Chapter 301 - Deeper than It Seems (Part 2)

"Wow, I never thought that I will be able to meet you in person. I've been thinking of going to Tissuria, but I can't find the time. I'm glad you're here, Zenia Anisen," Doctor Lizbeth was beaming when she said those words.

Zenia was surprised that she knew her maiden name. 

"Pardon?"

Doctor Lizbeth was confused at Zenia's reply and repeated what she had said.

"I said I'm so glad to meet you at last."

"Not that, the last part of your sentence."

"Zenia Anisen?"

"How did you know my given name?"

Doctor Lizbeth got even more confused, "Isn't it this one on the contract?"

Zenia looked at the contract and gasped as if she made a terrible mistake. Doctor Lizbeth thought that Zenia made a huge blunder.

'Isn't she the real Zenia Anisen?'

Vaughn already walked away from them when he saw the name that she signed. Zenia was wondering why her husband would suddenly withdraw from the scene. Perhaps, he was thinking that she wanted to retain her maiden name, which could give her more benefits than using Vaughn's name and status.

"Can we rewrite the contract?"

"Is there something wrong? I'm already fine with everything that you have written here."

Doctor Lizbeth didn't want to lose a contract that was favorable to her. She clutched it tightly.

"I signed the wrong name. Zenia Anisen is my maiden name. I'm already married so I should sign in the name that bears my husband's surname."

Doctor Lizbeth heaved a sigh of relief. She thought that it was something major.

"You don't need to worry about it. All married women with a strong family background retain their maiden name. In your case, Your Highness," Doctor Lizbeth giggled like a true fan before continuing, "Zenia Anisen is more advantageous for you than Zenia Pernell."

"You seem to really know everything about me. I hope that you still treat me casually knowing that I married the Crown Prince of Tissuria," Zenia chuckled.

"I'm a fan, I already told you. The Shadorans are already used to dealing with royalties from all kingdoms. Now that I've known who you really are, I can give the next twelve pills for three gold nuggets."

Both women laughed, and Zenia was glad that she seemed to have found and gained a female friend.

After sharing a good laugh, they went back to business.

"I really want to use my married name," she uttered seriously as she looked at Vaughn's back lovingly.

Doctor Lizbeth saw it all and smiled.

"Of course, just as long as there will be no changes in the conditions of the contract."

They drafted the contract once more and Zenia signed the correct name this time. She picked up her copy and looked at her signed name for a few more seconds and giggled. She must get used to her married name right away. She was thinking of signing more business contracts using her married name.

'I am now Zenia Pernell…imagine that."

Vaughn was anxiously waiting for Zenia to finish her contract signing. He wanted to leave immediately but couldn't. He was thinking that he should've just excused himself and went to the weapons store after dropping Zenia off to the clinic. That way, he could've missed seeing that signed name. He sighed.

After some time, Zenia finally went out of Doctor Lizbeth's office after bidding the good doctor farewell. She saw Vaughn near the door.

She hooked her arm in his and said, "Let's go."

"Did the contract signing go well?" He still asked – he felt he should ask, at least.

Zenia nodded her head and handed him the contract.

"Here take a look," she smiled warmly at him.

He did not want to see it again, but she was giving the contract to him. Vaughn had no choice but to unfurl the contract and read. He wanted to avoid looking at the signed name, but his eyes kept going in that direction.

He smiled when he saw the signed name – Zenia Pernell. He did not read the details of the contract and was completely satisfied with what he just read.

He kissed Zenia on her forehead and said, "It's all well and good."

"I knew you would say that."

They went to the weapons store together while holding hands. Doctor Lizbeth and her assistant saw everything and were quite satisfied with the couple's performance.

"So are you going to doubt my judgment again?"

"I was wrong, oh most Exalted One. You are indeed good at eyeing good people. I almost forgot that you are the one who recruited me to join your team when everyone was against it."

"Good that you know. Now, get back to work."

The manager of the weapons store was waiting for Vaughn's return. He somehow felt that the generous gentleman would come that day. He smiled from ear to ear when he saw Vaughn together with Zenia.

"Good Sir, you're back!"

"Yes, is there anything that you need to tell me?"

The weapons store manager narrated everything that his informant told him. Vaughn would nod his head once in a while to let the manager know that he was listening. 

"This morning, one of my men saw the men from Prazia boarded the ship that will take them back home. Before that, they asked a local if they knew someone named Dantes Astoria. None of us know that man. In fact, it's the first time that I heard of that name. We wonder why the men even thought that the person they are looking for is in Shadora."

"Thank you, store manager."

"You're welcome, sir."

The weapons store manager heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the satisfied look on Vaughn's face. Vaughn and Zenia bid the store manager goodbye and went on their way. Chief Elder should be up, and Zenia wanted to surprise him with a breakfast that she prepared especially for him. It was the same cocoa and sandwich that she prepared for Vaughn last night.

When they went out of the weapons store, Zosimo was waiting for them by his carriage. He smiled when he saw them. Zenia shook her head when she saw him. The store manager said the same thing that Zosimo told them earlier, but the manager had given extra information.

"Where do we go next, Madam?"

"We should return to the temple."

"Pardon? But, the weather is nice, and it is good to look around the countryside," Zosimo grinned and turned his head at Vaughn's direction.

"Let's just do what the Madam says and head back to the temple."

Vaughn felt that Zosimo wouldn't stop so he gave him a specific instruction.

"Yes," Zosimo replied dejectedly.

He just wanted the couple to strengthen their bond by showing them around while spending more time together. He was planning to take Vaughn and Zenia to the famous romantic places in Shadora.

They were back in the temple in no time. To show his appreciation for the things that Zosimo wanted to do for them, Vaughn gave him three gold coins. Zosimo thanked Vaughn, and he left the couple behind with a smile on his lips.

Zenia ran all the way to their temporary home and pushed open the door. Vaughn just followed behind. Zenia gathered the breakfast that she prepared specially for Chief Elder. She boiled some water and poured it in the mug that contained the cocoa mixture. She covered the mug tightly and put everything inside a basket. 

Vaughn took the opportunity to retrieve the half-sphere. He covered it with a handkerchief and put it inside his coat's inner pocket.

After the preparations, she turned to Vaughn and said, "Let's go see Chief Elder."

Vaughn helped her carry the basket with one hand, and his other hand held her hand. They walked together just like that and went to see Chief Elder. 

The Captain of the guards let them in immediately, especially when he saw the basket that Vaughn was carrying. He knew that it must contain something that Chief Elder would like to eat.

"Madam and Gentleman, you're here. I will inform Chief Elder right away," the young apprentice greeted them and went to inform Chief Elder, who just woke up.

Zenia handed the basket to the Lead Maid, who set the breakfast of Chief Elder. It only took a few minutes for the Chief Elder to get dressed and meet them.

"Madam, how nice of you to visit me," Chief Elder greeted Zenia and noticed the food on the table, "Is that for me?"

"I hope it is to your liking, Chief Elder. We are in a hurry to go out this morning and prepared the sandwich in advance. The cocoa is prepared after we returned."

Chief Elder beckoned Vaughn and Zenia to sit, and they did. He loved the savory taste of the sandwich and the richness of the cocoa drink. Everything that Zenia prepared never ceased to amaze him.

"What brings you here?" Chief Elder asked while he was still eating.

"Please finish your meal first, Chief Elder," Zenia uttered in a commanding voice – she had always been against talking while eating.

The Chief Elder was startled, and he tried to finish his breakfast as quickly as he could. He didn't know why, but he felt like he was facing his mother at that moment, and he was that seven-year-old child again. He missed his deceased mother so much. She was the only one who cared enough to discipline and educate him and turned him into a fine man. He looked at Zenia and knew that she would turn into a good mother.

Chief Elder ordered the servants to clear the table and to bring in some refreshments.

"Don't bother, Chief Elder. We come for something urgent and confidential."