Once he ensured Zeto's figure had completely vanished into the darkness of the night, Kazien slowly closed and locked the mansion's main door, then returned to his room.
Kazien's footsteps sounded soft as he climbed the stairs to his room on the second floor. Fatigue began to spread through his body after a long day. However, his heart felt light. One by one, the problems were beginning to unravel.
Kazien opened his bedroom door carefully so the hinges wouldn't creak. Moonlight broke through the gaps in the window curtains, illuminating the very spacious king-size bed.
There, Alvin and Allen were already fast asleep. However, there was one figure still sitting upright in the middle of the bed, hugging his own knees.
It was Arken. His pale light purple eyes instantly lit up when he saw Kazien enter.
Kazien was surprised. He thought his new brother had fallen asleep long ago. He walked closer and stood at the edge of the bed.
"Why aren't you asleep yet, Arken?" Kazien asked in a whisper, worried about waking the other two. "It's already past midnight."
Arken looked at his brother's face with an innocent gaze. "I was waiting for you, Brother. I can't sleep if you haven't returned."
Kazien's heart felt warm hearing that honest answer. "Sorry for making you wait long. There was an important guest I had to meet earlier."
Arken shifted his body slightly, making an empty space in the middle of the mattress. "Do you want to sleep with me?"
Kazien smiled gently. "Of course."
Because he was too tired, Kazien climbed onto the bed without changing his clothes. He slowly laid his body in the empty space right in the middle between Alvin and Allen. That position had indeed always been his.
After finding a comfortable position, Kazien patted his chest gently, signaling to Arken. "Come here, sleep here."
Arken's face beamed. He nodded enthusiastically. With careful movements like a kitten, Arken crawled closer to Kazien. He then laid his small body on Kazien's broad chest, making his brother's body the most comfortable living pillow.
Kazien immediately wrapped his arms around him, hugging Arken's back so the child felt safe. They looked at each other at a very close distance. Kazien could see his own reflection in Arken's pale light purple eyeballs.
"Let's sleep, Arken." said Kazien while stroking Arken's brown hair. "Tomorrow morning I have to go to the academy. It's impossible for me to sleep late, right? If I oversleep, Dean Claus could lecture me all day."
Hearing the word 'academy', the expression on Arken's face turned anxious. His hand gripped the fabric of Kazien's shirt.
"If you go to the academy... I will be alone here. This mansion is huge, and I'm not used to living in a house this big alone. Can I come with you?" Arken asked softly.
Kazien fell silent for a moment. He looked at his brother's pitiful face. The Royal Magic Academy's rules were very strict. Outsiders, especially for who were not students, were prohibited from entering the campus area without special permission.
Kazien tried to make him understand. "Listen, Arken, if it were allowed, I would definitely take you with me wherever I go. But, the academy has strict rules. They don't allow outsiders to enter there carelessly."
Arken's eyes began to water. The fear of being abandoned haunted him again.
"I want to come! I beg you, Brother... don't leave me alone here! I don't want to be alone..." Arken whined, his voice trembling slightly but he tried to hold it back so it wouldn't be loud.
Kazien felt the small hand's grip on his chest growing stronger. His heart sank. He had just promised to make this child happy, and leaving him scared alone in a big mansion on his first day was clearly not a good start.
Kazien sighed deeply, giving in to that pitiful gaze. "Alright, I will take you to the academy. I will also talk to Dean Claus to give you permission. The important thing is you won't be alone."
Arken's eyes immediately lit up again. "Really?"
"Yes, I promise!" Kazien smiled. "For now, let's sleep! You need energy for tomorrow."
Arken looked at Kazien's handsome face illuminated by moonlight. He nodded obediently, followed by a sweet smile. He felt very safe in this embrace.
Seeing his brother's behavior being so adorable, Kazien couldn't resist. He gently pinched Arken's cheek.
"Good night, my cute little brother." said Kazien.
Then, with full affection, Kazien kissed Arken's forehead.
Mwah!
The kiss was brief, but its effect was extraordinary for Arken. The boy's body tensed for a moment in surprise, then relaxed instantly.
"Y-Yeah... good night too, Brother." answered Arken shyly. He buried his face in Kazien's chest, hiding the blush on his cheeks.
Arken's feelings rumbled. He kissed my forehead? It feels... warm and comfortable. Father used to do it often when I was little, but it's been a long time since.
Arken closed his eyes, listening to Kazien's steady heartbeat. This is the first time I've received such great attention from a brother. I am very grateful to be his brother. Brother Kazien is a very attentive and loving person. Father... I think I am already in the right hands.
Before long, Arken's breathing became regular. He fell fast asleep in his new brother's warm embrace.
...
The next morning, sunlight began to peek from behind the curtains.
Alvin blinked his mint green eyes, adjusting to the morning light. Next to him, Allen also began to stir awake.
Their gazes immediately fell to the center of the bed. The sight there made them pause for a moment.
Kazien was still fast asleep on his back while hugging Arken. And on his chest, Arken slept curled up like a koala, hugging Kazien's neck tightly. Both their sleeping faces looked very peaceful.
Alvin and Allen looked at each other, then smiled faintly. Very carefully so as not to wake the "brother pair", they got out of bed and sneaked out of the room.
Upon arriving in the quiet mansion hallway, Allen sighed deeply.
"Hey, Alvin!" whispered Allen while walking side by side toward the kitchen. "Seeing the closeness of those two, do you think Arken will fall in love with him?"
Alvin shook his head slowly, his golden-yellow hair swaying. "I don't think that's possible, Allen! Arken is too innocent. Moreover, he just lost his father. Right now Arken only needs a protector figure and affection from a brother. I think that's normal."
"But..." Allen bit his lower lip, looking worried. "What if he falls in love with him? You know, love can grow from comfort and admiration. Just like me, for example, who was initially scared but immediately fell in love with him."
Alvin's steps halted. He fell silent and couldn't immediately answer Allen's question. Honestly, he also felt confused about what he should do if that really happened.
"I don't know, Allen..." sighed Alvin, his feelings mixed.
Allen looked at Alvin with a probing gaze. "Do you not dare to reject people who like Kazien? Alvin, you are too kind! If you continue to be passive like this, in the future he will have many wives or husbands!"
Alvin massaged his temples. "I don't want that to happen, Allen! By the Goddess, I only allowed you because you are his cousin and Kazien loves you. But... if it's Arken, I'm really confused. He became Kazien's adopted brother out of guilt and right now, he loves Arken very much."
"Well, that's the problem!" exclaimed Allen, restraining his voice. "Kazien will surely face a dilemma. On one hand, he couldn't possibly hurt his own orphaned adopted brother's feelings. And on the other hand, he also doesn't want to hurt me or hurt you!"