"I'll be direct now. I want you. Badly"
Roshan's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.
In the few seconds of silence, Roshan could've sworn that he had replayed that sentence over 17 times already.
"I don't know if it's too much to ask right now, but I want to kiss you, would that be alright?"
"Yes" Roshan's lips moved before his brain thought any what was just asked.
Zane swiftly grabbed Roshan's chin and pulled him gently towards his own face.
His lips moved skillfully to conquer Roshan's but Roshan, who had been wanting this to happen for some time, was equally ready.
They kissed each other like they were lovers reuniting after 6 years of no contact. It was intense, passionate and oh-so-slow.
Almost as if they were trying to drink in each other's existence, afraid that this beautiful moment would vanish into nothing by the next second.
It felt like an eternity. Their hands caressed each other as they stood beneath the full moon.
After what seemed like forever, Zane pulled away and gave Roshan a forehead kiss.
They were both breathing heavily with slightly swollen lips, staring into each other's eyes.
They were lost in each other until they heard someone clear their throat behind them.
Roshan jumped with a little scream. Zane frowned and turned around to see who it was.
It was his closest attendant, Pino.
"I'm sorry I startled both of you. However, the king is looking for you"
"Who?"
"Both of you"
Roshan sighed with relief that it was one of Zane's people that saw them. If it were one of his brothers, he wouldn't hear the end of it.
...
Roshan and Zane walked back into the hall and all eyes were on them. Jihan furrowed his brows at the sight.
Zane was welcomed back to make a toast to the alliance, the victory and more to come.
Jibaro rushed to Roshan's side and nudged him.
"Why did both of you come back together"
"No reason, coincidence?" Roshan said, shrugging his shoulders.
Jibaro didn't believe him but wasn't going to push further, at least not AT the party.
After the toast, throughout the rest of the party, Zane's eyes kept wandering to wherever Roshan was. Roshan could tell he was being watched and when he realized who was watching him, he happily moved around the hall.
Unknown to both of them, two pairs of eyes noticed who Zane was watching and the response of the watched.
One of them smiled and took a seat to watch more. The other frowned further.
The next thing after the war was to start gathering food for the Vendet, but they would think about it later.
...
A man happily dressed up in his chamber. He couldn't stop thinking about the exchange he witnessed the night before.
Perhaps, they returned together because they were outside together, he thought. His smile grew further with this thought.
This senior officer called for an emergency meeting as soon as the cock crowed that morning.
He knew how to make the alliance with Vendet permanent.
In the Delsgade Palace conference room, there sat the king, three princes and his three senior officers.
"You called for this meeting so early. What is the matter Bong?"
"About our discussion before the battle...on how to make the alliance with Vendet permanent"
"Go on" another officer said.
"Marriage. It's the strongest alliance bond there is, after all"
"I thought we established that the king has no daughters. Who are we to marry to the king of Vendet?" The second officer said.
"Prince Roshan"
There was a deafening silence for what seemed like forever.
"What the hell are you talking about" Zichen's temper had moved from zero to a hundred"
"I mentioned the last time that the there are rumors of the king of Vendet also being interested in men. I was able to confirm that information. And I believe he has taken a liking to our prince"
"He's taken a liking to who?" Layel was seething.
Jihan was silent. He knew what Chief Bong was talking about.
Layel and Zichen were obviously fuming, however, the king was silent.
"I also believe the Prince has taken a liking to him as well. It's a perfect match"
"What in fucking hell-"
"Don't think of it as us selling our prince, my prince. Think of it as something of a....Gift! Yes, a gift to say thank you to this warrior" chief Bong said.
"You want to marry my brother off to a man he just met not long ago as a gift?" Zichen was about to charge forward when his father's voice interrupted him.
"Sit down, Prince Zic"
Confused but obediently, Zichen sat down, still huffing and puffing.
"What do you think, my king?"
The king had been thinking about this since it was mentioned the first time. He already knew what Bong meant from the first time. He knew his wife would be against it completely, however, Geomi was stronger than Delsgade and would inevitably make another move. They needed a permanent ally and marriage was the surest way.
"I'll think about your suggestion and tell you my decision by this time tomorrow"
"My king!" "Dad!" "Father!" The king heard his children echo at the same time.
The meeting ended and the officers left the room.
The princes began asking the king questions upon questions.
He rose his hand to stop them as he understood their reaction.
"I know it's a sensitive topic. Think of Delsgade and her future. And don't breathe a word of this to your mother or brother. Is that understood?"
They nodded while frowning.
And the king left the room.