In the middle of the busyness of folding clothes, Ordion stopped his movements. He looked at the backs of Allen and Alrain, who were tidying his bookshelf. The feeling of emotion that had been piling up in his chest could no longer be contained.
"Alrain, Allen..." Ordion called out suddenly, his voice breaking the silence in the room. The two teenagers turned around. "Thank you so much... thank you for allowing me and giving me the space to be one of Arvin's spouses."
Ordion swallowed hard, his voice sounding hoarse. "I know my place. If it weren't for the magnanimity and permission from you two who were with him first, I wouldn't have been able to have the chance to be his third spouse."
Hearing such a sincere and humble thank you, Allen set the book in his hand down and smiled warmly.
"There's no need for you to thank me like that, Ordion." Allen replied softly. "I'm just going with the flow. All of this happened because Alrain pleaded with me last night, and he was also the one who pleaded hard with our husband to be willing to set aside his ego to accept you."
Hearing the fact Allen had just revealed, Ordion's grip on the clothes he was holding suddenly loosened. The clothes fell straight to the floor.
Ordion stood frozen. He slowly turned his gaze, looking at Alrain's face with eyes that were starting to tear up. Memories of a dark past flashed through his mind. In that time, the two of them stood in opposing camps. They were enemies who fought one another, staking their lives.
"Y-You... you did all this on purpose just for me?" Ordion asked, his voice now truly trembling as he held back tears. A single tear escaped and wet his cheek. "Why, Alrain? Even though you know very well... back in that era, you and I were enemies who were trying to kill each other."
Seeing Ordion's tears, Alrain offered a thin smile and stepped closer.
"Even though in that era we were enemies on the battlefield, I always respected you deeply, not just as a persistent knight, but because we shared the same regrets!" Alrain answered without a second thought, his eyes radiating the sincerity of a comrade-in-arms. "Besides, I also perfectly understand those feelings you kept hidden alone. Holding in love in silence is agonizing. But, fortunately, right now we—"
Before could finish his wise sentence, Ordion, unable to contain the explosion of emotion any longer, suddenly lunged forward. He collided with and hugged Alrain's body very tightly.
Thud!
Due to the sudden lunge and the loss of balance, both of them spontaneously fell and sat hard on the dormitory's wooden floor.
"Thank you, Alrain... thank you so much!" Ordion cried out, now truly sobbing while hugging Alrain's body as if he never wanted to let go. "You truly pleaded for and granted what I felt all this time was impossible for me to reach. I owe my happiness to you! I am truly, truly grateful to you!"
Seeing Ordion crying his eyes out like a child in his arms, Alrain laughed softly. He wasn't angry about being knocked down in the middle of packing. Instead, Alrain's hand moved up, stroking Ordion's back with a very soft and soothing motion.
"There now, don't think about those past things anymore, Ordion. We are in a new life now." Alrain said wisely. "The most important thing is, from now on, you must promise to always support our husband fully. No matter the obstacles or dangers that may occur in the future, we must protect him."
Hearing that advice, Ordion slowly released his hug. He wiped the tears on his cheeks roughly, then looked straight at Alrain, who was staring right into his eyes.
"Of course, Second Spouse!" Ordion exclaimed loudly without a hint of doubt, giving the honorary title with full respect. "I swear on my life, I will always support and protect our husband until the end of my life!"
"Good!" Alrain replied happily, his face etched with a very wide smile. "Now, come on, stand up. We need to finish this packing quickly and get out of here."
Ordion nodded enthusiastically. He stood up first, then reached out his right hand to Alrain, who was still sitting on the floor. Alrain took the hand with a wide smile, and with a single pull from Ordion, he too stood up.
However, instead of picking up his clothes that were scattered on the floor or tidying the rest of his books still piled on the desk, Ordion's gaze was locked on one figure.
His tears had dried, replaced by a surge of emotion, gratitude, and a desire that suddenly peaked, making him ignore his surroundings. The task of packing instantly evaporated from his mind.
Disregarding the dormitory room that was still a mess with things only half-packed, Ordion immediately turned around and walked quickly toward Arvin, who had been gathering his belongings for him.
The red-haired teenager stood right in front of Arvin, looking up at his husband's handsome face.
"My Dear..." Ordion called with a firm and passionate voice, casting away all his awkwardness. "I want that White Contract Symbol right now!"
Hearing that sudden request, spoken so loudly and with such passion, Arvin's eyes immediately widened. His handsome face, which was usually calm, now radiated a hint of shock.
"Here?" Arvin asked to be sure, his blue eyes scanning the dormitory room that was still a mess with scattered clothes and books. "Do you really want us to do it here, right now?"
Ordion nodded firmly, staring straight into his husband's eyes without a shred of doubt.
"At the very least, before I leave this place forever, I want this dormitory room to be the silent witness to our first union as a legally married couple." Ordion said, his voice trembling with overflowing emotion. He reached for Arvin's hand and gripped it tightly. "I beg of you, My Dear..."