Hearing Arvin's explanation about Elenora's vision, Victor, who was still sitting in one of the dining room chairs, instantly fell silent.
He finally understood. That fact answered everything about what had happened at the shelter house when Arvin suddenly approached him and immediately carried him to the bathroom without giving a clear reason.
It seems I have to thank that princess. Victor thought in relief, feeling deeply indebted to Elenora for opening the path for him until he could finally become Arvin's twelfth spouse.
But, as his relief began to settle, the memory of what Arvin had said to him echoed in his head again. There was one detail that felt a bit off and contradictory.
"Wait a minute, Huby!"
The sudden call shouted in a slightly loud voice broke everyone's focus. In unison, it immediately made all the pairs of eyes belonging to the eleven youths in the dining room shift their gaze to the purple-haired youth.
Victor shifted in his seat, looking straight at his husband standing at the end of the table. "Back then, you told me that if I had confessed my feelings sooner, I could have been your fourth spouse before Alvein, right?"
"Yes, you're right!" Arvin replied quickly, confirming the memory without the slightest intention of evading it. "What about it?"
"But, why did you say that you accepted me after the princess told you her vision?" Victor asked curiously, his brow furrowing as he demanded clarity. "Are not those two statements contradictory?"
Arvin smiled faintly, his gaze softening as he looked at Victor.
"From the very beginning, I was indeed already interested in your blunt attitude." Arvin answered honestly, revealing his feelings in front of everyone. "When I saw your fearless behavior, for some reason you reminded me of the very stubborn Allen. Out of the many students at the academy, only he and you had the courage to defying me directly."
"Hahaha."
Allen instantly burst out laughing. His crisp and unrestrained laughter broke the serious atmosphere in the dining room, making it much more fluid and warm.
"I defied you because I was indeed trying hard to get your attention, My Husband." the pink-haired youth replied, defending himself with a wide smile on his face, not feeling ashamed at all to admit his reckless past strategy.
Allen continued to laugh, and everyone let him laugh to his heart's content.
And a few moments later, he stopped laughing and refocused on his husband.
"Please continue what you wanted to say earlier."
Arvin could only sigh softly while shaking his head at Allen's antics. He could not deny the charm of his favorite game character.
Then, his eyes moved along the dining table again and aimed straight at Alrain's older brother.
"Alrian!" Arvin called out calmly.
"Yes, Sweetheart?" he answered gently, looking at his husband with full attention.
"When I bring Elenora and her younger brother here later, could I ask for your help to turn that princess into a boy using your magic?" Arvin requested, revealing one of the crucial parts of his future plan to protect the princess's identity.
"I will try it!" Alrian answered firmly, willing to exert all his abilities for his husband's plan.
Arvin nodded in relief hearing the convincing answer from his fifth spouse.
Then, the blue-haired youth's focus returned to Alrain, who was still standing near him. He reached his right hand forward in a slow motion, then touched the right cheek of his second spouse.
His thumb moved, gently stroking the skin of the green-haired youth's cheek.
"Do you truly allow me to make Oliver my spouse?" Arvin asked in a low voice, wanting to make sure from the deepest bottom of his spouse's heart so there would not be a single regret in the future.
Alrain fell silent for a moment, feeling the warmth of that touch. Slowly, he raised his left hand, then held the back of his husband's hand that was stroking his right cheek.
"During the several years I have been by your side, going through various things with you, have I ever doubted your decision?" Alrain asked gently, his voice trembling as he held back a surge of emotions, questioning his loyalty and trust that had never faded.
Arvin answered the question by shaking his head.
"I think you already know the answer, My Love." Alrain continued with a sincere, faint smile.
"I want to hear a definite answer from your mouth, Alrain." Arvin requested.
"I don't mind!" Alrain answered absolutely, without the slightest hint of doubt. "Even though I hate the members of the royal family, it does not mean I hate all of them, right? If Oliver is your choice and it brings good to this family, I will accept him."
Arvin Vedegra is truly lucky. Arvin thought in awe, feeling the extraordinary vibration of sincerity from the youth's words in front of him. The loyalty of the villain's right-hand man is truly incredibly high and unshakeable by anything.
"Thank you very much for your understanding, Alrain." Arvin said, his voice flowing full of gratitude.
With a very gentle movement, Alrain lowered the hand that was on his face. Then, he stepped forward and directly hugged Arvin's body tightly, burying his face in his husband's shoulder.
Arvin smiled. He returned the tight hug with full affection.
"You always prioritize the happiness of all of us above everything else." Alrain said with a muffled voice in his husband's embrace. "I also want to prioritize your happiness. Because to me, your smile is my happiness as well as the most precious treasure in my life."
Hearing the sweet words coming out of his second spouse's mouth, Arvin's heart felt incredibly warm.
I highly admit that among them. Alrain is the one who has the cutest face. Arvin praised in his heart, judging Alrain's looks honestly. And even the face of Allen, who is my favorite character, loses when compared to him.
He stroked the green-haired youth's back gently, transmitting a sense of comfort.
And the terrifying thing is, behind this cute face, he is very strong because Arvin Vedegra himself trained him! he continued in his mind, realizing how deadly this youth in his embrace would be on the battlefield. His loyalty to his master is also absolute and unshaken by anything.
Arvin closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth of their embrace in the middle of the dining room.
In the present, he is truly a perfect right-hand man as well as my perfect spouse.