My five ghostly husbands-Chapter 233 City (2)

"Thank you," Ruby said kindly, handing a few coins to Uncle Otis. He smiled at her, gave a slow nod, then guided his wagon back toward the sky.

The city market was already alive, even in the early morning light.

Shops had opened their doors..some still yawning awake, while others bustled with movement. The streets, paved in pale stone, stretched wide beneath a soft breeze that carried the scent of fresh bread and new cloth.

Tall signs hung over store doors.... Every corner sparkled with some touch of wealth. People strolled by in high-class robes.

Karl looked around, wide-eyed. "Woah..."

He turned in a slow circle, taking it all in..the display windows, the jewelry stands... The people here looked wealthier.

But Karl didn’t feel out of place.

Not today.

He stood proudly in his cream-colored robe..the one Ruby had personally chosen for him. It had delicate embroidery on the sleeves, soft gold thread that shining quietly when the sun touched it. He looked elegant, expensive, and confident.

Julian walked beside him, his usual quiet self but today he wore a black robe, clean and neat with silver edges. It hugged his tall frame just right, the color making his soft features stand out. He always appeared gentle... but in black, there was something quietly striking about him.

A quiet kind of handsome that didn’t need to be loud.

Milo trailed behind them, happily kicking a tiny pebble as he walked, wearing a light yellow robe with a fun wave-like pattern stitched along the bottom. It matched his cheerful personality perfectly. The sleeves were a little long, so he kept waving his arms and pretending he had wings.

Adrian walked at the back, as usual...silent, watchful. He wore black too, but unlike Julian, his robe fit a little tighter around his arms and chest, showing off his broad, muscular frame. His sharp jaw, dark eyes, and quiet energy made heads turn wherever he passed.

He didn’t seem to care.

"Where are we going, wife?" Milo asked curiously, his eyes wide as he walked beside her, bouncing a little with every step.

Ruby smiled. "Breakfast first. You guys must be hungry."

They had just entered the main part of the city, and Ruby spotted a restaurant nearby...a tall, elegant building made of infused glass that shining faintly in the morning light. The sunlight bounced off its walls like soft crystal, and the silver-framed name above the door gleamed proudly.

It was big.

And clearly expensive.

The inside was quiet, warm, and luxurious. The tables were made of wood, and the chairs were crafted in an old classical style, cushioned with dark green velvet. Soft music played from somewhere, the kind that made people whisper instead of talk loud.

Milo looked around, blinking.

He gripped Ruby’s sleeve.

"It’s... really fancy," he whispered. "Should we really sit here?"

Even Julian, who was usually calm, glanced around and adjusted his sleeves a little, sitting up straighter. His eyes flicked toward the wealthy people already seated, all dressed in expensive fabrics and sipping morning tea.

They both looked small in this place.

Like two quiet stars in a room full of chandeliers.

But Karl flopped into the seat like it belonged to him. "Nice chairs," he said casually, stretching his legs. "Smells rich. I like it."

Adrian didn’t say anything. He just pulled the chair back quietly and sat, posture straight, completely unfazed.

Ruby noticed.

She noticed the changes in Milo’s voice. The quiet tension in Julian’s eyes. The way they shrunk a little, like they weren’t sure if they belonged here.

She sat down gracefully, and as they settled, she turned toward them with a soft smile.

"What do you think of this place?" she asked, her voice gentle. "It’s a little fancy, but the food’s supposed to be good."

Milo looked up at her, still unsure.

Julian hesitated. "It’s... nice."

Ruby leaned forward, resting her arms gently on the table. Her voice was calm and quiet.

"Don’t worry. I’m here with you."

She gave them a little smile.

"You’ll get used to it."

Milo relaxed a little.

Julian’s eyes softened.

Just then, the waiter approached...wearing a long black coat, white gloves, and holding a leather-bound menu in both hands. He bowed lightly and gave Ruby a polite smile.

"Welcome, ma’am. Would you like to see our breakfast menu?"

"Yes," Ruby nodded, "Please."

The waiter gently placed the menus on the table...thick pages with golden writing, each item handwritten with beautiful ink.

The boys slowly leaned closer as they opened the menus, scanning the dishes.

But this time... all four of them leaned in and opened their menus with quiet confidence.

There was no confusion. No furrowed brows. No sideways glances at Ruby for help.

They could read it.

Last time they’d come to a restaurant with her, they had stumbled over the words, embarrassed, unsure of what they were looking at. But now, their eyes moved smoothly across the page, taking in the options like it was second nature.

Ruby smiled quietly, watching them.

They were growing.

"Whatever you like," she said softly. "Order anything you want."

Karl had gone for a tall stack of fluffy cinnamon pancakes with cream on top and a side of buttered toast. He was now biting into his toast like it owed him something, muttering between chews, "This is royal breakfast. Fit for kings."

He licked a bit of syrup off his finger and narrowed his eyes at anyone who looked too long at his last pancake.

Adrian had picked a warm bowl of oats with nuts, honey, and fresh exotic purple fruits. He sat silently, eating with small, steady motions, his red tea beside him barely touched. Even in a simple setting like this, he looked calm and composed..like this was a normal day.

Julian had chosen a plate of butter croissants with scrambled eggs and soft cheese. He sat beside Ruby, smiling quietly, neatly folding his napkin between bites. Every now and then, he passed the syrup bottle to Milo without being asked.

And Milo was in heaven.

A tower of mini waffles lay on his plate, dripping in golden syrup and powdered sugar, with slices of fruit and tiny cream swirls beside them. He had syrup on his cheeks, a bit of strawberry juice on his sleeve, and absolutely no regrets.

"This is the best day of my life," he mumbled through a mouthful of waffle, eyes sparkling.

Until he slowly slid his fork toward Karl’s plate.

Karl stopped chewing. "You. Stop. Right. There."

Milo blinked innocently. "I thought you didn’t want that last piece of toast."

Karl gasped. "It’s the hero of my plate! I was saving it!"

Ruby hid a laugh behind her cup of tea.

Adrian calmly pushed the salt shaker between them as if to say, Here’s your barrier—don’t cross it.

Julian offered half of his croissant to Milo in peace.

Ruby watched them all quietly, her fingers curled around her warm cup..

—To be continued...🪄

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