A Royal Obligation
Chapter 273: Reunited At last

Chapter 273: Reunited At last

Lucian’s thoughts were consumed by Amarok. He couldn’t help but wonder if his mother had spoken to Amarok about the marriage proposal. What would Amarok’s response be?

He glanced back at Julian, who was still basking in the cheers from the people, and shook his head.

The streets of Valeidio were packed with people, from the youngest children to the eldest elders, all out in force to welcome their heroes home. As the procession slowly made its way toward the heart of the kingdom, the cheers grew louder, the sense of relief and celebration reaching a fever pitch. Banners fluttered in the breeze, the colors of Valeidio and Zephyros flying high above the crowd.

Some of the people rushed to the sides of the street, waving their hands in excitement, eager to catch a glimpse of the warriors they had only heard of in stories. Others called out to Kaelix and Theron, their voices filled with gratitude. "Thank you for fighting for our Prince’s right!" "You’ve made us proud!"

Kaelix nodded in acknowledgment to the crowd, but he didn’t let himself get lost in the praise. Julian, on the other hand was thoroughly enjoying the adoration.

He waved to the crowd, basking in their cheers, his chest puffed out with pride. "This is what victory feels like," he said, turning to Theo with a grin that only grew wider. "You should try it sometime."

Theo just shook his head, his amusement clear in his expression. "You’re something else, Julian."

Ella’s eyes softened as she took in the scene. She looked at Kaelix, knowing how much this victory meant to him.

As the procession continued, the warmth of the crowd and the joy of the moment filled the air. The finally came to a halt in front of the barracks, where the warriors of Valeidio were lined up in neat rows.

Theron, in his role as the crown prince of Valeidio, dismounted from his horse with a calm, commanding presence. The warriors stood tall, their faces still streaked with the dust of long journey, but their eyes alight with pride at the victory they had achieved.

"Warriors of Valeidio," Theron began, his voice carrying over the crowd, "today we stand victorious because of your bravery, your strength, and your unwavering loyalty. You fought not just for your kingdom, but for my brother, Prince Eirik, and for the future of this land that Mbuzuoria has so deeply scarred."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "I thank you all for your courage. You have earned your rest, and now, it is time for you to return to your families. Go to them. Let the warmth of their embrace be the reward for your sacrifices."

The warriors cheered, their spirits lifted by the prince’s words. As they began to disperse, Theron turned toward Kaelix, giving him a subtle nod of respect. "Without your strategic planning and leadership, none of this would have been possible brother in-law," he said quietly. "You have proven not only your worth as a warrior but as a true partner and family member in this fight."

Kaelix inclined his head, accepting the praise with a modest smile. "We fought together, Theron. All of us," he replied, his gaze briefly flicking to Julian, Lucian, Theo, and Ella, each of whom had played their part in this victory. "Let’s head back to the palace," he said, his voice steady and calm, though beneath it was the quiet satisfaction of a hard-won battle.

With that, the group mounted their horses again. Theron, Kaelix, Lucian, Julian, Ella, and Theo rode together toward the palace. Drystan was not far behind, riding alongside the carriage that carried Sadiki’s mother and Princess Abigail. The two women had grown close during their travels, and despite the tension of the battle, their shared journey had forged a bond between them.

As they approached the palace gates, the massive doors swung open immediately. The horses trotted through, and the riders were greeted by the sight of the palace grounds stretching out before them.

Inside the palace corridors, Queen Morgana could hardly contain herself. She had been anxiously waiting for the return of her children and the warriors, her excitement almost palpable. She was so eager to embrace her sons. King Xavian, walking by her side, had to call out a few times, urging her to slow down as she nearly ran ahead.

When they finally stepped outside, the sight that greeted them caused Queen Morgana to pause for a moment. At the foot of the grand stairs stood Amarok, his posture humble and kind, but his eyes were fixed forward.

Standing beside him was Eirik, gazing intently at the path that leads to the palace gate. Queen Morgana’s gaze softened as she noticed her youngest son, standing with such quiet anticipation. She exchanged a quick look with her husband, who seemed equally moved by the sight of their son standing so composed, yet clearly longing for the he loves.

With a gentle smile, the queen began to approach, her steps slow and purposeful. King Xavian followed her, his own expression reflecting a deep sense of pride and relief.

Amarok noticed them first, his face lighting up in a warm greeting. "Your Majesties," he called out, bowing his head respectfully. Eirik, however, barely acknowledged his parents. His eyes were fixed solely on the man riding at the front of the group, Kaelix, who was drawing nearer with every passing second, his horse moving gracefully through the gates.

The queen’s gaze shifted back to Eirik. She could see the longing in his eyes, the way he looked past everything else, focused entirely on Kaelix.

Her heart swelled with love for both her son and son in-law, and she smiled softly, a deep understanding of Eirik’s emotions in that moment. She turned to her husband with a gentle glance, and he nodded knowingly, his hand resting on her shoulder.

When Kaelix rode through the palace gates, he was already mentally preparing himself to meet Eirik inside his chambers, not expecting him to be outside waiting for him.

When his eyes landed on his consort standing at the foot of the stairs, waiting for him with a look of quiet resolve, his heart skipped a beat.

The warmth that flooded through Kaelix was immediate and overwhelming, and before he even had a chance to process it, his horse had stopped and he was leaping down, his boots hitting the ground with a soft thud. Without hesitation, he took a few running steps toward Eirik, who was already moving toward him with the same urgency, the distance between them narrowing with every second.

When they met halfway, neither of them hesitated. Kaelix’s arms wrapped around Eirik in a tight, almost desperate hug. He hadn’t realized just how much he had missed this, missed Eirik’s eembrace.

"I missed you," they said in unison, their voices muffled against each other’s shoulders.

Kaelix held Eirik even tighter, as if trying to make up for the lost time. It had been too long, too much had happened, but here they were, back together, and that was all that mattered. He felt Eirik’s arms around him as well, their bond stronger than ever, a connection that didn’t need words to be understood.

Beside them, Amarok and the twins had similarly rushed into each other’s arms, the reunion between them just as heartfelt. Amarok pulled them into a strong embrace, his face lighting up with the kind of joy that could only come from a reunion with loved ones after such a difficult time. A broad smile break out across the twins faces as they clung to their lover.

The scene was almost too much to take in for Theron, Ella, and Theo, who remained on their horses a little further back. They exchanged glances, all three of them smiling at the reunion playing out before them.

"Look at them," Ella murmured softly, her eyes glistening with emotion. "They’re making me jealous, I need to find myself a husband."

Theo, simply chucked, his gaze fixed on his cousins. "It’s good to see them like this," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Theron just watched the reunion with a proud, almost nostalgic smile on his face.

As Kaelix and Eirik finally pulled away from their embrace, their eyes met with unspoken longing. It was like they were the only two people in the world in that moment.

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Author’s Greeting:

Hi dearest

As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you all for your incredible support throughout this journey. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or just joined recently, your love for my stories has meant the world to me.

2024 has been a year of growth, creativity, and connection, and I couldn’t have done it without you. Your comments, feedback, and enthusiasm continue to inspire me every single day.

As we step into 2025, I promise even more adventures, twists, and unforgettable characters. Let’s make this new year one for the books, literally and figuratively!

Wishing you a year filled with joy, success, and stories that capture your heart.

Happy New Year in Advance!

With love and gratitude,

[Linda Wilyuhm]