The late morning sunlight began to creep in through the windows, providing warm natural lighting in the living room of Arvin's residence in the capital. The atmosphere inside the room felt quite serious.
Arvin, Allen, Alrain, and Ordion were sitting gathered together. According to what Allen and Alrain had wanted earlier, this was the right time to start listening to the story that Ordion would tell about his past life. A story expected to provide a lot of important information to face future obstacles.
Ordion had just taken a deep breath, preparing to open his mouth and begin his tale. However, a completely unexpected reaction was actually shown by his husband.
"I don't need to hear your story, Ordion!" Arvin cut in with a flat and calm tone.
Hearing the sudden rejection from their husband, silence instantly gripped the living room. Not only did Ordion widen his eyes in shock, but Allen and Alrain who were sitting on the other side of the sofa also felt the same way. They looked at each other with confused expressions.
"W-Why don't you want to listen to my story, My Dear?" Ordion asked with a slightly trembling voice. His face lowered, unable to hide the look of deep disappointment due to his husband's refusal. "Do you think that my story will eventually just be a lie to you?"
Does he not trust me at all even though we are already bound by a contract? Ordion thought to himself, feeling anxious and sad.
Seeing his third spouse's pitiful facial expression, Arvin immediately shook his head slowly. He then waved his right hand with a very gentle motion, gesturing for Ordion to come closer.
"That is not what I mean." Arvin said soothingly. "Sit on my lap for a moment, Ordion. I want to look at your face up close."
Without the slightest hesitation, and with his feelings still in turmoil, Ordion immediately stood up. He stepped closer and directly sat himself on his husband's lap. That position made the two of them look at each other from a very close distance, to the point where Ordion could feel Arvin's steady breaths.
Arvin's right hand slowly raised, touching and stroking his third spouse's cheek very gently.
"Now, throw away those negative thoughts of yours." Arvin said while staring straight into Ordion's eyes. "Right now, you only need to answer my question as honestly as possible."
Feeling the warmth of his husband's palm on his cheek, Ordion's anxious feelings slowly evaporated. He nodded obediently and was willing to answer everything his husband would ask.
"Since when did you start liking me, and what is your main reason, Ordion?" asked Arvin with his low baritone voice.
Ordion swallowed hard for a moment, gathering his courage to tell his honesty to his husband, which would be witnessed directly by Allen and Alrain.
"Since you defended Allen from the cruel bullying near the library that time." Ordion answered honestly, his eyes not leaving Arvin's blue gaze. "At that very second, I have secretly always considered you my hero in this academy. But... when in the hallway in front of Class 2-A, you were very harsh in rejecting Allen until his dignity was completely shattered, I became very terrified. I didn't dare to tell you my feelings for fear of ending up just like him."
Ordion took a slow breath before continuing his confession.
"During that incident, I also heard your firm words that you only wanted a strong spouse!" Ordion continued, his voice now sounding much steadier. "And since that moment too, I possessed a strong determination. I really wanted to be acknowledged by you, until finally my power truly awakened when I was thoroughly bullied by a noble."
Both of Ordion's hands slowly and gently squeezed Arvin's shoulders. "My goal from the beginning in trying hard to become strong, was purely just because I wanted to become a spouse worthy of standing by your side forever!"
The honesty and steely determination spoken from Ordion's mouth made the atmosphere of the room deeply touching. Allen and Alrain who had been listening all along felt very proud and relieved for Ordion, who had now officially become their husband's third spouse. The sense of solidarity grew even stronger among the three of them.
Hearing the sincere confession full of conviction, Arvin could not hold himself back from smiling. A very sincere and warm smile was clearly carved in front of his third spouse's face.
"So it's like that, huh?" Arvin replied softly. "That was apparently your main goal that allowed you to awaken your extraordinary hidden power?"
Ordion nodded quickly with eyes filled with absolute conviction.
"Are you happy being my third spouse?" Arvin asked again, even though he already knew what his third spouse's answer would be.
"Of course I am very happy!" Ordion answered firmly yet full of overflowing sincerity. "If it wasn't for my strong desire to become very worthy of being by your side, it would be impossible for me to be willing to train desperately and suffer to become strong like this!"
"That is enough for me!" Arvin replied sincerely, his thumb again stroking Ordion's cheek affectionately.
Feeling relieved because his feelings were well-received, Ordion remembered again the core of their initial problem.
"Then... if you really trust me, why didn't you want to listen to my past story earlier?" Ordion cut in suddenly, his curiosity resurfacing to envelop his thoughts.
"Actually, I really want to listen to it, Ordion." Arvin answered, giving an explanation with a much more serious yet still gentle tone. "But, my time is very limited. There are still many crucial things I must do immediately to strengthen the military and foundation of the Vedegra territory as quickly as possible. I cannot possibly waste a lot of my precious time just to sit for hours listening to a story, and then remain silent waiting for the threat of my family's destruction to just approach, right?"
That logical and calculated explanation instantly made Ordion fall silent. The red-haired youth who was still sitting comfortably on Arvin's lap could only look at his husband's handsome face with a sense of full admiration. The same thing was also felt by Allen and Alrain. They realized how heavy the burden their husband was currently carrying.
But for Arvin, as a former gamer, he is not interested in tracking the enemy's movements or identifying his enemies in detail, even though he knew who the key figures were who would eventually become his enemies.
"I hope you don't feel disappointed just because I didn't want to listen to your story today." Arvin said softly, breaking the silence that had frozen over. "I do not mean to ignore or not want to listen to your story at all, Ordion. But, my main priority right now is that I must immediately execute everything I have planned to protect the Vedegra territory from threats."