Ivan went to Kurtis's house after seeing Shin's message. Mikhail's reaction was understandable, being Kaye's husband; no husband would want to see his wife falling in love with someone else. Benjamin, on the other hand, was honest with his feelings.
At the door, Ivan heard Kaye's husbands in the living room having a conversation.
"I'm already aware of William's feelings for her. I thought he had given up, but I was wrong; he now has the courage to fight for his feelings for Kaye. And it made Mikhail very mad," Kurtis said.
"If you ask me, I'm also mad. Kaye is our wife, and I can't afford to share her with another man anymore. You guys are enough," Raon added.
Haru expressed his frustration as well, saying, "I can't believe William will make trouble, adding stress to Kaye."
Tristan remained silent.
Kurtis then raised a hypothetical scenario, "But... What if Kaye had already developed feelings for him? Will you accept her decisions?"
"No!" Haru responded. "That's impossible. Kaye only loves us!"
Tristan, however, spoke up, "But if ever that happens, we have to prepare ourselves and accept it."
Kurtis emphasized the need to respect Kaye's decisions, even if they weren't ideal. "I don't want Kaye to fall in love with other men, but we have to respect whatever decision she will make. Let's just hope she won't fall for him."
Haru suggested a straightforward solution, "Just reject him, and it's over. Why can't William just stay as her friend?"
Concerned for Kaye's well-being, Raon proposed a change, "Now that this is happening, isn't it time for us to buy a new house? A new environment and a new life would be better for Kaye's health, she's always stressed."
"Mikhail mentioned he has already found a house, and it's in the process. Soon, we'll be moving there," Kurtis explained.
"I'm sure he's going to put lots of bodyguards there." Haru said.
Raon disagreed, stating, "I'm against it. If we live there together with other people, some of those bodyguards might spread rumors about Kaye having more than one husband. This country doesn't allow polyandry, and I don't want Kaye to be judged by others."
Everyone nodded in agreement. They continued their conversation while Ivan listened at the doorstep. He sighed, realizing that confessing to Kaye again would be challenging, especially with her husbands objecting and causing a fuss.
Ivan decided to sit in the garden, deep in contemplation. Soon, Shin arrived, spotted him, and joined him.
"Yo, why so serious?" Shin asked.
Ivan glanced at him, questioning, "You... You like Kaye, right?"
"Pft... Who said I like her? I love her," Shin confidently replied.
Ivan looked down and remarked, "You've confessed to her already?"
"Yeah, many times, and always been rejected," Shin admitted.
"Poor you. That means you're ugly," Ivan teased.
"What did you say?" Shin sneered.
Ivan explained, "I overheard her husbands earlier, and they're all against Kaye accepting another lover again. If we confess to her, like what Benjamin did, we might not be able to see her again. Her husbands will surely hide her from us."
"I know. That's why I'm keeping my feelings to myself now. Don't let her husbands know. It's okay to remain as her friends than to not be able to see her forever," Shin shared.
"Have you given up, then?" Ivan asked.
"No, I will still love her. I will wait for the right time," Shin affirmed.
When will that time come?
"If I knew this would happen, I should have pursued her while we were still in the Serolf Empire. I should have asked her for marriage too," Ivan regretted.
"And you would get rejected too," Shin pointed out, prompting Ivan to roll his eyes.
Suddenly, Rein appeared, breaking the serious atmosphere. "Hey, guys, you look so serious. Are you having a heart-to-heart talk?"
Shin smirked upon seeing him. Rein revealed that he only joined them in this world because of his brother, but Shin sensed that he also had feelings for Kaye. Rein was in deep denial.
Wow... We should make a group for being the unrequited lover. Shin thought to himself.
.
.
....
The following day,
"Hon, what do you think of this house? This is the one Mikhail bought. Do you like it?" Raon asked, showing his tablet to Kaye.
Kaye stared at the picture. "Yeah," she simply said.
"We bought a huge one so we can all live there together. I'm so excited! I already packed my stuff!" Haru exclaimed.
Kurtis snickered. "You're more excited than us. Did you talk about it with your manager?"
"Yes, and even though he's against it, he has no choice. I also told him he can pick me up outside our house and keep the address secret," Haru explained.
"I talked to my parents, and they're against me leaving our house. But even if they say no, I will still live with you guys. I already explained to them that I'm old enough to be independent," Tristan scratched his cheek.
"You have very strict parents," Haru commented, to which Tristan sheepishly scratched his head. "Right, hehe."
"Yes! New house! Does it have a swimming pool?" Cedie asked excitedly.
"And with a bar counter, a leisure room, movie room!" Haru added, equally enthusiastic.
"With a playground too!" Cedie exclaimed. The two did a high five, clearly excited.
"They're excited, but they don't know the cost of the house," Kurtis said.
"It's alright, we are rich," Raon smirked confidently.
Kaye watched them quietly.
Mikhail noticed her silence and asked, "Wifey, are you not feeling well?"
Kaye forced a smile. "I'm fine, just a bit sleepy."
"Then go upstairs and sleep. Leave this matter to us," Raon suggested.
Kaye nodded, kissed them each, and went upstairs.
Troy, who just came out from the kitchen, observed, "She's been spacing out lately."
"Is it because of Benjamin?" Cedie asked.
"Tsk. Why would she think about that bastard?" Haru scowled.
"C'mon, guys, can't you see Kaye is also having a hard time? Why don't we just understand her feelings?" Tristan suggested.
"You can say that easily. Whatever happens, I will never accept that guy. He betrayed us," Haru firmly stated.
Kurtis sighed. "Don't start a fight with each other."
"Seriously, when will this issue end?" Haru crossed his arms.
Raon looked at Mikhail, who was now drinking his beer, and asked, "Any plan in your mind?"
"Tsk. He was already exiled from the Fuentebella, and he can no longer go near Kaye," Mikhail stated.
"William became a member of our family too. He's our friend too," Troy muttered.
"Ha! Stop being soft-hearted. He's a snake; it's the right decision that Mikhail exiled him," Haru argued.
Troy lowered his head. If he confessed to Kaye, he was sure he would be removed from their family too. He glanced at the window. The rain began to pour hard.
"Hmm... It's raining," Kurtis noticed.
.
.
Kaye stood by the window, silently watching the heavy rain pouring outside. Her heart ached every time she thought of Benjamin. Despite rejecting him in the Serolf Empire, she now saw his unwavering efforts and sacrifices. As she watched the rain, flashbacks flooded her mind—their first meeting, his constant companionship, guarding her through the night, cheering her up during moments of sadness. When he learned about what Mikhail had done to her in the past, he was there to provide comfort. Taking a poison arrow intended for her during a dangerous encounter, and nearly losing his life in the process. Amidst a rebellion, he attempted to find Mikhail for her, ultimately getting captured and enduring brutal punishments without a word of complaint to her.
In the fight against Gilmesh, he remained steadfast by her side, protecting her. He expressed a willingness to face death alongside her. Despite all these significant actions, Kaye deliberately refrained from giving them much attention, consciously avoiding the risk of falling in love with him. Yet, as she faced the brink of death, he embraced her in his arms, a poignant moment she struggled to forget.
Tears streamed down her face.
"I-I'm... I-I'm sorry," she whispered through her tears. Yet, despite her attempts to ignore him, the pain lingered, and she couldn't help but miss him.
While crying, she noticed a familiar figure outside. She wiped her tears and stared intently, muttering, "B-Benj?" Surprise filled her voice as she saw him standing in the heavy rains, looking at her through the window.
Kaye cried again, touching the glass window while gazing at him. Benjamin, seeing her tears, clenched his fists, standing outside and maintaining eye contact. The pain of witnessing her sorrow was evident, yet he couldn't rush to embrace her. All he could do was watch her from the outside, becoming soaked by the pouring rain.
Unable to endure it any longer, Kaye ran out of her room.
.
.
"What the hell is he doing?" Haru asked.
"Is he out of his mind?" Raon said.
"Tss. Let him stand there until he gets tired," Mikhail said, returning to his seat.
"Aren't you guys feeling guilty?" Tristan said.
"Why would I?" Haru replied.
Tristan showed a bitter smile. "I can't believe you were all selfish."
"Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?" Haru grabbed Tristan's collar. "Are you siding with that man? Aren't you mad at him for wanting Kaye?"
Tristan pushed him away. "Why? You also experienced what he's going through right now!" he shouted. "Have you forgotten? Before you all married Kaye, she already had a husband. If she hadn't accepted all of you, guys, you wouldn't be here."
The men fell into a somber silence because Tristan was right.
"Before you married Kaye... I was there first!" Tristan declared.
He looked at Raon. "You may be her first husband, but you divorced her. You wouldn't have gotten remarried if we hadn't accepted you again." Then he turned to Haru. "And you? You're only the third husband." Next, he addressed Kurtis. "You forced her to marry you even when she's against it, right? But you're still lucky that she accepted you." Finally, he gazed at Mikhail. "You exiled Benjamin and forbid him from seeing Kaye. But I will never forget that you had a secret relationship with Kaye and hid it from us."
Mikhail remained silent.
"Before Kaye loved all of you, I was there first! She loved me first!" Tristan yelled.
Indeed, Gawain was Kaye's first love in the Serolf Empire. He was the first man she accepted as her husband. They were always together, and Kaye only had eyes for him before meeting the others.
The men had no idea of the pain Tristan felt when Kaye fell in love with the others too. Guilt washed over them as Tristan's words sank in.
They saw Kaye running downstairs and going straight outside the house. They watched her run to Benjamin.
"Please don't stop them. They also have the right to be happy. Why don't we just be happy for Kaye," Tristan added.
The men remained silent, observing the two outside embracing each other.
Mikhail clenched his fists and went to the dining room. Troy watched Kaye and Benjamin outside, tears streaming down his face.
.
.
Kaye hugged Benjamin tightly, both now drenched from the rain.
"Kaye..." Benjamin began.
"I-I'm sorry..." she apologized.
Benjamin gently wiped the drenched face of Kaye and moved the wet hair covering it. "Why did you come out? They'll be mad if they see us."
"But I can't bear to see you standing here under the heavy rain," she confessed.
"You should have used an umbrella at least. Look at yourself; you're already soaked," he insisted.
"Benj... I'm sorry for ignoring your feelings for so long. I avoided them because I was afraid things would be difficult for us. But now, I can't hide my feelings for you anymore. Benj... I love you too," she admitted.
Without a word, Benjamin kissed her on the lips. Kaye closed her eyes and responded passionately. They kissed under the rain, unbothered by getting soaked.
"I love you so much, Kaye," Benjamin whispered between kisses.
"I will never deny my feelings for you anymore," Kaye confessed.
Benjamin kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly. Tears streamed down his face; he had been waiting for this moment for so long—the moment when Kaye would reciprocate his love.
"But what about your husbands?" he asked.
"I will explain to them. I don't want to be separated from you anymore. I hope they'll understand," she replied.
Benjamin caressed her face and kissed her again. They stopped when they noticed Tristan walking towards them, holding umbrellas.
"What are you guys doing here? Come inside before you both get sick," Tristan said.
"Tristan..." Kaye muttered.
Tristan smiled, tears welling up in his eyes. "Let's get inside. We can talk about this indoors."
Kaye cried and hugged Tristan. He smiled again and hugged her tightly.