The intensity of her glare was enough to silence whatever insult he had almost let slip.
"I meant wife," he muttered, quickly correcting himself before turning on his heel and disappearing down the hall with the robe draped over his shoulder.
Ruby shook her head, settling back on the sofa as she began organizing the leftover fabric.
Julian and Milo walked through the village market, moving through the busy crowd as vendors shouted about what they were selling. The smell of fresh bread, spices, and fruits filled the air, blending with the earthy scent of the streets.
Julian had already bought vegetables and grains, carrying the bags firmly in his hands as he walked beside Milo, who held a smaller bag filled with fruits and tea leaves.
"We’ve bought everything. Where are we going now?" Milo whispered, tugging at Julian’s sleeve.
Julian glanced down at him, letting out a soft sigh as he stopped near a tableware stall. His eyes lingered on a neat row of wooden lunch boxes, his expression distant and thoughtful.
"I want to buy a lunch box for Brother Adi," Julian said, his voice soft but gentle.
Milo blinked in surprise. "A lunch box? Why?"
Julian’s gaze grew misty as he ran his fingers over the smooth surface of one of the boxes. "Brother Adi doesn’t eat during the day. He stays at work, starving while we’re at home."
Milo’s brows furrowed. "But... Brother Adi never said anything."
Julian’s lips pressed into a thin line. "He wouldn’t. But I’ve noticed. By the time he comes home, he’s exhausted. I can’t let him keep going like that."
Milo’s face softened, and he gave a small nod. "Yeah... we should take care of him too."
Julian’s smile was faint, but the thought of Adrian going without food made his heart ache. "He looks after us. Someone needs to look after him too."
Milo glanced at the lunch boxes. "Then let’s pick a good one."
Julian’s eyes brightened slightly as he carefully examined the options. After a moment, he picked out a sturdy box with simple carvings on the lid, elegant but practical.
"This one should do," Julian said, holding it up to Milo.
Milo grinned. "I think Brother Adi will like it."
Julian handed the coins to the vendor, feeling a small sense of relief.
"I hope so. At least now, he won’t have to stay hungry." Julian said smiling.
"Will your wife get mad if she finds out?" Milo asked quietly, fidgeting with the bag in his hands and glancing at the lunch box Julian was now carefully placing inside.
Julian glanced at him, lips curving into a small, amused smile. "Nah, she won’t get angry over something so small." He said, smiling gently. "Come on, let’s head home. Brother Karl and his wife are probably hungry by now." His tone was casual, but there was a hint of urgency in the way he nudged Milo forward.
Milo’s stomach growled loudly, and he pouted, rubbing his belly with exaggerated motions. "Even I’m hungry. Can’t we grab something on the way?" His lower lip stuck out as he shot Julian a pleading look.
Julian snorted but quickly straightened, eyes darting nervously around them. "Hey, stop doing that out here. We’re in public!" He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Look, those ghosts and witches are laughing at you."
Milo froze mid-belly rub, his eyes going wide as he spotted a small group nearby snickering behind their hands. His face turned a deep shade of red, and he dropped his arms to his sides, suddenly stiff. "They saw that?" he whispered, mortified.
Julian couldn’t hold back his grin. "Yeah, they did. And they’ll keep watching if you keep standing like that." He raised an eyebrow, but there was laughter in his eyes.
Milo swallowed, shifting awkwardly. "I hate you right now."
Julian’s chuckled, but just as he opened his mouth to tease Milo further, a shadow flickered in the corner of his vision. His smile faded. "Come on. Let’s not stick around too long."
Milo noticed the sudden change in Julian’s expression and tensed. "Why? What did you see?"
Julian didn’t answer right away. "I don’t know yet. But I don’t feel like waiting to find out."
Julian had barely taken a few steps when someone stepped in front of them, blocking their path.
Milo flinched slightly, gripping Julian’s sleeve tighter as his eyes traveled upward.
It was none other than Levi.
Levi’s sharp gaze trailed over Julian, scanning him from head to toe. His eyes lingered on the bags in Julian’s hands.
His expression darkened, the corner of his mouth curling in something close to disdain.
"I see you’re living a comfortable life," Levi said, his tone low and filed with something Julian didn’t care to name.
Julian’s grip on Milo’s hand tightened instinctively. His eyes met Levi’s without flinching.
"I don’t want to talk to you," Julian said calmly, though there was steel behind his words.
He shifted slightly, tugging Milo closer behind him as he moved to step around Levi.
But Levi didn’t budge.
His gaze flickered briefly to Milo, then back to Julian, colder than before.
"Ignoring me, huh?" Levi’s voice lowered, but there was enough force behind it to stop them in their tracks. "Didn’t think you were the type to forget so quickly. But I guess once you’re fed and comfortable, it’s easy to act like nothing ever happened."
Julian’s jaw clenched, though he kept his face neutral. "I haven’t forgotten anything."
Milo tugged gently at Julian’s sleeve, glancing nervously between them. "Julian... can we just go home?" he whispered.
Julian exhaled softly, giving Milo’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
He sidestepped Levi again, carefully maneuvering around him without sparing another glance.
But just as they walked by, Levi’s voice rang out behind them—
"Your comfort won’t last forever, Julian. You’ll see that soon enough."
Julian’s steps faltered slightly, but he didn’t turn around.
"Come on, Milo," he said quietly, leading his brother further down the street.
Milo looked up at Julian, concern flickering in his eyes.
—To be continued...🪄