The tension that had previously suffocated the entire hall of the shelter house slowly faded, leaving behind an awkward yet relieving silence. The absolute intimidation from the King of Terror had just silenced all protests.
However, amidst the slowly thawing atmosphere, the gazes of several people began to shift toward one crucial detail that had escaped their attention all this time.
Allen, who had previously been brought in completely unconscious from the arena, was now seen sitting on the bed with a far calmer expression.
The first person to realize about that was Victor. The horror on his face was instantly replaced by overwhelming relief. The youth took a step forward, his eyes widening with enthusiasm as he stared at the pink-haired youth beside Arvin.
"Allen, you're awake?!" Victor exclaimed, his voice breaking the remaining silence in the room. "How are you feeling? Have... have your powers truly awakened?"
Hearing the question, Allen turned his head and gave a small nod, curving his lips into a faint smile that radiated a newfound self-confidence.
Before Victor could throw out another barrage of questions, the sound of numerous approaching footsteps echoed from the direction of the shelter house's main doors. The crowd's attention was divided once more as the doors swung wide open.
Alrain, followed by Ordion, Alvein, and Kylen behind him, had arrived.
Alrain's steps halted for a moment. His brows furrowed in confusion upon seeing dozens of students still crowding around the bed where his husband was resting.
What is with this crowd? he wondered, full of questions. Are they still in an uproar over the absurd regenerative powers that Ordion displayed in the arena earlier?
Ignoring the probing stares of the other students, the four of them immediately walked toward the bed where their husband was.
"Please step aside." Ordion said in a casual tone, yet it was laced with an undeniable authority. "The four of us would like to see our husband."
Hearing the request spoken so casually yet firmly, the students immediately parted, clearing a wide path for the four of them.
Arvin, who was still lounging comfortably on the bed, immediately shifted his gaze upon seeing his four spouses standing safely by the bedside.
"How did the matches go?" Arvin asked gently, cutting straight to the point.
A bright smile instantly bloomed on Alrain's face. Without saying much, the green-haired youth pulled out the trophy he had won from his magic bag. He presented it right in front of his husband with a proud expression.
"So, you won the tournament? Congratulations, Alrain!" Arvin praised with a tone of genuine pride. He then looked at Ordion and Alvein alternately. "The three of you did your absolute best. I am incredibly proud of you all."
Alrain, Ordion, and Alvein smiled even wider, feeling their chests warm. For the three of them, their husband's praise was far more precious than the roaring cheers of the audience in any massive arena.
After fully expressing his appreciation to the three of them, Arvin slowly turned his head, focusing his gaze on Kylen's face, who was standing slightly to the side.
"In our bet, the two of us tied, Kylen." Arvin said suddenly, looking straight at the prince.
Kylen gasped softly. His brows knitted together, clearly surprised and confused by his husband's unexpected statement.
"Wait, how is it a tie?" Kylen protested, his voice rising slightly in confusion. "Didn't you win by a landslide against me in the preliminary match back then?"
Arvin chuckled softly.
"I said from the beginning, the condition was if one of us 'won the tournament', not just won a single match." he explained, correcting Kylen's perception. "And in reality, neither of us won this tournament in the end."
"But you only withdrew to take care of Allen!" Kylen exclaimed, still unwilling to accept it, feeling that a draw was completely illogical since his husband was vastly stronger.
"The reason doesn't matter, Kylen. The fact that I withdrew doesn't negate the reality that I also lost in this tournament. Hahaha!"
Arvin's laughter burst out freely. His voice echoed in the corner of the hall. That incredibly sincere, warm, and carefree laughter was heard by everyone present.
The students from the Astoria Academy stood frozen in place. Their eyes widened in disbelief. For the very first time, they witnessed the King of Terror, infamous for being cold, cruel, and untouchable, laughing so freely like a normal youth.
His human side, which Arvin had never shown in the academy hallways, made them realize just how immense Arvin's love was for all his spouses.
"Hey, Arvin!"
The call made Arvin cease his laughter. He turned toward the source of the voice and found Bryan standing there with a serious expression.
"Are we returning directly to the Astoria Kingdom tomorrow?" Bryan asked for confirmation, voicing the question that had been hanging in the minds of many students.
Arvin nodded, his expression returning to its calm and authoritative state.
"We no longer have any reason to stay in this place." he decided, delivering absolute certainty. "The tournament is over. It's best if we all return immediately, as I still have much business to attend to once we arrive there."
"Is one of the matters you mentioned going to the Flamort Kingdom to propose to Prince Kylen?" Selena chimed in suddenly from the crowd, her voice laced with curiosity.
The blunt question instantly plunged the entire room back into silence. Arvin didn't show the slightest hesitation. He looked at Selena, then gave a firm nod.
"Of course. I made a promise to him, and I must keep my word!" Arvin answered without beating around the bush.
Thump!
Kylen, hearing his husband's straightforward answer, felt his heart leap from his chest. Overwhelming feelings of happiness, anxiety, nervousness, and sheer excitement instantly melded into a swirling vortex of emotions within his mind.
He... he is actually going to come to my kingdom and officially propose to me in front of my father! Kylen exclaimed in his heart, his hands trembling slightly from the creeping nervousness. I can't wait to marry him! But... will my father be able to accept this reality? Will he allow me to marry a man?
Doubts about the Flamort King's reaction briefly clouded the prince's mind. However, Kylen took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly to regain his composure. He gazed at his incredibly handsome husband's face, then shifted his eyes to look at Allen, Alrain, Ordion, and the other spouses.
Whatever happens, let it be! Kylen solidified his resolve in his heart. If I end up being truly banished from the kingdom because of this choice of mine, I don't care! I will simply follow my husband wherever he goes. Together with Allen and the others, we will all certainly live happily in eternity, standing by our beloved husband forever.
The resolve that had previously been tainted by a hint of doubt was now as solid as steel. Kylen had fully made up his mind. Not a single throne in this world could ever rival his place by Arvin's side.
A few moments later, one by one, the students crowding the bed area began to disperse. They walked back toward their respective resting spots, their minds still reeling from the various shocking events of the day.
After the crowd had completely dispersed and the area around the bed fell quiet once more, Arvin looked at his nine spouses alternately.
"Listen to me!" Arvin said, his voice lowered. "I will be going out alone for a while. And please, do not ask where I am going or what I am about to do." he instructed, his gaze hinting at a secret mission. "Tomorrow we will return to the Astoria Kingdom. So today, I will do what I must do."
Hearing that absolute yet gentle instruction, his nine spouses nodded in unison, fully understanding. Not a single one of them had any intention of throwing out questions to doubt his decision.
Having received their full consent, the blue-haired youth got up from his bed. With calm and soundless steps, Arvin walked through the shelter house hall, heading toward the front terrace.
He grabbed the doorknob, opened it, stepped outside, and then slowly closed the door back behind him. Leaving his nine spouses behind to execute the remainder of his plan.