The plea, laden with a confession of love, rang out loud and clear.
The effect was instantaneous. The previously bustling atmosphere of the street died down in a split second. A total, suffocating silence seized the area for a moment.
People froze right where they stood. Their eyes widened, staring in sheer disbelief at the yellow-haired youth standing by the roadside. A collective shock washed over the crowd.
It was not merely because a man had just declared his love for another man in a public space, but rather because the man shouting was the Third Prince of the Astoria Kingdom, who had just cast aside his royal pride to prove his earnest desire to be with Arvin Vedegra.
Watching the prince's chest heave slightly from his ragged breathing, Ordion could not help but let the corners of his lips quirk up. A satisfied smile slowly etched itself onto the red-haired youth's face.
"Are you truly serious about wanting to marry him?" Ordion asked, breaking the stifling silence. His voice was no longer as sharp as before. Instead, it carried a subtle acknowledgment of Oliver's courage.
"I'm absolutely serious about wanting to marry Arvin!" Oliver answered loudly and firmly. He met Ordion's gaze without the slightest hint of dread, paying absolutely no mind to the dozens of eyes and ears fixated on him in sheer bewilderment. "I'm begging you... accompany me to the palace right now. I want to ask for my father's permission directly so that I can stay with all of you starting tonight!"
Hearing the plea, Ordion did not answer immediately. He turned to look at Dylan and Victor in turn, silently seeking their consent.
"What do you guys think?"
Dylan, who had been observing the prince's every move, smiled faintly. He gave a slow nod.
"I suppose there's no harm in accompanying him to the palace for a bit." he answered in a calm and highly rational voice. He did not mind in the slightest if their route home had to take a slight detour. "Besides, he did exactly as you asked and was willing to throw away his pride in public. His sincerity is sufficiently proven for now."
Ordion then shifted his gaze to Victor.
The purple-haired youth let out a long sigh, then rubbed the back of his neck, which was free of sweat.
"I don't mind either." he replied with the relaxed demeanor he had begun to develop since living with the Vedegra family. "But it would be best if we head to the palace immediately and settle this matter quickly. I really want to go home and take a bath right now! My body feels incredibly sticky."
Having received the approval of his two family members, Ordion looked back at Oliver.
"Alright, the two of them have agreed." Ordion concluded casually. "Let us go and meet His Majesty the King at the palace right now!"
Upon hearing that approval, the tension that had been gripping Oliver's shoulders completely evaporated. He immediately approached Ordion, Dylan, and Victor, a highly sincere and relieved smile gracing his face.
"Yes! Thank you Very much!" Oliver replied enthusiastically.
Without further ado, the four youths began to walk side by side, parting the capital's main street and leaving behind the eastern gate area, which was still shrouded in the disbelieving stares of the crowd.
Throughout the journey toward the grand palace, the prince's chest was filled with the palpitations of anticipation.
Starting today, I will be living my life alongside them. Oliver thought, his eyes occasionally stealing glances at the three strong youths walking beside him. I truly cannot wait to get to know them better, as well as the rest of Arvin's spouses.
However, amidst his euphoria and enthusiasm, Oliver's steps faltered slightly as his mind replayed the absolute warning Ordion had issued earlier. The condition regarding a specific name he had to win over.
Alrain? Oliver wondered inwardly, his forehead creasing in confusion as he tried to piece together the fragments of information he possessed. Based on the rumors I've heard, isn't he Arvin's second spouse? But... why did Ordion emphasize that I must get his permission first before Arvin's? Just how much influence does this man named Alrain hold within their household?
Those questions briefly made the prince's mind spin in search of answers. However, a moment later, he shook his head slowly, casting all that confusion aside.
Ah... let it be. he decided inwardly, a faint smile on his lips as he stared at the cobblestone street ahead. I will find out soon once I arrive at their mansion and meet them all in person. My only task right now is to obtain my father's permission.
Meanwhile, in stark contrast to Oliver who was engulfed in impatience and enthusiasm, the atmosphere back at the eastern gate had just exploded like a powder keg catching fire.
As soon as the figures of the four youths disappeared around the bend in the road, the silence that had locked the area was instantly shattered. The soldiers, the throngs of merchants, the adventurers, down to the civilians who had been standing paralyzed in silence, immediately exchanged glances.
They were thrown into absolute uproar. A historic event had just unfolded right before their eyes: a prince of the Astoria Kingdom had openly declared his desire to marry Arvin Vedegra, who was, incidentally, a man just like himself.
"Is... is all of this real?" a middle-aged woman uttered, her voice trembling. "The third prince of this kingdom also wishes to marry Young Master Arvin Vedegra? First, the Prime Minister's son. And now a Prince?!"
"A royal prince is willing to lower his prestige to marry a noble man?" exclaimed a burly adventurer near the checkpoint. His face radiated an extraordinary level of enthusiasm. "This is completely insane! Young Master Arvin Vedegra is truly conquering the capital without even needing to lift a sword! Hahaha."
Amidst the commotion of the civilians, the soldiers on duty at the eastern gate checkpoint could only stand frozen in their spots. The weapons in their hands felt heavy after learning about the Third Prince's sexual orientation.
I did hear rumors circulating within the palace that from the very beginning, His Majesty the King wanted to arrange a marriage between His Highness Prince Oliver and Young Master Arvin Vedegra. thought a military officer tasked with monitoring the crowd. His eyes were still staring blankly down the street where Oliver had just shouted. But I truly never expected that His Highness Prince Oliver actually liked a man!
It did not take long for the news to find its course. Through merchants moving between districts, adventurers heading to the guild, and residents gossiping by word of mouth, the highly sensational news immediately swept across every corner of the capital like an unstoppable storm.
If the previous rumors only revolved around the strength and the number of spouses Arvin possessed, this time the topic was far more massive. The Third Prince of the Astoria Kingdom had openly and brazenly declared in public that he wanted to marry Arvin Vedegra.