After King Nalvon and Felix left, the atmosphere in the mansion returned to its normal rhythm. Alvin, with his ever-reliable initiative, began clearing up the remains of the refreshments.
"Let me help you take these to the back, Alvin." offered Allen, carefully stacking the small plates used for snacks.
"Thank you, Allen." Alvin replied with a smile. He lifted the tray containing the teapot and empty cups. "We must prepare dinner immediately before your mother arrives."
Erica, who had until then been a faithful spectator of the political drama in the living room, stood up enthusiastically. "I want to join too! I want to learn how to cook delicious cream soup like the one Brother Alvin made yesterday! Can I?"
"Of course, Erica!" answered Alvin. "The kitchen is our domain tonight."
The three of them walked toward the kitchen, leaving behind the sound of clinking dishes and small laughter that slowly faded away. However, amidst the activity, one person remained behind.
In the now-quiet living room, only Arken remained, sitting transfixed on the sofa. His gaze was vacant, staring at the pattern of the carpet beneath his feet as if the answer to all his heart's turmoil was written there. His shoulders slumped slightly, displaying a fragility he rarely showed.
Kazien, who had just closed the mansion door, turned around and found this scene. His brow furrowed. Usually, Arken was the clingiest among his fiancés, but this time the brown-haired boy seemed so lost in his own thoughts.
Kazien walked slowly toward the sofa. He made his footsteps slightly heavy so Arken would notice his presence, but Arken remained motionless in his seat.
"What are you thinking about, Arken?" asked Kazien gently, breaking the silence.
Kazien's baritone voice jolted Arken from his reverie. Spontaneously, he lifted his face. His round eyes looked at Kazien's handsome face with a surprised expression, as if he had just been caught committing a crime.
"N-No... I'm not thinking about anything." Arken evaded quickly. His voice stammered, and his eyes darted nervously, avoiding Kazien's gaze.
You just told a very bad lie, Arken. Kazien thought with amusement.
Kazien sighed softly. He didn't press, but he wouldn't just let it go either. He walked around the sofa and sat right next to Arken, narrowing the distance between them until their shoulders touched.
"My dear Arken." called Kazien, his arm immediately wrapping around his fiancé's neck. "If you are thinking about something that troubles you, please don't keep it to yourself. And if it concerns me, please be honest with me. So I can introspect if I have made a mistake."
Those gentle words crumbled Arken's defenses instantly.
Suddenly, Arken threw himself into Kazien's embrace. He wrapped his arms tightly around his fiancé's waist, burying his face in Kazien's right chest as if wanting to hide from the world.
This impulsive action startled Kazien slightly, but he immediately returned the embrace, stroking Arken's back with soothing motions.
"What is it, Arken? Why are you suddenly like this? Did something hurt you?"
"Forgive me!" cried Arken with a voice trembling violently, muffled by Kazien's clothes. "I... I am so selfish towards you!"
"Selfish?" asked Kazien, increasingly confused. He tried to recall what might have triggered this feeling. "Selfish in what way?"
"I am selfish because I have pressured you!" cried Arken, his sobs beginning to break through uncontrollably. "I unilaterally swore I would die if there was a fourth person after me! I bound you with the threat of my own death without thinking about your feelings! I... I was cruel to you! Hudeon was right, I am indeed selfish!"
Kazien fell silent for a moment. Finally, he understood. It seemed the conversation with Felix earlier, about Kazien keeping his vow of loyalty, had triggered deep guilt in Arken's heart.
Without hesitation, Kazien lifted his fiancé's body onto his lap, seating Arken facing him so he could see that cute face clearly.
Their gazes met. Arken's eyes were wet and red, full of regret. Gently, Kazien wiped the tears flowing down Arken's cheeks with his thumb.
"Be yourself, Arken." said Kazien softly, full of sincere affection. There was not a hint of judgment in his voice. "I don't mind your vow. Not at all."
Arken sobbed quietly. "But... it burdens you..."
"No!" cut in Kazien firmly yet gently. "On the contrary, I feel helped. Because your vow became a sturdy fence. A fence that guards me from letting others carelessly enter this already perfect life of mine. You know how hard it is to reject people, right? Your vow is my best alibi."
Kazien smiled sincerely, looking deep into Arken's eyes. "Now answer me honestly. Do you love me?"
"Of course I love you very much!" answered Arken quickly without a second of hesitation. "More than anything! Forever, my feelings for you will never change, My Huby!"
"Then, be yourself. Remain the selfish Arken, stubborn in loving me, and remain the one who closes the door of my heart to others. Honestly, I really need the pressure that comes from your vow."
Arken stared in disbelief. "But... do you really not mind if I am like this? If I forbid you from looking at others?"
Kazien nodded firmly. "I don't mind at all. Three people are already more than enough to make me dizzy and happy at the same time."
"Really?" asked Arken again, still needing validation.
"Yes, Arkeeen!" answered Kazien affectionately while gently pinching Arken's nose. "These three cute people always make me feel happy with their respective characters and personalities."
Hearing that affirmation, the weight of thousands of tons pressing on Arken's heart seemed to lift. He hugged Kazien's neck very tightly again, channeling his relief and love. Kazien returned the hug just as tightly, inhaling Arken's soothing scent.
"My Huby, you are the best!" whispered Arken softly right in Kazien's ear. "I am so happy... so grateful to be your fiancé!"
"I feel the same happiness as you, Arken." replied Kazien, kissing the top of Arken's head. "Forever, I only want to be with you, Alvin, and Allen. No one else."
Arken loosened his embrace slightly, only to look at Kazien's face. Their faces were only a few centimeters apart. Arken's gaze dropped to Kazien's lips.
Mwah!
Without warning, Arken landed an affectionate kiss on Kazien's lips. The kiss was deep, full of passion but also full of gratitude. This time, Kazien did not refuse. He returned the kiss gently, letting their lips continue to 'play' full of intimacy.
"Mmhh...." a moan escaped Arken from between their kisses.
Arken hugged his fiancé's neck tightly. Unconsciously, he began to rub his buttocks against Kazien's crotch, right over his shaft, with more intense movements.
Realizing the movement was heading in a dangerous direction, Kazien immediately broke their kiss gently but firmly. He held Arken's hips to stop him from moving.
"Wait!" said Kazien with eyes wide from shock. He looked at Arken in astonishment.
But what happened next was not what he had imagined. Arken obeyed and stopped moving his buttocks on Kazien's lap.
Usually, if it reaches this stage, he would be difficult to control, acting recklessly without hesitation. Kazien muttered in his heart, still disbelieving what was happening. For example, putting his hand inside my pants, then holding my erect shaft and refusing to let go for quite a long time. But strangely, this time he obeyed and stayed silent without doing anything.
"Is your sexual desire currently at its peak?" asked Kazien to confirm, one eyebrow raised. "Usually, you would unhesitatingly grab my shaft and refuse to let go for quite a long time."
Arken shook his head slowly, his face flushing red. "After I was honest with you about my feelings earlier... for some reason, I suddenly can control my sexual desire for you." he admitted candidly and innocently. "The burden in my heart is gone, so I feel satisfied with just that kiss. Whereas before... I really couldn't control my passion every time our lips touched."
Kazien exhaled a long sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I'm glad to hear that. Hold it in until our wedding arrives, Arken. Because honestly, I too always struggle desperately to restrain myself so as not to defile you before the time comes."
"Of course!" answered Arken firmly, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "But... even if you wanted me to do it now, this very second, I would happily surrender everything for you, My Huby!"
"Hahaha!" Kazien's crisp laughter filled the living room, breaking the remnants of the melancholic atmosphere. "You, always teasing me! But unfortunately, that cannot happen now. Because I am a man of principle. I will only do it when we are officially married!"
Kazien patted Arken's thigh gently. "It's already night, let's take a bath together!" invited Kazien, pointing toward the window which was already dark.
Arken nodded in obedient agreement.
Without putting him down from his lap, Kazien stood up directly while carrying his fiancé koala-style. Arken let out a small squeal then laughed happily, wrapping his arms around Kazien's neck and his legs around Kazien's waist.
The two of them walked toward the bathroom located not far from the kitchen. As they passed the kitchen, Alvin, Allen, and Erica, who were busy chopping vegetables, turned their heads in unison.
They saw Arken grinning widely and acting spoiled while being carried by Kazien. The sight made the three of them look at each other in wonder.
"It's rare for Arken to look so spoiled compared to before." whispered Allen.
"Maybe they just resolved an important issue." replied Alvin wisely with a thin smile. "Just let them be. It's good to see them getting along again."
Erica just shrugged, then returned her focus to her soup. For her, seeing her brothers happy was the most important thing.