Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 196

Chapter 196: To Honor One of My Biggest Fans
Under the serene moonlit sky, Ruediger’s voice reached Lariette, carried by the soft breeze. Her eyes flung open, she gasped, his admittance sent her frozen in shock.

W-what?

He was indeed… Mr. Dreamer?

Despite her heart leaning on the thought, Lariette was still taken aback by Ruediger’s answer. Especially at how easily he admitted the truth to her.

Lariette believed her heart suspended for a second before the rhythm became quicker, rapidly pounding against her chest. Her round eyes remained on the man before her.

‘She’s shocked. That’s expected but… why so cute?’

The curls of Ruediger’s lips rose higher. He couldn’t help but think how adorable Lariette’s surprised face was. She kept staring at him, her gaze blank.

Exhaling softly, Ruediger thought how to bring Lariette back to reality. Something playful crossed his mind.

Ruediger raised his hand, aligning with Lariette’s face before…

Snap!

Lariette blinked. Ruediger’s finger snap pulled her out of her trance.

“S-sorry… I didn’t mean to… I was just surprised.”

Lariette shifted her eyes away, unable to look at Ruediger. The cool night breeze did nothing to dispel the heat on her cheeks, flaring its tendrils to her neck and the tips of her ears.

This was so embarrassing!

Did he know she was one of his fangirls? He surely knew, right?

Did Maddie tell him every moment she spent fangirling about his singing?

Aaaaa!

Lariette shrieked internally. She was so tempted to dig a hole and bury herself inside.

Ruediger smiled in helplessness. He felt bad despite already expecting Lariette to be surprised by the revelation of his hidden identity—one of them.

Ruediger had never planned to expose his mysterious singer persona to Lariette like this. It happened spontaneously, driven by the villagers’ persuasions for him to sing.

Even though he could turn them down or tweak the way he sang just so she wouldn’t figure out his identity, he chose the opposite.

Ruediger’s eyes were still on Lariette, whose gaze was looking at the bushes of wildflowers. The street lampposts cast warm, orange lights on their surroundings.

Swallowing his laughter, Ruediger said, his voice ever so soft, “Lettie, won’t you look at me, en?”

Lariette fidgeted with a part of her skirt. Ruediger’s gentle call lured her to tilt her chin up. Pursing her lips, she slowly looked at Ruediger.

The man stood so near that his tall frame shadowed her figure. The wind picked up, softly ruffling through his crimson locks. His emerald eyes shone with tenderness as he locked his gaze on hers.

“You’ve already known… that I’m your fan?”

Lariette coerced herself to speak, to break the awkward silence. She didn’t know why she couldn’t just treat this event casually. Instead, she acted like a shy teenager.

Ruediger nodded, his smile remaining on his lips, “I know, Lettie. I’ve known.”

Lariette bit her lower lip, hesitating for a moment before asking, “…since when? Did Maddie tell you… that I always listen to your songs?”

Lariette began listening to Mr. Dreamer’s cover songs shortly after she entered the Elsher family household. Her friendship with Madeline began years later when they had just started their undergraduate studies.

Madeline learned of Lariette’s admiration toward Mr. Dreamer as soon as they became friends. After all, she often listened to his songs during study, or when she was doing other tasks.

“Maddie did tell me. She said she was surprised to know her new friend was my fan,” Ruediger admitted, not hiding anything. He added jokingly, “I mean, still my fan until now.”

Lariette widened her eyes, “Eddy!”

“Hahaha! Sorry, sorry!”

Lariette shot Ruediger a glare, to which the man responded with a playful wink. She quickly looked away, her cheeks became more heated than previously.

Haha… Lariette had never expected this. Never in a million years did she imagine that Ruediger, her contractual husband, was the same man behind Mr. Dreamer’s mask.

Lariette exhaled a sigh. Staring at Ruediger’s smiling face, she said, “I was so shocked. I really… didn’t expect you to be him. But I still have to tell you this.”

Ruediger arched his brows, intrigued by Lariette’s last sentence, “What is it, Lettie?”

Lariette’s heart skipped a beat once again. Now that she was aware of Ruediger’s mysterious singer persona, she couldn’t help but think his voice had become much more beautiful to her ears.

Lariette used to imagine meeting Mr. Dreamer even though she knew the chance was close to none. It turned out she was lucky enough!

Pushing her shyness aside, Lariette hoped that her heartbeat would return to its usual rhythm. When she finally spoke, she kept her eyes on Ruediger’s.

“I really love every song you’ve covered. They accompany me no matter what I feel at that particular time. Mr. Dreamer, your songs keep me hopeful on the days I lose hope.”

Lariette didn’t mind how cringey she might sound right now. She simply wanted to let Ruediger know her honest feelings about him and his songs.

Lariette’s words carried her sincerity, drawing Ruediger’s lips into a softer smile.

“I’m honored to hear that, Lettie. I’ve been wanting to thank you from the day I knew about you from Maddie. I appreciate your support. Your comments, and everything else, make me happy.”

What Ruediger said lured chuckles out of Lariette’s mouth. Still, her cheeks blushed. The lampposts showered the lights on her shy yet beaming face.

“Now that I think about it, you always replied to my comments,” Lariette tilted her head, recalling the times she exchanged words with Mr. Dreamer, “Did you do it because I’m Maddie’s friend? Hehe, I’m still happy, though.”

Ruediger said nothing, but his cheeky grin was enough to answer Lariette. Turning around, he offered her his right palm, “We shouldn’t just stand here. Let’s chat as we walk.”

Lariette blinked, her gaze shifting from Ruediger’s face to his broad palm. Pursing her lips, she nodded before reaching for his hand. His warmth gently seeped into her skin as he enveloped his palm over her hand.

They took a step forward, heading to the stone cottage down the pathway.

Without looking at Ruediger, Lariette asked, “Why did you reveal who you are? You can just keep your singer identity a secret.”

Despite feeling happy about the revelation, Lariette couldn’t help but think about it. Ruediger wouldn’t lose anything even if he didn’t expose who he was to her.

At most, he would listen to his own songs as she continued fangirling unknowingly.

“If I say I want to honor one of my biggest fans, what do you think?”

Lariette burst out laughing, amused by Ruediger’s answer, “Hahaha! I’m really honored! Oh, did you come up with that name? Where did you get it?”

“It’s Maddie. She suggested that name. I picked it because I was too lazy to think on my own.”

“Oh~ Oh! Do you cover songs in a studio? Which one? Is it in the city?”

“Yes, in a studio. How about I bring you there for my next recording?”

“Really? Yay! I can’t wait!”

Now that the initial shock had worn off, Lariette openly talked about his Mr. Dreamer’s persona to Ruediger. He entertained every single one of her curiosities.

Their walk home was enveloped by peace as the moon sprinkled its silver glow on them.