Zinya wore a magnificent bright red dress with a v neckline decorated with white lace and emeralds as big as a nut. It left her shoulder and arms exposed, emphasizing her features and the jewelry.
She wore a golden circlet on her head, a white gold necklace and earrings with emeralds, and several small bracelets at her thin wrists. Zinya had clearly enjoyed Vastor's skill as a rejuvenator, if not even Invigoration, because she looked way younger than her age.
The Master, instead, even with his hair regrowing on his bald head and turning black again still looked like her father at best. Yet if the age gap bothered him, it was impossible to tell.
Lith had never seen Vastor smile so much and so honestly. Even for those who'd known him for years, it was hard to recognize him without the bitter light of envy that usually tainted his eyes.
"Lith, my boy! You finally made it." The two men shook hands the moment the healers finished checking the Verhens.
"Congratulations, Vastor and Zinya. I'm so happy for you. Gods, you two look amazing." Lith replied.
While the adults exchanged their niceties the kids were happy to meet again. Aran and Leria had been allowed to ride their steeds since their hosts would do the same. Frey and Filia welcomed them respectively atop a red and blue wolf, each with four tails.
They were actually both Tezka that ever since the attack on Zinya's house had become their nanny and best friend.
"Hey, kids. Want to see something cool?" The red wolf said, making his tails merge and split non-stop with the grace of dancing flames.
"Cool!" Aran and Leria said in unison.
Unlike their parents, hearing the beast talk didn't scare them, it only added more charm to him. They broke the ice immediately and they felt as if they hadn't seen each other for days instead of months.
"It talks?" Elina had seen a lot in her life, but she still flinched in surprise.
"Yes, but don't worry." Zinya said. "It makes forcing the kids to do their homework and behave much easier since they know that Tezka doesn't lie to me."
"That's Tezka? I mean, it's amazing. I never saw it that way." Elina said, sighing in relief after recognizing the Eldritch.
"We can talk too." Abominus felt jealous seeing Leria complimenting the other beast so much for something he could do as well so he broke Lith's order.
"Yeah." Onyx nodded, revealing a feminine voice.
"Cool! I'm going to marry Onyx when I grow up then." Aran said while kissing the feline's head who purred in reply, making his parents turn pale.
Knowing about Ryman and Selia, and with all the time the kids spent with the beasts, those weren't words that Elina and Raaz could take lightly.
"That's marvelous. Where are the drinks? I need something strong." Elina said.
"I'll accompany you." Zinya said. "You are the last to arrive and the ceremony will start in a while."
She led them to the Ballroom that had been repurposed for the ceremony. In times of war, even an ancient and powerful noble Household like Vastor's preferred keeping things small and only inviting a few people for a rushed marriage.
'Goddammit. There must be something in Lutia's water.' The Princess thought in envy while looking at the Verhens.
'I guess that Marth finally used rejuvenation on himself and exploited his light magic to endure grueling training sessions. Otherwise there's no way he could have gotten those muscles this quickly.' Lith thought.
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