CHAPTER 9: BRIGHT FUTURE

In "Trembling Hearts 2," linear quests were not very important. They were just minor plot branches for collecting in-game currency. They were similar to conversations with NPCs or item search tasks. The biggest "side" branch I went through was helping the owner of an antique shop find a lost necklace. For the sake of this thing, I ran for five whole game days in a row.

In other words, I didn’t really think twice before taking on such a quest. It didn’t affect anything anyway.

However, for some reason, it seemed to me that this linear quest was somewhat different from the previous ones.

Grace was supposed to contact the family’s secret organization before Ruby. And, in fact, become the villain instead of her. I couldn’t understand why the game was giving me such tasks. Perhaps with my appearance here, the previous interface had finally gone to hell? In any case, it wasn’t my place to figure it out.

I could only hope that this was a secret storyline involving Grace Weinstein that no one knew about before. Not even me. I was extremely loyal to what was happening. As long as I was alive and could protect Ruby from danger, I didn’t care about anything else.

Especially since everything was going very smoothly so far. And I hoped it would continue that way.

Tomorrow I would go to the capital to meet with the current leader of the Secret Order. According to Edison, he should transfer power to me as soon as he saw the token. I hoped so. After all, we had no other choice.

Unlike Grace, who cared about nothing but alcohol and lovers, I had no intention of continuing to live such a miserable existence. Tomorrow, I would take the first step toward my new future!

And since I would most likely be away from home all day, I decided to visit Ruby before leaving. Due to my busy schedule, the girl and I didn’t get to spend much time together. I tried to make up for it as much as possible. After all, a child should feel cared for and loved from an early age.

Nura told me that Ruby often liked to spend time in the garden. And indeed, I went downstairs and saw a tiny silhouette on the bench. Ruby was sitting alone with her teddy bear, staring into the distance. She was not interested in the flowers or other things around her.

I walked past our little garden. It was modest, but it had a large, bright lawn. Here, Ruby could play with her future friends... Despite the rustling of the grass, the girl didn’t even move and didn’t seem to hear my footsteps. I decided to play a little joke on her.

Just a normal children’s game. I wanted to sneak up behind her unnoticed and cover her eyes with my hand. Then I would say the coveted "who’s there." But my plan was not meant to be. As soon as I touched her, Ruby jerked and turned around. For a second, a frightened expression appeared on her face, as if I were about to hit her.

I was surprised.

"Ruby...?"

The girl’s gaze finally focused on me. Realizing it was me, she quickly changed her expression. She pretended to relax and smiled.

"Auntie."

I was a little stunned, as I hadn’t expected such a reaction from her.

"Ruby, are you... Are you okay?" I asked, just in case.

My niece smiled wider.

"Everything’s fine, Auntie. I’m just a little scared of strange noises."

"Oh, I see."

I relaxed too and sat down next to her. The awkwardness that had arisen seemed to have smoothed over. Meanwhile, Ruby turned to me with concern:

"Auntie, did something happen? Why did you come so suddenly?"

"Nothing happened," I smiled and stroked her hair. "I just wanted to see you."

"I really wanted to see you too, Auntie!" the girl exclaimed excitedly.

"Ha ha."

We sat there for a while, and then I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t asked her about it. But it was important.

"Ruby, do you like living here?"

"Um... Yes!" Ruby replied without hesitation. "Auntie’s place is cozy, and everyone treats me well. It’s much better than home!"

"Comfortable?" I cleared my throat. "Ha... I hope that’s true."

Although, it was probably a slight exaggeration. Before that, Rubiella had lived in the Weinstein family’s main residence, which was clearly better than this house. In addition, our financial situation was also strikingly different. Magrit, unlike me, was not poor. However, perhaps the atmosphere here really was better than there.

"I’m so glad my aunt cares about me!" Ruby’s eyes shone with genuine happiness.

I supported her.

"And I’m glad I have such a wonderful niece."

We laughed. From the outside, it seemed that there was real harmony between us, like between family members.

"Auntie..." the girl began, suddenly embarrassed, "You said I could ask if I needed anything..."

"Of course!" I replied immediately. "Have you already decided what you want?"

"I... I would like to go somewhere with my aunt."

"Hmm?"

"Well..." Ruby blushed, "I want to go on a picnic with my aunt!"

I was surprised to hear such an unexpected request.

"A picnic...?"

"Yes!" Ruby nodded energetically. "I’ve heard that families often go on picnics together."

To be honest, it was really unpredictable. I was ready for anything, but Ruby didn’t ask me for toys, candy, amusement park rides, or any other children’s entertainment. Instead... A picnic? Even I had forgotten when I had last been to one. This request from the heiress to a ducal family was even more unexpected.

"Are you sure that’s what you want?" I asked uncertainly.

Ruby nodded.

"My mother and I never spent time together... And I’ve always wanted to do something that normal families do."

I sighed. The thought that Ruby had been deprived of even such simple things her whole life made me sad. But at the same time... Now Ruby had me. And I had her. So from now on, everything would be different.

Noticing my pensive expression, Ruby hung her head dejectedly.

"Auntie, if you don’t want to, then..."

"Of course!" I interrupted her and smiled radiantly. "We’ll definitely have a picnic this weekend."

"Really?!" Ruby rejoiced.

I smiled.

"Auntie never breaks her promises."

"Yay!" The girl hung on my neck with happiness.

I laughed, and she continued to hug me as tightly as she could. A little more, and I wouldn’t have been able to breathe. I think I’m beginning to understand what family is.

I’m not a bad person, really. And I’m not a villain at all... But what if, in the world of the game, this is our only way to survive? For the sake of a bright future for Ruby and me, I was ready to do anything.