"All right! We’re leaving. Thanks for all the help, Angel," Ruby said gratefully, offering a warm smile.
"It’s fine, don’t mention it!" Angeline laughed, and even Kenji gave a small smile as Ruby and her husbands climbed onto the wagon. Ruby glanced back, noticing Angeline’s other four husbands standing nearby, watching them. She hadn’t met them yet, but she didn’t linger on it.
"Uncle Otis, could you take us to the nearby restaurant?" she asked, catching the surprised look from Karl, whose eyes went wide. Adrian, on the other hand, was as expressionsless as ever but held a dark, intense gaze on her, like he wanted to say something but held back.
Milo and Julian, however, were beaming at the mention of a good meal, their excitement obvious. Soon, they reached the familiar market area, Uncle Otis stopped near a small restaurant.
"How much, Uncle Otis?" Ruby asked as she prepared to get down.
"Nineteen coins," he replied. Ruby nodded, handed him the coins, and climbed down first, followed by Julian, Milo, and Adrian.
Karl was the last one, but as he tried to step down, his foot got tangled in his robe. Just as he was about to stumble face-first to the ground, Ruby caught him mid-fall.
"Clumsy," she muttered, steadying him and making sure he was safely on his feet.
Ruby lifted her head, noticing Karl’s baby blue eyes filling with tears.
She didn’t want him to start crying—last thing she needed was another misunderstanding like that awkward incident with the bakery ghost.
But just as she was about to reassure him, she felt a tickle in her nose.
"Achoo!" She sneezed, once, then again, and then a third time.
"Wife, what’s wrong?" Julian asked, gently patting her back, concern etched across his face. He waved at Uncle Otis, signaling him that they could handle things here. Otis nodded and went on his way.
Milo, juggling the bags of clothes, paced nervously around her, his own face a mix of worry and helplessness. "Are you all right, wife?" he asked anxiously, glancing from her to Julian, uncertain what to do.
Even Karl, who had been on the verge of tears, was now staring at her with wide eyes, momentarily forgetting his own worries.
"It’s fine, it’s fine..." Ruby said, trying to reassure them between sneezes. She managed one last real sneeze before she could finally compose herself, giving them a watery smile.
"Let’s go," Ruby said as she looked at the restaurant.
Uncle Otis had already dropped them nearby, and she guided her husbands inside.
Ruby looked around the simple restaurant, noticing how everything felt humble and rustic. The tables were made of wood, and the whole place had this homey charm that was nothing like the fancy transparent shops she’d seen in the main market.
She guided them to a table, and everyone took a seat. Milo placed a bag down beside him, packed with a set of clothes for each of them for the rituals tomorrow.
Flipping through the menu as the waiter approached with a notepad, she recognized a few dishes she’d tried before with Angeline and ordered just enough to satisfy herself.
"Order whatever you like," she said, leaning back in her chair with a smile.
Milo hesitated, his forced smile giving away his nervousness. "Uh... wife... maybe you could... order for us?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
Ruby stilled for a moment as a memory surfaced—Milo’s mother hadn’t sent him to school, so he barely knew how to read. She glanced at Karl, who widened his eyes and quickly shook his head, clearly in the same situation.
Then there was Adrian, his face as hard as stone, hiding any hint of embarrassment.
Finally, Julian picked up the menu and gave it a try. He’d been able to go to school when his parents were alive, but after moving in with his aunt, she had stopped him from continuing.
Seeing them , Ruby felt a tug at her heart. They’d all missed out on something so basic. Julian managed to piece together a simple order for everyone, though she noticed a hint of sadness in his expression.
Ruby’s expression remained steady, and she let Julian continue with the order. After all, they needed to learn things for themselves, and if she took the menu back now, he might feel discouraged. So, she simply waited, giving him the space he needed.
Inwardly, she sighed, realizing how much they’d missed out on.
She knew she would have to start teaching them step-by-step and eventually enroll them in classes.
She wanted them to become independent; after all, if she ever decided to divorce Karl and Adrian, she didn’t want to leave them without a sense of security or the skills to stand on their own. They deserved a chance to build a life without depending on anyone else.
As for Julian... well, she wasn’t sure.
As Julian managed to finish the order, she gave him an encouraging smile.
Soon, their food was served. A large platter of dishes arrived, filling the table with mouthwatering dishes and savory aromas.
There was a Red Rice Curry, thick and creamy, with a rich aroma of spices, and a side of Fiery Pepper Vegetables, a sautéed mix of colorful vegetables tossed in a spicy red sauce. A large serving bowl held Crimson Pilaf, rice cooked with red herbs and garnished with bits of dried berries that gave it a sweet and tangy flavor.
In addition, there were Crispy Lava Rolls, crunchy vegetable rolls with a spicy filling wrapped in a golden, flaky crust. For a refreshing side, they were served Ruby Salad, a chilled salad of red lettuce, sweet apples, and pomegranate seeds drizzled with a zesty dressing.
Though the colors were intense, mostly in shades of red and deep orange, Ruby couldn’t help but dive in with excitement. The bold flavors matched the dishes’ fiery look, and each bite brought a burst of spices and subtle sweetness that she found addictively delicious. She savored every bite, barely able to pause between mouthfuls.
Ruby raised her head when she noticed Karl, despite having a mountain of food already on his plate, still reaching over to pile on more and eating at a speed that made her think he’d choke.
Sensing her gaze, he looked up, a bit of rice stuck to the corner of his mouth, his eyes confused.
"What’s wrong, stupid wife?"
—To be continued...🪄