Twilight had fallen. The married couple, who had recently shaken the market with their extravagance, walked leisurely hand-in-hand amidst the hustle and bustle of citizens rushing home or closing shop. Their fingers were tightly intertwined, as if they didn't want even an inch of space to separate them.
For Allen, their journey home now felt incredibly thrilling. His thoughts had already drifted far to the kitchen of their new home.
I'll cook meat soup with the spices we just bought. Allen thought enthusiastically. And perhaps grill a few pieces of meat to serve as the main course. Ah, I really can't wait to see my husband's expression when he eats my cooking in our own home.
Meanwhile, Arvin walked with a faint smile that never left his face. Beneath his composure, his heart beat with anticipation. Not just because he was eager to taste his beloved spouse's cooking, but also because of the reality he was currently building.
Starting tonight, he would live under the same roof with Allen, his favorite character, and Alrain, his most trusted right hand, whose loyalty was absolute. Both had now become his spouses.
This is the dream life I could never have before. Arvin thought. Living with two people who love me so much... it makes me feel happy and lucky to live again in this world.
Their steps finally came to a halt in front of the grand building belonging to the Merchant Guild. Without hesitation, Arvin pushed open the door and let Allen enter first.
The lobby was quite busy. Merchants were occupied with administration, negotiating contracts, or simply resting. However, Arvin's attention immediately shifted to the figure behind the reception desk.
There sat Alrain, in a relaxed posture but with sharp eyes, watching every movement around him like an eagle guarding its nest. He was watching over his older sister, Yonna, who was still finishing her paperwork at the counter.
Alrain's sword-sharp vigilance instantly collapsed, shattered to pieces the moment his eyes caught sight of Arvin and Allen walking in.
"Ah!"
Without warning, Alrain's body vanished from his seat.
Woosh!
A sudden gust of wind blew through the center of the lobby, scattering several papers from the reception desk. People around them jumped in surprise, confusedly looking for the source of the wind. But for those with keen eyes, they only saw a flash of a green shadow.
In the blink of an eye, Alrain stood tall right in front of Arvin and Allen, grinning widely and showing his neat teeth.
"My Love! Allen! You're home?" Alrain exclaimed loudly, ignoring the shocked stares of those around him at his nonsensical speed. "Did you two come here specifically to pick up me and my sister?"
Arvin chuckled at his behavior. Alrain's speed and energy never disappointed.
"Yes, Alrain! It's better if we go home together rather than separately." Arvin replied.
"Of course, My Love!" Alrain cried enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling like a child promised candy. "Let's go home together once my sister finishes her work!"
They decided to wait in the row of thick leather waiting chairs. Arvin sat in the middle, flanked by Allen on the right and Alrain on the left. When the atmosphere calmed down slightly, Alrain leaned his face toward Arvin with an expression that suddenly turned serious.
"My Love..." Alrain called in a half-whisper.
"Yes, Alrain, what is it?" Arvin turned, raising an eyebrow.
Alrain glanced briefly toward the counter where his sister was, then looked back at Arvin. "My sister... she really wants to know about 'that' incident. You know what I mean, right?"
Alrain lowered his voice even further, as if discussing a state secret. "I told her I'd tell the story once we're all gathered at home. You don't mind, do you?"
Arvin went silent for a moment. He knew "that incident" referred to his background, or more accurately, the original body of Arvin in the game, known as the antagonist who triggered a great war involving all the kingdoms, with Arvin as the mastermind.
Before Arvin could even open his mouth to respond, Allen, sitting beside him, suddenly interjected. He gripped Arvin's arm tightly.
"Of course you must tell it!" Allen exclaimed, his eyes radiating a burning curiosity. "I want to know about it too! I want to know everything about my husband's past, and there are a few things he needs to explain to me."
Arvin gave a lopsided smile. He had expected this reaction. Allen, his pure-hearted favorite character, was not the type to turn a blind eye to the truth.
"It's fine." Arvin said casually as he leaned back against the chair. "Allen seems very eager to know about 'that' as well. It's better they hear it directly rather than guessing."
Alrain looked at Allen, then nodded with spirited agreement. "Great! Once we get home, I'll tell everything! Prepare your ears, because it's a long and thrilling story. My sister will surely pelt me with questions later too."
Allen nodded enthusiastically. His curiosity peaked. The mystery of his husband's past made him even more impatient to reach home.
A short while later, the sound of steady footsteps approached. Yonna, with her long, flowing green hair, came toward the three of them. Her face looked a bit tired, but relieved after finishing her work.
Arvin stood up, followed by Allen and Alrain.
"Are you finished working?" Arvin asked to confirm.
Yonna immediately bowed politely, her gesture reflecting the respect of a subordinate to a superior. "I am, Young Master! Forgive me for making you wait so long."
Hearing that title, the smile on Arvin's face faded slightly. His brow furrowed.
"Yonna, please stop with the formal address." Arvin requested in a flat tone.
Yonna was startled. Her eyes widened. Spontaneously, she shook her head slightly in disagreement. To her, hierarchy was everything. Arvin was high nobility, a descendant of a Duke, while she was just a commoner who happened to work for him.
"I cannot, Young Master. It would be disrespectful..."
Met with refusal, the atmosphere around Arvin shifted drastically. He wasn't angry, but the dominant aura of high nobility radiated from him. He stared sharply into Yonna's eyes. The gaze was so intense, cold, and pressing that the beautiful woman instantly felt small. Cold sweat began to bead on Yonna's forehead.
"Yonna..." Arvin said. His voice sounded casual, yet there was a heavy pressure in every syllable that made her hair stand on end.
Arvin took a step closer, closing the gap until they were staring at each other from a very close distance. "Listen carefully. Alrain is the one I have chosen! Therefore, as his sister, you are my family too. I don't want my sister-in-law calling me with such formal and stiff titles! It sounds foreign to my ears."
"B-But... our status..." Yonna stammered, her legs trembling under the pressure of Arvin's aura.
Arvin didn't let Yonna finish her defense.
"I don't want to hear a refusal from you!" Arvin stated firmly. His voice rose an octave, loud enough to make Alrain and Allen go silent. Even a few people in the lobby turned to look.
"I don't want any distance between us while living in the same house! In that house, there is no longer a 'Young Master'. There is only family. Do you understand?"
Yonna was completely helpless. That resonant, firm voice, paired with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce her soul, made her feel as though she were being judged by a high judge. She realized Arvin wasn't asking, he was giving an absolute command.
She swallowed hard, trying to calm her racing heart. Finally, she let out a long sigh and bowed her head, surrendering to the dominance of the handsome man before her.
"V-Very well... if that is what you wish... Arvin."
The name felt awkward on her tongue, but the moment she spoke it, the pressure Yonna felt around her vanished instantly.
Arvin's face, which had been cold and pressing, brightened in a flash. A satisfied and warm smile returned to his lips, as if the intimidation just now had never happened.
"Good! That sounds much better." Arvin praised sincerely.
He then looked at the three of them in turn with a smile. "Let's go home!"