Ordion, Dylan, Victor, and Oliver had just passed through the gates separating the mansion from the capital's main street, stepping together into the courtyard.
Oliver, visiting Arvin's mansion for the very first time, looked at the grand building standing majestically before his eyes.
I truly cannot wait to live my new life with them. Oliver thought, his chest fluttering with an enthusiasm he could not hide. But I really did not expect that all this time they were living in a noble neighborhood, and that the distance is actually quite close to the palace.
"Oliver!"
That call instantly broke Oliver's reverie. He blinked, then turned to the person who had just called his name. "What is it, Ordion?"
"Before we go inside, if Alrain acts very cold and unfriendly toward you later, I hope you can understand and not take it to heart." Ordion said, giving an early warning.
Oliver furrowed his brow. He did not understand.
"If you are wondering what the reason is," Ordion continued before the prince even had the chance to ask a question, "I cannot tell you right now. It's better for you to be patient and wait until our husband returns so he can explain it to you directly."
Even though in his heart he completely did not understand why Arvin's spouse named Alrain might act hostile toward him, Oliver chose to comply. He did not want to complicate the situation further on his very first day.
"Yes, I understand."
However, behind his brief answer, a feeling of anxiety began to creep into his chest. The youth truly did not understand where his fault lay that made Alrain dislike him, even though they had never interacted at all.
If Alrain blatantly dislikes me to the point of rejecting my presence in this mansion, Arvin's other spouses will most likely reject me too. Oliver thought anxiously, contemplating the difficult position he might face.
However, just as they arrived in front of the mansion's doors, the doors opened.
From within the mansion, Allen stepped out first, followed by Alrain, Alrian, Davin, and Arion.
In Oliver's eyes, only those five people were welcoming them. But in reality, Kaydan and Calverd had also come out. It was just that the two youths were perfectly protected by invisibility magic.
Alvein strictly adhered to the mandate given by their husband to continuously conceal Kaydan and Calverd's presence whenever they were outside the mansion.
"Where have the three of you been that you are only arriving now?" Allen asked in a worried tone, opening the conversation between them.
"Forgive us for making you all worry." Ordion answered in an apologetic tone. "The three of us did not head straight home because we just went to visit the palace. We had to directly ask for His Majesty King Garland's permission to let Prince Oliver live with us in this house."
Hearing Ordion mention the name and title of the prince of the Astoria Kingdom, Alrain immediately approached Ordion's group. His gaze sharpened, staring at Oliver's figure standing next to Victor.
Realizing that Alrain was approaching him, Oliver instantly felt awkward and out of place. His heart beat faster, especially when he was glared at sharply by the green-haired youth.
"Hey, you!" Alrain exclaimed harshly, addressing Oliver in a very unfriendly manner. "What is your actual purpose in coming to this house with them?"
Finding himself greeted with such hostile treatment, Oliver was instantly shocked. He felt increasingly confused about the situation he was facing.
Why is he welcoming me with a glare full of hatred and such a harsh tone? he thought, truly not understanding. This is the first time in my entire life that I have met him. What is my fault that makes him hate me so much?
Seeing the prince just remain silent with a confused face, Alrain grew even more suspicious of him.
"Why are you just keeping quiet?" Alrain pressed again. "Are you trying to think of a plausible excuse so you can deceive all of us here?"
Hearing the baseless accusation thrown at him, Oliver immediately took the initiative to defend himself.
"Of course I have no such malicious intentions!" Oliver retorted quickly, his voice rising, refusing to accept being accused for no clear reason. "I came here because I'm interested in Arvin! I came here intending to wait for his return so I can tell him exactly how I feel in person!"
Alrain glared even more sharply at the pair of light blue eyes in front of him.
"Fine. You may live with us here!" Alrain decided curtly, still staring sharply at the prince. "But remember this well! Even though I'm allowing you to enter, I don't trust you at all! If you so much as dare to do a single suspicious thing inside this mansion, I will never show you any mercy!"
Even though he had obtained permission to stay, at the exact same time, Alrain had also blatantly threatened him.
"What is your problem, actually? Do you dislike the members of the royal family that much?"
"You should already know the answer very clearly!" Alrain answered curtly. "Why are you still asking me such a ridiculous question?"
"I don't understand! Truly don't understand!" replied Oliver, who increasingly did not understand where his fault lay. "Tell me, why do you dislike members of the royal family like me so much?"
"Because all of you are hypocrites!" Alrain answered bluntly without caring who he was talking to. "You want to know the reason? Let us take a small example from when you were at the academy! As a prince, did you ever take action even once when you saw commoners being oppressed by the nobles around you? You never did, right?"
Oliver instantly fell silent. The sharp words struck his chest like a massive boulder. He could not deny it, nor could he defend himself even in the slightest against the bitter truth Alrain had just stated.
Seeing Oliver at a loss for words, Alrain raised his right hand. He pointed straight at Oliver, pressing his index finger right in the middle of the prince's chest.
For Oliver, it was the second time he had been pointed at right in the chest in such a demeaning manner. And the first person to do so was Arvin.
The attitude of this person named Alrain is truly exactly like Arvin's. Oliver thought, realizing the irony. I'm being treated like this again by someone who does not care at all about my noble status as the third prince of this kingdom. In their eyes, my title is completely meaningless.
"Keep your excuses! You don't need to bother opening your mouth to defend yourself for that hypocrisy of yours!" Alrain stated firmly, emphasizing every word he spat out. "You should be thankful to fate. If our husband had not told us himself that he wanted to make you his spouse, at this very second, I swear I would beat you to a pulp in this courtyard until your face was ruined and completely unrecognizable, even by your father!"
Oliver's body shuddered slightly. He could very clearly feel the killing intent emanating from Alrain's gaze. What he had just heard was not an empty bluff to scare him, but a highly serious threat.
I admit it... that I never did anything and only turned a blind eye when the commoners at the academy were oppressed by the arrogant nobles. Oliver thought, truly realizing his negligence all this time. His chest felt tight with regret. But what could I possibly do?! I'm not like Arvin. He is a genius with terrifying power that always supports all his crazy actions. Whereas me?! I'm just a weak prince whose only strengths lie in thinking and analyzing. I don't possess the power to do the things Arvin can!