Rio arrived home with Kazien and immediately dropped himself onto the couch in the living room. The late-afternoon light filtered through the windows, bathing the room in a warm amber glow. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air, and the soft crackle of the lantern flame was the only sound-until Rio finally exhaled.
"I've heard everything from Young Master Kazien," Rio said calmly, folding his arms while observing his sister. "If you accept his proposal, then I will bless your relationship."
Karen froze where she stood. Her fingers clenched the hem of her dress, her cheeks flushed red all the way to her ears.
"Brother... are you serious about what you said?" she whispered, almost too quietly to hear.
Rio nodded firmly-so firmly that it startled her. "Yes. I'm very serious. You can trust them." His eyes softened as he looked at her. "I'm sure you'll be happy, Karen."
Shy to the core, Karen could only nod in response, her gaze dropping to the floor. She looked like she might melt where she stood.
Kazien, sprawled lazily across an armchair, grinned. "Rio, if only you had a little brother," he said dreamily. "His face would be so cute. I might just-"
SLAP!
A palm smacked the back of his head with enough force to echo through the entire house.
"Ouch!! Brother Davin, what was that for?!" Kazien yelped, clutching his head as if it might fall off.
Davin towered over him with a menacing glare. "Do you want to flirt with another guy besides Alvin?"
"How could I possibly want to do that?!" Kazien protested immediately. "Alvin is the cutest of all the cutest guys in the world!"
"Then stop flirting with other guys, you idiot!" Davin snapped. "If he's the cutest in your eyes, then go home and stare at Alvin's face until you're satisfied!"
Kazien puffed his cheeks indignantly. "I only like cute faces! That has nothing to do with-"
Davin cut him off. "When you get home, you'll stare at Alvin's cute face, and that's it! I don't want my little brother hurting someone as loyal as him. If you hurt Alvin even once more... I swear, I'll never forgive you!"
Kazien blinked, startled. "This is the first time you've ever threatened me..."
"Because I love you both," Davin said, voice low but firm. "And I won't let you mess this up."
"We both made an oath, you know!" Kazien protested. "There's no way I-"
Davin's glare sharpened like a blade and Kazien instantly broke into a cold sweat.
It was the first time Rio had seen Davin make that expression. Even Karen peeked nervously from behind her broher's shoulder.
"That oath won't mean anything if you keep teasing other people. What if Alvin teased someone else in front of you? How would you feel?"
Kazien's breath caught. The image alone-Alvin blushing at someone else-stabbed at his heart. He couldn't even imagine it without feeling sick.
Without another word, he stood up abruptly.
"Where are you going?" Davin asked.
"I'm going home," Kazien declared, eyes burning with determination. "I'm going to apologize to Alvin. And I'm telling Dad about your relationship too."
Before anyone could say another word, he sprinted to the door.
He didn't look back.
I was wrong! I hurt him without noticing. No wonder Brother Davin was so angry. I have to apologize!
Rio and Karen stared silently at the door that had just slammed shut behind him.
"Kazien and I know each other's personalities already," Davin said with a small smile. "He'll be fine. Now-pack your things. The day after tomorrow, we leave for the Vorusan region."
Karen nodded, still blushing, and the two of them left to prepare.
Meanwhile, out on the streets of Lazavis, Kazien sprinted like a madman.
People stopped and stared.
The Young Altavis family member-running like a criminal? Clutching his own face? Panting like his life depended on it?
"I'm so stupid!" he muttered as he ran. "I chose him. I'm the one who hurt him!"
SLAP!
He struck his own cheek so loudly that the sound echoed down the street.
People gasped.
"What's wrong with Young Master Kazien?!" a woman whispered.
"I... have no idea," another man replied, looking equally terrified.
Kazien didn't slow down. He kept running until the mansion gates loomed before him.
"OPEN THE GATE!!" he shouted.
The two guards jumped in shock but hurried to obey. Kazien bolted through, kicking up dust as he sprinted across the courtyard.
SLAM!
The front door flew open, crashing against the wall.
Maids jumped in fright. Heads turned in his direction.
From the kitchen, Alvin appeared carrying a large ladle-still dripping broth.
He barely had time to blink before Kazien dropped to his knees.
Then Kazien bowed so deeply his forehead touched the floor.
"I'm sorry!!!" Kazien shouted. "I unknowingly hurt your feelings! Please... forgive me!"
Alvin stared at him, frozen.
"...What is happening?" he asked slowly.
Maids peeked around corners, holding their breaths.
"When I was in the dining room," Kazien confessed in a trembling voice, "I flirted with someone else in front of you. You must've been hurt. And then at Rio's house, Brother Davin scolded me! He said I hurt you! I'm so sorry-punish me! Punish me so I can atone for what I've done!"
Alvin blinked.
Oh... That explained it.
He crouched down gently and placed his fingers on Kazien's chin, lifting his face. Their eyes met-one pair filled with guilt, the other with a soft exasperation.
"If you regret it, then just don't do it again."
"I swear! If I flirt again, I'll accept any punishment you give!"
"Good. Now finish your business. Didn't you want to buy an alchemy book today?"
"Oh! Right!" Kazien gasped. "But first-Alvin!"
"Hmm?"
"Tonight I want to stare at your cute face until I fall asleep!"
Alvin burst into laughter. "Don't you do that every night?"
"W-well-yes! But tonight especially!"
Alvin shook his head. "Fine. You can look at my face all you want. Now go. I have to practice cooking more if I want to be the ideal wife for you."
Kazien beamed. "Then good luck, my cute prince!"
As he rushed off, Alvin sighed-and couldn't help smiling.
Kazien soon found his parents speaking with Virena. He strode up, breathless.
"Father, Mother! Please pick up Davin, Karen, and Rio. Here's Rio's address!"
Duke Elgard raised a brow. "So the proposal succeeded?"
"Yes! Well... mostly." Kazien shuddered. "Brother Davin nearly ruined everything. If we weren't from the Altavis family, Karen might've thrown us out!"
"What did he do?" Duchess Larina asked.
"He... introduced himself. Then immediately proposed," Kazien said dryly. "I had to convince Karen that he genuinely likes her. Women are so complicated... it's exhausting!"
Larina chuckled behind her hand. "Davin really can't hold back."
"And Victor?" Kazien asked shyly.
Duke Elgard nodded. "Victor accepted. He was shocked at first, but I suspect he has liked Virena for quite some time."
"Really?! Then everything is settled!" Kazien said cheerfully. "I'm going to the merchant guild!"
He left the mansion with a light step-so much lighter than before.
His heart felt warm.
His guilt had been lifted.
His future felt brighter.
The merchant guild towered before him-larger than the Adventurer Guild, polished with elegant stone walls and tall arching windows.
Wow... it's so big...
He stepped inside, heading straight to the reception counter.
A handsome man greeted him with a gentle bow. "Good afternoon. I am Leonard, your attendant. How may I assist you?"
Kazien's eyes widened.
Wow. He's handsome. If Sis Selena didn't already have a fiancé... I'd pair her with him instantly.
"I want to buy alchemy books," Kazien said eagerly. "Do you sell them here?"
"Of course, sir," Leonard replied. "I'll gather all the ones you may need."
The man moved gracefully, taking volumes from the shelf-thick grimoires bound in leather, some with shimmering inscriptions.
Kazien's heart hammered with excitement.
~Alchemy magic~
Sis Selena, wait for me... I'll make something amazing for your wedding. Something that will protect you from every danger.
Kazien wanted to see his oldest sister smile and promised herself that he would not disappoint her.