The next morning, warmth began to greet the entire room as beams of sunlight broke through the gaps in the slightly parted window curtains.
Alvin was the first to wake from his deep sleep. He stretched slowly, loosening muscles stiff from a night of rest. When his eyes fully opened, the first sight that greeted him immediately made his lips curve into a meaningful smile.
Beside him, he saw Kazien and Allen still fast asleep. However, it wasn't their peaceful faces that caught Alvin's attention, but the position of their hands. Atop the thick blanket, Kazien's sturdy hand and Allen's smooth hand were clasped tightly together, as if reluctant to let go of one another even in the dream world.
Alvin smiled in relief witnessing that closeness. Strangely, not a shred of jealousy crossed the High Elf's heart. On the contrary, he felt happy seeing the intimacy between the two people he cared for.
I am absolutely certain that Allen has special feelings for my future husband, Alvin thought with full conviction. His behavior in the bathroom back then was proof enough. He must have been trying desperately to hide his exploding feelings. His face was beet red like a boiled tomato at that time.
Alvin chuckled softly without sound, trying to suppress his laughter so as not to wake them.
I wonder what actually happened to you all this time, Allen. After all, we've only been living here for two days. How could those feelings grow so fast? This really confuses me, but it's also funny. Hahaha.
Alvin then tried to sit up. His movement caused the mattress to shake slightly, enough to disturb the young man sleeping beside him. Kazien blinked his eyes a few times, trying to adjust his blurry vision to the dazzling morning light.
Mwah!
A loving kiss suddenly landed on Kazien's lips, followed by a cheerful greeting that immediately refreshed the atmosphere of the room.
"Good morning, my dear!" greeted Alvin with a sweet smile blooming on his beautiful face.
Kazien smiled faintly, his consciousness slowly gathering fully. "Good morning to you too, Alvin."
Alvin prepared to get out of bed. However, he stopped when he saw Kazien about to pull his hand from Allen's grip. Swiftly, Alvin held Kazien's shoulder.
"I'm going to cook breakfast for us! Just keep holding Allen's hand until he wakes up on his own, and don't you ever try to let go of it!" Alvin ordered suddenly with a firm tone.
Kazien furrowed his brow deeply, confused by the request that sounded very strange. He felt as if Alvin was pushing him toward Allen, even seeming to want him to marry his cousin. This made Kazien's heart rebel in refusal.
His principle of loyalty to Alvin gave him the courage to oppose his future wife's decision. He did not want to divide his heart.
"What do you mean by speaking like that? Do you want me to marry him?" asked Kazien point-blank, his voice sounding heavy and serious.
Alvin was not daunted. He looked deeply into Kazien's sapphire blue eyes. "Depends on the answer. If he indeed has feelings for you, I will accept him to be your future wife!"
Kazien was shocked to the core hearing the answer thrown so lightly from his lover's mouth. He stared sharply at Alvin, unable to believe what he had just heard.
"He is indeed my cousin! But that doesn't mean all my relatives must become my future wives! Alvin, have you lost your mind? How could I possibly do that?" Kazien argued hard.
However, this time it was Alvin who returned Kazien's sharp stare. The High Elf's playful gaze turned serious, even slightly intimidating.
"You swore and promised not to make me sad, right? Do you remember that oath, Kazien?"
Kazien fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly confirming his words. He had indeed sworn so at the beginning of their relationship.
"If you don't want to make me sad, accept Allen as your future wife! My gut tells me that he likes you! And seeing him sad because his love is unrequited will only make me sad too!"
"I know he likes me since he held my hand last night! But, must my cousin also be—"
Alvin didn't let Kazien finish his sentence of rejection. He cut him off with a tone far colder and more dangerous than before.
"If you are still stubborn, I will consider your oath and promise fake! I also don't mind if you end 'that' right now!"
Kazien's body jolted violently hearing that threat. His muscles tensed instantly. He was struck speechless, unable to retort to Alvin's words again.
The word "that" referred to the most sacred thing between them: the contract of eternity. Ending the contract of eternity with him was tantamount to killing Alvin. The consequence of a unilateral contract cancellation for anyone bound was absolute death.
Kazien was terrified of losing Alvin. Alvin was everything to him. That threat was a checkmate for Kazien, causing all his defenses and principles to instantly crumble to nothing.
"Why are you threatening me like that, Alvin? You know I'm terrified of losing you, don't you?" Kazien's voice weakened, sounding full of despair and pleading.
Seeing Kazien's frightened reaction, Alvin softened his gaze, but his stance remained as firm as a rock.
"If you truly love me and hold firm to your oath and promise, accept him! Make him happy just as you make me happy. That is my only request."
Kazien realized he had no other choice. He was completely defeated in this debate. Like it or not, he had to agree with what Alvin said for the sake of his beloved lover's life.
"Alright! If he indeed likes me, I will accept him!" answered Kazien resignedly, surrendering to fate.
Alvin's smile bloomed again, this time a smile of relief and satisfaction hearing that answer. He brought his face closer, then gave a loving kiss to Kazien right on the lips as a reward for his obedience. Not stopping there, he gave one more loving kiss on Kazien's cheek before finally getting out of bed.
With light steps, Alvin left the room heading to the kitchen while humming a little tune, as if the life-and-death debate earlier had never happened.
The room returned to silence, only the sound of regular breathing from those left on the bed could be heard.
Kazien stared at the ceiling with a blank gaze. He truly couldn't comprehend his future wife's way of thinking, forcing him to marry someone else.
However, without them realizing, Allen had actually been awake for a while. He heard every word of their conversation very clearly. Allen still kept his eyes closed, pretending to sleep, but his heart beat wildly as fast as a racehorse inside his chest.
What did he say? Alvin forced Kazien to accept me? Isn't this my chance? Allen thought hysterically in silence, torn between disbelief and overflowing happiness. But... am I really allowed to marry my own cousin?