A beat passed without any response from her.

Another.

Until...

Lariette's lips parted, but only muffled sounds came. Her eyes searched Ruediger, looking for any sign that he was joking.

But there was no trace of mischief in his expression. No smirk. No teasing glint. It was a rare moment he shedded off his usual playfulness.

Like on the nights he spoke about his mother's early demise and his kidnapping.

Her heart sank in her stomach and her jaw dropped.

"W-what...?" she breathed.

Was what she had just thought for a fleeting moment true?

Eddy... her Eddy... was Mr. R?!

Ruediger gently took Lariette's hands in his. His grip was warm and firm, grounding her back to the moment. When he spoke, his voice unwavering, gently luring her out of her trance.

"I didn't want to keep it from you forever. But I wanted the right moment, Lettie. And this... tonight's the time."

Lariette's chest tightened. She wasn't sure if it was from shock, or confusion, or the growing realization that everything she thought she knew was coated with illusions.

"You're..." she tried speaking again, her voice hoarse, "You're the Mr. R? That one... billionaire no one knows his face?"

Ruediger nodded, gentle yet firm.

"Yes, Lettie. The Edenia Avenue project, the shadow deals, the sudden expansion in Velondia, the vision. That's all mine."

She said nothing, waiting to hear everything.

"Niel encouraged me and Edmund believed in me. Maddie and Aunt Felicia did the same. I wanted to build something of my own, something no one could take from me. You can say it's my ultimate defense and offense."

She still remained quiet, but her hand squeezed his, her touch gentle and reassuring. The act softened the smile on his lips.

"Even though my family hasn't caused me trouble, I knew my father might plan something if I disregarded his orders, no matter how absurd. I needed leverage, something powerful enough to face him if the day came."

Lariette blinked, and her voice finally came, although sounding more like a whisper, "So... what happened to the Alvords recently... the bribery scandal exposure... was it your doing?"

Lariette couldn't help but think of the recent scandal that had heavily and negatively impacted Chairman Alvord. Now that she thought about it, the exposure happened not long after he appeared and demanded she divorce Ruediger.

Ruediger gave her a small nod.

"I was beyond upset when he suddenly came and bothered you, bothered us, Lettie. I've been keeping watch on his dark dealings, waiting for the right time to expose them. So, I did."

Lariette exhaled shakily. She closed her eyes for a moment before looking down at their joined hands, feeling Ruediger's familiar touch on her skin.

This was Eddy.

Her Eddy, her beloved.

The man who cooked her breakfast with messy hair but a beaming smile. The one who walked her to school almost every day, holding her hand gently. And the same one who held her gently every night.

He was also... the enigmatic Mr. R.

"I..." she looked up, her voice barely audible as their eyes met, "I don't know what to say, Eddy."

Ruediger smiled, squeezing her hands gently, "You don't have to say anything yet. But I wanted you to know. You're my wife, even if it started as a contract. And you're someone I love."

Lariette's sapphire eyes brimmed with emotion. She took a deep breath.

"I'm shocked," she admitted, her voice low, "It's... it's a lot. I'm sorry, Eddy. I don't think I can process it all right away."

Ruediger nodded, still looking calm, "I understand, Lettie. I'm already prepared for this when I decided to reveal my secret to you."

Lariette chuckled softly. She tightened her fingers slightly in his hand, lights sparkling in her eyes, "But... I'm happy for you, Eddy. Truly."

He blinked, wondering what she meant.

"You're more successful than the family who abandoned you. More powerful than they could ever be. And you did it all without your connection to their name. That's... something beyond incredible, Eddy."

A silence fell between them once she was done, the ambiance warm and tender. Then, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him.

Ruediger exhaled, returning the gesture. He rested his chin on her shoulder, holding her close and breathing in her scent that had never failed to comfort him. The genuine article resides on M|V|L&EMPYR.

"I always wanted to tell you," he murmured, "But I didn't know how and when. I also didn't want you to feel like I was trying to buy your trust."

She smiled faintly, "You didn't need the title, Eddy. You already have my trust. Your actions are enough to earn it."

Lariette couldn't deny how surprised she was upon hearing Ruediger's confession. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming.

But after the initial shock, her heart felt strangely calm. More so when she realized this meant he would be safe from the ones who were eager to pull him down.

As he said, this secret identity served as his best defense and offense. She knew that having a considerable amount of power would allow one to have another level of security.

This was good. This was great.

Her man was more than capable of keeping himself safe from those vile creatures.

Lariette and Ruediger stayed in each other's arms for a long moment, the city twinkling around them. Then, he loosened his embrace, leaning back enough just to look at her.

"There's one more thing, Lettie. The reason why I decided to tell you tonight."

Lariette looked at Ruediger, still slightly dazed. A question mark popped on her face. She saw him hesitate before he finally spoke.

"I plan to meet him... my father soon. Face to face. I want to reveal myself to him. He's spent time trying to meet Mr. R without knowing I was under his nose all along."

Lariette raised an eyebrow. For a reason, she didn't feel too surprised by Ruediger's decision.

"Is it because he troubled Aunt Felle and her company?"

Ruediger's lips drew into a sneer, "Yes. It's time to put him in his place. I don't want to play his games anymore."

She let out a slow breath, and then, chuckling, "Do it, Eddy. Well, I actually wish I could be there to see his face. Maybe he'll be as pale as a corpse. Or as red as a chilli because of his outrage."

How amusing it would be?

The haughty Chairman Alvord and Vincent would never expect the phantom billionaire they had been coveting was Ruediger all along.

Lariette's playful remarks made Ruediger laugh. He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his voice soft, "They do not deserve your attention, my love. Don't dirty your eyes looking at them."

"Hehe, you're right," she tilted her head slightly, her soft curls swaying gently around her face, "I hope you do it, Eddy. And I know you'll put the Alvords in their place."

"I will," he said, his heart full of quiet resolve, "For you. For us. And for everything in our future."

She leaned in again, this time to kiss him. He happily accepted her gesture, letting her soft lips meet his.

The kiss was slow, tender and full of emotion. When they finally parted, his eyes searched hers.

"I love you," he said, almost in a whisper.

She swallowed, her gaze soft, "I know. And I love you too."

Ruediger stiffened, never expecting to hear those words from Lariette after so long. His cheeks flushed, and his lips widened. His eyes sparkled like a sky of stars.

She sighed in helplessness, "I took too long, didn't I?"

"No, you didn't," he grinned, cupping her face and nibbling her lower lip, "It's perfect."

As he kissed her again, he brushed his hand gently along her back, his fingers skimming down the curve of her spine, landing on her sensitive spot on the waist.

Her breath hitched, and she shuddered.

Ruediger's voice was low and teasing as he whispered into her ear, "May I carry you to bed now, my love?"

Lariette's cheeks colored, already expecting this. She nodded slowly.

Without another word, Ruediger scooped Lariette into his arms. She chuckled softly, her arms encircling his neck.

He carried her effortlessly past the seating area, the dining table and the warm lights, heading inside the bedroom of the annex.

Golden lights softly lit the room. As the door closed behind them, Lariette saw the ceiling above, a stunning glass dome that allowed them to see the night sky.

Realizing where her focus was, he chuckled, "That's one way, sweetheart. No one can see us inside. I mean, drones or whatever."

"You're sure?" she asked, still doubtful.

"101%"

"Hahaha!"

Ruediger swallowed the rest of Lariette's laughter as he set her down gently on the bed, kissing her again and deeper this time.

He felt her fingers slip under his shirt, grazing his muscles. And then, her slender legs wrapped around his waist as they were drowned in their passion.

Outside, the world continued. But here, in the glass-roofed room above the city, nothing else mattered but themselves.