Yonna was truly at a loss for words regarding Allen's train of thought. Her mouth hung slightly open, unable to believe that the pink-haired youth was taking her joke about "splitting magic" literally.
"Good grief, Allen..." Yonna called out while massaging her temples, causing the youth to turn to her with an innocent face. "Splitting magic, or cloning, is a top-tier ancient magic that is incredibly rare. It's not some common elemental magic you can just pick up from an academy textbook. And I suspect that any scrolls or books related to such ancient magic would be kept under heavy guard within the royal library at the palace."
"Really? In the royal library?" Allen asked, and rather than giving up, he became even more enthusiastic. His eyes flashed with excitement. "In that case, I'll try to persuade him later! I'll ask him to go to the palace and find out about that magic for the sake of our household's well-being!"
Yonna could only shake her head in resignation, realizing that the resolve of a "first spouse" to secure Arvin's attention was far more terrifying than she had ever imagined.
Meanwhile, in the bedroom on the second floor, the atmosphere felt much more intimate and heart-pounding.
Arvin stood facing Alrain in the center of the room, which was illuminated by the soft glow of the magical lights on the ceiling.
With his heart thumping wildly against his ribs, Alrain awaited this historic moment. He imagined his future husband would immediately take his hand, whisper romantic words, and recite the sacred vow.
However, instead of doing what Alrain expected, Arvin simply moved his hands. In an instant, he withdrew several pieces of pure gold jewelry and five small magic crystals that emitted a faint blue glow from his dimensional storage.
Naturally, this left Alrain blinking in bewilderment. He stared at the pile of gold and crystals now resting on Arvin's palm with complete confusion.
"What are you doing, My Love?" Alrain asked, tilting his head slightly. "Why are you taking out gold and magic crystals at a time like this?"
Arvin looked at him with a thin, reassuring smile. "Please wait a moment, Alrain."
Seeing the seriousness in his future husband's eyes, Alrain could only swallow his curiosity and nod in agreement. He stepped back half a pace, giving Arvin the space to do whatever he was planning.
And then, before Alrain's very eyes, Arvin began to use his extraordinary alchemy magic.
Golden and blue light glowed brightly, enveloping the room. Arvin channeled his mana with surgical precision. He fused the pure gold jewelry, melting it in the air, and then integrated it with the five crystals he had brought out.
The abstract shape gradually solidified and hardened until, finally, five elegantly designed gold rings were created, each set with a transparent blue gemstone.
Alrain's eyes widened, mesmerized by the beauty of the craftsmanship. The rings looked incredibly luxurious yet refined, and what touched him most was that the design was exactly the same as the ring currently worn on the ring finger of Allen's left hand.
Furthermore, Arvin had already prepared these tokens of their bond for the number of spouses he had previously targeted.
Once the alchemical process was complete, Arvin opened his dimensional storage again. He stored four of the rings inside, leaving only one ring set with a blue gem on his palm.
Without another word, Arvin took a step forward. He looked directly into Alrain's green eyes, then slowly lowered his body, kneeling on one knee before the youth.
Alrain felt his heart leap out of his chest. His breath hitched.
"Alrain..." Arvin said, his voice deep, resonant, and filled with a sincerity that shook Alrain's soul. "Are you willing to stay by my side through joy and sorrow, in life and death, forever and ever?"
Tears of happiness immediately welled in Alrain's eyes. All his long years of waiting, all the pain from his previous life, seemed to be repaid in full at this very second.
"Of course I am willing, My Love!" Alrain answered, his voice trembling but brimming with overwhelming joy.
Upon hearing his consent, the smile on Arvin's lips widened. He looked deep into Alrain's eyes and began to recite the life-and-death vow before the God who created the universe.
"O God who holds the universe..." Arvin's voice sounded heavy and solemn in the bedroom. "I, Arvin Vedegra, wish to marry this person whom I love deeply. I want to bind a vow of life and death, forever with him. May You bestow Your blessing upon our marriage, and let our fates be intertwined as one!"
Instantly, as the words of the sacred vow were uttered in the stillness of the night, Arvin gently reached for Alrain's left hand. With a tender and longing motion, he slid the gold ring set with the blue gemstone onto Alrain's ring finger. The fit was perfect.
Once the ring was securely in place, Alrain gazed at his hand. The light from the blue gem seemed to reflect the infinite happiness now radiating clearly from his face.
However, while the formal steps were complete, their union had not yet reached its peak. The white contract symbol he so deeply craved would only be etched and magically fused with their souls after they both surrendered themselves completely to one another in bed tonight.
"Thank you so much, My Love." Alrain said, his voice thick with uncontrollable emotion. He looked down at Arvin, who was still kneeling. "Thank you for being willing to accept me as your spouse."
Arvin stood up. He gazed at Alrain, who was now officially his spouse, with a relieved smile. "There is no need to thank me." Arvin said softly as he caressed Alrain's cheek. "Because from the very beginning, I truly wanted you by my side. And perhaps, in this timeline, I finally have the chance to propose to you properly... without having to cause you any more pain."
Those words shattered the last of his defenses. Without a second thought and without a hint of hesitation, Alrain pulled Arvin by the nape of his neck and kissed his husband squarely on the lips. He embraced the man who was now his husband tightly and passionately, channeling all the love, desire, and longing he had been forced to suppress for so long.
Arvin closed his eyes, welcoming the warmth. He wrapped his arms around Alrain's slender waist, returning the kiss and the embrace with an intensity that was just as fierce.
Beneath the dim light of the room, two souls who had sworn their vows now prepared to engrave their life-and-death contract symbol during the long night ahead.