Chapter 259 - The Left Minister Visits the Main Palace (Part 1)

Vaughn and Zenia went to bed early. Zenia wanted to visit Mr. Wheaton Smith, the weapons master, to check on the progress of her poisoned needle launcher. In her estimate, it should be ready. She would like to commission the weapons master to mass-produce a type of weapon within three days. She calculated that the Left Minister would make his move in a week. Two days were enough for select soldiers to learn how to use the new weapon.

She already told Vaughn that they would return to the Royal Apothecary to retrieve the poison that she would use for the needles. The last time she visited, she told Doctor Hugo about enhancing the poison that Lewis had developed. She wanted something that would paralyze the victim when shot. She did not want to kill the victims before she could extract some information. She would only eliminate them if they proved to be worthless.

Outside the Palace of the Crown Prince, Damien's shadow guards kept monitoring their surroundings. They did not find anything odd.

"Send a report to the Ninth Prince that the Crown Prince and Princess had not yet returned. Somebody must've mistaken them for someone else and informed us right away. They would surely return to their palace once they arrived."

"Yes."

Damien was discussing something with Count Cordove, the Defense Minister of Tissuria, when the shadow guard came to report. Olvido was the one who received the information and told the shadow guard not to disclose it with anyone. He dismissed the shadow guard, who left the Ninth Prince's Palace immediately.

Olvido glanced at the two men who were still busy with their discussion. He smirked and slipped off without notifying Damien. Olvido had decided to tell Princess Odette about the news and let her decide what she would do next.

"Count Cordove, now that Vaughn is not here and the King's health is uncertain, don't you think it's about time for you to choose the side to support?"

Damien went direct to the point. Every second was important to him. He had no idea where Vaughn was, and the Left Minister might eliminate him sooner than expected. He should act fast and must do everything in his power to make sure that the next person who would sit on the throne was him.

Count Cordove just smiled and explained, "But, I already stated my position before. I have already decided to pledge my full support to the Crown Prince and Princess. You already know that a military man has a word of honor. I cannot retract what I've already said."

Damien laughed and tried to maintain a calm tone and disposition. He already knew that he would face a hard time convincing Count Cordove to change his decision.

"You did? I guess I was not listening then. But, don't you think that you might have made a mistake somewhere when you said it? I don't think the whole Tissuria heard what you've said before. They wouldn't blame you if you started supporting me because they did not understand that you have chosen a faction to support already. I can provide you with riches and wealth beyond imagination. Think about the welfare of your family," Damien sneered.

Count Cordove understood what he was trying to imply. The Ninth Prince was threatening him using his family. He was able to hold onto his position for a long time because he knew when to retreat and when to attack. At that moment, he could only retreat. He had not received any reliable information about the current state of the Crown Prince. He was not putting his hope on King Tarendino because he knew that the Left Minister could manipulate the King easily.

Count Cordove gritted his teeth and clenched his fist as he tried to calm himself down.

"Let me think about it, Ninth Prince. It's not easy to retract the words of a military man who has a prestigious position."

Damien smirked and simply replied, "I understand. You can take your time, but don't make me wait for too long. I cannot guarantee anything."

Count Cordove looked at Damien without holding back his emotions. His hatred for the Ninth Prince could be seen on his face. Damien was delighted to see such a reaction from the stoic Count Cordove.

"If there is nothing else, Your Highness, I will take my leave."

Damien simply waved his hand and let him go. Count Cordove walked straight to the doorway where his right-hand man was waiting for him.

Looking at the Count's expression, the right-hand man knew that nothing good happened. He kept quiet even though he was itching to know what the Count and the Ninth Prince had discussed. All he could do was to wait patiently for Count Cordove to tell him what transpired in that meeting.

When Odette's personal maid entered her room that night, she noticed that the Princess was in a good mood. Princess Odette couldn't help but smile from ear to ear each time she recalled the piece of information that Olvido delivered to her that evening. She had decided to pay the Left Minister a visit and tell him the good news. She was hoping that the Dark Magic Lord had captured Vaughn and kept him in Prazia.

'It's good that things are going according to plan.'

She went to bed with a smile on her lips. She did not even think that it could be what was called calm before the storm.

* * * * *

Zenia got up early, but Vaughn was way earlier than her. He already ordered the kitchen to prepare their breakfast and had the maids take care of everything that his wife might need, including her bathwater. All the workers in the Royal Palace Inn were people loyal to Vaughn. They knew the story of the Crown Prince and Princess when they were very young.

Zenia went to a desk near the bed and gathered some papers and a pen. She sat on the chair and began drafting another design for her weapon. It was a crossbow that could launch the arrows inside a barrel in succession. The barrel could accommodate at least ten arrows.

Vaughn peered from behind and did not bother her as she drew her design. She was smiling. Vaughn was impressed at how Zenia's mind worked. He did not think that crossbows could launch arrows successively. Looking at Zenia's design, he was convinced that it was indeed possible.

"Is that the weapon that you want Mr. Smith to make?"

"Uhuh."

"How many of that  do you need?"

"About twenty. We will only use this one if our plan A failed. But, I doubt that it will fail." Zenia chuckled lightly.

Vaughn shook his head and smiled, "What you're trying to say is you're just thinking of an excuse to mass-produce that weapon."

Zenia looked at him and smiled, "Exactly!" She turned her head back to what she was doing and continued.

"Have you tested that in Ishelon?"

"Yeah, but it was a complete failure. I hope that Mr. Smith will be able to make the necessary adjustments, although I already made some alterations in the original design."

"Let's eat first and continue that later."

Zenia nodded and placed her design neatly on the side. She stood up, and Vaughn held her hand. The maids in the room dispersed quickly when they saw their Crown Prince took the initiative to hold the hand of his wife. They were glad that everything was going smoothly between the two of them. They could not wait for the Royal Heir to be born.

"What kind of disguise should we wear this time?"

"I don't know… How about you go as my wife?"

Vaughn almost choked when he heard Zenia's suggestion.

"Zenzen, I love you with all my heart, but I will never wear a woman's clothes to use as a disguise."

Zenia tapped his nose and replied lovingly, "I know, and I will never make you wear one."

'…for now.'

Zenia gave Vaughn a sweet smile, which made him shudder. He had no idea why he felt that there was some meaning behind Zenia's smile.

After they finished the meal and Zenia's drawing, they prepared to go out. They wore simple clothing that resembled the clothes of the ordinary citizens of Tissuria. Zenia made an eye patch for Vaughn. It covered almost half of Vaughn's face.

It only took them half an hour to reach the Master Weaponsmith's shop. All the places that they should visit were near the Royale Palace Inn. There were times when Zenia wanted to suggest staying in the inn when they had some business near the area. It was more convenient and time-saver.

Mr. Smith welcomed them, but he did not recognize the couple, "Welcome to my humble shop, dear guests. What can I do for you?"

Zenia got no time to dilly-dally and asked, "Mr. Smith is my needle launcher ready?"

Mr. Smith recognized Zenia's voice and could not believe that they would visit him wearing a disguise.

"C-Crown Princess," he turned to Vaughn and asked, "Crown Prince?"

"Yes, yes, it's us. Hurry up and tell me. We haven't got much time."

"It is ready," Mr. Smith assured Zenia and signaled his assistant to fetch the item.

It was wrapped in silk and when Zenia opened the cover, she was impressed. The needle launcher looked more elegant than the last time she saw it. No one would suspect that it was a weapon. It looked like some kind of accessory for the hand.

Zenia tried it, and it fit her hand perfectly. It was eye-catching, but it wouldn't make anyone stare at it for a long time. It was lightweight but when Zenia launched a needle, only a small portion of the needle was left protruding on the wall.