In the capital of the Victoriaz Kingdom, the weather that afternoon felt very bright. The sunlight shone warmly, piercing through the leaves of a shady tree growing in the side yard of the temporary house.
Under the shade of the tree, Arvin was sitting and leaning back calmly. His left hand held an ancient magic book that he had previously taken from the underground room of the academy library, while his eyes focused on reading every line of characters written there.
However, the atmosphere that afternoon seemed different from usual. Kylen, who had sulked the night before and asked to be pampered, was now sitting comfortably on Arvin's lap. He hugged Arvin's body tightly, resting his chin on his future husband's shoulder.
On the other hand, Arvin's right hand moved in a slow and steady rhythm, gently stroking Kylen's back from top to bottom.
Feeling the consistent strokes, the prince felt very comfortable in his husband's embrace.
"I want to leave here immediately and be proposed to by you!" Kylen said breaking the silence, his voice sounding impatient. His hands hugged Arvin's body even tighter, as if reluctant to let go for even a second.
Arvin briefly stopped his reading activity. He turned his head, looking at Kylen's face from the side.
"Be patient for a moment, Kylen." Arvin replied in a very gentle tone. "Do you want to be bound by a Life-and-Death Contract with me that badly?"
Hearing that question, Kylen lifted his face and immediately looked at his husband's face.
"What kind of silly question did you just ask?" Kylen whispered in a spoiled, annoyed tone. "Of course I want to immediately become your legal spouse! I don't feel free if my status is still like this!"
Arvin smiled faintly, his hand returning to slowly stroke the prince's back.
"I also want to propose to you here right away, Kylen. But, I must do it to my fifth prospective spouse first, only then can I propose to you." Arvin explained, providing understanding. "I don't want to step over him, who had promised and wanted to marry me first. I hope you can understand this matter."
Kylen let out a soft sigh, realizing that what Arvin said was true and fair.
"I understand." he said, finally resigning, leaning his head back again. "But... is it allowed if I want to take a bath with you this afternoon?"
"I don't mind it. Allen, Alrain, Ordion, and Alvein also won't feel jealous when you see me naked in there." Arvin answered casually. His eyes refocused on reading the pages of the book he was holding. "Only my spouses or people they acknowledge are allowed to bathe with me."
"Will they be angry if a stranger sees your naked body?" Kylen asked curiously, his index finger playing with Arvin's shirt buttons.
"Yes, you're right. They will definitely be very angry at that person and also at me, if a stranger dares to see my naked body."
"Since I have already been acknowledged by them and simultaneously hold the status of your prospective spouse, it's not a problem if I take a bath with you now, right?" Kylen asked to confirm once again.
"Didn't I just tell you, Kylen? Of course you are allowed." Arvin answered gently. He then closed the book in his hand. "By the way, I do want to take a bath immediately and go to the slum area after this. Do you want to bathe with me now?"
Hearing the words 'slum area', the prince instantly looked straight into Arvin's face. He felt surprised by the destination his husband would be going to next.
"To the slum area?" he repeated in astonishment, his forehead furrowing. "What do you want to do in a place like that?"
"There is something I want to confirm there. And for this afternoon, I ask you and the four of them to just go for a casual stroll around the capital before the tournament officially starts tomorrow." Arvin answered, giving an instruction.
Seeing the seriousness in his husband's eyes, Kylen did not ask many questions anymore and merely nodded in understanding.
Arvin then raised his left hand and stored the magic book back into his storage dimension space. He gently patted Kylen's back, signaling for the prince to stand up.
After Kylen got off his lap, Arvin also stood up. The two of them then walked side by side toward the bathroom inside the house.
Upon arriving inside the bathroom, Kylen suddenly fell completely silent. He stood frozen near the tightly closed door when he saw Arvin, without the slightest hesitation, begin to take off all his clothes one by one, until he was finally naked right in front of him.
Thump-thump! Thump-thump!
Kylen's heart instantly raced very fast upon witnessing the beautiful sight presented so clearly before his eyes. He gulped.
Is this what my husband's naked body looks like? Kylen thought, his eyes filled with an adoring gaze as they traced every curve of muscle and proportion of Arvin's body. I really want to touch, caress, and hug his body!
Even though his heart was beating erratically, the youth forced his hands to move. He began taking off his own clothes one by one until not a single piece of clothing remained attached to his body.
Kylen stepped closer. Hearing the sound of footsteps, Arvin turned to him.
At that very moment, when their gazes met, Kylen's face immediately flushed bright red. He became flustered and reflexively crossed both his hands downward, covering his shaft that was already hardening.
Seeing Kylen's reaction of suddenly covering his lower part, Arvin held back his laughter.
"Are you still feeling embarrassed around me?" Arvin asked in a teasing tone, seeing Kylen standing stiffly and flustered. "If you are still embarrassed, I don't mind taking a bath alone."
Hearing the words 'taking a bath alone', a strong urge seemed to strike the prince's head. Slowly, Kylen lowered both his hands and forced himself to step forward, approaching his future husband.
"Let's bathe together, and let me soap your body!" Kylen said, trying to sound brave, even though his face was still red.
Arvin nodded in agreement to his spouse's request.
A few moments later, the sound of gushing water flowing over both of their bodies began to be heard filling the room.
Kylen took the soap and started rubbing it on Arvin's back. That moment of bathing together gave him a truly new and intimate experience with his husband.
The situation became even more thrilling for the youth when it was Arvin's turn to take the soap and soap his body back. Every stroke of the hand on his skin felt so gentle and comfortable. The feeling of wanting to continue being pampered by his husband surged strongly in his chest.
Honestly, I want to marry him right away! Kylen thought, his feelings becoming extremely impatient. His touches on my body make me almost unable to hold myself back. But... I already said out loud that he has to propose to me officially in front of my father.
While holding back the surge within his body, Kylen looked at Arvin's face, who was focused on cleaning his arm.
"Darling, if I want to become your official spouse right now, right here, are you willing?" Kylen asked suddenly, his voice trembling slightly because he was too impatient to marry his lover.
Hearing that question, Arvin stopped his hand movements for a moment and looked right into Kylen's eyes.
"I don't mind at all." Arvin answered in a calm and rational tone. "But you are a prince, and I must not recklessly marry you in secret in a place like this. If I do it, I will definitely be considered a noble who knows no manners or etiquette, and I don't want that to happen."