Chapter 317 - Partners in Crime (Part 2)

"I don't have any complaint with your proposal just make sure that Zenia Anisen will not show herself in front of Vaughn again. But, I'm curious how you come to know her?"

Odette flashed a playful smile that annoyed Roland.

"That is no longer your concern. My business is mine alone, and your business is yours. Don't ask me anything about things that do not concern you. Just concentrate on how to make Vaughn fall for you. Our cooperation is only up to that extent. I will help you get Vaughn, and I will take Zenia away. You all will no longer hear from us by then."

Odette was startled at Roland's reply. She thought that she finally managed to get close to her First Brother. She returned quickly to how she was when facing Roland.

"Y-Yes, First Brother. I did not mean to upset you. I will tell King Odhran not to do anything anymore, and I will just wait for your good news."

"That's good then. Make sure that King Odhran understands. Otherwise, I will make sure that everyone will suffer when something happens to Zenia, and you are involved."

Roland smirked and was certain that Odette would not renege on their agreement. He stood up and walked toward the exit without looking back at Odette who just stared at his departing back. She clenched her fists and swept the table clean. The cups, saucers, and everything on the table made loud crashing sounds that startled the servants in the villa.

Odette hated herself for obeying Roland without being coerced. She knew she should find a way to break free from the effect that he had on her. If not, she was afraid that he might use it against her to the point where she could become his willing puppet. She knew that Roland was aware that he could instill fear in her just like he used to when she was still a young girl.

She was left with no other choice but to learn magic. She hoped that she could somehow acquire it. If she was not mistaken, Roland had been training on improving his magic that he just recently learned that he had. If she knew how to use magic, she thought that she had a chance to break free from Roland and plan everything on her own.

* * * * *

Wolstan had been staying in the Main Residence of the Palace of the Crown Prince for a few days now and was practically stuck to Zenia's side. Vaughn even drove him out of their bedroom on the first day when they were about to sleep. He compromised by letting his great-grandfather stay in one of the rooms of the Main Residence. 

"It's either you stay in one of the guest rooms or stay out," Vaughn told his great-grandfather firmly.

"You stinky brat, I know that you want to hold your wife to sleep at night. I did not dream of interrupting you two. I also want to hold a great-great-grandchild soon. I only intend to stay until Zenzen feels sleepy."

"If she's already asleep, how can you have a great-great-grandchild soon? Do you now understand?"

Wolstan looked at Vaughn from head to foot. He wouldn't believe that his great-grandson was the one who uttered those words if he did not hear it in person. 

'Is this still the same man who kept blushing before? How did he become so courageous when uttering those words that he considered vulgar before? What happened to this v.i.r.g.i.n that…'

Wolstan gasped and looked at Vaughn once more. He did not see any sign of bashfulness in those eyes or demeanor. Wolstan laughed and gave Vaughn a meaningful smile. He even patted Vaughn's back.

"My boy, you have finally become a real man. Rest assured that I will only spend time with Zenzen when you are not around. I'll just stay here for a few days more. I'll just give Roy some time to enjoy by himself before I pester him again."

Roy was thankful that Zenia and Vaughn had finally arrived. Wolstan had been experiencing some trouble sleeping. His friend would often keep him awake too just to listen to stories that he already told him a hundred times. They even had a few drinks. 

Lately, the one who was keeping Roy's company was Richaem. Roy was glad to help out the youngest son of Prince Joram. He tried to put a protective barrier, but his power was not strong enough to put a magical barrier. It seemed like Tissuria was preventing him from using his magic, but he wondered why Jorick could use his magic. He decided that it should be safe to teach Richaem on how to improve his magic even without a protective barrier – nothing will happen to the Palace of the Crown Prince.

Vaughn had decided to discuss the plans that he drafted while they were in Shadora and carried it out immediately. He asked Duke Gordon and Jorick to attend the meeting because he planned to utilize their skills. Jorick wanted to cry. He was able to avoid Zenia, but he did not expect Vaughn to have a different plan of his own.

Vaughn required every involved personnel to attend the meeting every day to discuss the outcome of a particular plan and make necessary adjustments when needed. Some of Vaughn's plans had immediate results, some were yet to yield results, two needed adjustments, and one was of no use at all.

Zenia stayed with Wolstan and accompanied him from the morning when Vaughn had left until late afternoon before Vaughn's return. She did not disturb their meeting, and she thought that accompanying grandpa would keep him away from Vaughn's hair. Not having grandpa around during the meeting was Zenia's greatest contribution. Vaughn was thankful to her for that, even though it also meant not seeing her for almost the entire day. But before they fall asleep…only the moon knew the story between the sheets.

Zenia and Wolstan would talk about almost anything, including the number of children they planned to raise. Wolstan noticed that Zenia was no longer avoiding the subject, unlike before. He was glad for Vaughn and truly hoped that nothing would separate them. Something about Jorick's dream bothered him.

"Zenzen, did you talk about when you will start bearing children? I know that you and that brat are still young, but I'm afraid that these old bones may not be able to last that long. My only wish is to see some great-great-grandchildren before I perish."

Wolstan tried to sound pitiful and hoped that Zenia would decide to give birth soon. But, Zenia only looked at Wolstan and knew that he was saying something farfetched. She knew a little about medicine and by merely looking at Wolstan she could tell that he was in the best of health. She often wondered how he lasted that long. There was also Roy, Wolstan's best friend.

"Grandpa, you can't fool me. I know that you will live for another ten years. Believe me, we just want to make sure about something then we will start planning our family."

"Why do they always have meetings, anyway? I'm not complaining. It's good that the brat is not here so I can spend time with you like this. Are you sure that you don't need to attend the meetings? Why do I have a feeling that you are detaining me here with you?"

Zenia tried to look calm as she did her best covering her true feelings and thoughts.

'An old ginger is indeed spicier. If I don't say something that will convince grandpa, he might barge in and disrupt my husband's meeting.'

Zenia recalled the conversation she had with Vaughn a few days ago.

"Are you really okay to detain grandpa here so he won't meddle in our meeting?"

"It is fine. It's the best I can do. I also think that I can be of much help if I keep grandpa here than attend the meeting with you. Besides, I don't think I can contribute anything, and I will only distract you."

"Ah, you really know me well."

"Yes, so you should always be good to me."

"Detain you? Why would I do that? If you don't want me to accompany you anymore, then you can go, grandpa. I won't even try to stop you."

Wolstan tried to look for something that would give away Zenia's thoughts and expose her, but he couldn't find anything.

'This pair of husband and wife is really something. They are partners in crime all the way through. Something tells me that Zenzen is not telling the truth, but I couldn't find any sign that she is. Well, I don't really plan to meddle this time. Let's just enjoy this delightful day with my good great-granddaughter-in-law.'

"Ha-ha-ha, Zenzen, I will not leave you even if you try to drive me out. How about we ride a carriage and take a short tour of Tissuria. I'm sure that the brat has not shown you all the good things to see in Tissuria's capital."

Zenia's eyes sparkled like a little child. Wolstan smirked because he still knew how to bribe a naïve child. He couldn't wait to try his tricks on his great-great-grandchildren.

Zenia told Rosalie to inform Vaughn that she would go with grandpa to go sight-seeing. She did not disturb him because she knew that they were discussing something important. It was Wolstan who suggested to only pass the message to Vaughn. 

Zenia and Wolstan already left the Palace of the Crown Prince when one of Vaughn's secret guards came to report.

"Crown Prince, there's a disturbance in the Principality of Ismund. Someone set the Palace of the First Prince on fire, and we found out that it has already been abandoned even before the fire has started."

Vaughn looked at Redivo and nodded his head. It made his suspicions about Roland, the First Prince of Tissuria, stronger. He had always believed that Roland was the masked man in black that Zenia told him before.