After Ordion gone, the atmosphere turned quiet. Only Yonna remained in the kitchen, with Arvin sitting relaxed at the dining table. Silence dominated the room for a few moments before Arvin finally spoke.
"Yonna, do you want to become my younger brother's second wife?" He asked suddenly, breaking the silence sharply.
The frontal question instantly made the beautiful woman jump in surprise. Her hand movements stopped immediately. She had never expected Arvin to openly suggest such a thing to her.
"W-Why are you asking me to become your brother's wife?" Yonna asked, stuttering, still in total shock from the sudden suggestion.
"Because I believe you can help my brother manage the territory!" Arvin answered casually, yet his words carried an authority that was very hard to refuse. "And my primary reason is so you can forget your feelings for me, as I have no intention of ever making a woman my wife!"
Arvin stared straight at Yonna, ensuring his words were heard clearly. "I don't want you to be tormented by your own feelings!" Arvin continued, still with a calm that was hard to read. "It's better if you find someone else who is willing to love you sincerely. Because I can't marry you, a woman."
Arvin paused for a moment and continued to look at Yonna's face, which still appeared shocked by his words.
"If you continue like this and your feelings for me grow larger, Alrain will become conflicted with his own feelings." Arvin added, being very blunt. "It's not impossible that he would force me to make you my wife as well, and I don't want that to happen! Because I never want to have a woman in my domestic life!"
Those blunt words, full of pressure and so straightforward and firm, left Yonna speechless. She wanted to answer, but her mouth could not make a sound.
However, in her heart, she deeply understood Arvin's intention. She realized that Arvin was severing her hope so she wouldn't continue to be hurt, while also protecting his marriage with Alrain. In her eyes, Arvin's principles of life were absolute and could no longer be contested.
After a long silence, Yonna finally spoke, her tone sounding resigned. "But... will your brother accept me?" Yonna asked, still harboring doubt about Arvin's decision. "Didn't you say you already matched someone for your brother?"
Arvin understood the doubt-filled question coming from the beautiful woman's mouth. He smiled thinly.
"It's no problem!" Arvin answered, still with his casual attitude. "Melisa will surely understand. As a merchant guild employee, you can certainly be a balancing force when he becomes the leader replacing my father! Furthermore, it is quite normal for a high-ranking noble to have more than one wife to continue the family lineage."
The conviction in his explanation made it impossible for Yonna to evade any longer. And finally, the woman's defenses crumbled instantly. She agreed and was willing to become the candidate for the second wife of the future ruler of the Vedegra territory.
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Allen, Alrain, and Ordion, who were enjoying their relaxed time that morning, suddenly fell silent. Because of the close distance and the quiet atmosphere of the house, the three of them could hear the conversation occurring outside between Arvin and Yonna very clearly.
The three of them never expected their husband to be so firm and strictly hold to his principle of not wanting to marry a woman, especially since that action was taken to protect the feelings of Alrain, who was none other than the younger brother who deeply loved his biological older sister.
Alrain leaned against the edge of the tub, absorbing every word he had just heard. From the beginning, he had already known about Yonna's feelings for Arvin. He also felt that what his husband predicted was true.
If Sister Yonna's feelings for my husband are left alone and grow larger, I will surely feel conflicted and eventually ask him to marry my sister too. Alrain thought, realizing the weakness of his own heart when it came to his sister's happiness.
I never thought my husband was thinking about my feelings to that extent. Alrain continued in his heart, his admiration overflowing. Even though in my previous life he was so cold and harsh, it turns out he truly understands and comprehends my feelings completely and directly cut the problem at its root.
What happened next was Alrain smiling widely in the warm water, feeling very relieved and happy. Not only because his sister's future was now guaranteed to be in the Vedegra territory, but he also felt happy because his husband understood and protected him in a way he had never even imagined before.
A few moments later, the morning bath was finished. After finishing the cooking, Yonna immediately prepared the warm dishes on the table. Likewise, Allen, Alrain, and Ordion, the three of them now neatly dressed in their academy uniforms, headed straight for the dining table.
They sat and began to taste the dishes Ordion had made. And they were truly surprised because the breakfast made by the third spouse was so delicious to their palates.
"Your cooking is very delicious, Ordion!" Allen praised after swallowing his food. He looked at Ordion with a playful smile. "Was it really me who taught you how to cook in your previous life?"
Ordion laughed softly and nodded, confirming Allen's words. "Yes, you were the one who taught me! If it weren't because of you, there's no way I could cook like this!"
"Damn it!" Alrain interrupted suddenly, putting down his spoon. He felt a bit slighted by Ordion's cooking skills, which immediately received praise. "Why am I the only one who can't cook? I really want to be able to cook like all of you!"
Hearing the complaint that sounded like a pout, Allen and Ordion could not hold back their laughter.
"Hahaha!" the sound of their laughter erupted in the dining room, making Alrain's face turn crimson from frustration and embarrassment.
"Why are you laughing at me?" Alrain cried out crossly, pouting his lips. "Whatever, I don't care! You all must teach me how to cook!"
"Okay, okay, okay..." Allen answered while trying to stop his laughter and wiping the corner of his eye. "Ordion and I will definitely teach you until you can cook!"
Ordion, sitting across from him, nodded in agreement with a warm smile.
Their answer and willingness made Alrain smile happily again. The small rivalry evaporated just like that, until the atmosphere in the dining room was once again filled with warmth and intimacy.
The three of them never commented on the conversation between Arvin and Yonna. They didn't want to make that girl feel hesitant about forgetting her feelings for their husband.