Meanwhile, far from the hustle and bustle of the capital, a peaceful atmosphere enveloped the Altavis Duchy territory.
In the living room of the grand main mansion, Duke Elgard Altavis was enjoying his afternoon rest time. The middle-aged man, who still looked dashing with silvery-white hair and sharp sapphire blue eyes, was sitting relaxed on a velvet sofa, sipping his warm tea.
When he put down his cup and unintentionally looked toward the main wall near him, his body jolted violently.
On that wall hung a very beautiful family photo frame, a gift from the Goddess for the Altavis family. Elgard didn't know at all when or how that photo could change, but what he saw right now made his eyes widen in disbelief.
There, his family photo had changed. Right next to Kazien, now stood a stranger—a brown-haired boy who was smiling broadly. And what was more surprising, below that photo was written his name: Arken Altavis.
"Arken Altavis?" muttered Duke Elgard, his voice full of confusion. "Who is Arken? Why did his face suddenly appear in this photo gift from the Goddess?"
Elgard stood up approaching the photo, rubbing his eyes, making sure he wasn't seeing things. However, the figure of the child remained there, real inside the frame.
Feeling confused and needing certainty, he immediately called his wife.
"Larina! Come here for a moment! Quick!"
Hearing her husband's urgent shout, the elegant Duchess Larina Altavis with flaming red hair and purple eyes immediately entered the room.
Due to Duke Elgard's echoing loud voice, not only Duchess Larina came. Other family members who happened to be nearby also entered out of curiosity.
William Altavis, the eldest son, entered with his wife, Rosalia, and Rosalia's two younger sisters who had been adopted, Raliana and Ritalia.
"What is it, Father? Why are you shouting?" asked William in surprise.
"Look at that photo!" pointed Elgard with a face still filled with questions. "Our family photo added one person! I looked away for a moment and that child was already there!"
They all turned simultaneously toward the frame.
Sure enough. They were also surprised by the presence of a handsome brown-haired boy standing right next to Kazien.
"What happened to this photo?" asked Rosalia in surprise. "Did Kazien adopt this boy in the capital? But why did his photo appear here?"
"Arken Altavis..." murmured Raliana spelling the name. "His face is very unfamiliar."
While everyone was focused on that child, the keen-eyed Ritalia accidentally looked to the other side, toward the row of photos of the Altavis children's partners.
Ritalia's bright blue eyes widened. In Kazien's photo frame, she saw Alvin the high elf standing to Kazien's right, embracing his right arm. However, now there was someone unknown also standing to Kazien's left, embracing her brother's arm.
"Father! Mother!" exclaimed Ritalia in panic while pointing at the photo. "Look at Brother Kazien's partner photo! He... he is already with another person I don't know!"
Ritalia's shout shifted everyone's attention. All eyes were now fixed on the figure to Kazien's left in the photo.
They were stunned. There, a handsome purple-haired man with warm purple eyes was visible.
William narrowed his eyes to read the name written below the photo.
"Allenzi... Altavis?" spell William stammered.
"What is the meaning of this?!" shouted Duke Elgard in shock, his face reddening. "Why is our family name in his name?! Allenzi Altavis?! Who is this boy?!"
Duchess Larina, who had been observing silently, stepped forward. Her purple eyes stared intently at the face of the purple-haired young man in the photo. Memories of the past slowly rose in her mind.
"Dear, try to look closely at his face!" said Larina gently but seriously to her husband. "Doesn't he look quite similar to the face of Elisa, your sister who hasn't returned for a long time?"
Duke Elgard jolted. Instantly he remembered his only younger sister, Elisalva, who had run away from home in the past.
He remembered his sister's face when she was little, then compared it with Allen's face in the photo. The resemblance couldn't be denied. That purple hair... that was a genetic trait from their mother's side.
"If it's true he is my younger sister's son..." Elgard held his head which suddenly felt dizzy, "...then he is Kazien's biological cousin!"
There was silence for a moment, before finally exploding.
Duke Elgard took down the photo gift from the Goddess hanging on the wall with hands trembling from anger. He ranted at length while staring sharply at his son's photo.
"Kazien!!!" roared Elgard in frustration. "I don't mind if you adopt a brother! But why... why do you want to marry your own cousin?! What have you done in the capital, huh?!"
Elgard's breath hitched. "Are you two crazy?! Kazien! What made you decide to marry your own cousin? Elisa, did you give them your blessing?"
"Calm down, Dear..." said Duchess Larina trying to calm her husband, rubbing Elgard's back. "Let's just wait for the explanation when he returns home later. Getting angry here won't solve the problem."
Duke Elgard sighed long and harshly, then put the photo back on the wall.
"I hope he will give me the correct answer later!" grumbled Elgard.
William could only shake his head seeing the chaos. "My little brother really can't be guessed. If Virena and Sis Selena find out about this, what will happen, huh?"
However, amidst that chaos, Ritalia had a different thought. The beautiful girl stared at Kazien's photo with a sorrowful gaze. Behind her sweet smile, her heart felt painful.
If only I were a man... thought Ritalia quietly. Brother Kazien would definitely be willing to be my husband. Unfortunately, I am a woman. My love is limited to the love for my older brother and cannot be more than this.
Brother Kazien, can't you accept me, this woman, to be your wife? Is it only men that you desire?
Even though her face wasn't sad, her heart was screaming softly about the reality that she couldn't have Kazien as her husband.
It seems I really have to be satisfied with my relationship with him right now. He has also promised to always spoil me.
Her bond of promise with Kazien was what always made her feel satisfied with the relationship established between them. Ritalia tried to remain happy even though it was limited to being Kazien's younger sister.
Meanwhile in the capital, Kazien was completely unaware of the commotion happening at his main home. He was in the bathroom with Alvin, Allen, and Arken.
"Wow!" exclaimed Arken in amazement. "Sitting on your lap lets me look at your handsome face up close, Brother!"
"Hahaha. Hearing praise from my cute little brother makes me very happy," laughed Kazien cheerfully.
"Really? Then, I will always praise you!"
Kazien ruffled his brother's hair then hugged him tightly. The three of them enjoyed that moment of togetherness with full happiness. With Alvin and Allen sitting next to him, and Arken in his lap, the happiness Kazien was feeling grew bigger and bigger.
Besides having the two of them, thought Kazien gratefully, I also have a cute little brother like Arken. I truly feel very happy with this life of mine!