Setting Up the Trap

Vaughn was surprised when King Tarendino called him son. He looked at Zenia, who just shrugged her shoulders as if it was not something surprising.

Queen Mina was teary-eyed when she heard her husband. The King recognized Vaughn as his son even though he was wearing a disguise.

Vaughn was having mixed emotions. He was not used to seeing that kind of father. He had always thought that King Tarendino did not care about him. He wondered if the King mistook him for someone else.

King Tarendino sat up while Vaughn looked on. Queen Mina assisted her husband. Vaughn was waiting for a sort of confirmation or sign that the King had changed. He looked at his mother and knew at a glance that the Queen had changed. The Queen did not seem to resent the King anymore. In fact, she looked so attentive to the King's needs.