Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire-Chapter 344: Tell Me More About Her Later

The wind picked up, ruffling through her chocolate brown locks and his crimson strands. The sun had descended slightly from the peak, casting golden rays over the beautiful garden.

Lariette’s eyes widened slightly, locking into Ruediger’s. He lifted one hand, gently brushing the stray hair away with a smile still tugging on his lips. The touch lured her out of her trance.

"...Christmas in Moonville? Eddy, are you serious?"

Lariette unconsciously lowered her voice, thinking she heard Ruediger wrongly. At the same time, the images of the past were conjured in her mind, bringing back the humble yet joyful Christmas celebrations of her childhood.

No fancy Christmas tree and its ornaments, no expensive gifts, no lavish feast — but she felt pure happiness.

Ruediger deepened his smile, touched at the hint of wonder in Lariette’s countenance and voice. Pulling his hand from her head, he chuckled and tapped the tip of her nose.

"Of course, I’m serious. I like the idea, Lettie. Us celebrating Christmas in your hometown. You can show me around the market too. Didn’t you say it has gotten better in recent years?"

Lariette blinked, not expecting Ruediger to bring up their conversation back then. On their flight back to the city, she told him that Moonville’s Christmas market had expanded much more than before.

When Lariette still lived in Moonville, its Christmas market was particularly small. It grew bigger in the past years until it was dubbed one of the hidden gem of winter wonderlands in the northern countryside.

She marveled at the idea, thinking it was the best for her, but...

Something crossed her mind, making her hesitate.

"Lettie, what’s wrong?" Ruediger raised his brows, seeing the slight cloud darkening Lariette’s face, "Do you have other ideas? We can talk about them."

When he mentioned celebrating in Moonville, half of it was because he hoped to make her happy, the other half was due to his own desire. But she might have different ideas.

This would be their first Christmas celebration as a pair of lovers. He wished them both to have an enjoyable time together.

Lariette blinked, regaining clarity, her tone cautious as she spoke, "Oh, I was just thinking... will we miss your mom’s memorial day if we go to Moonville? I forgot to ask when... the date is."

Was it right before Christmas? Her stomach churned thinking of the possibility he grieved his mother’s death when most were celebrating the festivity.

Ruediger froze, never expecting Lariette to think of such a thing. Instead of washing over his heart with sadness, her inquiry filled him with warmth.

"...Eddy!"

Lariette yelped, startled when Ruediger suddenly pulled her into a hug. Her hands flailed for a moment before she reached for the back of his sweater, clutching deep into the fabric.

Why?

Did she ask something she shouldn’t?

Should she be more careful?

When Lariette was panicking inside, Ruediger chuckled, his arms tightening around her figure. The soft laughter helped to calm her slightly as he spoke, his voice echoing in her ear.

"Hehe, sorry, Lettie. I’m just... didn’t think you’d ask about Mom’s... memorial day."

Ruediger paused, feeling a lump in his throat. He hugged Lariette closer, taking in her familiar scent and warmth. A tiny smile curled on his lips as he felt her caressing his back.

"Eddy, I know you want to make me happy," Lariette whispered, her face buried in Ruediger’s chest, "I can’t thank you enough for that. But... she was gone in winter, so... I wonder if it happened around Christmas."

Understanding what Lariette meant, Ruediger’s smile only became deeper. Indeed, he hadn’t told her when exactly the incident that altered his life happened. He had only mentioned it occurred during winter. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"It wasn’t around Christmas. It happened in January, Lettie, when I was still on school break. I... I didn’t ever expect to have my life changed... when the year barely began."

Hearing that, Lariette didn’t know whether to feel relieved or not. She couldn’t imagine Ruediger enduring the pain of starting the new year by being embroiled in one misfortune to another.

Not only he was forced to witness his mother’s dying, but he was also kidnapped. When he finally returned to his family, they misplaced the blame of her death on him instead.

Tears welled in Lariette’s eyes for she would never be able to fathom how much despair the young Ruediger had to carry until decades had passed. Fortunately, he had Felicia and Madeline by his side.

"Eddy, will you visit her before Christmas?" Lariette asked, her voice muffled by Ruediger’s chest, "If you do, can I come with you? I hope to accompany you when you do."

Instead of going with the intention to introduce herself to his mother, her reason lay more in wanting to provide him company.

Only if he wanted her to.

Lariette didn’t know how much her question meant to Ruediger. His heart trembled out of quiet joy. He pulled away slightly, enough to look at her whose head tilted up to let their gazes meet.

Tears glazed over her eyes, glistening under the golden lights of the autumn sun.

"Lettie..."

Taking his hands from her back, Ruediger cupped Lariette’s face, and the glimmer in his emerald orbs was reflected in her sapphire ones.

"You can... Of course, you can. I’m more than happy to have you with me."

How could he not?

All this time, he usually visited his mother’s burial site alone. His aunt and cousin offered to accompany him, but he always told them he wanted to be alone.

Until he met her again.

Upon hearing Ruediger’s answer, laced with joy and hope, a tiny smile played on Lariette’s lips. She enveloped the back of his hands with her palms, feeling him slightly shaking.

"Tell me more about your mom, Eddy," Lariette chuckled, eyes still welling with tears, "Her favorite flowers, her favorite colors, anything you want to share. I’d love to learn more about her."

"Y-yes! I will!"

Once again, Ruediger enveloped Lariette in a hug. The autumn breeze might be cold, but his heart was warm.

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