As Arion had anticipated, after that question left his mouth, the atmosphere in the room, previously colored by happiness, instantly became silent and tense.
All the youths in the room, who had previously been immersed in the joy of welcoming Oliver, now instantly looked toward Arvin. Their gazes converged on a single point, as if waiting and wanting to know what kind of answer their husband would give to Arion.
Under the stare of dozens of eyes, Arvin showed no signs of evasion. He stood calmly, meeting their gazes one by one before finally refocusing his eyes on the reddish-yellow-haired youth in front of him.
"It seems I really must tell all of you." he said, breaking the silence. His voice flowed slowly and calmly, yet sounded incredibly clear in everyone's ears in that room. "Sooner or later, this was bound to happen."
Arvin slowly raised his hand. He touched and caressed the side of Arion's face with a very gentle movement. He gazed deeply into his spouse's pair of pale light purple eyes.
"Could I ask you to wait until tomorrow morning?" Arvin requested, his tone implying a hope for understanding and patience from his spouse. "Tomorrow morning, right before Dylan and I head to the Salverin territory, I will explain everything."
In truth, what Arvin said harbored no ulterior motives whatsoever. He wasn't trying to run away, nor did he intend to keep hiding many secrets from all his spouses.
His reason for delaying was incredibly simple: he was merely waiting for Kylen to wake up.
When Kylen, who is currently in the capital of the Kingdom of Flamort, wakes up tomorrow morning, he will be able to explain everything all at once to his sixth spouse there.
On the other hand, Arion, who was still staring intently at his husband's face, didn't expect to receive such an answer from the person he loved so deeply.
To the reddish-yellow-haired youth, that delayed answer made it seem as though Arvin still didn't want to tell everything, as if he was stalling for time until Arion forgot about who he truly was and what he had actually done in 'that era'.
"I don't mind if you don't want to tell me, My Star." Arion said softly, not wanting to be selfish in the slightest. From the very beginning, his only goal was to support his husband, who was also his hero, for all eternity.
Arion didn't want to force Arvin to say what he didn't wish to say.
"I'm just curious about the reason why you lied to me instead, about me dying by suicide." the reddish-yellow-haired youth continued, expressing the confusion residing in his heart and mind.
Hearing his spouse's honesty and understanding, Arvin smiled gently. That smile radiated a warmth laden with a husband's affection.
"Tomorrow morning, I will still tell you, and them as well." Arvin said, standing firm on his decision. "Because there is no longer any point for me to keep hiding it from you all, who have decided to become my spouses."
"If you don't want to tell me, it's better if you just don't say it!" Arion replied swiftly and firmly, his expression tinged with guilt. "I don't want to force you either!"
Arvin completely understood Arion's feelings, as his spouse was now feeling bad toward him. However, his resolve was absolute. He still had to be honest with all of his spouses. He didn't want anything hidden anymore among those who were always sincere and loyal to him.
"You don't need to feel bad like that, Arion." Arvin said in a calm voice, trying to soothe his ninth spouse. "This is my own decision! Tomorrow morning, I will tell all of you."
Hearing what his husband said, remaining so steadfast in his resolve, Arion felt even worse for asking something he thought he shouldn't have brought up. However, on the other hand, his curiosity and his determination to have no lies between them made the reddish-yellow-haired youth finally sigh and nod in agreement.
"If you truly don't feel forced, My Star, very well. I will wait for your explanation tomorrow morning."
"Yes, I promise I will tell you everything..." Arvin paused for a moment, then shifted his gaze to all of his spouses still standing silently in the bedroom. "...and to all of you as well."
Hearing that promise, all the youths in the room nodded in unison. Although they remained silent, their expressions showed that they were also extremely curious about the great secret their husband had been hiding all this time.
Meanwhile, Arvin's decision to share his secret with them surprisingly brought him a certain sense of peace. A long sigh laden with relief unknowingly escaped his lips. The heavy, invisible burden that had been weighing on him all this time felt slightly lifted.
However, a sudden request instantly made Arvin shift his attention back to Arion.
"My Star?" he called out suddenly. This time, his tone was no longer serious and demanding, but sounded slightly hesitant yet excited. "Could... could you give me some money? I desperately need funds to buy all the items I'll use as materials for my alchemy experiments."
Hearing a request so relevant to the development of his spouse's abilities, Arvin didn't need to think twice.
"Of course, Arion! I will gladly provide the money you need for your experiments so you can become the greatest alchemist in this world!"
An incredibly bright, happy smile instantly bloomed wide on Arion's face. His pale light purple eyes sparkled with gratitude. He felt so thankful and lucky to have a husband who not only protected him but also truly appreciated and fully supported his talent in alchemy.
"But, listen to my words carefully, Arion." Arvin said, cutting through his spouse's euphoria. His tone instantly shifted, becoming much firmer.
Arion's expression immediately turned serious. He stood up straight, ready to listen to whatever his husband had to say.
"Because you can't fight and know nothing about this capital, someone must accompany you when you go out to buy those materials!" Arvin stated firmly while looking seriously into his spouse's pale light purple eyes. "I don't want you getting hurt or scammed by other people out there!"
Arion didn't feel pressured or restricted at all about the warning coming from his husband's mouth. On the contrary, he felt deeply loved and protected.
"Yes, My Star!" Arion answered, incredibly happy. "I promise I won't go alone. I will ask those who can fight to accompany me when I go shopping."