Ordion did not immediately answer after hearing the question that had just come out of King Garland's mouth. He looked straight toward the throne, then smiled a very calm and authoritative smile at the King.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty." the red-haired youth answered in a highly polite tone. "I have no right to say anything without permission, especially if it is directly related to our husband."
King Garland frowned, feeling bewildered by the answer. "Why do you not dare to say it? Did he threaten you to keep your mouths shut?"
"No! Absolutely none of us were threatened by him." Ordion answered firmly, refuting the King's prejudice. "As his good spouses, it is an absolute duty for us to always protect our husband's privacy, reputation, and dignity in front of anyone. If you truly wish to know the reason behind his refusal at that time, it would be better and wiser if you asked him personally later. I am very certain he will surely provide an honest answer to everything asked by his own future father-in-law."
Hearing the gentle yet highly rational refusal from the red-haired youth in front of him, King Garland realized that Ordion would not waver.
King Garland also did not want to ruin the atmosphere or make a mess of everything by forcing the youth to speak, chose to yield. He also felt amazed by the loyalty possessed by Arvin's spouses.
"Very well, I understand. I will ask him about it directly later!" decided the King wisely, not wanting to discuss it any further.
"If I may know, is he currently in the Flamort Kingdom as the rumors circulating in the capital suggest?" the King asked again, changing the subject.
"You are correct, Your Majesty." Ordion answered without hiding anything. "He is currently there to fulfill his promise to officially propose to Prince Kylenciel at the palace."
Hearing the confirmation coming out of Ordion's mouth, Oliver, who had been standing in silence, now fully believed what his father had said to him some time ago.
I truly did not expect that Arvin actually has a prince from a neighboring kingdom as his spouse, and is currently proposing to him there.
Feeling that they had been at the palace long enough in a condition where they had not bathed since returning from the forest, Ordion felt that they had to end this meeting immediately and head back home.
"Your Majesty?"
"Yes, Ordion? Is there anything else you wish to convey?"
"May we excuse ourselves to take our leave and head home now?" Ordion asked, politely requesting permission. "As you can see, we have just finished exploring the eastern forest for the whole day and have not had the chance to clean ourselves until now."
King Garland smiled understandingly and nodded slowly. "Yes, Ordion, please go ahead! Thank you for taking the time to come and see me here. Starting tonight, I entrust my son to all of you."
Ordion looked at the King with full conviction. "You do not need to worry at all, Your Majesty. We will ensure that Oliver will never regret his decision to become a part of our household."
Hearing the statement fraught with the certainty of protection and comfort for his son, King Garland immediately felt a profound sense of relief.
My decision to completely entrust Oliver to Arvin is the absolutely right thing to do!
Ordion then bowed his body, paying his farewell respects to King Garland. "In that case, we will take our leave, Your Majesty."
Dylan and Victor, who were standing on his left and right, also bowed their bodies to pay their respects to the King.
"Yes! Be careful on your journey home, all of you."
Without wasting time, Ordion, Dylan, and Victor, now together with Oliver, immediately turned around. They walked away, leaving the throne room, before their figures finally disappeared completely behind the double doors that were closed again by the guards.
After the four of them left, the throne room felt much quieter. King Garland slowly leaned back, staring straight at the doors they had just passed through.
I'm very certain Oliver will be safe if he is with them. he thought in relief with a faint smile. However, not long after, the King's gaze turned extremely sharp and serious. He clenched both of his hands tightly on the throne's armrests. Arvin... you're the only person I can trust to protect him from danger.
....
Meanwhile, at the exact same time inside the Vedegra family mansion, all of Arvin's spouses had gathered and were sitting in their respective chairs, surrounding the long dining table. In front of them, various dinner dishes that were still steaming and ready to be eaten had been served.
However, even though the delicious aroma filled the entire room, not a single one of them touched their cutlery, let alone started eating the meal.
They all just sat silently in their respective seats. Their minds were entirely focused on Ordion, Dylan, and Victor, who had yet to return to the mansion.
"Why haven't the three of them returned yet?" Alvein asked with an anxious-sounding voice. "Could it be possible that they got lost inside the eastern forest out there?"
It was not only Alvein who felt worried about their delay. Alrian, Arion, Kaydan, and Calverd apparently also felt the same anxiety. However, that worry did not apply to everyone. Allen, Alrain, and Davin were very calm in their respective chairs.
"How could such a ridiculous thing happen to them!" Davin replied in a very confident tone. "Ordion knows the ins and outs and the topography of almost all the forests in this kingdom's territory like his own backyard. It's impossible for him to get lost!"
"Is that really so?" Alvein exclaimed, his worry instantly evaporating upon hearing that answer.
Davin nodded casually. "They will surely return soon enough. Let us just wait!"
And not long after, Alrain and Alrian suddenly sensed the presence of several people who had just entered the yard area.
"There are four people who just passed through our mansion gates!" Alrain said quickly, reporting the situation he had just detected.
"What he said is true! There are four people out there." Alrian chimed in to confirm. "If the three people who just entered the mansion yard are the three of them... then who is the other person walking together with them?"
Hearing the accurate report, Allen immediately stood up from his chair. He looked at his family members one by one with a serious expression. "Let us go out now and confirm for ourselves who has just entered the mansion yard!"
They all nodded in unison.