As he straightened, his eyes flickered to her face once more.
Adrian released another soft breath, his movements gentle as he pulled the blanket higher, tucking it carefully around her shoulders to shield her from the cold.
His hand hovered at the edge of the blanket, staying there just a moment longer than needed.
The words slipped out in a quiet whisper.
Without another glance, Adrian stepped back and quietly left, the faint warmth of her lingering on his fingertips.
Ruby woke early the next morning, soft sunlight shining through the curtains. She stretched with a long yawn, still feeling sleepy. As her eyes adjusted, something strange caught her attention.
On the small table next to her bed was a neat stack of coins.
Ruby blinked and slowly sat up.
"I don’t remember putting money there..." she mumbled, rubbing her eyes as if the coins might disappear.
Her brow tightened. Wait... wasn’t I designing robes last night?
She glanced at the bedside table. Her notebook, the one she had been sketching in was sitting there, carefully placed, like someone had gently moved it.
Ruby frowned. She clearly remembered working late, trying to fight her anxiety, but everything after that felt blurry.
She ran her fingers over the notebook’s cover before picking up the gems, turning them over in her hand. They felt familiar... almost too familiar.
"Wait a second..." Ruby narrowed her eyes. "Isn’t this the exact amount missing from my purse?"
Realization hit her. She stared at the gems, blinking in surprise.
"It took him long enough..." Ruby muttered, shaking her head with a sigh.
Still, a small smile tugged at her lips.
She wasn’t angry. Stealing was wrong, and she knew that. But Adrian returning the money on his own made her feel a little better.
"At least he decided to do the right thing," she thought, carefully placing the gems back on the table.
"Maybe he’s not as stubborn as I thought," she said quietly, getting out of bed to start the day.
Ruby walked out of her room and into the living room, the soft padding of her footsteps the only sound at first. As she entered, her eyes immediately landed on Milo, who was slouched at the table, holding his cheeks in both hands.
His eyes drooped, and he looked like he could fall asleep at any moment.
In the kitchen, Julian moved around quietly, the faint clinking of dishes filling the space.
"Good morning," Ruby greeted, taking a seat across from Milo.
Milo lifted his head slightly, blinking at her with half-lidded eyes. "Good morning, wife..." he mumbled, his words slow and slurred with sleep.
Ruby arched a brow, amused by his state. "You look like you could pass out right there."
Milo yawned in response, rubbing his eyes.
"Where are the others?" Ruby asked, leaning back in her chair.
Milo shifted, resting his head on the table. "Brother Karl’s still sleeping, and Brother Adi left early for work... Julian’s in the kitchen."
Ruby nodded thoughtfully. "I see."
It was rare for Adrian to leave without saying much, but considering last night, she wasn’t too surprised.
"Why are you so tired?" Ruby asked, watching Milo closely.
"I stayed up late..." he muttered, his voice muffled against the table. "I was thinking about chocolate... and how to win next time."
Ruby couldn’t help but chuckle softly. "You’re really taking that to heart, huh?"
Milo peeked up at her through tired eyes. "It’s important..."
"Don’t worry, I’ll buy you a new one," she said with a smile.
Milo’s sleepiness vanished in an instant. He sat up straight, his head no longer resting on the table.
"Really?" he asked, his brown eyes wide and sparkling with excitement.
Ruby nodded, chuckling softly at him.
After breakfast, she freshened up and decided to visit Ethan’s shop again. She wanted to find people willing to work under her. The thought of expanding her earnings crossed her mind—if she could earn enough, maybe she could buy a proper place where workers could operate comfortably.
Slipping into a simple robe, Ruby left her hair loose, letting it fall naturally around her shoulders. She grabbed her notebook and purse, eyeing the small bag of chocolates she had received the day before. It was sturdy enough, so she tucked her notebook and purse inside, making it easier to carry everything at once.
As she stepped out of her room and into the living room, Julian glanced up from his seat, his brows lifting in surprise.
"Are you going out again, wife?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
Karl, who had been lazily sprawled across the couch, perked up immediately. "So you’re not teaching us today?" he asked, trying (and failing) to hide his excitement.
Ruby smirked, catching the hopeful tone in Karl’s voice.
"I’ll teach you tomorrow," she replied, adjusting the strap of the bag on her shoulder. "Don’t get too excited."
Karl grinned, clearly pleased with the unexpected free day.
Milo’s face fell, his eyes drooping as he watched Ruby get ready. "Wife, are you leaving again?" he asked softly.
Ruby nodded, stepping toward him with a small smile. Milo looked up at her, confusion flickering in his eyes as she suddenly leaned closer.
Before he could react, she pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. His eyes widened in surprise.
"Don’t worry," she said, brushing his hair back lightly. "I’ll be back as soon as possible. Be good and make sure to revise the alphabets, alright?"
Milo’s cheeks flushed, and he nodded, still caught off guard by her affection.
Ruby moved toward Julian next. His pink lips parted slightly, and for a moment, he just stared at her, unsure of what to expect. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
"Be good and take care of everyone," she murmured, feeling the warmth of his skin against her lips.
Julian’s gaze followed her as she pulled away, a faint trace of pink touching his ears.
When she approached Karl, who was lounging on the couch, he immediately sat up straight. His eyes widened as he watched her, anticipation clear on his face.
Ruby stopped in front of him, leaning forward slightly. Karl’s eyes fluttered shut, ready and waiting for the same treatment Milo and Julian had received.
But instead of a kiss, he felt a sharp flick to his forehead.
"Be good, you little ghost," Ruby said, smirking as he winced and rubbed his forehead. "And recite all the alphabets. If you don’t, I’ll have no problem personally helping you remember them."
Karl’s eyes flew open, and he gawked at her. "You stupid wife..." he started to grumble, but the sharp glare Ruby shot his way stopped him mid-sentence.
"Hehe... I mean—wife, of course! Got it!" he corrected quickly, sitting back down with a nervous chuckle.
Ruby shook her head, amused by their reactions. With a final glance at the three of them, she grabbed her bag and stepped out, the faint smile still tugging at her lips.
And Julian’s hand slowly traced the spot on his cheek where Ruby had kissed him. His fingers lingered there for a moment, as if trying to hold onto the warmth she left behind.
A soft flush crept up his face, and before he could stop it, a gentle smile bloomed across his lips – like a flower quietly opening in spring.
"Oh, oh..." Julian heard a voice beside him. Startled, he turned to see Karl standing right next to him, watching him closely. Julian’s eyes widened.
"You scared me, Brother Karl," Julian whispered, placing a hand over his chest to calm himself.
Karl squinted at him, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Tell me the truth," he said, leaning in slightly. "Do you like that stupid wife...?"
Julian opened his mouth to protest, but the words caught in his throat. He glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck as his blush deepened.
Karl’s eyes widened in shock, while Milo didn’t look the least bit surprised.
"Oh no! What is that stupid wife doing to you all?!" Karl blurted out, his baby blue eyes as round as saucers. "Not long ago, you refused to even help with her treatment... you said if she died, it’d be easier for everyone! And now you’re liking her again?"
Julian’s face stiffened, but he stayed quiet, his gaze lowering for a moment.
Karl crossed his arms, clearly not letting it go. "I swear, she’s casting some kind of spell. First little Milo, now you... I’m the only one still thinking straight!"
Milo finally spoke, his tone calm. "Maybe you should stop fighting it, brother Karl. She’s not so bad if you stop calling her stupid."
Karl whipped his head toward Milo, looking betrayed. "Don’t tell me you’re on her side too!"
Milo shrugged with a small smile. "I’m just saying... maybe she’s not as terrible as you think."
Karl groaned, throwing his hands in the air. "This family is doomed," he declared, pacing back and forth like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. "I’m the only sane person in this house!"
—To be continued...🪄