As soon as Allen stepped through the carriage door and entered, his assessment changed completely.
Allen was stunned and amazed by everything he saw. His mouth hung slightly open, his eyes widening as they swept across the surroundings. He had expected a cramped interior smelling of old wood and horses, but what greeted him was a luxury difficult for common sense to comprehend.
The ceiling of the room was high, far exceeding the height of the carriage roof when viewed from the outside. A beautiful crystal chandelier emitted warm light to every corner of the spacious room. The floor was covered with a thick, plush fur carpet, and the furniture: leather sofas, mahogany tables, flower vases and all radiated an aura of high class.
What kind of noble carriage is this? Allen's mind screamed. The inside is already like a mansion! Even my house's living room isn't this luxurious!
He stood frozen near the door, his feet seemingly heavy to step further for fear of dirtying the clean floor. His eyes were still busy observing the room he had entered. Everything looked luxurious, expensive, and impossible.
How could a room this spacious fit inside that small wooden carriage? This is the first time I've seen a noble carriage like this! Allen shook his head in disbelief. Who is the person who created this great carriage? What kind of magic was used?
While Allen was still trying to pick up his jaw from the floor, his eyes were distracted by several frames displayed on the hallway wall. Curiosity pulled his feet to move.
Allen walked closer to the wall.
Once again, Allen was amazed by all the photos he was looking at. Unlike the stiff paintings he usually saw in the capital's art galleries, these images had terrifying sharpness and detail.
He saw a picture of a beautiful Elf woman, a picture of his uncle's family, and a picture of Kazien with Alvin laughing. Their expressions, the glint in their eyes, even the strands of their hair looked so real.
They look like they are alive inside there, Allen muttered inwardly, his fingers almost touching the surface of the frame but held back. Who is the person who made all these real beautiful paintings? Even the court painter wouldn't be able to match this.
However, his admiration stopped abruptly when a cynical voice was heard from the direction of the sofa.
"You are afraid of him, but you enter here without hesitation! What exactly are you thinking about my future husband?"
Allen flinched. He turned and found Alvin sitting on the sofa with legs crossed, staring at him with a sharp and scrutinizing gaze.
That question struck Allen. True enough. earlier he screamed in fear because he was afraid of being done something to by Kazien, but now he entered Kazien's "territory" without thinking twice.
Allen opened his mouth to answer, but no voice came out. He himself didn't know why he could enter the carriage with them without hesitation. Maybe curiosity, or maybe the fear of his mother was greater than his fear of Kazien.
Because Allen just stood frozen and didn't answer his question, Alvin became annoyed with him.
"Answer me!" snapped Alvin, his voice rising. "Or we will leave this mansion's yard right now!"
That threat was like a bolt of lightning in broad daylight for Allen. Those words made Allen remember again the severe punishment promised by his mother. The image of being locked in the underground warehouse without pocket money gave him goosebumps.
He really didn't want Kazien and Alvin to leave the mansion's yard. That was tantamount to signing his own death warrant in front of Elisa.
He finally gathered the courage to speak, defending himself.
"D-Didn't I already say that I was afraid if he wanted me to be his wife too?" exclaimed Allen nervously. "Suddenly he praised my face like that when we first met! Who wouldn't panic being praised as 'cute' by someone who likes the same gender?"
Alvin snorted disdainfully. "Just because of that? Listen, Young Master. If that happens and you don't want to accept it, just refuse! What's so hard about saying 'no'? He won't force you either! Kazien isn't someone who likes to force people!"
Allen fell silent. That simple logic hit him.
True enough. Why didn't he think of that? Allen really didn't think of that simple refusal option because he was too panicked with his own imagination. He felt a little stupid and regretted his rude words to Kazien earlier.
However, Alvin wasn't finished.
"But what makes me angry is your words and your accusations against him!" continued Alvin, his eyes flashing with anger. "You make it seem like I don't recognize my own future husband's personality! You think I would let him do anything weird? You insulted him, and you also insulted me!"
Allen looked down. He understood Alvin's anger very well. Deep inside, there was an ego urge to retort to Alvin's words, defending himself that his wariness was natural. However, he chose to cancel his intention.
If I say what's on my mind, the situation will definitely become more complicated, thought Allen wisely. Mother will kill me if they leave.
Allen sighed, swallowing his pride.
"I apologize," said Allen softly.
Silence for a moment.
Suddenly, Kazien, who had been standing silently near the bookshelf all this time, moved to leave. He walked past the two of them towards a hallway at the back of the room.
Kazien chose to leave the carriage living room without looking at Allen in the slightest. His action made Alvin confused about him.
"My dear, where are you going?" asked Alvin.
Kazien stopped for a moment without looking back. "I want to take a bath! My body is sticky. Just continue your chat, you two!"
"Wait! He is apologizing to you!" exclaimed Alvin, trying to stop his fiancé's steps.
Surprisingly, Kazien ignored Alvin's words. He stepped again and left the living room without saying another word, disappearing behind the hallway.
Alvin stood frozen. He was truly confused by his future husband's behavior which was very different from what he had known so far. Kazien was usually forgiving and warm, but this time he completely closed himself off.
Alvin turned to Allen with a blaming gaze.
"See?" hissed Alvin. "Ever since you hurt him with that disgusting accusation, he became cold. It's even the first time I've seen him like that! Usually, he always smiles and laughs at other people. You managed to kill his smile."
Those words cornered Allen even more. Guilt and fear mixed together. He felt that Kazien's cold attitude was a bad sign. Kazien must be fed up and would leave this mansion's yard soon after taking a bath.
What should I do? thought Allen in panic. My cousin seems still hurt by my accusation. If he leaves here, my mother will definitely punish me very severely.
Alvin stood up, tidying his robe as if preparing to leave. "Only you, his relative, have hurt his feelings like that. It seems he and I have to leave here so his mood returns to normal. This environment is toxic for him."
Hearing the word "leave", the danger alarm in Allen's head rang loudly.
No! I can't let that happen!
Not wanting to be punished by his mother, Allen became reckless. He no longer cared about manners or his fear. He had to stop Kazien. He had to convince Kazien not to leave the mansion's yard.
Ignoring Alvin's shout of protest, Allen ran barging into the hallway where Kazien had disappeared earlier.
His footsteps were fast, his eyes searching for the location of the bathroom inside the "mini mansion".
Alvin, feeling curious and shocked by Allen's recklessness, immediately ran following him from behind.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" shouted Alvin.
Allen didn't answer. He saw a door at the end of the hallway with thin steam coming out from the gap underneath.
Allen stopped right in front of the door he believed to be the bathroom. His heart was pounding fast, but the fear of his mother defeated everything.
Clack!
Without knocking, the door was opened roughly by Allen.
He stepped into the room with panting breath. And he wasn't wrong. Because the room he had just entered impudently was indeed the bathroom.