The room grew unusually quiet when the laughter faded. Kazien's gaze drifted to Sarias, studying the newly revealed elf's delicate yet sharp features. Then he turned toward Alvin. The golden-haired high elf sat gracefully beside him, waiting with barely concealed anticipation for whatever answer Kazien would give.
Alvin wasn't the only one waiting.
Selena. William. Virena. Davin. Even Sarias himself—they all looked at Kazien with different shades of curiosity.
Kazien inhaled deeply.
Then, with zero hesitation and a volume louder than necessary, he declared: "Of course I chose him because he's cute! Just look at his face! Isn't that a strong enough reason?"
The room exploded into shocked silence.
Alvin's entire face turned a bright pink. He froze like a statue, lips parted, his bashful expression making him look even more adorable. The others stared at Kazien like he had just announced the discovery of a new continent.
Selena raised an eyebrow. "You're choosing a future spouse just because he's cute?"
Before she could continue, Sarias suddenly asked: "Don't you like other cute boys?"
Kazien snorted. "Nope. Before I met him, I saw tons of cute boys in Lazavis. The city's full of them. But none of them charmed me. Only Alvin ever did. And honestly—" He grinned mischievously, tilting his head toward Alvin.
"I feel satisfied because my wish finally came true."
"Wish?" Selena asked. "What kind of wish?"
Kazien leaned back, clasping his hands behind his head.
"My sisters, my brothers—remember when I used to disappear in the library for hours before I became an adventurer?"
All four nodded.
"I was reading world history. Tales, legends, races, kingdoms… and at that time, I hoped—wished—to meet a cute-faced elf."
Davin blinked in disbelief.
Selena's jaw dropped.
Virena covered her mouth.
William exclaimed with a surprised look on his face. "You wished… for a cute elf?"
Kazien nodded happily.
"And then Sis Selena forced me to bring a bride to her wedding, remember?" Kazien added with a laugh. "I prayed to Goddess Nirfelia for a cute elf. But instead of that, I got lost in a forest during a guild mission… and found Alvin dying on the ground."
His eyes softened as he looked at Alvin again.
"The moment I saw his face, I was captivated. I didn't want to waste that chance, so I begged him to be my wife. And somehow… he accepted."
William opened his mouth in shock.
"So marrying a cute-faced male elf was your wish from the very beginning?"
"Exactly." Kazien grinned.
"No wonder," William murmured. "No wonder you treat him so special."
Alvin looked down, overwhelmed.
So that's why he proposed to me so quickly… He wished for someone like me long before we met.
A warm flutter swelled in his chest. If his wish came true because of me… Then I will stay by his side forever.
I love you, Kazien.
He leaned forward and tugged Kazien's sleeve.
"Sit down. I want to hug you…"
Kazien complied immediately, sinking into the sofa. Alvin sat on his lap without a moment of hesitation, hugging him very tightly and pressing his cheek to his shoulder as though it were the safest place in the world.
Selena, unable to resist, leaned closer.
"Hey, Alvin… is sitting on his lap really that comfortable?"
"Of course, Sis Selena!" Alvin answered without lifting his head. "When I sit on his lap, I feel calm. Peaceful. All my negative feelings vanish."
Virena laughed.
"So that's why you sat on his lap during our whole trip to Joltam?"
"Yes. Even the king's throne wouldn't compare to this." Alvin said dreamily.
Their curiosity finally evaporated. They understood now why Alvin clung to Kazien so boldly, so naturally, without embarrassment or hesitation.
Kazien stroked Alvin's back lovingly before turning to Sarias.
"Sarias, it looks like my oldest sister is interested in you. Are you willing to be her husband?"
Sarias nearly fell out of his chair. "Y-young master Kazien… are you joking?"
"Why would I joke? I know my sisters' personalities very well."
Sarias glanced nervously toward Selena.
Selena met his eyes with a calm but unreadable expression.
Sarias swallowed.
I admit she is beautiful… But our lifespans are drastically different.
"Forgive me… I'm not refusing," Sarias said carefully. "But elves live much longer than humans. That gap is—"
"I know." Kazien cut in. "But the final decision is hers."
"And elves and humans have difficulty producing offspring," Sarias continued. "The chance is extremely low! Barely ten percent."
Selena suddenly stepped forward.
"I don't care! If I marry you, I'll gain a reason to live longer. Besides…" She smiled at Kazien. "I can keep an eye on my cute little brother."
Kazien beamed with pride. Davin, Virena and William nodded in enthusiastic agreement.
Sarias, however, was baffled.
Why does marrying me give her a reason to live longer? What does that have to do with young master Kazien?
Before he could ask, Kazien casually added,
"Sarias, if you refuse, I swear I'll torture you!"
"W-WHAT?!" Sarias nearly shrieked. "Why would you torture me?!"
"It's because of my sister." Kazien said dramatically. "She'll demand every promise I ever made to her."
Virena frowned.
"What promise did you make?"
Selena answered for him, chuckling softly. "When he was little, Kazien said he wanted to marry me when he grew up."
The entire room—
Alvin, Davin, William, Virena, Sarias and the others—froze in absolute shock.
Alvin loosened his embrace and stared at Kazien.
"My dear… you proposed to Sis Selena?"
Kazien rubbed his cheek awkwardly. "I said it before. Back then, I admired her charisma. She was strict, but she always protected us. In our eyes, she was perfect."
His siblings nodded in agreement.
"But why didn't you marry her?" Alvin pressed.
"Because she's my biological sister," Kazien replied bluntly. "As I grew older, my attraction to women faded. I'm not interested in them anymore. But for some reason, I still feel nervous around Sis Selena. Hahaha."
Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice sliced into the room: "So, that's how you really feel, my son?"
Everyone turned instantly.
Duke Elgard, Duchess Larina and King Nalvon.
And before them—Another elf.
Duke Elgard was the first to speak. "Another elf? Why is there another elf here?"
Kazien lifted his hand casually.
"I found him while buying a magic book. He used illusion magic, but illusions don't work in front of me or Alvin."
Duke Elgard and King Nalvon stared at Sarias, unable to believe how effortlessly handsome he looked.
Duchess Larina, however, had only one thing on her mind.
"Forget the elf for a moment." she said sharply. "Answer me, Kazien. Do you still have feelings for Selena?"
Her tone was calm. But the pressure… was crushing.
Kazien straightened his back.
"Mother, I no longer intend to marry Sis Selena. My feelings for her are purely those of a younger brother."
Duchess Larina exhaled in relief.
"Then…" She pointed at Sarias. "Who is that elf?"
"He's Sarias!" Kazien replied. "And it seems Sis Selena is interested in him."
Both parents turned to Selena. She froze, cheeks warming slightly, then slowly nodded.
Duke Elgard looked straight at Sarias.
"Well? Do you have feelings for her? Make her fall in love with you, if you do."
Sarias hesitated.
"Lord Duke… I'm honored. But… would it not trouble you if we cannot produce a child?"
Duke Elgard's response was immediate.
"I don't care about that!"
He stepped closer, placing a hand on Selena's shoulder. "If my daughter is happy, nothing else matters. We would never destroy her happiness."
Sarias stared at him, stunned.
And for the first time…
He wondered if fate had brought him to the Altavis family for a reason far greater than his disguise, his fears, or the destruction of his homeland.