A few moments ago, right after stepping through the gate, Kylen and Arvin, who was being carried on his back, had arrived inside the bathroom of their carriage.
The gate behind them immediately closed and vanished right after they arrived and Arvin canceled his magic.
With highly calm and careful steps, he walked out of the bathroom, carrying the limp body of his husband toward the main area.
Upon arriving in the spacious main area of the carriage filled with many beds, the atmosphere felt incredibly peaceful. Only the sound of regular breathing could be heard. Everyone was still sound asleep in their respective beds, completely unaware of their return.
In order not to make any footsteps that might wake everyone up, Kylen tiptoed slowly toward their bed.
Once he was at the side of the bed, he sat himself down first, then slowly laid his utterly exhausted husband's body on the soft mattress.
After making sure Arvin was lying comfortably, the youth also laid himself down next to his husband's body, facing the pale face with closed eyes.
"Good night, Darling." Kylen whispered with a very gentle voice.
"Good night to you too, Kylen." Arvin replied, his voice sounding very weak.
After returning the good night greeting, Arvin truly could no longer maintain his consciousness. In a matter of seconds, he immediately drifted into his subconsciousness, falling into a very deep sleep.
Kylen propped his head up with one hand, looking at his husband's face in silence while smiling. However, behind that smile, there was a profound sense of worry hidden.
You always push yourself and do everything for the future and happiness of us, your spouses. he thought sadly, seeing his utterly exhausted husband. Besides love, attention, affection, and absolute loyalty, we realize there is nothing else of value that we can give you.
The bluish-white-haired youth slowly raised his hand. With fingertips trembling from a surge of emotion, his hand gently stroked Arvin's left cheek.
In my eyes, you are the center of the universe in this life of mine. he continued in his heart, absorbing every line of his husband's mesmerizing face. You are my savior, and you are the best and greatest husband. I'm absolutely certain that all of them in the mansion feel the exact same way I do.
Not wanting to hold back his feelings any longer, Kylen slowly hugged his husband's body from the side, releasing every form of attention, gratitude, and affection through that tight embrace.
"I'm truly looking forward to the day... the day when the white symbol will be beautifully engraved on the back of my right hand." Kylen whispered hopefully, voicing his desire right into the ear of his husband who could no longer hear him because he was sound asleep.
....
....
Time continued to roll on in silence, and the night finally turned into morning. Sunlight slowly slipped in through the gaps of the carriage window curtains.
Kylen, who had woken up first, had no intention of moving from his position at all. He was still hugging and intently looking at the face of his husband, who still showed no signs of waking up.
Does binding three souls at once truly burden his bodily vessel this heavily? he thought anxiously, looking at the peaceful face of his sleeping husband. It's better that I just let him sleep a little longer today so his physical body can recover quickly.
While Kylen was absorbed in looking at his husband's face, the sound of slow footsteps approaching could be heard.
Delvian Mossard walked over to their bed.
"What is actually happening to him?" Vian asked with a deliberately lowered voice, though his tone was fraught with curiosity mixed with bewilderment. "Why does he always look so exhausted like that?"
Hearing that sudden question, Kylen spontaneously turned his head to look at his childhood friend. His heart beat a little faster.
At the same time, his brain was forced to think hard to find a rational, logical excuse so he could keep hiding the truth about their secrets.
As his brain spun hard looking for a loophole, he was instantly reminded of his power that he still could not control.
"He is exhausted from training me privately so I can master my magic soon." Kylen answered casually, putting on an expression as natural and calm as possible. "Secretly, every night the two of us always go to the bathroom and create a soundproof space. It is all just to train and make me able to control the corrosive hard water magic I possess so it will not hurt anyone else."
Hearing the logical explanation coming from his childhood friend's mouth, Vian starting to understand it.
"Yes, I understand. But at least don't force him too much to keep training you every night, Stupid Kylen!" the youth reprimanded in a firm tone, whispering slightly. "Do you not feel sorry at all for your husband, who is always exhausted for your sake?"
"I know!" Kylen replied with a slightly raised voice, playing an annoyed tone to keep his act natural in Vian's eyes. "But I have no other choice right now. He is the one who constantly asks me to quickly control my power before we truly arrive at the capital."
Hearing the defensive answer that came out of his childhood friend's mouth, Vian finally believed it completely. He knew Kylen very well. He assumed that his best friend, who always spoke bluntly and was not good at lying, had told the actual situation.
No wonder. It's not surprising if Arvin always returns exhausted and pale every morning. Vian thought, finally feeling he had found the answer to his curiosity all this time.
However, that relief only lasted for a moment. Instantly, his mind drifted back to the bitter reality waiting for them at the Flamort Kingdom's palace.
But still, I feel very worried about the fate of their relationship going forward. Vian continued in his heart, his forehead furrowing with anxiety. For some reason, I get a bad feeling when imagining His Majesty the King's reaction...
The youth let out a long sigh, then stared intently into the pair of blue eyes in front of him.
"Kylen, try to think about this very carefully!" Vian said seriously. "If your father firmly refuses and does not give his blessing to your relationship later, what will you do?"
The bluish-white-haired youth fell silent for a moment. His hand resting on the blanket clenched softly, pondering the weight of the question just spoken by his childhood friend.
Vian is right. It will indeed be very difficult to make my father accept all of this! Kylen thought, highly aware of his position as a kingdom's prince. It's impossible for my father to easily agree to this same-sex relationship!
He then turned his head, shifting his gaze back to Arvin, who was still sound asleep and helpless beside him. His gaze, which was initially hesitant, slowly sharpened, replaced by an absolute determination.
But, I have sworn to myself that I will still choose to live with my husband! he thought again, his determination now firmly rooted and unshakable by anything. Even if I have to pay a heavy price, losing my honorable status as a prince, and letting go of all the luxuries I have had since birth... I'm ready! I will accept all those consequences with my head held high!
Kylen was reminded again of the story of Victor, who was even willing to be kicked out of his own home and lose his special status as a son of the Astoria Kingdom's prime minister just to be able to stay by Arvin's side.
If Victor alone has the courage to do it, why shouldn't I?! Kylen's determination burned brighter, incinerating his doubts entirely. Besides, right now, I am an immortal human entity! My family will grow old, get sick, and eventually die swallowed by time. Sooner or later, I will still part ways with my family. There's no point in me holding onto all of that!
His mind then drifted to the warning Davin had once given him, back when he was sitting waiting for Arvin to come out of the hut next to the shelter house.
He said I would be tragically killed as a result of a feud between brothers vying for the throne's power after my father's death.
Kylen took a deep breath, steadying his heart.
So, it's better for me to step aside from the beginning from that throne succession conflict and choose to live happily with my husband!
Kylen looked back at Vian's face, who was still waiting for his answer with a tense expression.
"No matter what happens, I will remain firm in my stance!" he answered with a suppressed voice yet fraught with firmness. "If my father insists on not giving me his blessing and opposes our relationship, then it's better for me to throw away my title, leave the palace, and live in the Vedegra territory with my husband!"