main Palace right now."

Zenia looked at him and smiled, he knew that his wife must be thinking of disguising themselves again. She was so fond of wearing disguises, and he was beginning to get used to it. Sometimes he found himself wondering what type of disguise they should wear next.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Junior Commander, General Dietrich would like to talk to you now. He said it's urgent."

Zenia and Vaughn looked at each other and nodded.

"We'll be right there."

* * * * *

General Dietrich was sitting in his office and reading the report of his men who monitored the movements in the Left Minister's estate. In his opinion, the Left Minister might make his move sooner than expected.

'It looks like we need to hurry up in gathering all the men.'

He was someone who did not want to be caught in a losing battle. He had decided to send a message to Zander even though he was still spending his sweet time with his wife. General Dietrich knew that the Left Minister had made a deal with the Dark Magic Lord. Although no one in Tissuria and Ishelon could be affected by regular magic, he was not certain about the effects of dark magic on them.

Creek! Creek!

Zenia opened the door of the General's office and was once more annoyed by the squeaking sound of the door.

"General, what is it?"

General Dietrich stood up and was about to salute when Zenia glared at him. He stopped mid-way and did not know what to do. His body became stiff, and he felt like suffocating.

Zenia sighed and just ordered, "Okay, do your thing."

The General smiled and proceed with his usual salutations and got down to business.

"Junior Commander, the Left Minister held a meeting earlier in his estate. In that meeting were the people whom we believe are the Left Minister's ardent supporters."

General Dietrich handed Zenia the list of attendees and took a look at it together with Vaughn. They both flashed a sinister smile on their lips. They had already guessed that those people were supporting the Left Minister in the shadows.

"Shall we wipe their entire clan?" Zenia teased her husband.

Vaughn shook his head. He obviously took Zenia's joke as something serious. He had been thinking of wiping out the entire clan of the traitors, but he gained some loyal supporters from the other members of their clans. If he had decided to eliminate or banish the entire clan, even his loyal supporters must leave Tissuria and never return.

"No, I planned it once but thought that it's not right."

General Dietrich shuddered at what he heard. Vaughn was speaking casually as if he was dealing with something that he needed to deal with every day. He wondered what Vaughn was doing every day before he married Zenia.

"Vaughn, I was just joking when I said that. Did you really think that I want to eliminate them? Although I admit that it is in line with my principle of uprooting evil before it creates further damage."

Vaughn seemed to find the answer when he looked at her.

"I know what we should do first."

Zenia looked at Vaughn and just followed his idea. He had decided to return to the Palace of the Crown Prince first, and then pay his mother and father a visit. He wanted to see the changes in King Tarendino. He would decide for his next course of action after he had seen favorable changes in his father.

* * * * *

There was still no movement in the Left Minister's side. General Dietrich's men had gathered almost half of Zenia's private army. They did not obtain any clues that could tell them whether the Left Minister's secret soldiers had already arrived.

The Dark Magic Lord, on the other hand, already found out what Azer did and punished him according to their laws. The Dark Magic Lord handed the supervision of the secret soldiers and his men under Prince Roland. The First Prince of Tissuria was a quick-learner. He only needed a short period to learn the basics of using magic. Marquis Quivel was so proud of his grandson.

Prince Roland had decided to use his grandfather to reach his goal. His mother was being taken care of by the best medical team, although there was no assurance that she would be able to gain her sanity back. He already knew that Princess Odette was the daughter of the King of Prazia and Concubine Jayda. He was planning to seal a deal with the King of Prazia and help his daughter obtain Vaughn's affection. He would then get Zenia Anisen for himself.

'I need to plan everything carefully and slowly. It may take a while, but I want to make sure that I will have everything that I want in the end,' Roland smirked as he continued practicing his new ability.

When the sun was about to set, Zenia and Vaughn had decided that it was time to leave. They boarded Thunderbolt and galloped away. None of them spoke as Zenia nudged Thunderbolt to go faster. They were able to avoid the locations where Damien's men were stationed.  

They reached the Palace of the Crown Prince in the middle of the night.