The tense atmosphere following the battle against the assassins slowly subsided, but that tranquility did not last long for Kazien. Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, a hand suddenly reached out toward his face.
Inside the mansion, which was still in disarray, Alvin approached Kazien and, without warning, pinched his ear quite hard.
"Ouch! Alvin, why are you suddenly pinching my ear like this? Did I make a mistake?" Kazien exclaimed while holding his reddened ear, his face grimacing in pain.
Alvin stared at him with a pouty face, his cheeks puffed up in annoyance. "Yes, you made a mistake! I hate your smirk! Because when you smirk like that, your handsome face, which has been my source of happiness all this time, disappears!"
Kazien was stunned for a moment. He realized his mistake had made his beloved High Elf angry. The cruel smirk he showed when reading Marina's name was apparently too terrifying and ruined his image in his fiancé's eyes.
"I apologize." Kazien said softly, looking into Alvin's mint-green eyes with regret. "Unconsciously, I ended up showing that terrifying smirk to you."
Hearing the sincere apology, Alvin's expression softened. He released his pinch, though his lips were still slightly pursed. At the same time, Elisa approached her nephew with a serious face.
"Kazien, can you really sense people who intend to harm you?" asked Elisa, confirming the shocking claim Kazien had made earlier.
Kazien nodded firmly. "I am not lying to you, Aunt Elisa! My eyes can distinguish between those who intend to harm me and those who are merely wary of me or have no ill intent."
Elisa sighed deeply, her gaze sharpening. As someone who had long been involved in the world of politics and guilds, she knew very well the danger of such an ability.
"I warn you, Kazien! Don't just easily tell others about your ability like that! Do you not realize the impact of that ability?"
Kazien, knowing nothing about the political implications, simply shook his head innocently.
"That would be more shocking than the existence of High Elf who are always by your side!" Elisa asserted.
Finally, Kazien understood the stern warning coming from his aunt. That ability was a double-edged sword.
"Forgive me, Aunt Elisa. I will never repeat it again." Kazien promised.
"Never mind..." Elisa waved her hand, looking tired. "I will go downstairs to lock the doors and ensure security for the rest of the night. You three had better go to sleep immediately! Because tomorrow morning you have to go to the academy."
The three of them nodded obediently and walked toward the room to sleep. The spacious master bedroom had a large bed sufficient to accommodate them. Alvin immediately lay down on the right side, Kazien in the middle, and Allen on the left.
The lights were turned off, leaving only the dim moonlight penetrating through the window.
However, once in the room, Allen did not go to sleep immediately. His eyes remained open, staring at the side profile of Kazien's face illuminated by the moonlight.
He looked at Kazien's face, which looked incredibly handsome in his eyes. The sharp jawline, the high nose, and the curling eyelashes.
Seeing him sleeping soundly like this makes me happy, Allen thought, a thin smile etched on his lips. But unfortunately, I can never have you.
The suppressed feelings of longing and desire made his hand move on its own. His hand wanted to touch and caress Kazien's face. Slowly, his fingers began to approach the face of the handsome silver-white-haired man.
But when his fingertips were just a span away from Kazien's face, Allen immediately canceled his intention. He pulled his hand back quickly. He was afraid that it would wake Kazien, who was sleeping soundly, and make the situation awkward.
Poof!
Suddenly, Kazien's hand slipped from Alvin's embrace, who had fallen asleep first, and the hand fell, gently patting the mattress surface, right between his body and Allen.
Allen's heart beat fast. He stared at the sturdy hand. Allen hesitated, but his heart's urge was so strong. Slowly, he began to bring his hand closer to Kazien's open hand.
Tap!
He touched the hand and then held it gently. It was warm. Allen smiled with satisfaction after successfully holding the hand of the person he liked.
Even though I can't touch your face, at least I can feel happy holding your hand like this, he thought emotionally.
Allen closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth spreading from that palm. And not long after, he fell fast asleep while holding Kazien's hand tightly.
However, unbeknownst to Allen, Kazien had actually woken up because of the touch. Kazien widened his eyes as he looked to the side, seeing Allen sleeping peacefully while holding his hand.
Kazien smiled in shock, but for some reason, he didn't pull his hand away. Instead, he returned his cousin's grip gently.
Geez! If you want to hold my hand, just say it directly! As your brother, I will definitely do my best for your smile. Kazien thought with amusement.
Kazien stared at the room's ceiling, trying to contemplate this strange situation. His right hand hugged Alvin, who was snoring softly, and his left hand held Allen's warm hand.
Kazien's mind began to drift far.
If Allen falls in love with me, it is certain that Alvin wouldn't mind if I married him too. That is indeed Alvin's nature, Kazien analyzed inwardly. However, I object to marrying my own cousin. I cannot two-time Alvin! I only love him alone!
The image of his aunt's angry face crossed his mind.
I wonder what will happen if Aunt Elisa finds out. She will definitely be furious with both of us.
Kazien turned slightly to the left, staring at Allen's calm sleeping face.
I admit it! Although not comparable to Alvin's extraordinarily cute face, I also like Allen's cute face, he admitted honestly to himself. I hope Allen doesn't have any feelings for me other than just considering me his cousin. If that were to happen, I'm confused about what to answer if Alvin forces me to accept Allen as mine too.
Kazien sighed very slowly. I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling about this. Kazien thought again. I hope everything will be fine.
In the silence of the night, Kazien wrestled with his complicated thoughts about Allen. Drowsiness slowly attacked him again, and eventually, he too fell fast asleep between the two people who loved him.