Morning birdsong welcomed the rising sun that penetrated the gaps in the curtains of Kazien's room. However, the peaceful atmosphere of that morning was instantly shattered into pieces. Not by the sound of birds chirping, but by screams of anger echoing from inside the room.
Alvin and Allen woke up with pain radiating at the base of their necks. Memories of last night's events immediately swirled in their heads. That pain, coupled with the fact that they were "forced to sleep" by their own fiancé, triggered an explosion of anger in the morning.
"What are you doing, Kazien?!"
Alvin immediately got up from his sleeping position and pointed at Kazien's face with a finger trembling with annoyance.
"Why did you knock us unconscious by hitting our necks?" snapped Alvin, his eyes blazing fiercely.
"You really went too far!" chimed in Allen while holding the back of his neck which still felt stiff.
Kazien, who had woken up earlier but remained lying on the bed, could only surrender with a guilty face.
"I had no other choice, Alvin, Allen! You have to understand my position." said Kazien with a pleading tone. "You two last night were already at the peak of lust! You were very aggressive! I've told you many times that I never want to do it before we are officially married!"
Hearing that classic excuse, Alvin and Allen looked at each other, then snorted roughly at the same time.
"Peak of lust you say?" sneered Alvin. "We were just teasing, idiot! We just wanted to tempt you!"
"Right!" added Allen quickly. "From the beginning, we planned it and weren't really going to force you to the end! You troublesome and stupid future husband!"
Alvin raised his voice even more, venting his annoyance not because of failing to have sex, but because of his future husband's actions. "You take our jokes too seriously! Can't you distinguish between temptation and coercion?"
Allen also raised his voice, his face flushing with emotion. "You really are a troublesome future husband! Couldn't you have released our kisses gently and asked nicely? Why was your first solution physical violence?!"
Kazien was speechless. That argument cornered him. He felt guilty for misinterpreting their actions and overreacting. His mouth was sealed tight, unable to answer their words.
"Forgive me..." was the only sentence that could escape his mouth softly.
However, that brief apology wasn't enough to soothe the annoyance of his two fiancés. They both continued to nag Kazien at length, bringing up how much their necks hurt and how insensitive Kazien was.
The sound of their nagging was so loud it penetrated the bedroom walls, audible to the servants and other family members in the mansion. However, no one wanted to interfere in the complicated household affairs of "Young Master Kazien". They chose to pretend to be deaf.
Except for one person.
Click!
The bedroom door suddenly opened wide. Arken, with an innocent face but furrowed brows, barged into the room without knocking.
"Why are you guys fighting like that?" asked Arken in surprise. "Your voices can be heard all the way to the hallway."
Seeing Arken's arrival, Alvin and Allen instantly silenced their mouths. They stopped nagging in a heartbeat. After all, they didn't want to show negativity or set a bad example for Arken.
Alvin cleared his throat awkwardly, tidying his hair. "Ah, Arken. It's nothing. Just forget what you heard."
Arken walked closer, staring at the faces of the three alternately. He saw Kazien's gloomy and depressed face.
"Brother Alvin, Brother Allen, please don't get angry like that!" said Arken wisely. "Brother Kazien is getting depressed because of you. Look at his face, he's like an abandoned puppy."
Hearing that defense, Allen didn't accept it. "Arken, you don't know what he did! He made us faint last night by hitting our necks! That's why we're nagging him!"
Arken's expression changed drastically. His wise face disappeared, replaced by a sharp and cold gaze directed straight at Kazien.
Kazien, who previously felt he was being defended, suddenly shuddered. The handsome silver-white haired man became scared seeing his brother's piercing gaze.
"Is that true, Brother Kazien?" asked Arken coldly. "Tell me honestly!"
Kazien swallowed, then nodded slowly admitting his actions. "Y-Yes, it's true."
"What did you do to them?!" scolded Arken. "How could you have the heart to physically hurt your own two future wives? These are the people you love, right? Are you crazy hitting your own fiancés until they faint?"
This time it was Arken's turn to raise his voice, scolding his brother mercilessly.
Both Alvin and Allen immediately gaped in disbelief. Their mouths opened slightly seeing and hearing Arken, that cute brown-haired boy, suddenly getting very angry at Kazien in front of them.
"Physical violence should not be done in a relationship, Brother!" continued Arken firmly. "Quickly apologize to them properly and make up like before! I don't like seeing you fight like this until it makes my chest feel tight!"
Hearing Arken say his chest felt tight, Kazien's guilt peaked. He immediately stared at Alvin and Allen.
"Forgive me, Alvin, Allen. I was truly wrong. I promise I won't use rough methods again." said Kazien sincerely.
Seeing Kazien's sincerity and Arken's defense, Alvin and Allen's hearts melted.
"I also apologize to you, My Dear." said Alvin sincerely. "We went overboard in teasing you. Sorry for making you panic."
"Yes, I also apologize to you, My Love." added Allen.
The three of them hugged briefly, signaling they had made up. The atmosphere of the room that was hot earlier now returned to warmth.
Arken sighed deeply, feeling very relieved seeing the three of them getting along again. A faint smile began to rise on his lips.
"There, that's better!" mumbled Arken. Then he looked up at Kazien. "Brother Kazien, we are returning to the capital today, right?"
"Yes, we return today!" answered Kazien whilst stroking Arken's head. "Why, Arken? You can't wait?"
Arken shook his head, then smiled broadly. "Not that. I can't wait to be an academy student like the three of you!" answered Arken enthusiastically.
"I'm sweaty," complained Alvin. "Let's bathe together."
"Bathe together?" repeated Arken.
"Yes! So our bodies look fresher and our minds clear again!" invited Alvin spiritedly.
"That's a good idea!" chimed in Allen. "Let's bathe together!"
"I'm joining!"
A feminine voice suddenly interrupted. Instantly the three of them turned towards the still-open door. There, they saw Ritalia standing leaning against the door frame with a mischievous smile, and apparently, she had been eavesdropping the whole time.
Alvin's eyes sparkled. "Alright, then let's bathe together! The more the merrier!" exclaimed Alvin enthusiastically.
The five of them walked side by side out of the room towards the mansion's large bathhouse. The mansion hallway that morning became lively with their footsteps.
However, at a hallway intersection, they crossed paths with Davin who had just come out of his room with a sleepy face.
"Huh? Where are you guys going in a crowd like this?" asked Davin confusedly.
"You want to bathe together?" guessed Davin after seeing the towels they carried.
"Yes, we are going to bathe together! Do you want to join us, Brother Davin?" offered Kazien.
Davin's eyes immediately opened wide. "Of course! I'm joining! Let's bathe together! It's very rare for us to gather like this!"
This time Davin joined the group, completing the morning cheerfulness.
Inside the spacious and luxurious mansion bathroom, warm steam filled the room. The sound of their laughter was heard alternately, bouncing off the marble walls. They splashed water on each other, joking about last night's events, and discussing future plans at the academy. The intimacy established between them grew stronger.
Arken sat soaking in the large bathtub, warm water immersing his tiny body up to his chest. He looked at the cheerful faces around him. Kazien who was being teased by Alvin, Davin laughing with Ritalia, and Allen smiling at him.
Arken felt very comfortable and safe living with this new family.
I am warmly welcomed here, thought Arken. They accept me as I am, not just as Borris's son, but as Arken. My love for this new family grows bigger every second.
His thoughts drifted to the figure of his father.
Even though my father is gone, the happiness I feel right now is the fruit of his sacrifice. He ensured I was in the hands of the right people.
Arken looked up, staring at the dewy bathroom ceiling, as if looking at the sky above.
Father, thank you very much! Please watch me from there! I will prove to you that I will be happy with this new life! I will not waste this opportunity.
"Arken! Catch this!" exclaimed Davin while splashing water.
Arken jumped in surprise, then his smile blossomed wide.
"Hahaha!"
Arken laughed freely, his pure and happy laughter filling the room as they soaked with his family in that warm huge bathtub.