Chapter 120: Chapter 120: On the road

After my question, Ruby’s eyes widened noticeably — for a moment, they flashed with slight amazement mixed with confusion.

"Auntie, what are you talking about?" she finally asked, her voice sounding a little quieter than usual.

I smiled slightly, trying not to reveal that I felt just as awkward.

"Well... I mean," I began, lowering my gaze, "you’ve been attending a lot of social events lately.

And..." I coughed slightly, trying to find the right words, "I just wanted to know if you’ve met anyone there who you like. A guy who could catch your attention?"

I felt a little awkward asking this question, but I couldn’t help myself. After all, I was really interested.

I knew that Rubiella was now at the age when first love usually happens. That first, timid attraction between young people has always been something touching and pure in its own way.

So I wouldn’t be surprised if Ruby, now almost of marriageable age, began to experience such feelings. Besides, her natural charm had often attracted the attention of young men at balls and receptions, which even I had noticed.

And yet, despite my outward calm, I couldn’t help but worry. The world of high society was full of not only glamour, but also treachery. And my niece was too pure and trusting to immediately recognize the lies behind the false smiles.

Therefore, as her aunt, I felt a responsibility not just to watch from the sidelines, but to prepare her. To share advice, to protect her if necessary. Perhaps that is why I decided to ask her about it now, even though I knew that this conversation could be awkward for both of us.

Yes, first and foremost, I was concerned about her safety. But somewhere deep down, I wanted to know something else — whether there was already a place in her heart for someone special.

However, after I asked the question, Ruby remained silent for a few seconds.

She lowered her gaze, and a strange shadow flashed across her face. She frowned slightly.

"Auntie, you want to know if I like anyone?" she finally said quietly.

"Oh... yes," I said, slightly embarrassed, and looked away. "I wanted to know."

The room fell silent for a moment. I couldn’t help but feel my heart beat a little faster, as if I were waiting to hear something important.

The girl was silent again for a short time. For a few seconds, she seemed to be choosing her words, and finally said calmly but firmly:

"Yes. I do like someone."

I blinked, not quite believing my ears.

"What? Really?" I asked a little louder than I intended, feeling my insides churn with surprise.

Although I had brought up the subject myself, I must admit that I had not expected Ruby to respond in this manner.

My heart beat a little faster—a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and slight anticipation overwhelmed me.

"Who is he?" I asked almost immediately, unable to resist.

Ruby looked at me calmly, but something elusive flashed in her eyes.

"You know him," she said quietly.

"What? I know him?" I couldn’t hide my surprise and literally froze, not believing my ears.

My mind immediately began frantically going over the possible options.

Know him? But who exactly could I know?

There wasn’t a single suitable young man her age in our circle who came to mind.

In that case...

Did that mean I had actually met the person Ruby liked at one of those numerous receptions or balls?

Images of dozens of young men who had talked to Ruby or asked her to dance came to mind. And yet I couldn’t remember anyone who had particularly interested Ruby.

Yes, she was always the center of attention at such events. So it would be almost impossible to identify that person in this way.

But despite this, I still felt very excited.

The news that my niece had finally fallen in love made my heart beat a little faster — both with joy and excitement.

"In that case... when are you going to introduce him to the family?"

I said this with a slight smile, trying to make my voice sound casual, although in reality, everything was boiling inside me.

No, I wasn’t trying to rush things — of course not.

It’s just... I really wanted to see the person who had caught the attention of my dear Ruby.

However, after my question, Ruby smiled a little strangely.

Something flashed in her eyes, but before I could see it, her expression became calm and gentle again.

"Don’t worry," she replied with an almost mysterious intonation. "You will definitely be able to meet him."

"Really?" I asked again.

"Of course," she repeated with the same calmness.

I sighed, feeling a slight relief mixed with curiosity growing in my chest.

"Okay," I finally said. "In that case, when you decide to introduce him to the family, be sure to let me know!"

"Of course, Auntie," Ruby replied softly, nodding.

But at that moment...

The girl’s gaze lingered on me a little longer than usual.

There was something in it that I couldn’t immediately recognize — a slight shadow, barely noticeable but palpable. And for some reason, it was this shadow that made my heart involuntarily tighten.

It suddenly seemed to me that there might be something more behind her calmness.

But what exactly — I didn’t know. And in the end, I chose not to think about it at all.

After this short but exciting conversation, we got ready for bed.

Ruby fell asleep almost instantly, her breathing became even and calm, and her face, illuminated by the dim moonlight, seemed especially tender.

I, on the other hand, tossed and turned for a while, despite the fatigue that had previously paralyzed my whole body. It seemed that the excitement of the news I had heard still hadn’t left me, and my heart was still beating a little faster than usual.

In the darkness, I quietly watched her beautiful sleeping face. Ruby’s peaceful expression and quiet breathing made my heart warm.

Yes, it seemed that my little girl had grown up...

She even had a person she liked!

Thoughts of this brought me both joy and slight anxiety — now she was becoming more and more independent, and I wanted to protect her from any possible disappointments and misfortunes.

Feeling this excitement, I finally allowed myself to relax and close my eyes.

Although sleep came slowly, and my thoughts still wandered around Ruby and her chosen one. When would I finally be able to meet this person?

With these thoughts, I quietly fell asleep.

***

The next morning, Ruby and I got up earlier than usual. The sun’s rays were just beginning to shine through the curtains, but we had a lot to do. Since we had a long way to go, we needed to prepare everything in advance so that the trip would go as smoothly as possible.

In the end, our preparations took another half hour. I quickly got myself ready, neatly styled my hair, and chose clothes that were comfortable and at the same time suitable for traveling in a carriage. Yes, comfort and practicality were the most important things in such situations.

We also had a quick breakfast — something light so as not to overload our stomachs, but nutritious enough to give us strength for the journey. Ruby, as always, helped me with the final preparations, going through our things and checking that we hadn’t forgotten anything important.

Finally, everything was ready for departure.

Edison and Nura were already waiting for us at the carriage, ready to see us off.

"Madam, don’t worry. I will take good care of the estate in your absence," Edison said with his usual confidence and a slight smile.

I just nodded in response. Deep down, I knew I could rely on him completely. The butler, capable of taking care of the entire estate, was exactly the person I could trust with everything while Ruby and I were away.

"We’ll try to return as soon as possible," I said.

Ruby was already sitting in the carriage, carefully adjusting her dress, and I was about to join her.

"Have a safe journey, madam and young lady!" said the butler with a slight bow, and Nura also bowed to us both.

"Yes, thank you," I replied quietly.

Finally, after saying goodbye to the servants, we set off. When we got into the carriage and it slowly started moving, I watched the estate for a while as it gradually became smaller and smaller until the green alleys and tall trees disappeared into the morning mist.

At that moment, I felt a light touch on my hand.

"Auntie..." Ruby called me softly, her voice gentle and a little uncertain.

I turned to her and smiled.

"Don’t worry," I said calmly, "everything will be fine."

Ruby just nodded at me, and a faint smile appeared on her face too.

A long road to Estervood awaited us — a journey full of surprises and unknowns.

I took a deep breath and mentally prepared myself for the journey ahead, hoping that everything would indeed go smoothly and peacefully.