When Lariette was already sound asleep, Ruediger was still awake. Shirtless, he lay on his stomach. A small pillow supported his tummy area.
Ruediger’s crimson locks, usually tied into a bun, were let loose. The strands curled slightly against his bare skin.
The moonlight gently grazed his figure, illuminating his muscled arms and strong back, down to his tapered waist and long legs.
His broad and defined back rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm as he relaxed, waiting for sleep to greet him. A deep purplish bruise marred the skin of his upper back.
’One is out in the open now. But... more are left.’
Ruediger’s thoughts wandered to his spontaneous decision to reveal his Mr. Drear’s persona to Lariette. He couldn’t really predict how she would react, still, he decided to push forward.
Fortunately, she never blad her for hiding it.
But... He wasn’t certain about the other ones.
Telling her that he was the mysterious singer she had been admiring was nothing compared to the other secrets he still guarded, unknown to her.
Ruediger shifted slightly, the mattress sank under his weight. His lips curved into a smile as he recalled the adorable, shy look on Lariette’s face earlier. He had to hold back from reaching for her cheeks, eager to pinch them.
"..."
Lifting his neck, Ruediger glanced at his right palm. He still rembered the warmth left behind by her touch as they held hands. Her skin was very soft under his coarse palm.
’I better sleep.’
Exhaling softly, Ruediger turned his neck, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. He felt discomfort when lying on his side and on his back. He had to settle for lying on his stomach.
The night in the northern village was cool, allowing Ruediger to feel comfortable. He didn’t even need to turn on the air-conditioning system, only the ceiling fan.
As he eventually drifted to sleep, the moonlight bathed him in its soft silver glow. Unguarded, he lay in tranquility in the midst of his founded worries.
The next morning, Lariette and Ruediger had breakfast with the Campbells. As stated by the others last night, they handed so local specialties to Paul and lissa, to be gifted to the couple.
After dining, lissa showed two huge paper bags to Lariette and Ruediger. Variety of items, mostly food, were put inside.
"They need to rush to work, so they can’t see you this morning. You know, farrs don’t rest even on the weekend."
Horace and Steve were farrs, tending to their own farms where they grew crops and handled the livestock. Sandra operated a shop in town while the others also worked in labor-intensive fields.
"Please thank everyone for us," Lariette smiled in helplessness, her heart warm thinking of her old neighbors’ consideration, "I’ll return this autumn during the harvest festival."
Lariette had made up her mind. She would apply for a few days of leave to return to Moonville. Fortunately, the harvest festival wouldn’t coincide with the school sports day.
"You have to!" lissa bead, happy to hear Lariette would co back during the festival. She glanced at Ruediger, "Make sure you follow Lettie here. You two couldn’t really enjoy the sumr festival, right? Take this chance, then."
"Your Aunt l is right," Paul chid from the side, agreeing with his wife, "Our harvest festival is usually better than others."
Lariette and Ruediger promised to return together during the harvest festival period. They told lissa and Paul that they would leave for the city after visiting Mrs. Evans’ grave.
"Leave these bags here first, then. We’ll et you at your house before you leave," said Paul, gesturing to the heavy paper bags.
"Yes, listen to your Uncle Paul," lissa playfully nudged at Lariette’s arm, "Take your ti. We’ll wait there."
Both lissa and Paul understood how much Lariette loved the late Mrs. Evans. Every ti the lady returned to Moonville, she would visit her deceased grandmother’s grave every day without fail.
Smiling at the husband and wife, Lariette was touched by their consideration. Even a small act of kindness mattered so much to her.
"We’ll go to the gravesite now."
Lariette and Ruediger left the Campbells’ house, walking down the familiar road to the village graveyard. The breeze blew past the towering trees, rustling the leaves above them.
Like yesterday, the gravesite was quiet. The wildflowers swayed gently under the bright morning sun, spreading their colors against the backdrop of the clear blue sky.
Lariette and Ruediger stepped carefully on the soil, the soles of their feet grazing the gentle tips of the grass. They stopped once they reached Mrs. Evans’ tombstone.
"Grandma," Lariette began once she crouched, her voice soft with a hint of longing, "Eddy and I will leave now. We’ll co to visit you again soon."
Ruediger smiled at the tombstone. He also kneeled on the ground, his erald eyes lingering on the na carved on the stone.
One may have left the world, but their mories helped their loved ones to feel their presence amid the loss.
Opening his mouth, Ruediger spoke, "Please don’t worry about your dear granddaughter, Grandma. I will take care of her. We’ll co together to visit you."
Lariette glanced at Ruediger, seeing the erald eyes under the ruffled crimson bangs were ever so soft. His voice also carried the weight of his determination as if he made a grand promise to the departed Mrs. Evans.
Smiling, Lariette echoed Ruediger’s sentint. She chid playfully, "Do you hear that, Grandma? You don’t have to worry about . My husband is so dependable! You can trust his promise."
Lariette’s cheeky words earned laughter from Ruediger. His chuckles were carried away by the breeze. She grinned at him before joining him in laughing.
After so ti, Lariette slowly stood up. She touched the tombstone, caressing its surface gently, "Goodbye, Grandma. Rember what I’ve said, en? I’ll co again and share gossip with you."
"I’ll do that too. Goodbye, Grandma."
Ruediger stood beside Lariette. He also rubbed the tombstone, his heart was stirred with a hint of sorrow despite not having a deep relationship with Mrs. Evans, unlike Lariette.
Stepping a few feet backward, Lariette bowed at the tombstone. Ruediger silently followed her action. They retraced the path they had taken earlier.
’I won’t be here until later. How much will the scenery change by that ti?’
Lariette unconsciously halted in her track. She turned around, staring far until her eyes saw the deceased Mrs. Evans’ tombstone. A bittersweet feeling crept into her heart.
Despite already accepting her grandmother’s demise due to her poor health, Lariette still had regrets lingering within her.
Her wish to bring her grandmother to live with her in the city once she grew up remained a wish. She had lost the chance to make it into reality.
"...ttie? Lettie?"
"Huh?"
Blinking, Lariette blankly stared at Ruediger, who waved his hand before her eyes. She gasped, realizing that she was swept up by the currents of her feelings.
"Shall we go now?" Ruediger asked. The softness of his voice mirrored his smile.
Lariette nodded, returning Ruediger’s smile, "Yes. Back to our ho."
The man chuckled, seemingly happy with her simple words. Before they resud walking, she raised her palm, her cheeks flushed.
"...can we hold hands? I feel like holding hands with soone now."
Ruediger arched his brows. Lariette’s request pleasantly surprised him.
"Sure. Let’s go."
Once their hands interlinked with each other, they moved forward. As they were in close vicinity, her shoulder almost grazed his arm.
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