The question that had just slipped from the red-haired youth's mouth instantly made Kaydan and Calverd freeze. The shoulders of the two youths immediately slumped, and their gazes fell, staring deeply at the floor.
The warmth of the room seemed unable to dispel the cold chill of loss that once again enveloped their hearts over the deaths of all their comrades-in-arms, who had fought desperately since the underground prison.
Seeing the reaction of the two newly arrived youths, Davin, who stood beside them, slowly shook his head.
Catching the gesture from the eighth, Ordion and the others instantly understood the reality of the situation out there.
"Forgive me for asking something that struck such a painful nerve." Ordion said in a deeply apologetic tone, realizing his question had reopened a deep wound. "For now, just take a bath first to refresh yourselves before we all enjoy dinner together here."
Silence crept in for a few moments before the indigo-haired youth finally gathered the courage to lift his head.
"I-It's fine!" Calverd replied, his voice trembling slightly as he finally spoke up. "They all died while the two of us were busy holding off the second prince's attack!"
The faces of the youths in the kitchen paled upon hearing the brief, tragedy-laden explanation.
"So... that's what happened?" Alrain said with an understanding tone, trying to keep his voice calm so as not to further burden the two before him. He stared intently at the indigo-haired youth. "What is your name?"
"I-I am Calverd."
Hearing the introduction, Kaydan, who had been keeping his head down, immediately looked up. His eyes widened as he looked back and forth between Calverd and the ten youths in the room.
"Wait a minute!" Kaydan interrupted suddenly, his voice rising slightly in surprise. "Is he not one of our husband's spouses?"
Everyone in the kitchen spontaneously shook their heads in unison. Calverd, standing next to Kaydan, was also taken aback by what he had just heard from his comrade.
"Our husband's last spouse is only Victor!" Allen clarified, his hand gesturing toward the purple-haired youth standing near the dining table. "There is no one named Calverd among his spouses."
Allen's explanation made the atmosphere a bit awkward, but Ordion quickly intervened with his ever-open-minded perspective.
"But, it's entirely possible that our husband might want to marry him. We never really know how his mind works." Ordion chimed in with a reassuring, subtle smile.
"Don't mind his words!" Alrian suddenly interjected, his tone sounding incredibly soft and friendly. "Let's continue this conversation after you finish bathing and calm yourselves down. We will prepare clean clothes in the right sizes for the two of you."
The green-haired youth then raised his hand, pointing toward a neatly grooved wooden door located not far from the kitchen area. "The bathroom is right over there! Hurry up and take a bath before the food gets cold!"
Kaydan and Calverd nodded in understanding, accepting the kind offer. The two walked side by side toward the designated door. However, just a few steps away from the kitchen area and into the hallway, the indigo-haired youth's face slowly turned beet red.
Are they out of their minds, saying that I might be chosen by that mysterious man? Calverd thought, feeling both bewildered and nervous about the assumptions of the people in the kitchen. There's no way someone like him would ever choose me!
Yet, no matter how hard he tried to deny it, the words the mysterious man had spoken in the dark tunnel suddenly echoed crystal clear in his mind. "Do not ruin your cute face just by crying over what has already happened."
He also recalled the sensation of that invisible, gentle hand wiping away his tears with utmost tenderness.
The barrage of memories made his blood rush wildly. As a result, Calverd immediately covered his face with both hands.
Kaydan, walking beside him, could only turn his head and shake it upon seeing his comrade suddenly acting so strangely, like someone utterly flustered.
....
Meanwhile, in the dining area, all of Arvin's spouses began taking their positions, sitting around the dining table that was now starting to fill up with an array of mouth-watering, delicious dishes.
"It seems we'll have to talk to our husband about this small dining table." Allen initiated the conversation, stating something that sounded very logical given their current spatial constraints. "If Kaydan and Calverd really do join us here, this table won't be big enough for all of us to sit comfortably."
The first spouse's remark made the other nine youths, who were already sitting closely together at the table, nod in agreement.
"Let's just wait until he gets back!" Kylen replied quickly, addressing the table issue. "If we have to eat crammed together like this every day, it'll definitely be unpleasant, right? Even I'll have a hard time moving my arms while eating my own food."
"Hahaha."
Their laughter broke out instantly upon hearing the sixth's blunt and unfiltered remark.
"I'm of the same mind as you, Kylen." Alvein chimed in, joining the laughter-inducing complaint. "These wings of mine will also end up constantly brushing against the faces or bodies of whoever is sitting on my left and right. Hahaha."
Laughter erupted once more, echoing through the dining room. Light banter and jokes continued to flow among them, creating a familial atmosphere that was incredibly warm and soothing.
The echoes of their laughter and chatter could be heard all the way inside the bathroom.
While letting the water wash away the remaining dust and blood from his body, Kaydan listened to the commotion intently.
Is this what my married life with my husband and all of them will be like? Kaydan thought, feeling immensely eager to mingle with his peaceful new environment. Their chatter and laughter sound so happy and genuine, devoid of the fakeness and intrigue I so often heard while I was still a royal slave.
However, amidst his relief and joy, he was suddenly reminded of Arvin, who was currently left behind in the Victoriaz Kingdom territory, fighting a lone battle against the princes and royal forces to protect their escape.
My Light... I hope you return soon...
In another corner of the bathroom, Calverd felt the same way. The environment inside the mansion felt so warm and comforting, a place seemingly untouched by the cruelty of the outside world.
But his mind wasn't dwelling on that warmth, instead, he was thinking about something else entirely.
Does that mysterious man also want me to be his spouse? he thought nervously, constantly guessing what the hero who had saved him was actually thinking. If that turns out to be the reality, what should I do?
But a second later, the darkest memory of his life struck back without mercy. The memory of his helplessness when he was raped by those guard soldiers, combined with the bitter reality that his savior had witnessed that shameful and disgusting incident, shattered the indigo-haired youth's feelings into pieces like smashed glass.
His chest felt tight. His breathing grew heavy.
I am already dirty! Calverd thought in frustration, bowing his head deeply under the stream of water. It is completely impossible that he would be willing to accept someone as disgraced and 'used by others' as me.