The shared lunch banquet had concluded. With highly coordinated and trained movements, the maids swiftly cleared all the dirty plates and cutlery from the massive round table.
As the activity within the palace dining room subsided, Kylen's heart began to pound at a very rapid and erratic rhythm. His hands, resting on his lap, squeezed each other tightly, channeling the immense nervousness he felt as he waited for the words Arvin was about to speak in front of his entire family.
From his seat, King Galeo stared at the blue-haired youth sitting calmly beside his fifth son.
"Before you state your main intention for coming all the way here to meet us, please introduce yourself to them first, Young Master Arvin." the King said, opening the post-lunch conversation, his deep voice echoing with authority throughout the room.
Hearing his father directly ask his husband to introduce himself, Kylen was overcome with an ever-growing nervousness. The title 'Young Master' bestowed by the King indirectly showed that his father had acknowledged Arvin's status.
However, that fact did not immediately ease the anxiety in his heart.
On the other side of the dining table, the atmosphere instantly shifted. From Queen Fentiloa to the royal princes and princesses, everyone stared at Arvin with high intensity, eagerly anticipating the moment of introduction that would unravel the puzzle of the youth's identity, which had been piquing their curiosity all along.
As for Arvin, he was truly surprised by what he had just heard, completely not expecting King Galeo to use such a polite and formal tone towards him.
Is it because I bear the Vedegra family name that his attitude changed like this? Arvin wondered inwardly while recalling memories from his past life. If I recall the storyline in the game, the character of the Flamort King was designed as an incredibly troublesome figure for the players. But... right now, his attitude truly surprises me.
Although his mind briefly pondered King Galeo's attitude, which was a full one hundred and eighty degrees different from what he knew, Arvin did not let the pause last long. He immediately refocused on reality and responded to the King's request with the etiquette of a true noble.
Arvin shifted his gaze, sweeping over the faces of all the royal family members sitting around the table one by one with a calm look, before finally staring straight at King Galeo.
"Very well, Your Majesty." Arvin answered politely, his voice flowing steadily without the slightest hint of hesitation. "My name is Arvin Vedegra, the first son of Duke Melvin Vedegra from the Astoria Kingdom."
Hearing the family name that had just been uttered by the blue-haired youth, Queen Fentiloa, Princess Helena, Prince Ashlandio, Prince Lucasion, Princess Nataliane, Prince Gilbert, and Prince Cylenciel simultaneously held their breath in shock.
Several palace maids who were still standing by in the corners of the dining room were also shocked half to death.
On this continent, there was no one, from the commoners to the kings themselves, who did not know the 'Vedegra' family name. It was not just an ordinary noble name. That name represented the pinnacle of the greatest power possessed by the Astoria Kingdom. A name so heavy that it always succeeded in bringing psychological terror to anyone who heard it.
Amidst the mass shock, King Galeo maintained his calm facial expression.
"Even though I have known your intention since you first met me in the throne room earlier, I want you to say it directly to all of us here yourself!" King Galeo demanded bluntly, his voice piercing the tense silence without caring about the shocked expressions of his wife and children.
Beside Arvin, Kylen's feelings instantly became even more erratic. Especially after hearing clearly that his father had already known the intention of their arrival since they were in the throne room.
Kylen felt as though he were standing on the edge of a cliff without a safety harness. However, beside him, Arvin still showed his calm expression.
With a calm, firm, and fully convinced voice, Arvin immediately stated his intention for coming to meet the King in the palace.
"I came here to ask for the blessing of all of you to officially propose to and marry Kylenciel Carventias Alua Flamort!"
Thump-thump! Thump-thump!
Kylen's heart beat so fast that it felt like it wanted to jump out of his ribcage. His blood instantly rushed up, making the prince's face flush deep red.
Unable to bear the overwhelming embarrassment and nervousness exploding in his chest, Kylen chose to bow his head, not daring to look at the faces of his father, mother, or siblings.
In stark contrast to Kylen, who was overcome with nervousness, the reactions shown by his six siblings and the maids in the room were as if they had just been struck by a lightning bolt in broad daylight.
All of them instantly went into a silent uproar. An inter-kingdom marriage proposal was indeed normal, but an unconventional proposal from a Duke Vedegra heir to a prince was truly beyond their comprehension.
What?! exclaimed Princess Helena in severe shock in her heart, her mouth slightly ajar. Her expectations of building a relationship with the handsome youth instantly shattered to pieces. He came all the way here just to marry Kylenciel, who is none other than a man just like him? Is this guy joking?!
On the other side of the table, Prince Ashlandio gritted his teeth while clenching both of his fists on top of the table.
He is completely insane! cursed the First Prince in his heart, feeling highly disturbed and disgusted by the concept of a same-sex marriage proposal being made so openly. Has this Vedegra descendant completely lost his sanity by proposing to a prince directly in front of a king?! This is an insult!
The First Prince glared sharply at Kylen, who was looking down, then shifted his gaze to his father with eyes full of intense dislike and fierce rejection of the unconventional relationship.
I hope Father immediately punishes this Arvin Vedegra! demanded Ashlandio in his boiling mind. His actions have severely degraded the status and dignity of a Flamort royal prince!
Meanwhile, Cylenciel could only widen his eyes. He truly did not want to believe the fact that his twin brother was actually in a same-sex romantic relationship.
What in the world is my brother thinking?! the Fourth Prince thought in frustration, his mind in total chaos. Out of so many beautiful noble girls out there, why did he choose a man to be his life partner? What exactly did he do during that inter-academy tournament?! He left to represent the academy, then came back here bringing a handsome man who claims to want to marry him? He's completely crazy!
In her seat, Queen Fentiloa, who had maintained her perfect etiquette all this time, could now only raise a hand and slowly massage her temples. She shook her head softly. Just like her other children, the Queen also felt extremely shocked and dizzy by the same-sex proposal that had just been blurted out so casually.
Ignoring the mental uproar plaguing his wife and children, King Galeo focused solely on the blue-haired youth. His gaze was as sharp as a sword ready to slash anyone's neck.
"Are you aware of what you have just said, Young Master Arvin Vedegra?"
Hearing his father's tone of voice turn incredibly cold and intimidating, Kylen instantly looked up. His body trembled faintly. His frantic mind immediately jumped to the worst conclusion. He felt that Arvin's proposal was going to be rejected outright right this second.
Kylen was overwhelmingly panicked. He was gripped by an immense fear of losing the person he loved so much.
"I fully—"
The anxious feeling laden with the fear of separation surged ever stronger, filling his heart and mind until it blinded his logic. At that very moment, Kylen cut Arvin off.
"I was the one who forced him to propose to me in front of you, Father!"