A few moments later, the sobbing in the living room began to subside. Arken, whose eyes were still puffy but whose face was now much brighter, released his embrace from Kazien. He wiped the remaining tears with the back of his hand, feeling immensely relieved after being accepted with open arms.
Seeing that the atmosphere had calmed down, Duke Elgard cleared his throat softly to shift attention. He looked at his younger sister, Elisa, with a gaze that turned serious yet full of concern.
"Elisa?" called Elgard.
"Yes, Brother?" answered Elisa, slightly nervous.
Elgard scanned the room, looking for another figure who should have been there. "Where is your husband? Why didn't he come with you and your son?"
Elisa's face dimmed instantly. Sadness flashed in her eyes, an old wound that hadn't fully healed. She looked down, kneading her own fingers.
"H-He..." her voice trembled softly. "He passed away nine years ago due to a severe illness."
Silence momentarily enveloped the room. Elgard and Larina were stunned to hear the sad news.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." said Elgard quietly. He then straightened his body. "There are many things we both want to ask you, Elisa. Let's go to another room! We'll talk in my study."
Elisa nodded obediently. "Alright, Brother."
Elisa, Duke Elgard, and Duchess Larina then left the living room, allowing the younger generation of Altavis to get to know each other better.
After the parents left, the atmosphere in the living room became more fluid. William, Rosalia, and Raliana immediately swarmed Allen. They introduced themselves warmly.
"I never expected that my cousin lived in the capital without me knowing! Moreover, you actually became Kazien's fiancé." said William, still in disbelief at everything that was happening.
"Me neither, Brother William." answered Allen shyly, his face blushing red. "I never expected everything that is happening right now."
However, amidst the conversation, a heavy sigh was heard from Kazien's lap. Ritalia, Kazien's adopted sister who was twelve years old, looked at Allen with unconcealed jealousy.
"I envy you, Brother Allen." mumbled Ritalia, her lips pursed cutely but her tone sounding a bit frustrated. "You can become Brother Kazien's future wife. If only... if only I were a boy."
Hearing that, Kazien immediately looked at his adopted sister's face with a furrowed brow. He couldn't ignore such a blunt statement.
"Ritalia, do you love me?" asked Kazien gently but also probingly.
Ritalia fell silent for a moment, then looked into her brother's sapphire blue eyes bravely. There was no hesitation in her eyes.
"It would be a lie if I said I didn't love you! I always imagined, if only I were a boy, maybe I would have a chance to marry you like Brother Allen or Brother Alvin. Unfortunately, I cannot avoid my fate as a girl!" she confessed honestly.
Ritalia sighed deeply, realizing her position. Although she wasn't a biological sister and it was possible to marry Kazien, her gender destiny as a girl made her feel frustrated.
"And right now, I can only be satisfied being the younger sister you love the most. That is enough for me," she said softly. But suddenly she remembered something and looked at Kazien sharply. "But don't you forget your promise to me back then! You still remember, right?"
Kazien smiled warmly, stroking his adopted sister's hair gently. "Of course I remember! I will not break my promise to you, my dear sister."
Hearing that Kazien still remembered his promise, Ritalia smiled happily. She closed her eyes, enjoying the comfort of her brother's lap, feeling safe and loved.
Meanwhile, inside Duke Elgard's study, the atmosphere felt much heavier.
Elisa sat on the guest chair, facing her brother and sister-in-law. Elgard stared at his sister intently.
"Elisa, answer me honestly. Why did you choose to run away from this house back then?" Elgard started to ask.
Elisa looked down deeply. "At that time... you were furious with me because I chose Lordius. That's why... I was scared and chose to run away from home!"
Elgard sighed deeply, leaning his back against the chair.
"Elisa, you misunderstood! I was angry with you back then not because you chose Lordius. I knew he was a good man." said Elgard firmly but gently.
Elisa lifted her face, surprised. "W-What?"
"I was angry because you canceled an official engagement with another family unilaterally, without discussing it with me first, and without following the rules that apply in our family!" explained Elgard.
Hearing that explanation, Elisa felt like she had been slapped by reality. She looked down in silence, tears of regret starting to well up.
I feel so foolish for running away from home without listening to my brother's explanation. I left home just for a reason that came from my own thoughts. I should have known that my brother always does what is best for me.
"Brother Elgard..." Elisa's voice was hoarse. "I apologize for leaving here. I... I regret it very much!"
Elgard stood up and patted his sister's shoulder. "Never mind, Elisa. Don't think about it anymore! The important thing is now you have returned here safe and sound. Although it is very unfortunate that Lordius had to pass away first."
Elisa felt immensely relieved because her brother never held any anger towards her. And that was very consistent with what Kazien had once told her.
Duchess Larina then asked. "Elisa, do you give your blessing to the relationship between Kazien and your son?"
Elisa smiled faintly. "Because they both love each other,I bless their relationship, Sis Larina. As a mother, I only want to see my son's happiness. I don't want Allen to do something foolish like I did in the past."
"If you say so, very well, Larina and I will give our blessing to their relationship." decided Elgard firmly.
Not long after, Duke Elgard, Duchess Larina, and Elisa returned to the living room. They immediately discussed their decision regarding Kazien and Allen's relationship.
"After discussing it, we bless the relationship between you two, Allen, Kazien!" said Duke Elgard firmly in front of all his sons and daughters.
Hearing the official blessing from their parents, Kazien, Allen, and Alvin could smile in relief. That heavy burden was finally lifted.
Without thinking twice, Kazien stood up. He extended his hand, using creation magic. Golden light glowed, and in an instant, he created a pure silver ring whose design was exactly like the one he wore on his left ring finger, and a gold ring that they would later wear when they got married.
Kazien took Allen's hand, then gently placed the ring on his cousin's left ring finger.
Happiness swelled in Allen's chest as he saw the ring beautifully placed on his finger.
Duke Elgard and the rest of the family also felt happy seeing the happiness radiating from Allen's face.
Allen looked at the ring, then looked at Kazien. "Am... am I officially your fiancé?"
Kazien chuckled softly. "Even before I put that ring on, you were indeed already my fiancé."
Allen's face blushed with happiness. He held Kazien's hand tightly, then leaned his head on Kazien's shoulder with a wide smile he couldn't hide.
Seeing that, Ritalia felt envious but also happy and relieved for their happiness. And then, she stood up from Kazien's lap.
"Brother Allen, do you want to sit here?" asked Ritalia gently.
Allen shook his head slowly while smiling softly. "No! You just sit there! When we return to the capital later, you won't be able to sit on his lap for a long time, right?"
Ritalia's eyes sparkled with joy. "In that case, I will gladly enjoy my time with him tonight."