The Left Minister and the Ninth Prince were together in the Left Minister's estate when they received the news that Zenia's carriage fell down the cliff. No one could survive that fall even if that person had uncanny abilities.
There were so many casualties in their group, and they were yet to find out the exact number of survivors. But, neither the Left Minister nor the Ninth Prince was interested to know what happened to their men. The important thing was Zenia had died.
"Ha-ha-ha, this is indeed good news! After so many mishaps, we finally got one thing going for us." The Left Minister drank his wine in one go and couldn't contain the joy in his heart.
Damien just gave him a smile as he raised his glass of wine to his grandfather before drinking it all up. After so many failed plans, he found it more surprising that they finally nailed a mission. It felt so unreal. Vaughn may have avoided the previous disasters, but he was still defeated in the end.
"We are fortunate that we met a few men who can go in and out of the military camp without being suspected." Damien sneered as he recalled how the five men from Ishelon went to Tissuria to find him.
Damien could not remember their faces so he put markings on their palms. He had been in contact with the men for a year now, and he benefited a lot from the information they had given him. Two of the men joined the military unit of Ishelon and one of them became one of Zander's most trusted aides.
It was difficult for the military men to send information outside unless they would be the one to deliver them personally. The military men should stay within the camp all the time, and they were only given a chance to go on a vacation to be with their families once a year and for only a month. The Anisen family was the only exemption to the rule or when Ovid or Zander gave them permission to leave the camp.
The three other men worked as a cook, delivery boy, and gardener. They were not allowed to stay in the military camp and could only send out the information to Damien on the things they observed and heard. They could not find a chance to get in touch with the two men in the military.
They knew beforehand that someone might propose a marriage alliance between the two kingdoms. Damien knew that it was the usual practice of most kingdoms when they seek a powerful ally. When that happens, everyone involved should try their best to stop it. They should kill the other party when necessary.
It was unfortunate that the one who went after Zenia that night was one of Zander's most trusted aides. The man had decided to claim his rewards after he took care of Zenia and to reveal everything he knew about the Anisens and Ishelon's military. Damien had still no idea that he already lost one of his spies. The man's body was never found. Given the time, his flesh had already decayed beyond recognition.
"The Anisens are yet to receive the news. I wonder how they will react. That Ovid Anisen will surely suffer a hundred times more than me. Although that daughter is ugly and useless, he loves her the most." The Left Minister was euphoric as he imagined Ovid's reaction upon hearing the news of his daughter's cruel death.
"Should we push the wedding between Verone and Vaughn now?"
"Not yet, I still need to present the Oracle to the Queen and shut that poisonous mouth of hers for good. Let's see if she will still try to go against me again." The Left Minister rubbed his chin and sneered.
* * * * *
"Your Highness, we just received a report that Ms. Zenia's carriage fell from the cliff on the way here." It was one of Vaughn's shadow guards who came in to report.
"Brother-in-law already changed the day of their departure at an earlier time and yet someone still alerted the Ninth Prince's group. It seems there's a mole at brother-in-law's side. Don't let the news spread in Tissuria to avoid trouble." Vaughn smirked and knew that Damien and the Left Minister could be already celebrating at the moment.
"What should we do to the idiot pair of grandson and grandfather?" Redivo was already fuming with anger.
"We just need to wait and see what they will do next. I bet they will again tell the King to push my marriage with Verone."
"Do you think they will tell the King about the news?"
"I don't think so. If they do that, the people will suspect them as the mastermind behind it all. How come they already know about it when the palace remains oblivious? They can only learn that when they are the ones who orchestrated the whole thing. If they are so eager to meet their doom, they will go ahead and tell the King."
"And you will be there to question them and put them in a dangerous situation that they won't be able to escape." Redivo had a sinister smile on his lips when he uttered the words.
Ishelon uses a special technique when delivering messages. Ovid and Renaria already received the news that Zenia's carriage went down the cliff as planned. It even detailed the bloodbath that happened courtesy of Zander. It did not say anything about the plan to infiltrate the enemy's camp. Zander and Zekiah wanted to tell it in person. They would soon be reunited in three days.
"That brat, he went a little overboard with his actions. Zekiah said that his big brother either cut off the head of the enemy or cut the body in half. It should be truly bloody. A commander should never act recklessly like that." Ovid's words and expressions did not match at all.
When Renaria looked at her husband, he seemed to be playing the scene in his mind and looked so proud about what his son did. She chose not to say anything at the moment and let her husband enjoy the moment.
It was a good thing that they knew that their children were safe and sound. She could not tell what Ovid would do when one of his children was hurt, especially Zenia. She was afraid that the entire Tissuria might be wiped out from the continent of Maecaea.
Zenia spent her days idly since Renaria and Ovid stayed at the palace. Vaughn did not come to visit her and just told her that he was very busy with something. But, he kept sending her some delicacies and other stuff that she wanted. She had no idea what happened to Zander and Zekiah. No one told her about the change in their plan. She was looking forward to meeting her brothers in a couple of weeks as they agreed upon before she left for Tissuria.
Ovid and Renaria also felt that it was not necessary to inform Zenia about what happened. Her brothers would arrive in three days anyway. She would be surprised by then. Renaria smiled upon the thought of seeing her children together again. They had never been separated for this long ever since they were young.
* * * * *
Two days after receiving the news about Zenia's death, the Left Minister asked King Tarendino for an audience and requested the presence of the Queen, the Crown Prince, and the officials together with some important figures. He brought Verone along with the Oracle.
Vaughn had decided to show up wearing his mask. He wanted to personally squash the Left Minister's plan head-on.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highnesses. As per Queen Mina's request, I present you the Oracle who can enlighten you of the wonderful things that can happen to our kingdom when the Crown Prince should marry within seven days." The Left Minister gave a menacing smile to the Queen and Crown Prince.
Behind his mask, Vaughn was sneering and secretly laughing at the stupidity of the Left Minister. He did not say anything, and Verone was overjoyed. She had mistaken Vaughn's silence as approval. Queen Mina's face was turning darker than the storm clouds.
The Oracle stepped in the middle of the Main Hall and started reciting his predictions. He was indeed the renowned Oracle of Tissuria and the reason behind Queen Mina's bad mood. There was no way she could refute the things that the Oracle just said. She had a hunch that the Left Minister might have offered him a hefty amount of money, but she had no proof. Besides, the people of Tissuria may only hate her for that.
"It is best for the Crown Prince to marry Ms. Verone within seven days to make Tissuria more prosperous than before. If not, an unknown plague will fall upon the whole kingdom."
Every one started murmuring and seemed restless. Queen Mina became angrier as she looked at the Left Minister as if she was throwing daggers at him. The Left Minister flashed his most revolting smile. The Oracle added more unpleasant news.
"The marriage of the Crown Prince and Ms. Zenia Anisen should be pushed back for a year to avoid countering the effect of the Crown Prince and Ms. Verone's blissful marriage."
"Why should it be Verone Rocca and not another woman for that matter?" Vaughn began his onslaught.
The Oracle looked at the Left Minister as if asking for help. The Left Minister turned his eyes away, which was an indication that the Oracle should come up with his own answer. The Left Minister knew that King Tarendino might suspect something if he answered on behalf of the Oracle.
The Oracle sighed. He knew that Zenia was already dead so it was safe for him to state the reason that he had on his mind.
"Crown Prince, the only and current bride candidates are Ms. Zenia and Ms. Verone. If you rush the marriage with another woman, you can only expect disaster to fall upon us. Right now, Ms. Zenia is yet to arrive. The auspicious time to have the wedding ceremony has already ended by then. The most suitable candidate is Ms. Verone."
"Are you saying that if Zenia Anisen is here now we can perform the wedding ceremony with her as my bride?"
Knowing that Zenia would not come, the Oracle confidently answered, "Yes, Your Highness. You can marry Ms. Zenia if she's here right now."
The Left Minister and Verone sneered. Vaughn had no other choice now but to marry Verone.
Vaughn stood up and bowed before King Tarendino.
"My King, as the Oracle had said we will benefit a lot if I marry within seven days. The officials are here today to hear what the Oracle has to say and heard it loud and clear. I cannot go against the will of the Heavens and I will certainly not let anything bad to happen to Tissuria."
Queen Mina gritted her teeth, while Verone and the Left Minister almost jumped with delight.
"When do you plan to set the wedding ceremony?"
"I have a hunch that the Left Minister would present the Oracle and convince me. I started the wedding preparations three days ago and only need a couple of days to complete everything."
King Tarendino was overjoyed when he heard Vaughn's reply. Verone was almost teary-eyed. There never was a man, except the one she met in Solaria, who could resist her beauty and charm. She knew that the Crown Prince would fall head-over-heels for her. She blushed upon the thought.
"You have a wise decision, Crown Prince. I know that you and Ms. Verone…" The Oracle was not able to finish what he was about to say when Vaughn interrupted him.
"Who says I will marry Verone Rocca?"
"I-I clearly told you that you can only choose between Ms. Verone and Ms. Zenia. Unfortunately, Ms. Zenia is not here."
"Who says she's not here?" Vaughn faced the officials and the other important figures.
"In two days, I will tie the knot with Zenia Anisen."
There was uproar and everyone couldn't believe their ears. Verone slumped to the ground. The Left Minister was not able to withstand the pressure and collapsed.