Time continued to roll on, bringing the days passing quickly and quietly. However, that peaceful tranquility did not apply in the capital of the Garveon Kingdom, nor in its academy environment.
Following the graduation, two massive-scale news stories exploded and spread like wildfire in the middle of a dry season, shaking the social foundations of the nobles and also the commoners.
The first shocking news was the official announcement regarding the marriage between Prince Felix and Erica. The marriage of the two youths became a hot topic of conversation in every corner of the city, considering this was the first time in history since the founding of the Garveon Kingdom that the neutral Altavis family was finally willing to marry off one of their descendants to a member of the royal family.
The second shocking news, which was far more surprising, was the revelation of the true identities of Kazien, Allen, Arken, and Erica as descendants of the Altavis family, causing the uproar to expand boundlessly.
Knowing how great their family's power and influence were, a wild speculation began to develop into a conviction among the students and nobles. They were all absolutely certain that Kazien Altavis was the mastermind behind the scenes who had made the King move to execute all the corrupt nobles along with their families a few months ago.
While the capital was being struck by a storm of gossip, speculation, and political intrigue, a completely opposite atmosphere enveloped the main residence of the Altavis family in their own territory. Everything felt so relaxed and peaceful.
Inside the mansion's spacious master bathroom, the sound of soft laughter and splashing water could be heard. Kazien, who had split himself into three figures, sat soaking in a relaxed manner, each holding and hugging Alvin, Allen, and Arken.
"My Dear..." Alvin called out in a soft voice, leaning his head on the shoulder of one of Kazien's figures. There was an adorable impatience in his eyes to soon see the vastness of the world. "When exactly will we go and start that adventure? Will we depart immediately after we officially get married later?"
"Yes, Alvin. Our schedule has not changed." Kazien answered, his voice flowing gently stroking the High Elf's golden-yellow hair, yet slowly turning into a very firm tone. "Our wedding will be held in the next two weeks. But, you all must remember one important thing!"
Kazien's three figures looked at their respective fiancés with serious gazes. "While we are on our adventure journey later, there must be no intimate relations between us!"
Hearing that absolute prohibition, the three youths blinked their eyes.
"I do not want that while we are in the middle of our journey, you instead end up conceiving, giving birth, and we have to care for our child on the road." Kazien explained, reminding them of the consequences of the Goddess's intervention.
"Yes, I deeply understand your concern." Alvin answered gently, comprehending Kazien's protective attitude. "But, what about Allen and Arken?"
"Certainly the same rule also applies to the two of them!" Kazien answered without the slightest compromise. "If we want to have intimate relations, it is better we do it all together and not individually! Besides, I do not know for sure whether Allen and Arken will also have the possibility of becoming pregnant or not. It is far better for me to take anticipatory steps from the beginning rather than regretting something that has already happened."
"No problem!" Allen answered quickly, easily able to accept his fiancé's logical decision. "I agree with you. Even though I actually want to have intimate relations with you after getting married."
"I can restrain myself too." Arken replied softly, his cheeks flushing slightly red. Even so, his hands instead hugged the figure of Kazien holding him even tighter. "Even though your reason makes sense, I can only restrain myself."
Seeing the three of them being so obedient and understanding of his condition, Kazien's three figures smiled in relief.
"Thank you very much for the understanding of the three of you."
His three fiancés did not reply with words anymore. They only replied to those words with highly sincere smiles, letting the warmth of the water embrace their bodies in peace.
Once that soothing communal bath was finished, Kazien reunited his figures. The silvery-white-haired youth, along with Alvin, Allen, and Arken who were already wearing neat clothes, walked side by side toward a green hill located not far from the mansion's backyard.
Their destination was to visit the grave of Borris, Arken's biological father.
Upon arriving at the top of the hill overgrown with well-kept wild grass, a gentle breeze greeted them. Arken stepped forward first, squatting in front of his father's tombstone with a faint, sorrowful smile.
"Hello Father, how are you there?" Arken greeted softly, his hand wiping the dust from the tombstone. "I am doing just fine here. I am living very happily with my fiancé, as well as with Brother Alvin and Brother Allen. They all love and protect me very much."
Arken placed a bouquet of fresh flowers he had just picked on his father's grave.
"In two weeks, Brother Kazien and I will finally get married." Arken continued, his voice beginning to tremble. "Thank you very much for everything, Father. I... I really miss you."
A teardrop finally escaped and fell trickling down wetting Arken's cheek. The memories and moments of togetherness with his father echoed back very clearly in his mind, triggering a profound longing.
"Father... even though you are not here to see me wear my wedding clothes later, I am very sure you must be watching me from there, right?" Arken said while sobbing softly.
Even though tears continued to flow down his face, the silver-haired youth forced himself to smile broadly and brightly in front of his father's grave. "Forever... I will always love you."
Seeing his fiancé's sadness, Kazien slowly stepped forward approaching Borris's grave, followed by Alvin and Allen who stood accompanying by Arken's side.
"Hello Borris... ah, no... Father-in-law." Kazien greeted with a very gentle and respectful tone. "Before long, the four of us will officially be married. I have promised, and I will definitely protect Arken forever."
Kazien fell silent for a moment. There was a burden from the past that he never denied. "I am truly sorry for having killed you that time, and ultimately making you unable to be present to witness your son's wedding day."
The youth slowly squatted beside Arken, his hand joining in gently stroking the tombstone.
"But please watch me from there, Father-in-law. I will definitely make your son happy!" Kazien continued, his tone filled with absolute resolve. "And... thank you. Thank you for having fathered and given this cute Arken into my life. He is one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received in this long life of mine."
Hearing such a sincere and honest confession from Kazien, Arken's face, which was still wet with tears, instantly turned bright red. He never expected at all that he would be praised so highly by his fiancé, especially uttered right in front of his late father's grave.
"I will definitely also join in protecting and guarding Arken!" Alvin chimed in with full conviction, rubbing Arken's back to comfort him. "Forever we will always be together and inseparable!"
"Please give your blessing to the four of us, Uncle Borris." Allen added with a polite tone and bowed his head for a moment.
After spending some time in a moving silence on top of that hill, the four of them finally decided to return. Their footsteps walked down the hill with a much lighter feeling.
In the middle of the journey back to the mansion, Kazien suddenly turned toward Allen.
"Allen, do you absolutely not want to visit your father's grave as well before we depart?" Kazien asked suddenly, remembering that Allen's father had also passed away due to past intrigues in the capital.
"It is better not to!" Allen refused quickly, shaking his head without the slightest hesitation. "If we force ourselves to go to the capital now, the four of us will definitely instantly become the center of everyone's attention there. I am sure the news about us has already spread widely there."
"Are you really sure?" Kazien asked again, just wanting to make sure so that Allen would not have regrets in the future.
"Of course I am very sure!" Allen answered while smiling reassuringly. "If I were not sure of my decision, I would not speak like this to you, My Love!"
Hearing that straightforward answer, Kazien asked no more.
When they arrived at a flat meadow area around the mansion, Kazien suddenly stopped his footsteps, dropped himself onto the ground, and laid his body on the expanse of soft green grass.
He placed both his arms over his chest, letting the gentle breeze caress his face.
"Before long, the four of us will be married." Kazien said softly, a sincere smile blooming on his lips as his pair of eyes gazed at the white clouds drifting in the bright blue sky. "I am truly impatient waiting for that day to arrive."