That night, after the dinner had ended, the atmosphere in the dining room grew more intimate. Kazien reached into his dimensional storage and pulled out four gold necklaces, magical masterpieces of his own creation. The necklaces featured delicate yet incredibly resilient pure gold chains, adorned with teardrop-shaped sapphire pendants that pulsed with a clear blue glow.
"Mother, Allen, Arken, and Erica... I have something for you." Kazien said softly, levitating the four necklaces before them.
Elisa took one of the necklaces, letting the sapphire catch the light of the chandelier, which made it sparkle brilliantly. "Kazien, is this the malice-detection necklace you created?" Elisa asked, her eyes sharp yet filled with admiration.
"Correct, Mother!" Kazien answered firmly. "The mechanism is quite unique. If the wearer is asleep and danger approaches, a shockwave will wake you instantly. And if someone with ill intent is near you, the necklace will emit a warning glow to reveal their identity."
The room was suddenly filled with joyful excitement. Allen, his eyes sparkling with love, looked directly at his fiancé. "My Love... could you put this necklace around my neck?" he asked in a flirtatious, affectionate tone.
"Me too, My Huby! I want your own hands to fasten it for me!" Arken exclaimed, not wanting to be outdone, his face full of hope.
"Brother Kazien, I want you to do mine too!" Erica chimed in with her signature spoiled voice.
Kazien chuckled softly at their antics. He then turned to his aunt, who was merely offering a thin smile at the small commotion. "What about you, Mother? Would you like me to put it on for you as well?"
Elisa nodded without hesitation. "If you don't mind, please do."
Poof!
In an instant, Kazien split himself into four. Four equally handsome Kazien figures now stood behind each of the people he loved. Simultaneously, their skilled fingers fastened the gold necklaces.
"Thank you, My Love / My Huby / Brother Kazien!" Allen, Arken, and Erica said in unison.
"Kazien, thank you very much for this gift." Elisa said sincerely.
Kazien gave them his most genuine smile, a smile that could usually break down the defenses of anyone who saw it. However, he noticed something. Neither his aunt nor Erica seemed "entranced" by his sincere smile. Usually, the natural allure he unintentionally radiated would cause those around him to lose their senses.
Just as I thought! Kazien thought with relief. This natural charm doesn't affect those who have loved me sincerely from the beginning, rather than those whose feelings are just beginning to grow.
A few hours later, when the mansion had grown quiet, Kazien sat alone in the family room, illuminated only by his own magical light. In his hand was a letter from Ritalia. He opened it slowly, letting his sister's handwriting greet his eyes.
"Brother, how are you? I hope you are healthy there. I am very healthy and happy here. Father and Mother are so attentive and kind to me. They treat me like their own biological daughter. I feel so lucky to be part of the Altavis family."
Kazien let out a sigh of relief. Since his departure to the capital with Alvin, he was glad to know Ritalia was happy with her new family.
"By the way, Brother, when are you coming home? I really miss your attention. Without you, the mansion feels a bit lonely, but I promise to keep staying strong and studying hard until you return."
"I wanted to tell you to stay healthy, but then I remembered you're an immortal who can't get sick. So, I'll just wait for you patiently. Hehehe. See you soon, Brother Kazien. I love you."
A small smile played on Kazien's lips. With a swift motion, he took a quill and paper, writing a reply that was just as warm. He shared a bit about his adventures in Guartav. Once finished, he folded the letter and used teleportation magic to send it directly to his father's desk.
"Finally finished!" Kazien muttered while stretching his stiff muscles. "Tomorrow is the big day. Arken and Erica will take their first steps at the Academy."
Poof!
The figure of Kazien in the family room vanished, leaving behind the peaceful silence of the night.
Dawn broke, bringing golden light that filtered through the mansion's curtains. This morning felt different; there was a fiery spirit in the air. Especially for Arken and Erica, today was their first day as official students of the Academy in the capital.
In the master bedroom, the morning began with a warmth that had become routine.
Mwah!
Three kisses landed exactly on the lips of each Kazien figure sleeping beneath his three fiancés.
"Good morning, My Dear / My Love / My Hubby!" Alvin, Allen, and Arken greeted in unison. Their voices blended into a cheerful harmony.
Kazien smiled, returning their gaze gently. "Good morning to you too, Alvin, Allen, and Arken. Come on, wake up! Today, Arken and Erica become academy students."
"I really can't wait to study and be in the same class as you guys!" Arken exclaimed while jumping out of bed. His enthusiasm was so overflowing that it made the three of them laugh.
Meanwhile, in the next room, Erica woke up with the same feeling. She stared at the face of the Kazien figure sleeping beneath her.
"Good morning, Brother Kazien." Erica greeted with a voice raspy from sleep, but her eyes were already sparkling.
"Good morning, Erica."
"Brother! Let's bathe together! Quick, quick! I don't want to be late on my first day as an academy student!" Erica stood up and pulled Kazien's hand with such force it was as if her physical strength had doubled from excitement.
Kazien could only offer a fond smile. "Calm down, Erica. Go to the corridor now. I and the other three have already left the room and are heading to the bathroom."
Without a second thought, Erica climbed off Kazien and ran out of the room with her pajamas still disheveled.
And sure enough, in the corridor, she saw Kazien along with Alvin, Allen, and Arken walking together. Without any awkwardness, Erica joined the line, filling the mansion's hallway with laughter and chatter about what they would face at the Academy today.
The future felt so bright for them, and today was the start of a new chapter in Arken and Erica's lives as official academy students.