Roshan didn't know how to feel but he knew his mother felt even worse.
He ran to her and embraced her.
"I'm sorry my child, I couldn't stop your father"
Roshan let her know that it was okay and he didn't mind.
"If I can be of help to the people of Delsgade, I'd happily oblige"
"My baby" the queen sobbed harder.
The atmosphere in the palace was gloomy for the remainder of the Vendet people's stay.
After a few weeks, it was time to say goodbye to the people of Vendet as well as prince Roshan as in both kingdoms, the one being married off was to go along with their intended spouse and the marriage would happen in the latter's house or in this case, kingdom.
Roshan's brothers and cousin couldn't believe that they were saying good bye to their baby brother.
Roshan wasn't particularly sad neither was he happy about his marriage. He was happy to spend more time with Zane but even he knew marriage was a big step.
He worried about something else, the fortune teller's words.
He was the sorcerer, wouldn't it be dangerous to move to another kingdom? What if he learned how to metal bend and destroyed Vendet?
His face showed his worry evidently, prompting Zane to enquire of his thoughts.
"It's nothing, I'll just miss my family....very much"
"You can visit anytime you like, and they can visit for as long as they like as well"
Roshan nodded and smiled.
Roshan embraced each of his family members for a long time. Spending more time with his mother.
He squeezed her hand immediately after and nodded at her to let her know he was fine.
After they had departed for their journey to Vendet, the queen wiped her face and turned around.
"My darling" the king reached out to hold her.
"After gifting my son away? Don't touch me" and she left him there.
He sighed deeply and rubbed the back of his neck, knowing he wouldn't be forgiven easily.
....
The journey was not as long as Roshan expected. It was short and smooth.
He stared outside the carriage as they arrived at Vendet.
His jaw dropped when he saw Vendet. It was really made out of different metals all through.
He had never seen a place so beautiful and different at the same time.
As he stared at the colorful streets and buildings, he had a flashback.
He stopped before people in similar looking streets and he pierced them with sharp metal tools. He skewered some, decapitated some and chopped off the limbs of others.
He let out a loud gasp, making Zane worried.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
He wasn't the one, he wasn't a killer, he was safe in this carriage.
"I'm fine, I just feel a little bit lightheaded"
Zane gave him water and rubbed his back gently as he drank.
After about an hour, they had arrived at the palace.
The gates were massive and made of metal sculptures of different people.
"Who are they?"
"The past kings of vendet"
"Oh? So you only get a sculpture when you die?"
"Exactly"
"I don't like that very much"
Zane chuckled lightly. "Perhaps you can change whatever you don't like here"
"Can I?"
"Absolutely, whatever you want"
Roshan had forgotten about his past memories and was getting excited about living there.
The gates were opened and the sculptures moved.
"What's happening?"
Zane smiled and answered"They move whenever I cross the gates. So everyone knows that I have arrived"
"That, I like" Roshan giggled.
Zane placed his hands on his lips and noticed that his own grin was much too wide. He couldn't believe his smile was that obvious.
The carriage entered the palace and the palace workers and guards were all lined up to welcome their king. And just before the main entry stood his family.
The moment Zane got down from the carriage, they all fell to their knees.
He didn't walk forward, instead he placed his hand beside to door as if expecting someone to take it.
To his family's surprise, a hand took his and stepped down from the carriage.
The person was ethereal. They didn't look human. They were so beautiful with hair like the clouds and grey eyes.
Zane walked hand-in-hand with the strange beauty and approached his family.
They all bowed first before embracing him.
"This is Roshan, the last prince of Delsgade, and My intended spouse"
Roshan bowed his head gracefully, making their hearts flutter.
Spouse? What about his betrothed? They all thought the same but decided that it was better to speak of it privately.
They welcomed Roshan as warmly as they could and ushered him inside.
Roshan wasn't too scared of meeting Zane's family but after meeting them, he knew he had nothing to worry about. They were all so sweet and kind to him.
A feast was cooked up to celebrate their return. It was a party for food and fun.
Roshan excused himself to use the restroom when he overheard a conversation.
"Stop teasing me darling" a male voice grunted.
A feminine voice chuckled and said no.
"How was the war?"
"Too easy for these warriors, we're strong"
"And the person the king came back with?"
"His future spouse?"
"Yes"
"He's the last prince of Delsgade"
"I know that but what about you-know-who?"
"You mean, Lily? I have no idea but I know they'll sort it out"
Lily....Roshan thought. Who was that and why were both their names in one conversation??