Kazien crossed his arms over his chest. His pair of sapphire blue eyes radiated a very sincere warmth. A relieved smile continuously adorned the handsome face of the silvery-white-haired youth as he saw his three spouses so happy.
The youth held back his steps. He chose to remain standing in silence, observing the interactions between parents and children from a distance, not wanting to intrude upon their precious time together.
In one spot, Arken was still holding the person he missed so dearly in a tight embrace.
The scent of his father, the sense from his hug, everything felt so real.
"How have you been, Arken?" Borris asked, his baritone voice flowing gently, breaking the muffled sobs escaping from his son's lips. His hand affectionately rubbed Arken's back.
Hearing the question, Arken slowly loosened his embrace. He looked up, meeting his father's gaze.
"I... I've been very well, and I am so happy now, Father!" Arken answered, his voice slightly nasal and his eyes still welling with tears of joy. "How are you yourself, Father? Have you been lonely in this place?"
Hearing his son's sincere concern, Borris gave a serene smile.
"As you can see now..." Borris replied softly, his hand reaching up to touch and stroke the top of his brown-haired son's head. "You don't need to worry about me. I am very much at peace and comfortable here."
"Really?" Arken exclaimed, his light blue eyes instantly brightening. The heavy burden that had weighed on a corner of his heart regarding his father's life in the afterlife vanished instantly. "Thank goodness... I am truly relieved to hear that, Father."
The brown-haired youth threw himself forward once more, hugging his father tightly as if he never wanted to let go again.
Borris chuckled softly, the laughter vibrating in his chest.
"But, to be honest..." Borris said while continuing to rub his son's back in a soothing rhythm. "...of all the possibilities in the world, I never expected that you would end up marrying the young man who was supposed to be your adoptive older brother."
Hearing the teasing tone from his father, Arken's face flushed slightly. However, instead of letting go, he tightened his hug and began to talk at length about the new chapter of his life after his father's passing.
His story flowed like a river of memories.
The story began from the warm moment he was acknowledged as a younger brother by Kazien, the boundless protection he received, his days studying at the academy, to the heart-fluttering moment when he realized his admiration had blossomed into a deep love for Kazien.
Arken also recounted how he became an adventurer, traveled to other continents, defeated many monsters, until finally, the day he officially stood at the altar and exchanged sacred wedding vows with the young man he loved most in the world.
While Arken spoke with enthusiasm, occasionally interspersed with laughter and shy smiles, Borris did not interrupt in the slightest. The middle-aged man simply listened attentively while continuing to hold his son.
In his heart, Borris smiled with immense relief. As a father who had to leave his son alone in a cruel world, there was no greater pain. But now, seeing his son grow into a young man so strong, brave, and surrounded by such immense love, all of Borris's regrets vanished without a trace.
He also felt relieved that his past decision to make Arken a part of the Altavis family was the best choice he had ever made in his entire life.
After talking for quite a while, the expression on Arken's face gradually changed. His enthusiastic smile faded, replaced by a melancholic gaze that implied deep sorrow.
He looked up to meet Borris's eyes.
"Forgive me, Father..." Arken said, his voice suddenly lowering. "We... won't be able to live together anymore, even in this realm. Because right now, Brother Alvin, Brother Allen, and I have become immortal beings bound by an Eternity Contract with our husband. We will never be able to die."
His immortality now felt like an invisible dividing wall for Arken. He realized he would never be able to join his father in the spirit realm.
Seeing the guilt and sadness in his son's eyes, Borris met his gaze with a highly comforting look.
"You don't need to apologize. I already learned about that directly from Goddess Nirfelia, Arken." the middle-aged man replied in a very gentle tone, harboring not the slightest bit of disappointment. "Even though you are now an immortal existence who will neither age nor die, I'm certain you will live a very happy eternal life together with the three of them."
Hearing his father's words, Arken's heart warmed again. He gave an affectionate smile, leaning his head comfortably against him.
"I feel the same way too, Father... Hehehe." Arken chuckled softly.
I truly feel joyous seeing your current happiness, my son. Borris said inwardly, looking straight ahead at Kazien standing in the distance. The middle-aged man gave a slight nod to Kazien, signaling an immeasurable gratitude. I can now leave you in peace to live in that world with Kazien, Alvin, and Allen.
"Father..." Arken called out suddenly, his voice sounding very faint.
"Yes, Arken?"
"I realize... that this might be my last hug with you." Arken said, his voice trembling again as he tried to hold back the emotions welling up in his throat. "But I want you to know... deep from the bottom of my heart, I love you so much, Father. Forever!"
Borris deeply understood his son's immense and sincere love. He also knew that right now, Arken was feeling deeply shaken by the reality of the eternal separation that would soon occur once they returned to the mortal world.
As a father, Borris knew he had to be a pillar of strength for his son in these final moments. He could not let Arken return to the mortal world with a heavy heart.
"You don't need to worry about that at all, Arken." Borris said firmly yet still exuding gentleness. He cupped both his son's shoulders, trying to make him understand. "Even though we will exist in different worlds, know one thing... I will always be here watching over you, supporting you, and praying for your happiness for all eternity. A father's love is not bound by dimensional space or death."
Arken nodded slowly in his father's embrace, absorbing every word into his soul.
"Right now, you are already married to Kazien, aren't you?" Borris continued, looking straight into his son's light blue eyes. "And your duty now is to be by his side, and be the best spouse for him. Don't let this sorrow weigh you down. Turn it into your strength."
In that instant, the firm words from his father acted like a calming spell that immediately brought Arken to his senses.
My father is right! Arken thought, his eyes instantly reflecting the resolve and conviction that had momentarily wavered. I have decided my life path. I have chosen to live with my husband, Brother Alvin, and Brother Allen for all eternity!
The brown-haired youth let out a slow, long breath, exhaling and discarding all the doubts and sorrows that had shaken his mind.
If I keep dwelling on this separation with tears of weakness, my husband who is fighting to bear the burden of the world's fate, and my father who has found peace here, will surely be disappointed in me. I have decided my destiny, and I must live it with all my heart!
Arken slowly loosened his embrace. He took a step back, then looked up at his father's face. There were no longer any tears of doubt there. The youth's face now radiated a captivating maturity.
"You are right, Father!" Arken said in a loud voice full of unshakable conviction. "Right now, and forevermore, I am the third spouse of Kazien Altavis. Until forever, I will live with my husband wholeheartedly and without hesitation!"
Hearing the declaration of his son who no longer felt doubtful or bound by the sorrow of the past, Borris raised his hand and proudly held the top of his son's head.
"That's my proud son!" Borris declared loudly, followed by a wide, utterly sincere and relieving smile of a father.
Seeing his father smiling without any burden, Arken widened his own smile to reveal his neat teeth, radiating the cheerful charm he always displayed, ready to return to the mortal world and face whatever future awaited them.