The rest of the day was quite gloomy for four individuals in the palace.
Jihan walked around absentmindedly and realized that he was before his father's chambers.
With a knock, he walked in and greeted his father.
"What brings you here, Jihan?" King Thames asked as he used a magnifying glass to stare at a jewel.
"It's about the meeting we had earlier today"
The king paused for a second and continued looking into his glass."what about it, son?"
"I think Chief Bong is right"
"Oh? Why do you think so?"
"I saw them.....Roshan and King Zane. They really like each other"
"How do you mean"
"They came back in together and during and after the toast, king Zane couldn't keep his eyes off of Roshan. Roshan also kept smiling sheepishly throughout the night whenever he caught him staring".
"So they're attracted to each other. Hmmmm"
"Yes, so I don't think the marriage is a bad idea. It's a win-win situation for everyone. Mother won't be thrilled about this though"
King Thames chuckled, "Yes, she will not"
"That's all I came to say to you, father. I'll be on my way now"
"Wait!"
Jihan turned around with a raised eyebrow.
"You're a good kid" he said.
Jihan smiled and walked away.
The day passed quickly and it was nighttime. The queen had returned to her chambers and saw her husband staring at the same jewel she left him with in the morning.
"You're still on that?"
"Yes, my love"
"Which is so unlike you. What has you troubled, my dear"
"I need to speak to you about something my love"
"Go on "
King Thames told the queen about everything, from the first time Bong mentioned it to the meeting that morning.
She was silent.
"What is your decision?"
"I will approve it"
"You want to give our son as a gift.....to a warrior? Your own son??!"
"I'm not giving him as a gift. Our son will probably say yes because he likes him too"
"He likes him, doesn't mean it should turn into a marriage!"
"Calm down dear"
"Don't tell me to calm down! You're all trying to take my son from me. No!"
"I'm not taking him away, darling. We can always go and see him"
Queen Roberta broke down in her husbands arms.
"Please reconsider, my king" she cried out loud.
"I'm sorry my queen, but....I cannot" he embraced her tighter and kissed her forehead.
After soothing her cries, she fell asleep and he laid her on the bed and joined in beside her.
Though dramatic, her cries were valid and Thames understood her concern.
.....
The next morning, just like the previous morning, they were gathered in the conference room again.
"Your decision, my king"
"I will.... Support Bong. We shall speak to the King of Vendet this evening about this"
Chief Bong smiled giddily.
The two princes were dumbfounded. They couldn't believe their father agreed to go along with such ridiculousness.
They all exited the the room and Zichen walked straight to his mother's chambers.
She was brushing her hair, sitting before her vanity mirror.
"Mother, do you know what father has just agreed with Chief Bong on?"
"That your brother is to be married off to King Zane? Yes"
"And you're.....okay with it?"
"I am not, but our king has made a decision and as his subjects, we must go along with it"
She turned around to face him and Zichen saw how swollen and red her eyes were, obviously from crying too much.
Roshan was still living in his head, thinking about his kiss with Zane, oblivious to the marriage alliance.
He twirled around his room, smiling at his reflection whenever he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror.
Roshan was so happy, he couldn't wait for dinner so he would see him.
At the dinner table, Zane and Thames were absent.
Roshan enquired about their whereabouts but nobody wanted to say a word to him, so they all focused on their food, including the queen.
Shortly after, they returned to have dinner and Roshan locked eyes with Zane. Zane was frowning until he locked gazes with Roshan. His expression visibly softened and he gave him a little smile and sat down.
Dinner that evening was quiet and short. There were no remarks from the other princes to liven up the dinner, and they all seemed distracted by something.
"Ros" king Thames called.
"Yes, father"
"I would like to speak with you after dinner"
"Yes father"
Zichen stood up almost immediately and excused himself from the table.
Layel finished his food and followed suit but Jihan stayed there, eating at his normal pace.
The queen tossed her food around her plate obviously not interested in eating anything.
Roshan was worried about his family and his brows furrowed unknowingly.
Dinner was done after a little while and Roshan approached his father.
"You wanted to speak with me?"
"Yes son"
After beating around the bush and speaking in idioms, the king finally spoke seriously.
"You will be getting married to King Zane of Vendet"
Roshan didn't say a word. His expression said a million words for him.
After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke "...why"
"Our kingdom is weak. Geomi will strike harder next time. We need a long lasting alliance"
"Oh"
"Moreover, I know you fancy king Zane, so it wouldn't be a terrible match"
"I do but that doesn't mean I've thought far enough to even consider marriage"
"Well, such is life"
"Can I decline?"
"No"
"Did you ask him?"
"Yes"
Roshan noticeably gasped.
"What did he say?"
"He said it would be an honor to marry a prince of Delsgade".