Amidst the relaxed atmosphere, Felix started the conversation.
"Kazien, to be honest, I'm still amazed." Felix interjected suddenly, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "I never imagined you could create such a magnificent royal carriage! But after seeing the power of your wings earlier, I'm starting to understand where that magic came from."
Kazien chuckled softly, leaning back into his chair with a relaxed posture. "Hahaha. I'm glad to receive a compliment from you, Felix. But remember, I expect you to keep the identity of the carriage's true creator a secret. Let people believe it is the work of a secret palace craftsman."
"Don't worry, I will definitely keep it quiet." Felix promised firmly. However, his expression suddenly shifted, turning slightly hesitant. "Oh, by the way... my younger sister really likes you. Since her first meeting with you, she hasn't stopped asking about you. What should I tell her?"
Kazien answered without a moment's hesitation, even before Felix could finish his sentence. "Just tell her that I'm not interested in women. Besides, even if your sister could turn into a cute-looking boy, I have no desire to add any more fiancés. These three are more than enough to keep my life busy."
Hearing that firm declaration, Alvin, Allen, and Arken felt a wave of happiness wash over their hearts. Their existence as the only ones occupying Kazien's heart was openly acknowledged in front of the King. The three of them gazed at their future husband with wide, love-filled smiles.
Seeing the happy glow in his fiancés' eyes, Kazien's heart softened. He returned their gaze with a sincere smile, not a polite grin or a mysterious smirk, but a warm and genuine smile that he rarely showed in public.
Alvin, Allen, and Arken immediately went on high alert. They knew all too well how lethal Kazien's charm was when he smiled like that, and they braced themselves for Felix to go crazy or throw himself at their fiancé. However, after several seconds passed, there was no commotion. Felix merely looked at them with a normal expression.
This, of course, puzzled Kazien's three fiancés. Alvin, being the most perceptive, finally spoke up.
"My Dear, you just gave us your most sincere smile." Alvin said suddenly, glancing at Felix suspiciously. "But why isn't Felix charmed by you at all? Shouldn't someone normally swoon instantly?"
Alvin's question immediately piqued Kazien's curiosity. He himself had just realized that Felix's reaction was incredibly flat. Without a second thought, he turned toward the bright blue-haired prince.
"Hey, Felix!" Kazien called out abruptly.
Felix startled slightly and glanced at Kazien. "Yes? What do you want to ask, Kazien?"
"Answer me honestly!" Kazien stared at him piercingly. "Have you loved me from the very beginning? Is that the reason you keep approaching me at the academy?"
Huh?
Felix flinched, his face turning pale for a split second before flushing deep red. The reflex reaction Felix showed was enough for Alvin, Allen, and Arken to reach the same conclusion: the Prince did indeed harbor feelings for their fiancé!
"N-No!" Felix stammered, defending himself against the accusation. "I only came here to relay Marcos's plan and my sister's message! There are no other intentions, truly!"
Kazien simply nodded slowly, though in his heart he didn't believe a word of it. Felix's answer sounded utterly unconvincing, but he decided not to prolong the complicated romantic issue.
"So, Your Majesty..." Kazien spoke, breaking the awkward silence. "What is the primary purpose of you and Felix coming all this way?"
King Nalvon set his cup down, then turned toward his son. "It wasn't I who wished to speak with you in depth, Kazien. Actually, it was Felix who insisted on seeking your opinion."
Kazien and his three fiancés immediately shifted their gaze simultaneously toward Felix. Their stares demanded that the prince speak his heart at once.
Feeling cornered by those sharp gazes, Felix finally took a deep breath. "Actually... I want to ask. What must I do for you to recognize me as a worthy future king of this kingdom? You always consider me weak, and I want to change that!"
"It's simple!" Kazien answered in a casual yet firm tone. "Act as a future king who fears nothing when it concerns the welfare of your people! Do not just stand by and watch injustice. You can start with that academy, a place I find truly pathetic because it is riddled with the intimidation of the nobility."
Felix stared at Kazien's face with wide eyes. "Are you joking with me?" Felix cried out in disbelief. "You know yourself how complicated that is. If I act recklessly against the nobles there, the politics of this kingdom will become—"
"FELIX...!!!!"
Kazien's roar thundered through every corner of the living room, cutting off Felix's sentence like a lightning strike on a clear day. His voice, laden with authority, made everyone present jump in shock.
Alvin, Allen, Arken, and Erica stood frozen in silence. Until now, they had known Kazien as a calm and gentle figure. But for the first time, they saw Kazien truly snap at someone with pure, unadulterated rage.
"If you are a crown prince, yet you fear political upheaval more than the suffering of your oppressed people..." Kazien continued in a low but incredibly firm voice, each word feeling like a heavy weight pressing down on Felix's shoulders.
Kazien stood up, his gaze becoming increasingly intense and sharp. "Listen to me carefully, Felix. I will pull the Altavis family out of the Federation of the Kingdom of Garveon if one day you ascend to the throne but remain a cowardly king like this, even if I have to go to war with you!"
The room instantly fell deathly silent. Kazien's threat was no mere bluff. Felix knew exactly what would happen after the loss of the Altavis family's support. It meant more than half of the strength and stability of the Kingdom of Garveon would vanish. Not to mention the Guartav family, who were extremely close to the Altavis family.
If Altavis left the federation, it was almost certain that the Guartav family would follow suit.
King Nalvon could only remain silent, watching his son, who was now stunned into silence while staring at Kazien's face.