Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 222

Chapter 222: I Need to Match the Fairy Queen’s Charms
Saturday.

Ruediger and Lariette arrived at Suit & Tie ten minutes before seven. The soft, orange glow of streetlights bathed the cobbled, pedestrian pathways. Its radiance blended with the last rays of sun.

After parking the truck by the roadside, Ruediger and Lariette stepped toward the cafe. His dapper suit and her elegant dress, in rich shades of blue, shimmered under the golden light.

“Wow~ Maddie and her staff really went all out,” Lariette murmured, her eyes taking in the cafe. The entire shop was decorated accordingly to match the theme.

The charming butler cafe had been transformed into a breathtaking fantasy realm, befitting the ‘Enchanted Garden’ concept.

Twinkling fairy lights were strung from the ceiling, resembling a canopy of stars. They were interwoven with wisteria and ivy. The yard looked exceptionally fantasy-like because of them.

Ruediger chuckled, agreeing with Lariette. He swept his gaze across the cafe and its yard, “Their events are always nothing short of magical. Don’t you think so?”

“Hehe, that’s so true,” Lariette laughed softly. While adjusting the delicate silver vine bracelet wrapping around her wrist, she said, “Her previous events never disappointed. That’s why her customers rarely missed the new ones.”

“Shall we go inside now?” asked Ruediger, offering his arm. He wore a silver vine hair accessory on one side of his head, the crystal strings fallen delicately over his low ponytail.

“Certainly.”

Smiling, Lariette placed her hand in the crook of Ruediger’s arm. They walked closer to the entrance where they saw William and Joshua, who were tasked to greet the customers.

“Good evening, Joshua, William.”

Lariette waved her free hand, greeting the two men. William and Joshua were dressed in tailored swallowtail suits, paired with feathered lapel pins and capes that glimmered under the lights.

“Welcome, Lord Ruediger and Lady Lariette. We welcome you to our Enchanted Garden.”

William and Joshua bowed at the husband and wife, greeting them in unison. They urged Lariette and Ruediger to go inside and enjoy the magical night.

“Where’s Maddie?” asked Lariette before walking past the door. She hoped to meet her friend soon.

“Lady Madeline should be with the other guests now,” replied William respectfully. He placed one palm over his chest, “As always, she will greet our esteemed guests from one table to the next.”

Lariette chuckled, “That really sounds like Maddie.”

After exchanging a look with Ruediger, Lariette entered the cafe. He followed her, matching his pace to her slower one.

The decorations and guests inside were both as enchanting. A gentle melody of piano and violin filled the space, harmonizing with the low hum of conversations and occasional laughter.

The ladies donned elaborate, ethereal gowns, adorned with intricate embroidery of the moon and stars. Their male companions wore suits, accented with fantasy-like accessories.

Some of the guests were like Lariette and Ruediger. They added accessories on their modern-designed outfits, trying to match the theme as much as possible.

“Oh! There she is!”

Once Lariette caught the sight of Madeline, the hostess, she tugged at Ruediger’s arm. Both of them looked in the same direction.

Madeline stood next to a table, radiant in a flowing pastel green dress. Silver butterfly pins adorned her strawberry blond hair, styled into a chignon. She was talking to the guests seated at the table.

“Wow, Eddy,” Lariette leaned closer to Ruediger, whispering at him with a smile, “Maddie is much prettier tonight. Hehe, the dress and hair style suit her well.”

Ruediger’s lips quirked into a smile as he heard Lariette praising Madeline without the latter knowing. Her sapphire eyes sparkled under the lights, highlighting her inner joy.

Parting his lips, Ruediger stated, his voice calm, “Lettie, you’re beautiful too.”

“…”

Lariette blinked, never foreseeing Ruediger to praise her right after she complimented Madeline. She unconsciously pursed her lips, her eyes staring at the man whose smile was now softening.

“…you’ve praised me back at home,” said Lariette after a moment. She sensed the heat radiating from her cheeks.

Right after Lariette emerged from her bedroom wearing the familiar blue dress, Ruediger immediately showered her with praises. He complimented how well-matched the new accessories were with her dress.

Ruediger arched one of his brows. Leaning down to be closer to Lariette, he whispered, the warmth of his breath gently fanned her face.

“Can’t I praise my wife again and again? I didn’t do anything wrong, right?”

Once again Lariette blinked slowly, feeling her heart thumped quickly when Ruediger moved closer. Without her realizing it, she tightened her grasp on his arm.

“No… You didn’t do anything wrong,” Lariette responded, almost stuttered. Her red lips curved into a nervous smile, “I’ll tell you now, Eddy. You’re the most handsome and best dressed among the men here. Believe me.”

Ruediger laughed, amused by Lariette’s attempt to compliment him. He clearly saw the red blush on her cheeks. If he could, he would continue teasing her.

“It’s my honor to hear that, my lady,” Ruediger chuckled, “Well, then. Shall we go to our Maddie now?”

“,,,yes.”

Lariette hurriedly lowered her gaze once Ruediger led her to where Madeline was. She felt like looking for a hole just to hide inside.

This was not the first time he praised her but, her heart felt differently this time.

The allure in his husky yet soft voice, the tenderness in his gaze and the gentleness of his mannerisms; everything seemed to cause a small, yet discernible ripple in her heart.

“Lari! Rudy! You made it!”

Madeline spotted Ruediger and Lariette once the pair walked closer to her. She rushed toward them, pulling her friend into a hug. Her green dress billowed as she ran.

“Maddie!” Lariette laughed, surprised when Madeline suddenly hugged her. She patted her friend’s back, “You’ve outdone your previous events! Congrats!”

“Hehe, everyone has worked hard for this,” Madeline chuckled. She turned to Ruediger, “Hi, cousin. It’s so rare to see you dressed up like this.”

Ruediger scoffed. Rolling his eyes, he shrugged, “I won’t dress poorly when my wife is like a fairy tonight. Don’t you think so?”

Madeline’s eyes flung open while Lariette blushed once again. Ruediger smiled casually as if he didn’t say something that made the two ladies react differently.

In the moment of awkwardness, Madeline emerged as the savior.

“Yes! Lari is like a fairy… N-no! She’s the Fairy Queen Titania! Hehe, it’ll make you Oberon then, Rudy.”

Ruediger curved the right corner of his lips, “Only if Lettie is fine with me as Oberon.”

A blushing Lariette tried to answer, only to stammer again in the beginning, “O-of course! If not you, who else? Haven’t I said you’re the most handsome man tonight, Eddy?”

“Indeed, you’ve said it,” Ruediger winked, his whole face beaming, “I need to be the most handsome man to accompany the most beautiful fairy tonight.”

“…you’re teasing me again,” Larietted elbowed Ruediger, only to receive his laughter.

A stunned Madeline kept darting her eyes from Lariette to Ruediger. Somehow, their relationship seemed to be closer and… more intimate than before?

Since when did it happen? Was it because they cohabited?

Or… did something happen during their trip to the north before? She did remember how her friend dedicated her time taking care of her slightly injured cousin.

What happened?

She needed all the juicy details!