Tears brimming with gratitude unknowingly began to flow, wetting his cheeks. Throughout all the dark phases of his life, Kaydan had never once dared to dream that this day would come, the day where he could truly be free from the slave seal that had continuously shackled his body and soul since he was very small.
Still in his naked state, he turned back around. His teary gaze looked straight at the blue-haired youth who had completely altered his destiny in merely a matter of minutes.
Kaydan stepped forward, closing the remaining distance between them until they were now facing each other at a very close range.
"You... you really proved your words and freed me..." Kaydan whispered, his voice trembling violently as he held back his sobs of happiness. He looked at Arvin with eyes full of adoration and boundless gratitude. "After doing something this immense for me... are you sure you only want me to be your spouse?"
Arvin smiled warmly, returning the gaze of the light green eyes that now radiated life.
"Yes, I only want you to be my spouse," Arvin answered without a single shred of doubt or regret, "because I strongly desire for you to be by my side, Kaydan."
Arvin raised his hand, gently wiping the tears from the youth's cheek. "So, are you willing to be my tenth spouse, and live by my side forever?"
Hearing such a sincere proposal spoken by his savior, the youth raised both his hands. He hugged Arvin's body tightly to give a definitive answer while simultaneously surrendering all his loyalty and his heart to his hero.
"Even though I don't understand the concept of a marriage between two men at all... I will gladly be your tenth spouse!" Kaydan whispered enthusiastically while continuing to hug the youth he would eventually marry. "It's utterly impossible for me to refuse a request from the only hero who has saved me from this hell of slavery."
Arvin returned the embrace with feelings of relief and happiness. However, that emotional and romantic moment was forced to come to a sudden halt.
His magic detection, which was still active, suddenly caught an anomaly. Arvin sensed the presence of someone walking with quick steps down the hallway, heading straight for the bedroom.
"Damn it, there is always someone coming to interfere at the wrong time!" Arvin cursed in a firm whisper, the tone of his voice turning serious. He immediately released his embrace. "Quickly, put your clothes on right now, Kaydan! Someone is coming here!"
Hearing that emergency warning, Kaydan instantly snapped out of his euphoria. His panic resurfaced. He quickly picked up his shirt and pants lying messily on the floor, then immediately put them back on one by one with the fastest possible movements.
On the other hand, Arvin reactivated his invisible magic, making his physical form fade and vanish perfectly, so that his presence was no longer visible inside the bedroom.
"Listen to me carefully!" Arvin's voice whispered, sounding clearly right in Kaydan's ear. "If the one coming here is that prince or whoever it is, just follow the plan. Act as naturally as possible, as if you are still their obedient slave."
Kaydan nodded in understanding.
"And make sure of one more thing!" Arvin continued to instruct. "Ask them for permission to go to the palace library. Use the excuse that you need to study how to melt and conquer someone's heart so that your seduction mission succeeds."
Kaydan paused his movements for a moment. "Why are you specifically asking me to request permission to go to the library?" he whispered curiously.
"Because my main purpose in infiltrating this place is actually to enter the palace library." Arvin whispered, explaining his delayed agenda. "After my business there is finished, you must also guide me to the location of the royal treasury room!"
Hearing that last sentence, Kaydan froze.
"W-What did you say?!" Kaydan whispered in shock, his eyes widening in horror as he stared around the empty room. He never expected that the hero who had just saved him was now asking him to be a guide to the heart of the Victoriaz Kingdom's wealth. "What is your reason for wanting to go to the treasury room?"
"I am going to empty that place and take all the wealth of this kingdom." Arvin answered in a cold and calculated tone. "The reason is that I accidentally overheard a conversation in the palace hallway that one day, they are planning to launch an invasion and seize the gold mines in my territory. Naturally, I will not let them have enough funds to finance their military forces!"
Hearing that the Victoriaz Kingdom had malicious intentions to attack his hero's territory, he completely understood the reasoning behind his husband's extreme actions and agreed to accompany him to plunder the palace. His loyalty now belonged entirely to Arvin.
"Alright, I will help you. But on one condition." Kaydan whispered, proposing a logical deal. "If you can make my body invisible like yours, I will show you the shortcut to the treasury room! Because it's absolutely impossible for me to guide you there if my form is still visible, someone will definitely see me."
"Okay, I will do it later!" Arvin replied quickly.
Right after the secret conversation ended...
Click!
The bedroom door opened without a knock. Prince Lionias re-entered the room. His gaze fell directly on Kaydan, who now appeared to be sitting quietly on the edge of the bed with his clothes neatly worn.
"Stand up, slave! My father is summoning you right now!" Lionias commanded bluntly. "Go meet him in the throne room immediately!"
Hearing that order, Kaydan immediately bowed obediently, stood up, and followed the prince's footsteps out of the room toward the throne room. Behind them, Arvin's invisible form walked casually, trailing the two of them down the grand palace hallways.
Upon arriving inside the spacious throne room, Kaydan immediately knelt on one knee in front of the Victoriaz King, who was sitting arrogantly on his throne.
"Kaydan!" the king called out in a heavy and stern voice, echoing throughout the room. "Lionias must have already told you. You have an absolute mission to approach, seduce, and marry Arvin Vedegra! Monitor his every move and secretly report all the secrets and weaknesses you discover about his territory to me!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will carry out your orders to the best of my abilities." Kaydan answered obediently, playing his old role perfectly. "However, before I depart to execute this mission... would you be so kind as to allow me to head to the palace library first?"
Hearing that unexpected request, the King frowned in confusion. "For what reason does a slave like you want to go there at an important time like this?"
Kaydan lowered his head deeper, putting on an expression full of dedication. "I am merely a slave who knows nothing about the outside world, Your Majesty. I wish to find a book that can provide accurate information on how to conquer a man's heart. I do not want to ruin this grand plan simply because I made a misstep in seducing him."
Hearing such a logical and highly dedicated answer, the King fell silent for a moment. He pondered his slave's words and felt that the reasoning made a lot of sense.
All this time, that slave has never once stepped outside the palace walls, let alone learned complicated matters like love and the tactics of seducing someone. the King thought, justifying it. In order for his approach towards Arvin Vedegra to appear natural and unsuspicious, it is indeed better if I give him permission to study how to conquer a man's heart from the books in the library.
The King looked sharply at Kaydan again, his aura radiating absolute authority.
"Your reason is acceptable." the King finally decided. "Yes, I grant you permission to enter the royal library area! But remember, do not waste too much time there! Once you have found what you are looking for, quickly leave to find Arvin Vedegra's whereabouts, and ensure that the plan succeeds!"