Chapter 289 - Bargaining Agreement (Part 2)

Vaughn and Zenia went to the bookstore first because they were dying to know what they should do next. Vaughn forgot that he was the wife at the moment and led Zenia inside the bookstore. Zenia, on the other hand, also forgot that she was supposed to be the husband. The people who saw them thought that Zenia was a henpecked husband and pitied her.

Zenia got into her character quickly when she saw the shopkeeper. She approached him like a true gentleman looking for a science book regarding human anatomy – that was just a start. She was still feeling shy to ask directly about the book they came for. She looked at Vaughn, but he deliberately looked away.

She sighed and knew that the daunting task was left to her to fulfill.   

"Good sir, aside from the anatomy books and science books, do you have anything else?"

The shopkeeper looked at the female companion of the man before him. That female companion seemed shy, and she was a head taller than the man. It was nothing new to the shopkeeper. He knew right away what kind of book the gentleman was searching for.

He gave Zenia a polite smile and said, "We have a lot of books, including the ones about the bed business of a couple and everything that you are curious about."

Zenia could not believe that the shopkeeper understood what she wanted to ask from the start. She tried to maintain her composure and cough twice to clear her throat.

"Good sir, can you please bring them here for me to take a look."

Vaughn already distanced himself from Zenia and the shopkeeper, and he did not know what was going on. A book about pregnant women caught his eyes, and he picked it up. Pregnant or not, the book would definitely be useful. The books he had in his library were all about military strategies, business, poetry, swordsmanship, management, politics, and other subjects that most people would find boring. He would know what to do in case Zenia got pregnant, and he would make sure that she would.

The shopkeeper returned with the books that he mentioned. Zenia looked for Vaughn, but she couldn't find him. 

'It looks like I need to decide by myself.'

She looked at the different books and picked two books, which she thought would be most useful to them. In Ishelon, it was customary for an engaged lady to learn everything from her mother before her wedding day, and knowing about the bed business was included in the lessons. Zenia did not have a chance to learn it. But, she did not expect Vaughn not to know anything. In her estimate, she knew more than him. It was thanks to visiting different brothels to gather information, although she never got a chance to witness anything that she should not.

Vaughn was already waiting by the counter when Zenia came with the shopkeeper. She saw Vaughn holding some books in his hands, but she did not see what kind of books they were. They paid the books and rushed out. They went to the clinic next.

The doctor attended to them immediately and handed an ointment to Zenia to help relieve the discomfort. Fortunately, the doctor was a woman.

"This ointment can only be found in Shadora. I can tell that you and your wife are not from here. I guarantee that this ointment can take away the pain in one day." The doctor gave Zenia a meaningful smile.

"What advice can you give us, doctor?"

"I don't know with other kingdoms, but in Shadora we advise young married couples to always do it so it wouldn't hurt so much after doing it for so many times. It is also customary for us to give birth right away that's why we need to do it more often to make sure."

Zenia turned pale, and she could feel that Vaughn was more than glad about the doctor's advice. It was a good thing that they had the ointment, and Zenia hoped that it would truly work. She was aware that she should give birth to Vaughn's heir when she agreed to marry him for real. She just hoped that he was not in a hurry to produce one. She had decided at that moment to ask her mother regarding the proper way to take care of a child.

"Thank you, doctor. We will take our leave now, and you don't need to give us our change." Vaughn was the one who spoke using his natural baritone voice and then handed their payment.

The doctor was startled when she heard it but only thought that the wife may have a problem with her vocal cord or her thyroid. With the amount the wife handed to her, the doctor would be willing to conduct a thorough check-up. But, the couple did not say anything, and the doctor was simply glad that she made extra money.

They did not read the book right away. They were afraid that it might turn dark soon, and he should check where they could rent a carriage that would take them back to the temple. Fortunately, the carriage they rode before was there near the inn.

They went back to their room quickly, and Zenia came rushing to the carriage after changing her clothes.

"Kind sir, can you please take us to the temple."

"Oh, you're the one earlier." The coachman was craning his neck, and Zenia knew who he was looking for.

During their short stay in Shadora, Zenia already discovered the people's fondness of sharing good gossips. The coachman was obviously looking for a good story to share with his friends and acquaintances.

"If you're looking for my husband, he will be here shortly."

The coachman looked at Zenia, "Your husband?"

The coachman hardly believed it. In his eyes, Zenia looked like a teenage girl, and the man she was with looked like someone in his late twenties. Their age difference was just too big.

Zenia thought that she could clear the relationship between her and Vaughn when she volunteered the information. 

'It looks like I only made it worse. I wonder what this man is thinking right now…'

Zenia had decided to keep her mouth shut and just wait for Vaughn. There would always be some good gossips to share no matter what. 

"Zenzen, let's go," Vaughn came rushing in.

He ordered some pastries that he saw earlier. He knew that Zenia would love them. He was still holding the books in his hand, and the coachman saw it. The coachman gave Zenia a funny look and grinned. She traced his line of sight and saw the books in Vaughn's hand. His other hand was holding a box, which contained the pastries. She knew that the coachman was looking at the books.

"Kind sir, let's get going."

They boarded the carriage and rolled off. After they left, two men suddenly came rushing to their spot.

"I thought you said you detected it here?"

"Yes! This stone keeps flashing in this direction, but it's gone now."

"Are you sure you're using it properly?"

"Of course I'm sure! Although the pure spirit that I sensed some time ago was not as pure as the one we found in Prazia earlier, but it's still considered as good quality."  

"Did we come here to look for that pure spirit?"

"No. I just happen to feel it that's why we need to check it."

"What does your Master want us to do here?"

"We need to look for the only remaining disciple of the other Great Elder. Master has a hunch that the remaining disciple can help him with his quest."

"If that pure spirit isn't here, let's get going. I want to return to Venetia as soon as possible. I still need to report something to the First Prince."

"How is the First Prince? Is his power getting stronger?"

"Beats me."

The two men trod the direction of the inn where they would try their luck next. They just arrived in Shadora and never stopped asking for the whereabouts of the remaining disciple of the other Great Elder.

Vaughn and Zenia just arrived at the temple, and they quickly told the guards to inform the Chief Elder of their arrival. They did not wait for a sedan to take them to their house and immediately went there.

They quickly changed into more comfortable clothing. The sun was about to set, and the view from their bedroom window was simply breathtaking. But, they were busy with the book. Vaughn took out the pastries from the box and got a fork from the kitchen.

Zenia went to the bathroom where she put some ointment on the painful area and felt the cool sensation that seemed to take away the pain instantly. She joined Vaughn the moment she went out, and they sat on the chair. They began reading to the part regarding what to do with the pain. Vaughn saw something peculiar when Zenia began flipping the pages of the book, and he knew right away that they were pictures of different positions for a couple. His nose almost bled while Zenia had no reaction at all. Vaughn surmised that she did not notice anything.

Vaughn was feeding Zenia with some pastries as she flipped the pages of the book. He would sometimes eat some of the pastries, but they were still too sweet for him. After they read the explanation, Vaughn grinned from ear to ear. Zenia glared at him. The book gave the same advice that the doctor gave earlier.

Zenia kept glaring at him. Vaughn couldn't help but grin even more.

"Zenzen, I promise to be gentler this time. I already know what to do and how to do it properly. Shall we give it a try?"