In the capital, Ordion, Dylan, and Victor, now accompanied by Oliver, were walking down the street leading to the royal palace.
Even though it was getting dark, and their bodies felt sticky, covered in sweat and dust after exploring the dense eastern forest, it did not deter their steps in the slightest. Their intentions were set on meeting the King immediately.
A few moments later, the footsteps of the four youths finally arrived in front of the palace's main gate, strictly guarded by two fully armed royal soldiers.
Seeing the silhouettes of the approaching group, the two soldiers initially went on high alert. However, upon realizing that the arrivals were the Third Prince, walking side by side with the fifth son of the kingdom's Prime Minister, and Ordion, one of Arvin Vedegra's spouses, the two soldiers opened the gate for their group without a second thought.
"Good evening, Your Highness, Young Masters!" greeted one of the soldiers with a highly polite tone and a deep bow of respect. "Please, come inside!"
"Thank you." Oliver replied with a faint smile, representing them.
With calm and relaxed steps, the four youths walked past the security gate, entering the palace courtyard adorned with flower gardens and a fountain reflecting the moonlight. The peaceful silence of the palace briefly offered a little solace from the physical exhaustion plaguing them.
They continued walking down the corridors leading to the main doors of the throne room.
Upon arriving there, the two soldiers on duty immediately pushed open the doors to the throne room, allowing them to walk inside where the King currently was.
Inside the throne room, King Garland, who was reading a few parchment scrolls, was quite surprised by his son's sudden arrival. Moreover, Oliver did not come alone. He was accompanied by three youths, one of whom was Ordion.
Seeing the unexpected guests, the King immediately understood the situation.
It seems they came here tonight to ask for my permission to allow Oliver to live with them. King Garland thought to himself as he slowly put down his parchment. Even without bothering to ask for permission, I wouldn't have minded at all about my son living with them.
However, the King chose to remain seated calmly, acting as though he knew nothing about their intentions.
"Welcome!" greeted King Garland, his voice echoing warmly as he welcomed them in the center of the room. "What business brings you all to see me tonight?"
Ordion, Dylan, and Victor simultaneously bowed down, paying their proper respects to King Garland.
"Thank you for your warm welcome, Your Majesty!" replied Ordion on behalf of his brothers, his voice sounding straightforward and full of respect. "We did not come here with the intention of disturbing your rest. We simply wanted to directly ask for your permission to allow Prince Oliver to live with us at the mansion starting tonight."
"Raise your heads!"
The three youths slowly raised their faces, looking straight at the King sitting upon his throne.
"Of course, you have my permission!" King Garland answered from his throne without the slightest hesitation. "Besides, Oliver is already an adult. He has every right to decide his own future. The four of you really didn't need to come to this palace just to ask for my permission!"
Hearing the King's answer, Ordion was not immediately appeased. On the contrary, he grew suspicious of Oliver's father, who seemed completely unbothered by allowing his son to just leave the palace.
"This is strange!" Ordion said bluntly, giving the King an inquiring look. "Why are you letting him go so easily, Your Majesty? Was this your plan from the very beginning?"
King Garland gasped slightly. Behind his calm facade, he was quite amazed by the sharp instincts possessed by Arvin's third spouse.
Even though he is only a commoner, he is incredibly perceptive and smart! the King praised in his heart, feeling a sense of admiration. I cannot underestimate his instincts and analytical skills. If I make a mistake in my words, it will only end up harming my own son.
"Not at all!" answered King Garland firmly, clearing up the misunderstanding before it could grow. "I allowed it easily because, from the very beginning, my son has always liked Arvin! He told me once. He said he had been interested since the first time they met in the academy library, long before Arvin had the white contract symbol on the back of his hands."
Hearing the revelation, Ordion turned his head toward Oliver, who was standing beside Victor.
"Have you really liked him for a long time?"
Oliver returned Ordion's gaze, then nodded slowly, confirming it.
"Yes, that's true, and I will not deny it." answered Oliver in a quiet yet steady voice.
"Ever since that incident in the library, I have felt deeply attracted to him." he continued his sentence, reminiscing about the past. "Because he is the only one who ever dared to interrupt my words with a cold face, not even hesitating to act rudely to me in front of many other academy students, completely disregarding my status as the third prince of this kingdom. He didn't see me as a prince. He only saw me as a normal human being who was disturbing his peace."
Hearing the honest explanation, not only Ordion felt too shocked to speak. Dylan and Victor felt the exact same way. The three of them had never expected that from the very beginning, Oliver had been harboring feelings for their husband.
"Hahaha."
Ordion's unrestrained laughter suddenly echoed throughout the vast throne room, causing everyone inside to look at him in bewilderment.
"Why are you laughing like that in front of His Majesty the King?" Dylan asked in confusion while gently nudging Ordion's arm.
"Sorry, sorry. I truly didn't expect that our husband and Oliver would actually share the exact same feelings." answered Ordion, trying to hold back the rest of his laughter. "What kind of fate is this, really? Hahaha."
"W-What did you just say?" Oliver exclaimed suddenly, unable to believe what he had just heard. "Does... does Arvin like me too?"
Ordion stopped his laughter. He looked at the prince, then nodded to confirm the statement with an expression that had now turned serious again.
"He told us about it himself, directly. If he hadn't said with his own mouth that he wanted you, there's no way we would have come to this palace, let alone allowing you to approach him."
Hearing the newly revealed fact, King Garland, who had been listening to their conversation from his throne, frowned deeply.
"Wait a moment, Ordion! If Arvin truly liked Oliver from the very beginning, then why did he refuse so adamantly when I wanted to arrange a marriage between him and my son?"