"Shin, where are you taking me?" Kaye asked, her curiosity piqued as Shin covered her eyes while they walked. They ventured toward the garden, the evening already casting its gentle glow, and with the assistance of others, the place was adorned with decorations. Tonight, Shin would confess his love to Kaye once more, with the support of his friends who had come to accept their bond as brothers,and had finally accepted that they couldn't be selfish when it came to Kaye's love.
When Kaye finally opened her eyes, she was stunned by the sight of the garden, aglow with twinkling lights and adorned with delicate decorations—a perfect setting for a romantic dinner date. Shin took the bouquet of roses from the table and presented it to her.
"W-What is the meaning of this, Shin?" Kaye asked, taken aback by the surprise.
Her surprise only deepened when she saw Shin on bended knee, holding a small box containing a beautiful necklace.
"Kaye, despite your rejections in the past, my love for you has never wavered. I love you, and if you'll give me another chance, I'll prove to you how deeply I feel. I've already sought permission from your husbands, so... Please... Give me another chance," Shin pleaded.
Tears welled up in Kaye's eyes as she wiped them away, her heart pounding in her chest as she gazed at Shin. His persistence moved her.
She smiled and accepted the necklace. "Help me put this on."
Shin smiled. "Does this mean you're accepting me?"
Kaye nodded, her smile growing wider. "If my husbands don't object to you, then there's no reason for me to deny my feelings for you anymore. I do feel the same way. I've been too afraid to admit it, but I like you too, Leon."
Shin's heart swelled with joy at her words. Kaye liked him too?
He quickly put the necklace around her neck and enveloped her in a tight hug.
"I promise to show you every day how much I love you, Mi Amor," he whispered.
Kaye smiled and returned his embrace, feeling his love wash over her.
Meanwhile, from a distance, Kaye's husbands observed the tender scene. Mikhail rolled his eyes, struggling to contain his annoyance with Shin. Tristan and Raon noticed his stoic expression and couldn't resist teasing him. Haru anxiously bit his handkerchief while Kyle comforted him with a reassuring smile. Warren and Benjamin exchanged knowing glances and smiled at each other. Kurtis calmly sipped his wine as he observed the scene. Isaac, carrying Eros, beamed with joy. Finally, their family was at peace. And Cedie danced happily in the background, a symbol of their newfound harmony.
.
.
....
A few days later...
"Nanny Sally, could you take Eros to the playroom for a while?" Isaac requested.
The nanny nodded and led Eros out of the living room. Kaye was engrossed in searching for a new job on her laptop when Isaac approached her.
"Mine, are you still looking for a job?" he inquired.
"Yeah... I've already submitted my resume to some companies and am still waiting for their response," Kaye replied, her eyes fixed on the screen.
"Do you want us to help you?" Isaac offered.
"No, I'm okay. I can handle it on my own. I don't want to be a bother to you guys," she insisted.
Isaac smiled. "Alright. Can you pause scrolling for a moment though?"
Kaye furrowed her brows and glanced at him, puzzled. "Why? Is there something you need?"
Isaac scratched his cheek and checked his phone. "Actually..."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of someone singing from outside. Kaye looked at Isaac, perplexed.
"Who's singing out there?" she asked.
"Well... That's what I was going to tell you," Isaac replied, taking her hand and leading her to the balcony.
Kaye covered her mouth in surprise as she saw Ivan, holding a guitar and serenading. She had no idea he could sing, and he had a sweet voice.
Kaye watched as Ivan serenaded her in broad daylight, unable to deny that she was falling in love with his voice. Her face blushed as Ivan looked at her while singing.
When the song ended, Ivan smiled at her, but Kaye turned to ask Isaac, only to find him gone. Where could he have gone?
Returning her attention to Ivan, she listened intently as he began to speak.
"Kaye, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," Ivan started.
Feeling nervous, her heart raced as she waited for him to continue.
"W-What is it, Val?" she asked.
Ivan took a deep breath.
"Since the moment I met you, I knew there was something special about you. Your smile, your laugh—it captivated me in a way I can't explain. And when I found out that you're not my best friend, my feelings for you grew deeper. Remember when I came to your palace to save you from Gilmesh? It wasn't just because I'm your friend. It was because... I love you. I couldn't bear to see you in danger. Even when I left the temple, turned my back on being a paladin, and followed you into this world, it was all because of you, Kaye. I couldn't bear the thought of being away from you, of not being able to protect you. I love you so much, Kaye," he confessed.
"Val, I... I had no idea," she said, surprised.
She had thought he was just acting like her best friend.
"I understand if you don't feel the same way. I just couldn't keep it inside any longer. You mean everything to me, Kaye," Ivan said.
Kaye smiled. "Can you wait for me there? I want to come down," she said.
Ivan nodded, and Kaye hurriedly went outside to face him.
"Kaye," Ivan muttered.
Without a word, Kaye kissed him on the lips, surprising Ivan. She smiled as she saw his face turn red.
"What if I also feel the same way?" she asked.
Ivan smiled and embraced her tightly.
"And now that you've told me how you feel, I realize that... I should give you a chance."
"Can I be your boyfriend too, Kaye?" Ivan asked.
Kaye smiled and nodded.
Ivan was overjoyed and hugged her tightly once again. "You've made me the happiest man alive, my sunshine."
They stayed hugging each other while the other men watched from the balcony.
"I never thought Kaye would accept him too," Haru said, juice dripping from his mouth.
Kurtis offered him a tissue.
"Pft," Tristan chuckled.
"Now I'm curious how the weakling will confess to her," Mikhail said, referring to Troy. He then smirked.
The others nodded, equally curious.
.
.
....
At the Art Studio, Kaye was arranging the art materials when she noticed Troy seemed anxious, as if he wanted to say something.
"Troy..." she called out.
Troy almost dropped the canvas when she called him. "Y-Yes?"
"Are you alright? You seem anxious," she asked, feeling worried.
Taking a deep breath, Troy forced a smile. "I'm fine, don't worry."
In reality, he wanted to confess to her again today but didn't know how to start. He was scared that she would reject him.
Putting down the brushes, Kaye walked towards his latest painting. "This is so beautiful," she commented.
Troy smiled. It was a painting of a woman sitting under a tree while reading a book. Behind the tree stood a man leaning on it—a princess and a butler.
"This looks familiar," Kaye said.
"Actually, that woman was you," Troy revealed.
"Really?" she glanced at him.
"You loved to read books back in the Serolf Empire. I decided to paint the memories of you hanging out in your favorite oak tree while reading your favorite book," he explained.
Kaye smiled. Now that she saw the painting, it brought back memories of her life in the empire—her life as a princess and an empress. She had lived a luxurious life there until enemies attacked the imperial family. If it weren't for Mikhail and the others, she wouldn't have survived life in the palace.
"Thank you," she said.
"For what?" Troy asked.
"This painting... It reminded me of our life in the empire. I'm happy that I met everyone there. You guys did so many good things for me. Thank you for everything," she expressed.
Troy smiled.
"But who is this man in the painting?" she asked. "He's wearing a butler uniform. Is this you?"
Troy's face suddenly turned red, and he looked in the other direction. "Y-Yes... A-Actually... T-That..." he stammered.
Seeing him act like this, she chuckled.
"Troy... Do you still like me?" she asked again.
Troy lowered his head, nodding shyly.
"My feelings for you... never faded," he replied.
Kaye smiled. Since the beginning, Cedrik had always been there for her. Although the real Aria treated him badly, he stayed by her side even without knowing she wasn't Aria. And he still stayed after finding out who she really was. He also cheered her up every time she was upset and gave her advice every time she had problems with her husbands. As a reward for his endless love for her, it was only right to turn him into one of her lovers.
"Ced... If I offer you to become my consort, will you accept it?" she asked.
Troy's face brightened up. "R-Really?" tears welled in his eyes. "I... I'll be the happiest man on earth, Your Majesty!" he exclaimed.
Troy hugged her tightly.
"I love you so much, Kaye!" he muttered while crying.
Kaye smiled again and caressed his innocent face.