CHAPTER 412: CHAPTER 412 PLAN’S

That one word made his ears burn, but instead of shrinking back, Julian leaned down, brushing his nose lightly against her temple. "I think you like it, wife," he murmured, his voice low and warm, as his hand slipped under the blanket, his fingers trailing along her thigh.

Ruby’s breath hitched, and she quickly caught his wrist, though her lips found his jaw in the same moment, pressing a kiss there that made his smile widen. "Stop it," she whispered, her tone scolding but softened with affection.

Julian chuckled, tilting his head so her lips brushed against his stubble. "Alright, alright..." he relented, though the playful gleam in his eyes made it clear he wasn’t entirely sorry. He shifted slightly, his other hand brushing her hair back from her face. "I should clean us up anyway."

Ruby hummed, pretending to pout, though her smile betrayed her. "Now you sound responsible again," she teased, poking his chest lightly.

Julian kissed the top of her head, his voice gentle. "Maybe I’m both, wife. Gentle... and the other side too."

Ruby’s lips curved as she looked up at him, her eyes soft but mischievous. "Then I guess I’ll just have to learn both sides of you, won’t I?"

Julian’s heart swelled at her words, and with a grin, he kissed her again, tender and lingering, before slipping carefully out of bed, still holding her hand as though he couldn’t bear to let her go entirely.

When Milo came home with Adrian, his whole face was glowing, his steps light as if he were walking on air. He burst into the sitting room the moment he saw Ruby, his voice bubbling over with excitement.

"Wife! You can’t believe it—Master wants to submit my painting for the monthly art exhibition!!!" Milo exclaimed, his words tumbling out so fast he almost tripped over them. "And—and he also said I should start practicing my signature and use it on my art to seal my copyright!" His eyes shone brightly, his hands waving in the air as though he still couldn’t believe it himself.

Ruby’s heart melted at the sight of him. She immediately pulled him into her arms, hugging him tightly and planting a kiss on his temple. "I am proud of you, Milo," she said warmly, her eyes full of affection.

Milo’s smile stretched even wider, his cheeks glowing pink. He barely had time to catch his breath before Julian came forward and wrapped him in another hug, laughing softly as he squeezed him close.

"I am so proud of you, Milo," Julian said, his face breaking into a wide, genuine smile that mirrored Ruby’s pride.

Milo hugged them both back, his voice thick with happiness. "Thank you, Jules... thank you, Wife." His words were soft, but his joy was impossible to hide.

The rest of the evening carried that warmth with it. They sat down together, Adrian joining quietly with a faint smile of his own, and shared dinner at the table. Laughter floated around the room, the kind that came easily when hearts were light. For Milo, it was more than a meal—it was a celebration, his dream slowly taking shape, and the people he loved most sitting right beside him.

************

In the blink of an eye, the rainy season was gone, leaving behind clear skies and crisp mornings. The air carried that gentle bite that told everyone winter was near, and Ruby, always prepared ahead of time, had already started planning a sweater launch for the early season. Her days were busy sketching out designs, choosing fabrics, and meeting with suppliers, her mind running two steps ahead of everyone else. It wasn’t just about the clothes—it was about making sure her family and her business stayed warm and secure in every sense.

But the sweater launch wasn’t the only thing that occupied her. Ruby had also turned her eyes toward something even bigger—her new building project. What had started as a single idea was now expanding into something much larger, the kind of place that combined different sections under one vision, almost like a complex. She wanted it to be more than just a workspace; it would hold offices, creative studios, storage areas, and even a small section for exhibitions. A place where everything she dreamed of could stand together under one roof.

At first, her blueprint had been simple, straightforward, but as the weeks went by, she found herself making changes. A wall shifted here, a new room added there, hallways adjusted so the flow of the place felt alive and welcoming. Each change felt necessary, like she was carving her vision into something that would last far beyond her.

Construction began not long after. The sound of hammers and drills became the background music of her mornings, echoing through the half-built walls. Workers moved busily, carrying bricks, mixing cement, and setting the foundations in place. Ruby often stood at the edge of the site with her rolled-up plans in hand, her sharp eyes scanning every detail. Sometimes she would call out a correction, other times she would quietly observe, her heart swelling with a mix of pride and nerves.

Meanwhile, Milo had thrown himself completely into his art. Ever since he had attended the exhibition with Master Elric Wrenford, he had come back with a fire in his heart that refused to burn out. He began working on a brand-new collection, filling canvases with colors and emotions that seemed to grow deeper with each stroke of his brush. His confidence, once so fragile, now bloomed steadily, especially after what happened at the last exhibition. His original painting—his very own—had sold for nine hundred gems, a price he could hardly believe when the deal was struck. That moment had proved to him that his art wasn’t just admired—it was valued. From then on, Milo’s motivation only grew, and each evening he would come home with paint still on his hands, his smile glowing as he spoke about new ideas he wanted to bring to life.

Karl and Kaelan, meanwhile, had been occupied with their shoot, both of them working tirelessly to wrap it up. Their filming schedule was nearing its end, and Ruby was already preparing to dive into the editing process. She would often visit the sets, her eyes sharp as she took in every detail, making mental notes for the adjustments she would later polish in the studio. And every time her gaze brushed against Kaelan’s, the air seemed to shift. The tension between them was undeniable—an undercurrent of unsaid words and clashing emotions that hung in the space whenever they stood too close. Ruby tried to ignore it, but Kaelan’s presence always pressed against her patience, testing the fragile boundary.

To be continued... 🪄