Inside the carriage cabin, the relaxed atmosphere being enjoyed by Vian and the others was suddenly shattered. The sound of the bathroom door opening drew their attention, and the sight presented instantly made everyone gasp.
Arvin walked out with a very unsteady gait, supported by Kylen, barely able to hold up his own body weight. His face, which usually always radiated an aura of intimidation and dominance, now looked deathly pale and covered in cold sweat.
Instantly, Vian, Tania, Ziona, and Anna jumped up from their sofas and rushed over to the two youths.
"Oh my, what exactly happened to him?" Ziona asked in shock, her voice laden with worry seeing Arvin's condition so weak and helpless.
"He is just extremely exhausted after trying out a new magic that drained his mana inside the bathroom earlier." Kylen answered in a tone made as casual as possible, trying hard to hide the truth about the Soul Seal ritual that had just forcefully stripped away his husband's energy. "I must get him to bed immediately so he can rest."
"Let me help!" Vian offered promptly. He immediately slipped his shoulder under Arvin's left arm, joining in supporting the youth's body to share Kylen's burden.
With Vian and Kylen's cooperation, Arvin was slowly brought to one of the empty beds in the corner of the cabin, then laid down with utmost care.
While observing the blue-haired youth's pale face, Vian's thoughts began to churn.
What actually happened in there? Vian asked in his heart, his brow furrowed with question marks, feeling that something was highly amiss. This is already the second time I have seen Arvin in a state of extreme exhaustion, and the answer given is always the exact same: because of the effects of using magic. What kind of magic did Arvin actually use to be able to make a terrifying monster like him nearly pass out like this?
However, Vian was aware of his position. Even though his curiosity was screaming to demand a more logical explanation, he chose to swallow all his questions and let Arvin rest peacefully.
Meanwhile, far from the territory of the Victoriaz Kingdom, specifically in the main dining room of the mansion located in the capital of the Astoria Kingdom, the dinner atmosphere was proceeding warmly. On the long dining table, delicious dishes were served to be enjoyed together.
Amidst the clinking of cutlery, Davin, who was chewing his food, suddenly put down his spoon. The brownish-white-haired youth closed his eyes for a moment, feeling a subtle resonance in his soul bond, then exhaled a long breath laden with relief.
That sudden sigh instantly made Allen, Alrain, Ordion, Alvein, Alrian, Dylan, Arion, and Victor halt their eating activities and turn toward him in unison.
"Why did you suddenly let out such a long sigh?" Arion asked, looking at Davin with a sense of wonder. "Is there something bothering your mind right now?"
"No, there is nothing bothering my mind at all." Davin answered casually, his eyes opening and radiating a sincere relief. The corners of his lips lifted slightly. "I just feel incredibly relieved. It seems Kylen has just bound his soul to our husband."
"Is that true?!" Alvein exclaimed enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling brightly. "If so, that means he has also officially become an immortal human like the rest of us now, right?"
"Yes, you are right, Alvein." Davin answered again, nodding slowly. "At the very least, that prince has finally dared to make an absolute decision that determines his own destiny alongside our husband."
In one corner of the table, Victor, who had been quietly listening to their casual conversation the whole time, was left frozen stiff. The spoon in his hand nearly dropped. His brain tried hard to process the series of nonsensical sentences that had just entered his ears.
"W-W-W-Wait a minute!" Victor interrupted with a slightly trembling voice, his eyes widening as he stared one by one at the faces of the people at the dining table. Feelings of shock, awe, fear, and curiosity all mixed into one. "What do you mean by the words 'immortal human'? Are... are all of you in this room immortal humans?"
Silence fell for a moment. However, without any hesitation or intention to hide that fact from their newest family member, the seven youths nodded in unison and calmly, clearly confirming that they're immortal humans.
Gasp!
Victor's breath seemed caught in his throat. His eyes widened even further. Knowing that Arvin, the King of Terror, and all the spouses sitting around him right now were beings who could not die, truly shook his common sense.
However, the surprises for Victor that night were not over yet. The thing that made the purple-haired youth's shock intensify even more was when Alvein suddenly released his illusion magic.
Right before his eyes, Alvein's pair of ears elongated and pointed gracefully. And from the youth's back, two pairs of beautiful transparent wings slowly emerged, exactly like dragonfly wings.
"A-A-Alvein..." Victor called out, stuttering, his index finger trembling as it pointed toward those wings. He still could not believe the reality presented before his eyes right now. "A-A-Are you... are you actually not human?"
"I come from the fairy race." Alvein answered casually, acknowledging his true identity with a charming light smile. "I only show my true form when I am inside this mansion alone, so as not to become the center of attention for many troublesome people in the outside world."
A creature that had so far been nothing more than a myth, legend, or bedtime story for humanity, was now sitting calmly eating dinner right before Victor's eyes. Feelings of amazement, shock, enthusiasm, and happiness exploded and churned in the depths of his heart.
I truly never expected that all this time my husband has had a spouse originating from a mythical race. Victor said in his heart, his eyes unblinking as he stared at the beauty of the creature he was seeing for the first time in his life. And what is even crazier, all his spouses also cooperated and always kept such a massive secret so neatly without the slightest flaw.
Suddenly, the silence of the dining room was broken by the sound of laughter.
"Hahaha!" Victor laughed freely, a laugh filled with relief and admiration. His eyes then looked at the faces of all of Arvin's spouses alternately with a warm gaze. "This reality truly leaves me in absolute awe. All of you are also incredible for being able to hide such a crazy fact so neatly from the rest of the world."
"We hope you will watch your tongue and not speak about Alvein's true identity to anyone out there!" Alrain interjected suddenly. The atmosphere in the room tensed slightly as the second spouse's sharp eyes stared straight like knives at Victor, testing his loyalty.
Instead of bowing his head in fear, Victor straightened his back.
"I am not a fool who would leak my own husband's secret like that!" Victor replied firmly, completely unfazed by the second spouse's intimidating glare. "I also know very well the negative impacts it would have on our husband and this family if Alvein's identity were to spread widely to the ears of the royal factions or everyone in this world."
The purple-haired youth returned Alrain's sharp gaze with full conviction.
"Alrain, listen to me carefully. I am also a part of this household, just like all of you, because Arvin is my husband!" Victor asserted, refusing to be considered an outsider. "And I think you already understand perfectly well the meaning of my words."
Alrain silently stared at him for a few seconds, diving into the sincerity behind those purple eyes. Realizing that Victor was truly sincere and ready to protect their family, Alrain completely understood the meaning of those words. His sharp gaze faded in an instant, transforming into a warm and accepting look.
"It's good that you understand." Alrain muttered while smiling faintly.
However, that tension did not last long. Victor suddenly pursed his lips, changing the subject with a complaint that made everyone almost choke.
"But, when will I get my turn to have my soul bound and become an immortal human like the rest of you?" Victor asked in an annoyed and impatient tone, feeling left far behind the others. "Could he bear to let me slowly grow old and die alone while all of you remain forever young with him?"
Dylan, who had just been drinking his water, coughed softly. He looked at Victor with a look of disbelief on his face.
"Wait, Victor! Are you treating Alvein's astonishing true form just now like a passing wind of no importance?" Dylan chimed in, bewildered yet amazed by the drastic change in attitude from their husband's eleventh spouse.
"I truly don't care if he is a fairy or even a dragon!" Victor answered without hesitation, feeling completely indifferent about the mythical figure before him. "The thing I care about the most right now is... I just want to quickly live in eternity with Arvin and all of you."
Victor slowly leaned his back against the chair, looking up at the dining room ceiling with a wistful gaze.
"I hope he returns here as soon as possible..." Victor said in resignation and with very deep hope.
Hearing the complaint founded on love and impatience, Allen, Alrain, Ordion, Alvein, Alrian, Dylan, Davin, and Arion could only exchange understanding smiles. They perfectly understood Victor's passionate feelings.
"Be patient for just a little while longer, Victor. After his important affairs in Flamort are settled, he will surely return to this house immediately." Alrian replied gently, trying to calm the youth's heart. "For now, put your anxieties aside. Let us finish this dinner together."
Hearing the soothing words from their husband's fifth spouse, Victor let out a short sigh and immediately refocused his gaze on the plate of food on the table.
"Yes, you are right, Alrian! Let us continue eating!" Victor said, his energy restored.