After soaking in the tub for half an hour, Lariette carefully stepped out of it. The last droplets of warm water and soap glided off her shoulders, falling onto the floor.

The rosy scent enveloped Lariette like a hug. Stepping into the shower cubicle, she rinsed the traces of soap from her body.

Lariette shivered slightly when the cool air brushed her damp skin. She quickly grabbed a fluffy towel, drying herself off before wrapping it around her chest.

From the reflection in the mirror, Lariette saw that her skin glowed with a reddish tint from the warm soak. Her hair was loosely pinned up, a few damp strands falling softly around her face.

Taking the periwinkle blue loungewear hanging on the bathroom rack, Lariette quickly slipped them on. The comfy fabric helped to warm her. She quickly left the bathroom.

While brushing her long hair, Lariette checked her phone. Her brows arched once she saw new texts from Chairman Delaney. It seemed like he had just messaged her.

[Grandpa: My darling Lari, hope you're well! I'd love to have you and Eddy over this Saturday]

[Grandpa: If you're not busy, let's have lunch together. Anything you crave? Just tell this old man]

Lariette quickly replied.

[Lariette: We'll be there this Saturday! Can't let my grandpa have lunch alone🤭 Miss you too!]

Putting the phone down, Lariette smiled warmly. Even though their last meeting was not long ago, she still missed her grandfather. She hoped to spend some time with him this weekend.

Lariette left the bedroom, following the trail of delicious scent in the air. She held her hair as she walked, tying it into a high ponytail. The silky locks swayed slightly behind her.

Even before she entered the kitchen, Lariette spotted Ruediger at the stove. He had already changed into the matching loungewear.

He was stirring the pot while humming softly. The kitchen lights cast a warm glow, reflecting off polished countertops.

"Wow~ What did you make?"

Lariette stood beside Ruediger, looking into the pot, her arm brushing against his. They exchanged a smile when she tilted her chin up and he stared down at her.

"Chicken and radish soup," he said, voice soft, "Also steamed rice, pan-seared tofu and pickled cucumbers."

"Those sound great. I'll serve the dishes then," Lariette tiptoed, pecking his cheek, her eyes twinkling, "Thank you, honey."

Ruediger said nothing, but the softened smile on his lips showed how delighted he was. While Lariette took the plates and cutlery to the dining table, he ladled the soup into two bowls.

At a quarter to six, the time was still early. But the earlier they were done with dinner, the earlier they could rest before going to bed.

Working together, they carried the dishes out of the kitchen. The plates clacked softly under their fingers before finding their places on the table. They also had a pot of vanilla rooibos tea.

Ruediger set the first bowl of soup before Lariette. He said teasingly, "Here, rich with nutrients. Good for after a long day, especially a cold day."

"Hehe~ Okay."

Sitting across Ruediger, Lariette reached for the spoon. She took the first sip, warm and gently seasoned. It felt soothing to the stomach.

"Oh, Grandpa texted me," Lariette looked at Ruediger, recalling the messages she received just now, "He wants us over for lunch this Saturday."

"We'll go meet him, then," he nodded, "We haven't seen him much recently. How about we accompany him longer that day? Not just for lunch. Or do you wanna spend a night there?"

Lariette pondered for a moment, then she smiled, "Let's sleep there for a night. It's so cold these days. I hope his health's good."

"Okay, we'll do that," Ruediger agreed easily. He didn't mind staying longer at Chairman Delaney's residence. He was fond of the elderly man as if he was his real grandfather.

Lariette inwardly sighed in relief. Even though her grandfather had regular health check-ups, he was already beyond his prime age. Still, she hoped he would stay healthy and live a longer life.

To Lariette, Chairman Delaney was her only close relative alive. Even though she had better impressions of Declan and Rafael recently, who sometimes texted asking about her life, their relationships were not anything deep.

As for Samantha, Jonathan and Alaric, Lariette no longer cared about them. She felt better and happier after she stopped having expectations.

Even without her biological parents, she could live well. She had stopped her inner child from yearning for any parental affections.

After dinner, Lariette and Ruediger did their duty of cleaning the dishes and wiping the table. Then, with two cups of tea, they went to the living room and cuddled on the couch.

The clock ticked to seven in the evening. The nightlife of the city barely began.

Lariette leaned comfortably against Ruediger as he pressed the remote, looking for a short movie. His other hand played with her hair, curling a few strands around his finger.

"Eddy, December's almost here," she tilted her chin up, glancing at him, "When should we get our Christmas tree and ornaments?"

Despite the hecticness of the final exam and evaluations before the winter break began, Lariette couldn't help but look forward to decorating the apartment. She hoped to feel a vibrant holiday spirit here in their love nest.

Smiling, Ruediger hummed before leaning over to kiss her forehead, "Whenever you want. I'm free anytime. Should we go get them this Sunday?"

"Sounds fun. Maybe after we leave Grandpa's house," her eyes lit up, and an idea crossed her mind before she jokingly said, "We'll decorate it ourselves, okay? Don't surprise me with any designers, Mr. Billionaire."

He chuckled. She could feel his chest rumbling on her back. Once again, he pecked her head.

"Okay, okay. I'll carry the tree up ourselves. What do you think? Can you imagine me dragging a massive tree into the elevator?"

"Hahaha! That's a good picture!"

As Lariette laughed, the light in Ruediger's eyes mellowed further as he looked at her with adoration. He felt great seeing how easily she had settled after his revelation last night.

Soon, the opening credits for a short comedy movie rolled on the TV screen. Taking only forty minutes, it was a perfect choice for a relaxing evening on a weekday night.

Lariette's giggles echoed in the living room the longer she watched the movie. Ruediger followed along, but he was clearly calmer. He never let his hand go from her as they curled on the couch.

As the ending credits rolled, Lariette looked up from Ruediger, her eyes narrowing as if she was deeply assessing his face. Her action brought laughter from his lips.

"Why? Thinking I'm more handsome tonight?" he asked without any trace of shame, one brow raising in confidence.

"I'm just thinking," she tilted her head, humming for a moment before saying, "You know... I've learned two of your secret identities now. I wonder if you have more."

The night at the maze garden was still vivid in her mind. He nervously professed his feelings for her, and also said he had secrets that he couldn't tell her yet[01].

At that time, she had just learned he was the dreamy hidden singer. And last night, he revealed he was actually a secret billionaire.

Was there anything more?

Ruediger silently looked at Lariette, finding curiosity in her clear gaze. He didn't foresee him bringing that up. His heart skipped a beat before it resumed pounding in a regular interval.

Lifting one hand, he caressed her face, a smile blooming on his lips when she inched closer to his touch. Unable to help himself, he dipped in to steal a few kisses, which she happily returned the gesture.

"There's one more secret," he whispered, one thumb tracing her moistened lower lip, "One more. But I can't tell you yet."

She asked playfully while poking his chest, "What? Let me guess. Are you a secret prince somewhere?"

Laughter escaped his lips, amused by her words, "Now you're making rumors up. A secret prince? Me?" This copy comes from content on *.

She giggled, "You're dreamy like a prince. Well, if you end up one, I'll retire from teaching and move with you to a castle. Will it be as dreamy as Neuschwanstein Castle?"

Ruediger narrowed his eyes, thinking of how playful Lariette was right now. Before her realized it, he reached for her waist and started tickling her.

"S-stop!"

Lariette squeaked, surprised by the sudden attack. She squealed and tried to squirm away. Laughter rang from her mouth, ringing in the living room.

"Your imagination is wild," Ruediger pointed out, teasing the lady under his mercy.

"Ha-haha! Okay! Okay! You're not a secret prince!"

Lariette gasped for air when Ruediger stopped tickling her. Her chest heaved up and down. But before her breathing stabilized, once again he kissed her, deeply and tenderly.

She turned into a puddle of honey water in his embrace, relishing the kisses. Her toes curled up and her fingers weakly grasped the back of his sweater.

Once he released her lips, he whispered, "Maybe soon, I'll tell you. My third and last secret."

She smiled softly, appreciating the comfort of his arms, "I'll wait. No pressure."

His hum echoed, and she sank deeper into his embrace.

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Reference:

1 - Chapter 263