Moonlight filtered through the one-way glass ceiling, its silver hue blending with the golden lights in the bedroom. The faintly lit stars of the city sky glimmered quietly, unaware, or perhaps entirely aware of the tender moments shared by the pair of lovers.

On the bed, Lariette lay curled against Ruediger, her breathing soft and even, her skin glowing in the low light. The blanket pooled at their waists.

Her soft back pressed to his sturdy chest, their legs tangled beneath the covers. She chuckled when his lips met her bare shoulder, slightly sucking the skin there.

"Again?" she teased, turning slightly to look at him.

He smiled against her skin and trailed another kiss upward, gently biting her earlobe, "Can't help it. But I don't want to tire you."

Lariette turned around, reaching for his hair, "You're quite... greedy tonight."

Or should she say insatiable?

Ruediger laughed, and then, leaning in to kiss her again, this time on the lips. Slow, familiar and endlessly soft.

The pair lingered like that for a while, savoring the rhythm of shared breath, the warmth of skin against skin and the knowledge that only they existed in this moment.

Lariette murmured after Ruediger broke the kiss, "Eddy?"

"Mm?"

She gasped, holding back her moan when he kissed her throat. His lips trailed down further, leaving more marks on her chest. Her breath turned uneven, still ragged when he finally stopped.

"What do you wanna ask me?"

Ruediger laughed at himself, agreeing with Lariette's statement that he was quite ravenous tonight. He refrained from starting another round of lovemaking, unwilling to exhaust her.

"Oh... I just wonder... when will you meet him?"

Ruediger paused, realizing he hadn't told Lariette the details. He lay on his side, his eyes gazing at her face, "Tomorrow."

She blinked, "Tomorrow? You mean... tomorrow? Tuesday?"

He nodded, brushing his fingers on her face, "Yes. Nate will accompany me."

Lariette was aghast, not expecting that. No wonder Ruediger planned such a grand candlelight dinner right after his return from Norvonna.

He wanted to reveal his other identity to her before meeting his estranged father.

"That's so soon," she breathed.

He gave her a lopsided grin, "The sooner, the better. Don't you think so?"

Lariette stared at Ruediger for a moment before burying her face in his chest. Her warm breath gently brushed against his skin.

"Eddy, you really don't do anything halfway, do you?"

"I already waited too long," he murmured, pulling her closer, "I'll end this quickly."

Lariette sighed. She pulled back, just enough to look at Ruediger. Chuckles slipped from her lips, followed by her teasing tone.

"Hehe, I just imagined that you reveal yourself during a banquet. You'd walk in wearing one of those cold billionaire expressions, and he would choke on his wine once he heard you're Mr. R."

Ruediger laughed, a deep and genuine sound that rumbled in his chest. Lariette's remarks and her rich imagination tickled his heart.

"I can picture that," he said, amused, "But I'd rather avoid any choking incidents. After all, I value my privacy, sweetheart."

Lariette looked up with a playful smile, "That's true. I still want us to walk down the street, hand in hand. It'll be so upsetting if people follow us around to write gossip articles or snap photos."

"You got it right," Ruediger nodded, wholeheartedly agreeing with his beloved, "I won't ever trade our peace for a flash appearance in gossip columns."

"Hehe, that's convincing."

Then, the pair lay in silence, a comfortable one filled with the subtle beat of their hearts racing. They gazed at each other, fingertips grazing their faces.

After a brief silence, Ruediger spoke, his tone steady, "He'll deny it at first."

Lariette hummed, understanding what he meant, "Of course he will. He won't ever see this coming."

Ruediger's jaw tensed slightly, and then loosened, "But he can't deny for long. And because of his pride, he won't tell anyone."

Lariette exhaled softly, one palm resting on his chest, right above his beating heart, "Such a man... he won't admit to the world that the Mr. R he's been desperate to meet... was the son he abandoned, right?"

"Yes."

Lariette lifted her hand from Ruediger's chest, brushing his cheek with her knuckles. Concern clouded her soft features as she thought of him meeting his estranged father.

"I hope you'll be okay. But I also don't want you to pretend to be one."

He kissed her forehead, "I'll be more than okay. This is long overdue."

She studied his face, then whispered, "I'm proud of you, Eddy. You're closing a chapter. And starting one where they can no longer torment you."

He nodded, his voice full of confidence, "That's the plan. I'll choose who stays in my life. And one of them is you, my beloved."

Lariette chuckled. She tilted her chin up, kissing him again. She felt his fingers trace small, lazy circles on the back of her waist. This content was first released on *.

When Ruediger spoke again, he sounded quite hesitant, "Actually, I've thought of changing my surname."

Lariette blinked, "Really?"

"I don't want to carry that legacy any longer," he admitted, "But I haven't decided on anything yet. And although I can have people handle the process for me, it'll still be quite tedious."

Lariette watched him thoughtfully, then smiled, "Whatever you choose, I'll support you. And take your time to think about it."

Ruediger's gaze softened, "Even if I pick something ridiculous? How about Ruediger Tart? Or Pudding?"

She giggled, one hand slapping his chest, "You're naming yourself after a pastry? Don't be silly."

"Hahaha! I won't, I won't."

Ruediger aimed for Lariette's lips again, kissing her deep and slow, savoring the taste in her mouth. Then, he pulled back with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Come on," he said, brushing her hair back, "Let's clean up before we fall asleep like this."

She groaned, "But I'm warm..."

"I'll carry you like always, my love," he offered with a grin.

Lariette rolled her eyes fondly but wrapped her arms around Ruediger's neck anyway, "Since you insist."

He sat up, scooped her easily into his arms, and rose from the bed. Her bare legs swung gently in the air as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Eddy, your muscles are dangerous," she murmured, "Such an unfair advantage."

He laughed, "I'll take that as a compliment."

Ruediger carried Lariette into the ensuite washroom, an elegant space with pale marble tiles, gold fixtures and a soft underglow beneath the floating sink. The mirror was subtly lit, and fluffy towels hung inside the cabinet.

"Has your friend, I mean Edmund, ever used this place?" asked Lariette as she looked around the washroom, "And the penthouse?"

"He does," Ruediger answered while filling the tub with water, "But rarely. He lives in a nearby apartment. I told him to just live here, but he said he'd be haunted by the ghost of endless paperwork."

Lariette laughed, amused by Ruediger's story. She wondered when she could meet the man who acted as Ruediger's face.

After some time, the pair finally stepped out from the washroom, wrapped in thick bathrobes.

"Let's sleep here tonight, I mean in the penthouse, not the annex," said Ruediger while drying Lariette's hair, "We'll return to the apartment at dawn."

"I'd like that," she hummed, easily agreeing with his arrangements.

After changing into pajamas prepared beforehand by Ruediger, he led Lariette to the penthouse through the enclosed walkway.

Despite being an unfamiliar place, they still sleep soundly in each other's arms.

Then, the next day came.