Hudeon, who was previously emotionally shattered, suddenly had eyes flashing with obsession after seeing Kazien's sincere smile. Before he could lunge forward again, Alvin and Allen, who were well-acquainted with the dangerous effects of Kazien's sincere smile, moved swiftly. They grabbed Hudeon's arms and forcibly pulled him from Kazien's lap.
"Let me go! Let me go!" Hudeon shouted wildly. He struggled within Alvin and Allen's grip. "I like Brother Kazien! Let me be his wife too! I don't care about anything else anymore!"
Arken watched the scene in a daze. Now he fully understood why Alvin and Allen were always in "battle mode" whenever Kazien smiled sincerely. So that's how it is? My Huby's charm can really make people lose their minds in an instant. Arken muttered to himself. I also have to be ready every time he smiles sincerely in front of others.
Seeing that Hudeon had lost control due to the influence of the charm, Alvin immediately took decisive action.
Slap!
A light slap landed on Hudeon's cheek. The physical shock instantly shattered the influence of Kazien's charm. Hudeon fell silent, his breath coming in gasps, and his consciousness returned. He looked at Kazien with a gaze of intense shame.
"Brother Kazien... I-I'm sorry." Hudeon said weakly, traces of tears still hanging from his long eyelashes.
As the atmosphere in the family room began to thaw and the tension eased, Alvin and Allen slowly released their hold on Hudeon. The dark-green-haired boy no longer struggled. He sat limply on the thick rug, his shoulders still occasionally trembling from the lingering sobs that had not yet fully subsided.
Hudeon looked up, gazing at Kazien with eyes filled with doubt and a sense of inferiority. "Brother Kazien..." his voice was hoarse, barely a whisper. "Am I still allowed to be Ritalia's future husband... even though I have been defiled like this?"
The question made the hearts of everyone listening ache. Kazien knelt in front of Hudeon, leveling their height, and placed his hands firmly on the boy's shoulders.
"Of course!" Kazien answered in a very gentle tone that left no room for doubt. "Ritalia is a sincere girl. I truly hope you can love my sister with all your heart. However, regarding your wish to be my fiancé... I really cannot accept it. I already have the three of them, Hudeon. My heart is full."
Hudeon lowered his head again, fresh tears beginning to well up. "Do I really have no chance of being yours?"
"That is the problem, Hudeon." Kazien smiled thinly, trying to offer understanding without causing pain. "Ritalia has been so happy since she met you. I don't want my sister's happiness to be destroyed because of your selfishness in wanting to have me, or my selfishness if I were to accept you."
Kazien then reached out, caressing Hudeon's cheek with his thumb, wiping away the remaining tears. "To be honest, Hudeon... your cute face is truly my ideal criteria. Moreover, your father is my father's childhood friend. If the situation were different, I would be very willing to make you mine so that the relationship between the Altavis and Guartav families could become even closer."
Those words were like medicine for Hudeon's wounded heart. The "ideal criteria" for the person he adored was enough to restore a bit of his shattered self-esteem.
"If only back then, during our engagement ceremony, you had been honest with Alvin about liking me... perhaps the story would have changed. You might have been one of my fiancés right now." Kazien continued with a slightly teasing tone to lighten the mood.
"Even though I've been defiled?" Hudeon asked, confirming once more with an innocent gaze.
"Yes, Hudeon." Kazien replied firmly. "To me, a person's value is not determined by the vile actions others have committed against them. You are still the same cute and precious Hudeon in my eyes."
Hearing that, Hudeon remained silent for a long time. There was a deep regret that he had been late in realizing his own feelings, but he understood that fate had led him down a different path. He did not want to hurt Ritalia, yet he also did not want to lose the comfort Kazien provided.
"It seems... I have no choice but to accept this fate." Hudeon said softly, his voice stabilizing. "But in return, will you promise me one thing? Brother Kazien, will you always spoil me when I ask you to? Just like when you carried me so affectionately in that hot desert?"
Kazien nodded firmly. "I promise. I will spoil you as my most special brother-in-law."
Hearing that promise, Hudeon could no longer hold back his feelings. He lunged at Kazien, hugging the man's neck tightly. Kazien could only smile in relief, stroking Hudeon's back and feeling the heavy burden the boy had carried for so long begin to fall away, piece by piece.
Duke Hubert, witnessing the scene, breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling immense gratitude that his son had met someone as wonderful as Kazien.
After the embrace was released, Kazien looked at Duke Hubert with a serious gaze once more. "Lord Duke, please take good care of Hudeon. Do not let him be defiled again by anyone at his age. As for the man named Haverd, please give him the lesson he deserves. This has gone too far!"
"Without you even telling me, I will never take my eyes off him again, Kazien!" Duke Hubert stated firmly, his eyes flashing with suppressed rage. "And Haverd will also receive a punishment befitting his barbarity!"
Kazien nodded, then pulled an object from his storage dimension that immediately caught the attention of both Duke Hubert and Hudeon. It was a necklace with a fineyet strong gold chain and a sapphire pendant shaped like a teardrop. The blue gem shimmered faintly with a very pure magical light.
"What is this necklace, Kazien?" Duke Hubert asked, mesmerized by the beauty of the artifact.
"This is an artifact of my own creation." Kazien explained as he handed it to the Duke. "Its mechanism is quite unique. If the wearer is asleep and danger approaches, ashockwave will wake you immediately. And if someone with evil intent stands near you, the necklace will emit a warning light to expose them."
Duke Hubert and Hudeon were stunned. Neither of them ever imagined that Kazien could create an artifact with such complex functions.
"K-Kazien... did you really create this yourself?" Duke Hubert asked with a trembling voice, realizing how precious the object in his hand was.
"Yes. I made it to protect my family and those closest to me." Kazien replied calmly.
Hudeon stared at the necklace with a glimmer of adoration. To him, this wasn't just a protective tool, but a piece of Kazien that would always look after him. At least I have this necklace so I will always remember him. Hudeon thought.
Kazien, noticing the look, smiled gently. "Hudeon, there is actually another one for you at the Altavis territory. It was intended to be given to you soon as a wedding gift. But considering your situation is dangerous, it is better if you and your father visit my family's residence there immediately."
Hudeon nodded enthusiastically. "I will definitely go there! I want to meet Uncle Elgard, Aunt Larina, and Ritalia!"
Kazien nodded in relief and flashed a small smile, but tried not to let Hudeon become captivated by him.
"But, is it alright if Elgard knows the truth?" Duke Hubert asked with concern. He feared his family's dignity would fall in the eyes of his old friend.
"My father will understand, Lord Duke." Kazien assured him. "He will definitely keep this secret tightly, even from Ritalia, for Hudeon's comfort."
Hearing that answer, Duke Hubert could finally breathe a full sigh of relief. Also knowing that his childhood friend, Elgard, was not the type to easily gossip about someone's disgrace, he finally nodded in agreement with Kazien's suggestion.