The bright morning sunlight swept across the rooftops of the buildings in Lazavis City, bringing a refreshing cool breeze.
Inside the main residence of the Altavis family, the atmosphere was no longer as peaceful as the previous days. Bustling activity could be seen in every corner of the mansion. Servants bustled back and forth carrying floral arrangements, silk fabrics, and various final preparations.
The highly anticipated day was right before their eyes. The double wedding ceremony between Kazien Altavis and his three fiancés, as well as Raliana Altavis and Dave, would be held tomorrow.
In the midst of that pleasant busyness, a horse carriage stopped in the front courtyard. Virena, carrying Vildan, their firstborn son who was still a baby and sound asleep, along with her husband, Victor, had finally arrived in Lazavis City.
The arrival of the three of them was immediately warmly welcomed by all members of the Altavis family who happened to be gathering in the family room.
Seeing the tiny baby in his sister-in-law's embrace, Alvin immediately stepped closer. The golden-yellow-haired High Elf looked at Vildan with his eyes sparkling with full interest.
"Sister Virena, may I hold him for a moment?" asked Alvin in a gentle and careful tone.
Virena smiled motherly. "Of course you may, Alvin. Come here!" she replied while slowly handing her son over to her prospective brother-in-law.
Alvin received and held the baby very carefully, ensuring the position of his hands and arms supported Vildan's small body comfortably.
When the baby squirmed slightly and opened his eyes, a warm feeling instantly spread through his chest. Holding a fragile and innocent little child made a smile of happiness bloom on his face.
"I can't wait to hold my own child, soon." Alvin murmured unconsciously, his voice very quiet, almost like a whisper as he continued to look at the tiny baby's face in his embrace.
However, in the middle of the family room where coincidentally no one was speaking at that moment, that quiet murmur was heard very clearly by everyone.
Spontaneously, all members of the Altavis family shifted their gaze to the exact same spot. All their gazes were fixed on Kazien, who was sitting on the sofa. The look in their eyes seemed to silently demand that he immediately grant Alvin's sincere wish.
Receiving this invisible pressure from his entire family, the silvery-white-haired youth could only smile wryly, feeling awkward under the gaze of his family who seemed impatient, demanding that he immediately have offspring from his marriage.
After feeling satisfied enough and returning Vildan to Virena's lap, Alvin walked closer and sat next to Kazien. He looked at his fiancé's face with a gaze full of hope.
"I am truly looking forward to the arrival of our child... eighteen months after our wedding later, My Dear." Alvin said, confirming the promise they had made in the meadow yesterday.
Hearing that specific time limit, Duke Elgard raised an eyebrow.
"Why must you wait that long? Why must it be eighteen months after your wedding?" asked the Duke with a puzzled expression, representing the curiosity of the entire family present there.
Alvin turned his head and looked at his father-in-law's face calmly. "Because in exactly eighteen months, Arken will finally be truly of age, Father. Allen and I have agreed to wait until he turns sixteen years old first."
Hearing that highly logical answer, Duke Elgard and the other family members finally realized the situation. Arken was indeed still too young to be faced with biological maturity.
In the eyes of the Altavis family, Kazien, who always held fast to his principles, would certainly not be willing to violate the norms and laws of coming-of-age that applied in the Garveon Kingdom.
"It is alright, that is a very wise decision!" said Duchess Larina, breaking the silence. The red-haired woman radiated a very strong motherly aura while smiling teasingly. "The most important thing is that your marriage bond is officiated first. That way, Kazien will no longer be able to act as he pleases when he sees a cute-looking boy while you all are on your adventure later."
Why is it always me being cornered? Kazien thought in resignation, rubbing the back of his neck. Even though the three of them are already very cute and perfect, you know. Indeed, I admit that I am easily captivated when I see cute-looking boys. But, I will also never be willing to betray the promise and oath I have made to Arken.
"You are right, Mother!" Allen suddenly chimed in, crossing his arms over his chest while nodding in agreement. "Kazien indeed always has a weakness like that. Fortunately, he swore and promised absolutely to Arken back then that there would be no fourth person he will marry."
Allen's blunt remark instantly made Kazien's wry smile widen, unable to defend himself because the historical facts were indeed like that.
An opposite reaction was instead shown by his entire family. They all laughed freely, enlivening the atmosphere of the family room. Behind that laughter, they also felt relieved that Kazien truly held to his oath of loyalty not to add any more fiancés.
A few moments later, when the hustle and bustle inside the mansion began to subside, Kazien chose to step away for a moment to seek some tranquility. He sat alone on a garden bench in the mansion's backyard, enjoying the cool morning breeze.
Not long after, the sound of soft footsteps approaching could be heard. Raliana, with a slightly tense expression on her face, came approaching her adopted younger brother.
"Kazien!" called Raliana softly, then joined him sitting on the same long bench. "Are you... are you feeling nervous about our wedding ceremonies tomorrow?"
Kazien turned his head and shook it slowly.
"Not at all, Sister." Kazien answered casually. "I actually feel very relieved and happy because in the end I will officially marry the three of them. Why do you ask? Are you feeling nervous?"
The beautiful woman let out a long sigh and nodded slowly. Raliana's hands squeezed the edge of her own dress.
"Honestly, I am very nervous! It even feels like my stomach has been a little upset since morning." Raliana confessed honestly. Her eyes gazed at the expanse of flowers in the garden with a sorrowful look. "Before long, my status will change. I will live with my husband and will be far from all of you, from this mansion... from the family that has accepted and cared for me."
Hearing the typical doubts and anxieties of a bride-to-be from his adopted older sister, Kazien looked at Raliana and smiled very gently at her.
"Come on, Sister Raliana. Do not be nervous and burden your mind like that." Kazien comforted with a soothing tone of voice. "Don't you love Dave very much? This marriage is the beginning of your new life with him. Just welcome that moment of happiness with a light heart full of joy. You are never truly far from us."
"I know that. But... what should I do to be able to act relaxed and not nervous like you, Kazien?" asked Raliana, seeking a way out of her anxiety.
"It's simple. Try closing your eyes for a moment, then just think of your husband's face smiling, looking at you with full happiness when the two of you stand side by side at the altar tomorrow." Kazien suggested gently, sharing his secret. "Because honestly, I am doing the exact same thing right now. To drive away the anxiety, I only think of the faces of Alvin, Allen, and Arken smiling happily to welcome our wedding day."
Hearing the simple advice coming from her younger brother's mouth, Raliana slowly closed her eyes.
Suddenly, she could imagine very clearly Dave's handsome face smiling brightly, looking at her with a gaze full of love as their wedding ceremony took place.
A small smile slowly blossomed on the woman's lips. And without her realizing it, the nervousness, restlessness, and anxiety that previously squeezed her chest slowly faded and disappeared without a trace.
Raliana opened her eyes, looking at Kazien with a much lighter feeling.
"Thank you very much, Kazien." Raliana said sincerely. Now, there was no longer an anxious expression on her face, only the remaining beautiful aura of a bride-to-be ready to welcome the future. "Your advice is truly effective. I feel very ready for our wedding ceremony tomorrow!"
The silvery-white-haired youth let out a relieved sigh, then nodded while returning his older sister's smile.
Not long after, Raliana took her leave to go back inside the mansion. She had to do a final fitting for the wedding dress she would wear tomorrow, leaving Kazien alone again in the backyard.
After his sister left, Kazien tilted his head up, looking at the expanse of clouds decorating the bright sky.
I truly cannot wait for my wedding day with Alvin, Allen, and Arken tomorrow. he thought enthusiastically. A highly sincere smile of happiness was clearly carved on his face. I am very ready to bear the responsibility of being a husband who protects them, and someday... will also be a good father.
With overwhelming feelings, Kazien rose from the garden bench. He walked inside the mansion, intending to double-check everything as well as prepare his own wedding clothes so that everything would be perfect for tomorrow.