Kazien's crisp laughter still echoed in the spacious bathhouse, mingling with Davin and Ritalia's jokes at the end of the hugebathtub. The three of them seemed engrossed in splashing water at each other, enjoying the relaxing moment after a tense morning.
However, in the calmer part of the hugebathtub, a different atmosphere was forming.
Arken separated himself from the crowd. He submerged his body chest-deep, letting the warm water wrap around his skin. His eyes stared at Kazien's back for a moment, then shifted to Alvin and Allen who were sitting leaning against the marble edge with eyes closed, enjoying the tranquility.
Arken took a deep breath. His heart beat fast, not because of the heat of the water, but because of the determination he had solidified. He knew he couldn't hold back his feelings for Kazien forever.
With slow steps in the water, Arken approached them.
"Brother Alvin, Brother Allen..." called Arken softly.
The two of them opened their eyes slowly. Seeing Arken standing naked in front of them with a serious expression, they straightened their backs, sensing that Arken wanted to talk about something important.
"Come here, Arken. Sit with us!" invited Alvin kindly, shifting his body slightly to make room.
Arken obeyed. He sat between Alvin and Allen. However, instead of relaxing, he looked straight at the two of them alternately.
"I want to be honest with both of you!" Arken began. His voice was calm but carried a heavy weight. "I am doing this because I greatly respect your position as Brother Kazien's official fiancés."
Allen raised one eyebrow, slightly interested. "Talk about what? You look so tense."
Arken squeezed both his hands in the water, then stared into Alvin's mint green eyes.
"Actually... my feelings for Brother Kazien are not merely the feelings of a brother towards his older brother."
Silence for a moment. Only the sound of splashing water could be heard in the background. Arken didn't let the pause last too long, he immediately continued to the point.
"I like Brother Kazien." whispered Arken firmly. "I like him as a man. I fell in love with him. I want to be by his side not as a protected brother, but as his partner... just like you two."
The confession flowed straightforwardly without hesitation. Arken held his breath, ready to accept any reaction from the two of them. Whether it was anger, ridicule, or rejection. After all, he intended to tell them everything.
However, the reaction he got was truly unexpected.
Instead of being angry, Alvin and Allen looked at each other, then a faint smile appeared on their lips. There was no surprise on their cute faces.
"We already suspected it!" said Alvin casually, as if Arken had just told them the sky was blue.
Arken's eyes widened. "Eh? You... already knew?"
"Of course, Arken!" chuckled Allen while lightly flicking Arken's wet forehead. "We both notice anyone looking at him with a look of love. And your gaze... was too obvious. The way you hugged him at the funeral, the way you looked at him when he spoke, that wasn't a brother's look to a brother."
Alvin nodded in agreement. He wrapped his arm around Arken's shoulder warmly. "And honestly, Arken... we have thought about everything since the first time you became Kazien's adopted brother." Alvin confessed honestly. "We are ready to accept you as his third future wife."
"Really?" Arken's voice trembled with emotion. "You don't mind if I become his third future wife?"
"Allen and I don't mind at all!" answered Alvin sincerely. "You are kind, sincere, and loyal to him, Arken. We know you will take care of him just like we do. Besides, sharing Kazien with you feels much better than with a stranger we don't know."
An immense feeling of relief flooded Arken's heart. He felt like crying he was so happy. The biggest obstacle in his mind turned out to welcome him with open arms.
"Thank you... Thank you very much, Brother!" said Arken with glassy eyes.
"Hey, don't be happy just yet!" interrupted Allen suddenly. His face turned serious, his eyes narrowed sharply towards Kazien who was laughing loudly at the end there. "The main problem is not with us, Arken. Your biggest obstacle is that idiot!"
Arken followed Allen's gaze. "Brother Kazien?"
"Correct!" snorted Alvin. "You know yourself how stubborn he is? And how insensitive he is? In his shrimp brain, you are already deeply imprinted as 'Little Brother Who Must Be Protected'. The label 'Family' to him is a thick wall."
Allen nodded confirming Alvin's words.
Alvin continued his speech. "He will definitely reject you outright. He will use the excuse of 'not wanting to betray the two of us' and that is certain. Because that is what happened to Allen before Kazien finally agreed to accept him."
Arken's face instantly turned gloomy. His spirit that had overflowed earlier now receded. He knew Alvin and Allen's words were 100% accurate. Kazien was the type of person who strongly held onto principles, especially regarding the two of them and also family.
"I know..." mumbled Arken listlessly. "I'm also afraid of that. If he rejects me for the sake of brotherly status or doesn't want to betray you, I can't do anything."
Seeing Arken despair, Alvin and Allen exchanged glances again. This time, the smiles on their faces changed. No longer friendly smiles, but cunning grins full of conspiracy.
"Don't give up just like that, Arken." whispered Alvin, bringing his face closer. "Since we have given you our blessing, we won't let Kazien reject you just like that with that stupid excuse."
"What do you mean, Brother Alvin?" Arken looked at them confusedly.
"We will force him!" said Alvin with a low tone that was dangerous yet tempting. "Allen and I will make him have no other choice."
"We will form an alliance!" explained Alvin again. "We will help you. We will create a situation where he has to see you as the person who will become his wife. We will corner him, shake his principles, and crumble his defenses until he gives up and acknowledges you."
Arken's eyes sparkled. New hope re-emerged, brighter than before. However, he felt a little hesitant about the crazy idea. "I-Is it okay if you do that to him?"
"Of course!" answered Allen with a smirk. "But you have to be able to make him not glance at cute faces or be tempted by other men out there!"
"Yes, I will try!" answered Arken firmly.
Alvin extended his hand under the water's surface towards Arken. "So, how about it? Are you ready to join us to conquer that stubborn Young Master?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Arken accepted the extended hand. He shook Alvin's hand, then Allen's hand tightly.
"I'm ready!" answered Arken firmly. A confident smile adorned his face. "I want him to take responsibility when my feelings changed for him since the incident at the dining table that morning until he threatened to turn me into an undead."
Alvin and Allen laughed out loud remembering the incident that happened in the capital.
And without Kazien's knowledge, a secret agreement had been formed. Amidst the warm steam of that bathhouse, three 'future wives' had united with one goal: to conquer Kazien's stubborn heart.
Across the hugebathtub, Kazien suddenly shuddered. He felt a strange chill running down his back, as if a great danger was targeting him. He turned towards Alvin, Allen, and Arken who were gathered closely.
"What are you guys talking about over there?" exclaimed Kazien while waving his hand, his face innocent without suspicion. "Why are you over there? Come here quickly!"
The three of them turned simultaneously towards Kazien. Their gaze was no longer an innocent gaze. It was a predator's gaze that had locked onto its target.
"Nothing at all, My Dear!" exclaimed Alvin with a feigned sweet tone, hiding their big plan. "We were just talking about Arken's new day as an academy student debuting soon!"
Arken smiled sweetly, very sweetly in front of Kazien who was staring at him.
Just you wait, Brother Kazien! thought Arken. You have to take responsibility if later I fall for you. Because right now, I have fallen for you and want to be with you forever not as a brother, but as yours!