Zenia felt like her heart had somersaulted when she heard that the mission had something to do with the group from Ishelon. She thought about her family, but she immediately dismissed the idea because she had an agreement with her siblings to follow the schedule to avoid mishaps.
'Could it be mother and father?'
She totally forgot that her mother and father could be so stubborn sometimes and may refuse to follow the plan. They did not let their parents know about the plan, but it made no difference even if they did.
'I really need to go to Lunaria now.' She no longer cared if the duo would say more. She must find a man named Elliot.
"How did you know that there will be someone from Ishelon coming here?"
"Our spy informed us last night that the-would-be Crown Princess' mother and father are already preparing to travel to Tissuria and we don't know if Zenia Anisen is with them."
"Why would she ride with them? Isn't the bride supposed to ride the carriage alone with a maidservant?"
"I don't think Ovid Anisen will allow his only daughter to ride along with a maid even though there are guards protecting her. I don't blame them if they become so cautious – they should be."
"Is the Ninth Prince planning to kill Zenia Anisen?"
"That was the original plan. They will use the horse from the Crown Prince's stable to make them believe that it was the Crown Prince who authorized the attack. Although he suggested changing the bride to Zenia Anisen, it's because he doesn't want to use Princess Jemilla."
"Does the Crown Prince like Princess Jemilla?"
The young man knocked Elida's forehead.
"Why are you so dumb? That's the fabricated story. How the heck will I know what goes on in that Crown Prince's head. Maybe he likes hideous beauties like Zenia Anisen."
"Is that Zenia really so ugly?"
"Maybe, why was there no marriage proposal for her? She should be getting some even though she may look ordinary. Ovid Anisen's status alone is enough to lure in those young men. It is possible that she's so ugly that men couldn't stomach spending day and night with her."
'I'm still better than that Zenia Anisen. She may have money, but she can never get a man fall in love with her. It's a good thing that I'm beautiful. I will just look for that young master and make him marry me.' Elida kept her thoughts to herself.
Zenia searched immediately for Elliot. She must get that letter from him and pose as him. When she found him, he was still haggling for the price of the horse.
Elliot's money was not enough to buy a horse. Zenia took the opportunity to offer him something. She walked to where Elliot was and tapped him on his shoulder.
"My good brother, I can buy that horse for you if you can help me get to Lunaria." She spoke straight to the point. She was really pressed for time.
"Good sir, may I ask why you need to go to Lunaria?" Elliot was rather suspicious of Zenia. He may look stupid, but he was not as dumb as everyone thought he was. But, he was still intellectually challenged.
"I am a traveling merchant and I am looking for a new business venture. I want to explore Lunaria to look for new material for the business I am planning to put up." Zenia gave a hearty chuckle in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"What kind of business are you going to put up, sir?"
"I need to see the new material first before I decide on the kind of business to establish." Zenia laughed again.
"Shouldn't you put up the business first before you look for a new type of raw material?"
"I am someone who follows unconventional methodologies, and I prefer to do it this way."
"Is your business booming?"
Zenia looked at the man and shook his head. "No, I still need to earn some profits using this methodology."
Elliot knew a thing or two about managing or running a business. His common sense was telling him that the man before him was telling the truth.
"Okay sir, I can take you to Lunaria. I plan to go there myself."
Zenia completely dropped the plan of stealing the letter and decided to accompany Elliot. She should be able to land a spot in the mission. She was confident in her own abilities and knew that she would be able to pass whatever tests they would give just to let her join.
She paid for the horse and excused herself to fetch her brown horse. When she brought the brown horse to where Elliot was, the young maidservant of Verone recognized it. She reported immediately to her mistress.
"Are you sure it's the same horse?"
"Yes, young miss. But, a different man was with the horse earlier."
"Could it be their friend?"
"I am not sure, young miss. But I did not see the husband and wife."
Verone's mood turned bad upon hearing her maidservant called the duo husband and wife.
"Monitor them and report back to me. We may need to leave this place at an earlier time."
"Yes, young miss."
* * * * *
Zekiah went home immediately when he learned that Renaria and Ovid were to travel to Tissuria at an earlier time.
"Mother, why did you suddenly decide to leave ahead of schedule?" Zekiah was worried that it might affect Zenia's plan.
"I just want to survey Tissuria and see if they have the things that Zenzen wants to eat, especially sweets. If not, I can send her those once a month. The people of Tissuria are not fond of eating sweets." Renaria simply informed him as she continued packing their things.
Zekiah knew that nothing could change his mother's mind. He must think of something. He feared that the plan had been compromised. He had been with Zenia since birth and he knew how her mind worked. She left Ishelon in such a fashion because she already suspected that there was a mole within the military.
"On your planned journey, can you go to Roma Inn first and stay there for a day. I'm afraid that someone already knew the change in schedule and reported it to the enemy. You can also buy some sweets for sister. She had no time to buy them when she left for Tissuria."
Renaria gave it some thought and agreed with Zekiah. "We'll do that. Don't tell your father or Zander, it may leak again."
Zekiah looked at his mother and understood her meaning. He smiled. It was always easier for him to talk to his mother than his father. His mother was more sensible and intelligent than his father. Zenia rarely talked with their mother because she feared Renaria so much that she could pee in her pants when she was still young.
Everything was in motion. Zekiah thought of Zenia and just hoped that she wouldn't think and do something absurd and dangerous.
* * * * *
"Thank you, sir, for your generosity. I, Elliot, will do everything I can to help you find the perfect raw material for your business." Elliot was grateful for the horse. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to reach Lunaria at the designated time.
"It is only right that I provide for your transportation. I asked for your help after all." Zenia smiled at him.
Even though Elliot looked like that, Zenia could tell that he was someone with integrity. It was just too bad that his line of work had overshadowed his good qualities.
"May I know the name of my benefactor?"
"You may call me Von, Von Asen."
"Sir Von, shall we set off now?"
"Yes, we should get going."
Verone's maidservant saw that Zenia left with Elliot, though she was not certain where they would go. She did not see even the shadow of the husband and wife.