She stepped closer, her fingers brushing against the soft, airy materials. The fabrics were exactly what she had imagined – light, breathable, and perfect for her designs.
However, Ruby didn’t immediately spot the exact shades she wanted. She turned to Ethan with a curious expression. "Do you have a sage green and dusty rose fabric?" she asked.
For a moment, Ethan’s face went blank as if trying to recall. Then, with a small nod, he motioned for her to follow. He pulled out a few rolls of muted fabrics from a hidden shelf nearby, presenting them to her.
Ruby carefully examined each piece, her fingers gliding over the soft material. After a few moments of thought, she smiled, holding up two rolls. "These two," she said, her voice warm with satisfaction.
After following Ethan back to the counter, Ruby’s eyes fell on Leo, who was now sitting seriously on the counter, his little face resting on his hands as he stared intently outside.
This little fellow is adorable, Ruby thought with a soft chuckle.
"How much?" she asked Ethan, turning her attention back to him.
Ethan began counting on his fingers, his long lashes brushing against his cheek as he worked it out. "Six coins," he said, finally lifting his head to meet her gaze. He noticed her looking at him, and a smile curved his lips.
Ruby quickly handed over the coins. After settling the payment, she thanked him and stepped out of the shop, holding her bag filled with her purchases. As the warm air greeted her, she glanced back briefly and saw Leo waving enthusiastically from the counter.
Her lips curved into a smile. As she wave back.
"Did you forget our plan?" Adrian lightly slapped the back of Karl’s head.
Karl, who was holding his new robe and carefully placing it in his wardrobe, pouted and turned to glare at Adrian. "Why did you hit me?" he asked angrily, rubbing the spot.
"Because you’re not doing anything useful," Adrian replied sharply. "What if we take precautions now? Steal some and save it for a bad time." His expression darkened as he added, "Otherwise, we’ll end up in the same mess as last time, drowning in debt..."
Karl’s eyes widened at the memory. His grip on the robe tightened, his fingers turning white as the unpleasant flashback surfaced.
"Fine," Karl muttered reluctantly. "But I don’t feel right about it. Stupid wife...she’s been acting really different lately. It’s like she’s changed." He looked at Adrian, a flicker of uncertainty in his gaze.
Adrian folded his arms. "Maybe she has. But even if she’s changed, we still need to stick to the plan. This isn’t about her; it’s about making sure we have something to fall back on in case of an emergency."
Karl hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Okay," he said, his voice low, a mix of agreement and doubt.
"What are you two planning?"
Both Adrian and Karl froze, their hearts skipping a beat at the voice. They turned slowly to see Julian standing at the door, arms folded and a curious expression on his face.
Karl stammered, "We-we..." His voice trembled, and for the first time in his life, he felt genuine fear.
Adrian, usually the composed one, seemed at a loss for words, but before he could come up with an excuse, Julian broke into a gentle laugh.
"It’s fine, I’m just joking," Julian said, his voice warm and reassuring. "Take a rest, you two. There’s no need to feel so pressured."
Both of them let out a breath they hadn’t realized they were holding.
Julian smiled softly and added, "I already washed all the clothes. Everything’s taken care of." Then, with an easy stride, he walked into the room, leaving the two ghost stunned and silently exchanging nervous glances.
"But... but we wanted to wash them," Karl stammered, his face turning slightly red as he looked down at his feet. "You... you always do all the chores, and now that we’re fine... I feel useless..." His voice trailed off, full of guilt and frustration.
Julian paused mid-step and turned back to face him, his expression softening. "Brother Karl," he said gently, "you’re not useless. You both have been through a lot. It’s okay to rest for once. Let me handle this."
"But still," Karl mumbled, his grip tightening on the robe he was holding.
Julian walked closer, placing a reassuring hand on Karl’s shoulder. "It’s not about who does what, Brother Karl. We’re a family. When one of us is tired, the other steps in. That’s how we move forward."
Adrian crossed his arms, frowning slightly but staying quiet, watching the exchange.
Julian smiled lightly, adding, "If you really want to help, then just promise me you’ll take care of yourselves. That’s all I need from you two right now."
Karl looked up, his eyes slightly glassy but filled with determination. "Okay," he said softly, nodding. Adrian finally gave a small, approving grunt in agreement.
"Good." Julian smiled wider. "Now, why don’t you two relax while I finish up?" He turned back towards his work, leaving Karl and Adrian.
Karl let out a deep sigh once Julian left the room. "He’s going to be mad when he finds out about our plan," he muttered, running a hand through his messy hair.
"We’ll deal with him when the time comes," Adrian said, forcing a tone of confidence. "But she’s already taken all the money, so we have to act tonight when everyone’s asleep." His gaze shifted to Karl, their eyes locking in silent agreement.
Karl nodded, but his unease was clear. He bit his lip as nervous thoughts filled his mind.
Meanwhile, Ruby strolled through the market, her pace relaxed as she took in the sights. She had already brought some needles and thread, so now she simply wandered, admiring the various shops. A soft smile appeared on her face when she noticed a small pet house tucked beside a shop, it reminded her of the sweet cat, Princess Belle, that she had met not too long ago.
Her attention then shifted to a snack shop, the colorful displays of treats catching her eye. Unable to resist, she stepped inside. The shop was filled with all sorts of goodies—crispy chips, chocolate-covered snacks, and aromatic teas. After a little back-and-forth, Ruby left with a bag of chips, some chocolate treats, and a packet of tea, pleased with her little shopping spree.
—To be continued...🪄