Walking hastily up the stairs and into the hallway. Ruby is holding into my hands, flustered from the previous comments from her mother. As we walk for a few seconds, we arrive at, which I presume to be her room. Opening the door, we enter her fairly large room. Like a room fit for a princess, she has a large queen-sized bed, well-furnished with a desk, couch, coffee table, bookshelves, and a nice night sky view from the window.
Grabbing a candle from the table, she lights it with a match. As the fire from the candle lights the room, we sat at the couch a meter apart from each other.
"Uhm... I didn't bring any sleepwear," I anxiously say to Ruby.
"I-its ok. Y-you can just remove that jacket and sleep in your shirt."
"Are you sure?"
"Y-yes."
Taking my jacket off, I fold it and place it on the table. I also took off my holster with my M9 and magazine pouch strapped on my hip. When I finish placing everything on the table, I look at Ruby, slowly inching her way to me.
"So, how are you feeling?" I ask in an attempt to start a convo.
"G-good."
'That was short-lived.'
Thinking of a way to get out of this awkward situation, I drape my arm on the back of the couch, which inevitably brushes the back of Ruby's neck making her flinch.
"Sorry," I say to Ruby as I withdraw my arm.
"I-It's ok, I was just surprised," She says as she leans back in my arm.
"If you say so."
"Your arm is comfy."
"It is?"
Comfortably leaning her head on my arm, she nods. Using this chance, I move closer to her by wrapping my arm around her. Making her rest her head on my shoulder. As she comfortably leans on me, she slightly nudges her head on my neck. Her cute fox ears start to tickle my neck as she continues to nudge on me. After a few minutes of staying like this, Ruby started to drift off to sleep.
When Ruby went to sleep, I then gently lay her on the couch before walking to her bed to slip the comforter off. I then went back to the sleeping girl and slowly pick her up, making sure not to disturb her sleep. I then gently place her on the bed before covering her with the comforter. Yawning for the night, I then join the sleeping Ruby in the bed.
"Goodnight, Ruby," I whisper before drifting off to sleep myself.
"-ight, my Felix."
Tweet tweet tweet. Slowly opening my eyes, I can hear the bird chirping the rising sun. As I look at the side of the bed, I notice Ruby longingly looking at me while hugging my arm, making me blush.
"Morning. Did you sleep well?" Ruby says with an alluring voice, unusual with her usual shy demeanor.
"Uh, ye-yes," Surprise with her new demeanor, I stuttered.
She chuckles.
'Did we switched place or what?'
"That's good."
"How long were you awake?"
"A few minutes ago."
"So… should we get up?"
"Can we stay like this for a few minutes?" She says as she tightens her grip.
"If you want to."
"Thank you, Felix."
After a few minutes of cuddling each other, we went to the private dining room of the castle. As we enter the room, a table with plentiful dishes is placed on it. Heading to the seats, Isabel notices me and Ruby.
"Good morning you two. Did you have a wonderful night?" Isabel says with a smile, with a hint of slyness behind it.
"Mo-Mother! No-nothing happened ok!"
'She's back to her shy self.'
"Aw, that's disappointing. Come and sit down."
Taking our seats at the table, we then chat while eating the dishes. After finishing the meal, we head outside to the Black Hawk. Waiting for us beside the Black Hawk was Sheryl, bowing at us.
"Your Highnesses."
'Highnesses? Oh right, I'm engaged with Ruby so I'm part of the royal family now.'
"How are you doing Sheryl?" Isabel asks Sheryl.
"I'm doing fine Queen Isabel."
"I'm going to do some inspection before we go," I say as I walk up to the Black Hawk before inspecting it.
After a few minutes of walking and looking for any problems, I jump off the top of the Black Hawk after I finish checking the rotors.
"Ok we're good to go," I say to everyone waiting before opening the side hatch.
After they settle inside the Black Hawk, I went into the cockpit and fly off.
A few hours of flying later, we reach Cali village. As we approach the lake, I then made a short fly-over to show Isabel the scenery before landing the Black Hawk on the landing pad. Getting off the Black Hawk, we were greeted by Sally, Lillian, and Karla.
"We're back."
"Welcome home, Foxy!"
"Welcome back, Hubby."
"Welcome back."
"Hello everyone," Isabel says.
"Ah! Queen Isabel! Welcome to our home!" Sally happily say.
"Thank you for having me."
We then downstairs to the living room.
"I must say, your house is one of a kind. I've never seen such beautiful architecture," Isabel complements.
"I feel the same, Mother. When I first arrived here, I never thought this was possible to make," Ruby, adds.
'But it totally rendered my power useless for 2 months after I made the house.'
"Welcome back. How was your trip?" Mom asks.
"It was uneventful."
As Mom and I talk to each other, I notice her looking at Isabel.
"Who is she?"
"That's Ruby's mother, Isabel. Let me introduce you to her."
Mom and I then walk up to Isabel who is talking to Ruby and Sheryl.
"Isabel, this is my Mom."
"I'm Felicia. Nice to meet you." She offers her hand while smiling.
"Likewise." Shaking it before letting go.
"I see that my son manage to steal your daughter's heart."
"Yes, quite skillful on how fast he did it."
"I can imagine."
They both look at me with a sly smile.
'Ok, time for me to go.'
"I'll go talk to Ruby and Sheryl." I point at the two of them chatting on the couch.
"Have fun," Mom says before I walk away.
As I walk towards Ruby and Sheryl, they notice me when I got closer.
"Hey, Felix. I see Mom and Aunt Felicia are talking."
"Yeah, I introduced them to each other. So what are you talking about, I hope I wasn't interrupting something."
"No, we were just talking about this house," Sheryl says.
"I was just explaining to her about it," Ruby says.
"How about you show her around Ruby?"
"Can I?"
"Yes. This is also your house so you have a decision here."
"T-thank you."