CHAPTER 341: CHAPTER 341 PAIN

Ruby, who was sitting on the other side, just rolled her eyes with a helpless smile. He really almost caused a scene in front of everyone, wailing about food injustice and betrayal.

Angeline leaned closer to her, whispering with a laugh, "He’s so dramatic. Does he always cry like that at home too?"

Ruby nodded, deadpan. "Every time."

Milo patted Karl’s back but couldn’t hold in his giggles either. "Brother Karl, you can have my bread."

"NO!" Karl sniffled louder. "I want wife to care about my tears! Not your bread!"

And of course, Ruby did. A few minutes later, she got up, went to one of the festival stalls, and came back with a soft, warm cake—sweet and fluffy with a swirl of berry jam in the middle.

When she placed it right in Karl’s hands, he gasped through his tears. "Wife...!"

She just flicked his forehead. "Stop sulking. Eat."

Karl sniffled, eyes watery, but a huge grin spread across his face as he shoved a piece of cake into his mouth. "You’re the best wife ever!" he said, crumbs falling everywhere. "I forgive you!"

Ruby just sighed, stealing a bite for herself while Karl clutched the rest of the cake to his chest like his most prized treasure.

Everyone laughed again.

And Milo, who had been giggling the whole time and happily sharing tiny bites of his bread with Karl, was now sitting cross-legged beside the little lanterns, quietly eating his own plate of food. He had that soft, content smile on his lips, the one that always made the people around him feel warm, too.

But then, just as he lifted his spoon for another bite, a dull ache crawled up his chest. It started like a pinch, but quickly turned into a strange, tightening pain that made him suck in a sharp breath....

He blinked hard, looking down at his bowl. The food looked delicious, the incense smelled sweet, laughter still floated all around him.

Milo looked up. Ruby was half turned away, scolding Karl for dropping crumbs all over the mat again. Karl, with his cheeks stuffed with cake, was too busy trying to argue back through mouthfuls. No one had noticed yet.

He took another slow breath, trying to ease the pain. Not now, he told himself silently, pressing his palm gently against his chest. Everyone’s happy right now... don’t ruin it. Just smile.

He forced the corners of his lips up again, his bright eyes still warm as ever. He nodded along when Karl offered him another piece of the cake Ruby had bought, even though he couldn’t quite taste it anymore. The ache stayed, quiet but persistent, making his shoulders tense with each small breath.

But Milo, as always, chose to keep his smile soft and bright. He looked at Ruby, Karl, Julian, Adrian—all his family.

And for a moment, even with that pain blooming quietly in his chest, he told himself that as long as they were laughing, he’d keep laughing too.

***

After everyone had their fill of warm food and sweet festival cakes, the heart of the village centre turned into a swirl of bright robes, laughter, and music. Wooden drums and string instruments echoed through the night, weaving with the crackle of the holy fire still burning strong behind them.

Families and friends held hands as they stepped in circles around the flames—some clapping, some laughing when they stumbled over each other’s feet. Children darted through the grown-ups, tiny bells tied to their sleeves ringing out like playful chimes.

Ruby sat with Angeline on one of the benches set just off to the side, sharing a simple cup of warm festival tea. Neither of them joined the dance, both too tired from the long day, but they watched with soft smiles.

Ruby’s eyes drifted to Adrian at first—he stood awkwardly near the edge of the circle, arms half-crossed, feet shifting like he wanted to join in but had no idea how. She was just about to call him over, if he was uncomfortable, when Karl’s loud voice boomed through the drums.

"Milo! Come on! Dance! Dance! Blessing night, you can’t just sit there!"

Milo, who had been sitting cross-legged near the mats, blinked up at Karl with that gentle smile. The ache in his chest hadn’t fully gone—if anything, it had grown heavier, like a small stone pressing into his ribs. But when Karl’s hand grabbed his wrist, tugging him up with so much force his robe sleeves slipped from his shoulders, Milo only nodded.

He drew in a long breath, pushing the pain deeper down. He let Karl spin him into the dancing circle. "Okay... okay," he said, his soft voice almost lost under the pounding drums.

At first, he managed a few easy steps—his feet glided across the hard-packed ground, his soft hair brushing against his cheeks as he laughed when Karl swung him around too fast. But the dizziness came creeping, the swirl of lights and the warmth of the fire mixing together into a haze that made the holy flames behind them look like they were breathing.

Ruby’s eyes flicked from Adrian to the circle—her smile faltered as she caught sight of Milo just as he swayed slightly. Her eyes narrowed in concern when she saw him squeeze his eyes shut, his hand pressed lightly to his chest as Karl spun him once more.

And then he stumbled. Just a half-step, but enough.

Holy firelight painted his pale cheeks in orange and gold as his lashes fluttered. The drums, the laughter, Karl’s happy shouts all blurred behind him. He tried to keep smiling like always, Milo’s smile was soft, like he didn’t want to worry anyone.

Ruby’s heart lurched. She stood up so fast her cup of tea almost tipped over.

"Milo...?" she whispered, her voice catching in her throat.

Behind Milo, the holy fire danced high—its warm glow framing him like a halo. But all Ruby could see was the way his eyes drifted shut again, and the way his shoulders slumped just slightly forward.

Ruby didn’t waste a second. The moment she saw Milo’s shoulders dip and his lashes flutter shut again, something cold shot through her.

She didn’t even bother setting her tea cup down properly. It clattered to the bench as she pushed past Angeline’s startled hand and stood up so fast the wooden boards creaked under her feet.

"Milo—!" she called, her voice tight, cutting through the soft drums and bursts of laughter that seemed far too loud now.

—To be continued...🪄