In the corner of the family room, Vildan was still frozen with his body facing the wall. The young boy had indeed squeezed his eyes shut tightly as commanded, but his palms had not covered his ears properly.
As a result, the entire conversation, heavily laden with emotional burdens and regrets that had just transpired between his uncle and the three beautiful youths, could be heard very clearly by him.
So my uncle and the others are immortal humans, huh? Vildan thought, feeling a mix of profound awe and confusion. But why did my mother never tell me?
On the sofa, Kazien took a long breath, slowly exhaling the air from his lungs. That exhale seemed to serve as a medium for him to expel all negative thoughts, guilt, and regrets about the passage of time he could never rewind.
Once his chest felt significantly lighter and his mind regained its calm, the youth turned toward his nephew, who was still sitting facing the wall on his sofa.
"Vildan?" Kazien called out in a very gentle and warm tone.
Spontaneously, the boy opened his eyes. He immediately lowered his hands from his ears, then quickly turned around to look at his uncle.
"Yes, Uncle Kazien?" Vildan replied, slightly nervous, though his eyes could not hide his curiosity.
"Where is everybody?" Kazien asked curiously, his gaze sweeping across the dead-silent room. He truly found no signs of the other members of his family. "When the four of us woke up in the room earlier, we didn't encounter a single maid in a house this big."
"Everyone is currently at the central military headquarters," Vildan answered quickly, recalling the words his mother often said every morning before leaving. "They continue to train relentlessly every day over there."
Growl...
The sound of a rumbling stomach suddenly echoed quite loudly, breaking the tranquil atmosphere of the family room.
In that very instant, Vildan's face flushed crimson. He lowered his head, feeling incredibly embarrassed that his hungry stomach had grumbled at such an inappropriate time.
Seeing his flustered nephew's reaction, Kazien smiled fondly. "Have you not eaten yet?"
The boy nodded slowly without daring to lift his face.
"In that case, let me do the cooking!" Alvin suddenly chimed in, a bright smile adorning his cute face. The High Elf youth rose from his seat. "The four of us haven't eaten anything in over eight years either. Hahaha."
"I will help you too!" Allen answered firmly, standing up as well, his enthusiasm fully restored. "Let's head to the kitchen right away!"
"Let's go!" Arken exclaimed with great enthusiasm, immediately jumping down from Kazien's lap.
Seeing his three spouses so eager to prepare a meal, Kazien smiled in relief. "I leave it to the three of you to make some delicious food for all of us."
Alvin, Allen, and Arken nodded in unison, their faces beaming.
"Leave the kitchen matters to us!" Alvin replied enthusiastically, giving his husband a playful wink.
With synchronized steps and much lighter hearts, the three youths immediately left the family room and walked down the hallway toward the mansion's kitchen.
Now, only Kazien and Vildan remained in the family room.
Kazien leaned his back against the sofa again. He stared at the ceiling above him, then slowly began to close his eyes. The silence of the room only made his mind cycle back to the bitter reality waiting just ahead.
It won't be long before the peaceful lives enjoyed by the people of this world will be put on hold. Kazien thought, contemplating the horrific disaster brought forth by the Evil God. Those dungeons will begin to emerge soon. Who knows what kind of terrifying creatures we will face inside.
The sound of a heavy sigh echoed once again in the silent family room. Hearing it, Vildan spontaneously looked back at his uncle's face with a bewildered expression.
For the sake of this world's future and safety, my three spouses and I must completely fulfill the mission given by Goddess Nirfelia! Kazien resolved in his heart, his jaw tightening slightly behind his closed eyes. I will never let that bastard Lunarias destroy this world and steal my family's smiles!
While the youth continued to ponder the fate of the world resting on his shoulders, he suddenly felt a warm touch. A small hand was gently holding the back of his hand.
Spontaneously, Kazien opened his eyes and turned to his left. There sat Vildan, staring intently at him with a look of worry typical of a kid.
"What's wrong, Uncle? Does something hurt?" Vildan asked innocently.
Kazien's heart instantly warmed upon seeing his nephew's concern. He turned his palm over and gently grasped the small hand while offering a very tender smile.
"I am fine, Vildan." Kazien replied, making an excuse as he didn't want the boy to dwell on his burdens. "I just still can't believe it... you, who I last saw as a tiny baby, are now suddenly almost nine years old. And all of that happened without me ever witnessing your growth. Hahaha."
Hearing that answer, Vildan let go of his hand, shifted his body, and sat right next to Kazien. The boy crossed his arms over his chest and stared closely at his uncle's face without blinking.
Kazien, finding himself suddenly scrutinized so intensely from such a close distance by his nephew, became flustered and confused.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Vildan?" Kazien asked in confusion, touching his own cheek. "Is there something on my face?"
"Yes, there is!" the boy answered quickly.
"What exactly is weird about my face?"
"You are incredibly handsome, Uncle!" Vildan praised, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "But, for some reason, your facial features and your eyes look exactly like my mother's."
Hearing the innocent and honest remark that had just slipped from his nephew's mouth, Kazien could not hold back his amusement. He immediately burst into roaring laughter until his shoulders shook.
"Hahaha!"
Kazien's uninhibited laughter echoed throughout the room. Vildan immediately furrowed his brow, feeling bewildered by his uncle's sudden, loud laughter.
The boy instantly pushed his lips forward, pouting at his uncle, who seemed to be taking his sincere compliment lightly.
"Uncle!" Vildan exclaimed sharply, crossing his arms with an annoyed face. "Why are you laughing at my compliment? I was telling the truth!"
"Forgive me, Vildan. I really didn't mean to belittle your compliment." Kazien replied while holding his stomach, trying to stifle the rest of his laughter. "I was just a bit surprised by what you said just now. There is undoubtedly a resemblance between us. That's because your mother is my biological older sister."
Hearing that explanation, Vildan pouted even more at Kazien, his cheeks puffing out in annoyance. However, the sulking expression the boy displayed only made Kazien even more unable to contain his laughter. His nephew's angry face looked incredibly adorable in his eyes.
What's so funny?? the boy thought, feeling a mixture of confusion and irritation as he watched his uncle continue to laugh out loud. Is my uncle's true nature actually this silly?