A rather pain was felt by Kaydan, spreading across the right side of his face. The bare-handed punch from the soldier struck with a force that could not be underestimated, making his ears ring slightly.
However, that rough treatment did not break his resolve in the slightest.
Instead of making him feel daunted, afraid, or begging for mercy from the people in front of him, the pain only made him more fully determined to remain silent.
I will accept all their torture until my husband comes to pick me up! Kaydan thought with an unshakable conviction. His pair of light green eyes stared straight at the floor of the throne room, refusing to give any reaction that could satisfy their egos.
Seeing the Larde tribe youth who still did not want to speak a single word even after being struck, King Estadian's patience finally ran out completely. The ruler of the Victoriaz Kingdom became extremely furious seeing the form of absolute insubordination happening right before his eyes.
"Imprison him in the underground prison!" the King commanded with a very firm tone, his voice echoing loudly, bouncing off every corner of the throne room. "Tomorrow, we will execute him to serve as an example to anyone who tries to oppose the kingdom!"
After handing down that absolute sentence, the atmosphere inside the throne room became increasingly oppressive. King Estadian's eyes glanced sharply as if giving a signal.
Twhack! Thud!
Without any warning cue whatsoever, a hard and incredibly fast blow landed on the back of his neck.
The strike to that vital point made Kaydan gasp, his vision instantly darkened, and he immediately lost consciousness. He fell into a faint without knowing who had attacked him from behind.
[Back to the present, inside the mansion's bathroom]
"That is the story, My Light." Kaydan said, ending his tale. His voice flowed softly, breaking the silence that had briefly taken over the room. "When my consciousness returned after you woke me up, I was already shackled naked just as you saw there."
Hearing all of that story, the movement of the water in the bathtub rippled slightly. Arvin immediately hugged Kaydan's body very tightly, embracing him as if never wanting to let him go again.
He felt guilty for his action of buying time to find the safest and most appropriate moment to pick up his spouse. That cautious action of his had instead allowed the person he loved so much to suffer.
"Forgive me, Kaydan." Arvin said full of regret, his voice trembling as he held back the overflow of emotion in his chest. "If only I had immediately taken you away after I removed that slave tattoo, you surely would not have suffered there."
Feeling such a protective embrace laden with regret from his husband, Kaydan immediately returned the hug just as tightly. He let their bodies press against each other in the warm water.
"You do not need to apologize, My Light." the gray-haired youth said. His voice sounded so gentle, sincere, and full of unconditional affection, trying to erase the burden carried by his husband. "Right now, I'm already by your side. And forevermore, I'll always be with you."
After uttering that comforting sentence, Kaydan slowly released his embrace. He pulled his body slightly back, creating enough distance so he could look directly into his husband's face.
Understanding his spouse's movement, Arvin also loosened his embrace.
As their hug slightly loosened, both of Kaydan's hands rose from beneath the water's surface. He held both of his husband's cheeks very gently.
He stared intently into the pair of blue eyes in front of him, then smiled broadly full of happiness, revealing his neat white teeth.
Seeing such a sincere smile, Arvin was stunned. Time seemed to stop spinning for him. He was enchanted by the cute face smiling broadly on his lap.
The same happiness, flowing warmly and soothingly, instantly swelled within the head of the household, sweeping away all the feelings of regret that had briefly burdened his heart.
Kylen and Davin, who were currently in the dining room, as well as Kaydan who was on Arvin's lap, could feel very clearly that that their husband is truly happy.
"You asked Calverd not to live his life in regret, right?" Kaydan said softly, his thumb moving slowly to stroke his husband's cheek. "I also ask the same of you. Do you understand, My Light?"
"Yes, I understand!" Arvin answered firmly while continuing to look at his spouse's cute face. His gaze radiated deep affection. "I'm very grateful to have a spouse like you and also the rest of them. All of you are truly my pride!"
That feeling of happiness grew increasingly intense and bloomed in Kaydan's heart after hearing what his husband had just said. That statement was a very precious acknowledgment to him.
Unable to hold himself back any longer, the gray-haired youth immediately hugged Arvin's waist again very tightly. He rested his chin comfortably on the shoulder of the person he loved so much and who had become the center of his life.
"I love you so much, My Light!" Kaydan whispered softly in his husband's ear, expressing the contents of his heart with pure honesty. "I'm so happy to have become your spouse."
Arvin returned the gray-haired youth's embrace just as tightly, holding him full of warmth. He poured out his happiness over the sincere love given by his spouse.
At the same time, Arvin also felt very grateful to have successfully freed Kaydan completely from the shackles of slavery that had nearly destroyed his life.
On the other side of the bathtub quite a distance from them, Calverd had just been sitting watching their entire interaction in silence all this time, only able to remain transfixed.
A feeling of admiration slowly wafted within him. His face was flushed red and his heart was also beating fast.
However, Calverd began to feel increasingly strange with himself as he slowly felt a physical reaction beneath the water's surface. His shaft, which had not reacted at all, even when he first saw Arvin naked, was now erecting in the warm water.
What is happening to me? Calverd thought, feeling shocked by everything he was currently experiencing in his body and his feelings. Why is my shaft erect? Why is my heart beating so fast just from seeing them? Why does it feel like... I want to be like Kaydan?
Those questions spun wildly in his head. He continued to watch Arvin and Kaydan who were still hugging each other tightly in their happiness.
It seems... Arvin truly loves all of his spouses sincerely. Calverd thought again. His brain began to assess and absorb the expression Kaydan showed while hugging his savior's body. Just from seeing them, I can already feel the happiness being felt by that Larde boy.
The strange feeling Calverd felt right now slowly turned into something suffocating.
The indigo-haired youth bit his lower lip, trying desperately to hold back that turbulence. He also tried to ignore and even tried his hardest to eliminate that yearning feeling in his silence. However, the more he tried to deny and fight it, the more that feeling suffocated his chest.
No longer able to contain the overwhelming pressure in his chest, Calverd unconsciously called out his savior's name.
"Arvin?"