CHAPTER 420: CHAPTER 420 IMPOSSIBLE

But before she could say anything more, Karl was holding one up to his chest like a child showing off a superhero cape. "Wife! Look at this! It’s perfect! Soft, shiny, and luxurious—just like us!"

Ruby pressed her palm to her forehead. "It’s from my company. I designed these. You could’ve had one anytime."

Karl gasped, clutching the robe dramatically. "So you’re telling me... through destiny and balloon battles... I finally claim what’s rightfully mine from the very beginning?"

Ruby rolled her eyes so hard they nearly hurt. "You sound ridiculous."

***

Karl marched proudly back to their room, clutching the golden box. He burst inside, tossed the robes onto the bed, and sprawled across the mattress with a grin. "This is the best night ever. Just wait—tomorrow, Kaelan and I are hitting the spa with these vouchers."

Ruby froze mid-step. "Excuse me?"

Karl propped himself up on his elbows, his grin widening. "Yes! Think about it, wife. Two close friends. Bonding. Massages. Hot towels. It’s perfect."

Ruby crossed her arms. "I was the one who played the game. I was the one who had to guide you when you nearly destroyed the obstacle course, and I was the one keeping the balloon from popping. Why would Kaelan get to go?"

Karl blinked innocently. "Because... sharing is caring?"

Ruby’s lips twitched, but she gave him a sharp look. "Keep talking, and I’ll personally gift wrap you to the spa staff and tell them to keep you forever."

Karl burst out laughing, rolling onto his back. "Wife, admit it. You just want to come with me."

Ruby turned away, muttering, "Obviously. It was my win."

Karl grinned wider, knowing he’d struck the truth. "Then it’s settled. Tomorrow, spa day for the king and queen."

Ruby shook her head, but despite herself, a small smile curved her lips as she brushed past him.

Later, Ruby slipped into the bathroom. After the noisy dining hall and Karl’s endless antics, the quiet steam of the hot water felt like heaven. She sank into the tub, her muscles relaxing as the warm water soothed her. For a rare moment, she let her guard down, closing her eyes and breathing in the faint scent of lavender soap.

When she finally stood to step out, droplets of water ran down her skin, gliding along the curve of her shoulders and back. She reached for her robe, but her hand froze on the hook. The hanger was empty.

Her eyes widened. No... She remembered now. She had left the robe on the bed when she unpacked.

Ruby groaned under her breath, quickly wrapping herself in the towel. She tightened the knot, ensuring it was secure, though the fabric barely covered her thighs. With a resigned sigh, she opened the door and stepped out into the room.

Karl was rolling around lazily on the king-sized bed, tossing one of the pillows into the air and catching it. When he heard the bathroom door creak, he looked over casually.

Then his eyes widened.

Ruby froze mid-step, her wet hair dripping down her shoulders, the towel clinging to her damp skin. Karl sat up instantly, his playful grin faltering into something heavier, quieter. His gaze swept over her before he quickly forced his eyes up to meet hers.

Ruby’s cheeks heated, but she lifted her chin stubbornly. "I forgot the robe," she muttered, moving quickly toward the bed.

Karl swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. "I—uh—I’ll get it for you, wife." He scrambled up, reaching for the robe lying at the edge of the bed. But his hand brushed against hers as she reached out at the same time.

Ruby stopped. Their fingers lingered, wet against warm. The air between them shifted, the playful ease from earlier dissolving into something that made Ruby’s chest tighten.

Karl’s gray eyes locked onto hers, softer now, searching. "You... look different," he murmured, his voice low.

Ruby raised a brow. "Because I’m wearing a towel?"

He gave a short laugh, but his gaze didn’t waver. "No. Because you’re... close. Real. And I don’t know how to stop staring."

Her heart stuttered. The air felt heavy, her damp skin prickling under his attention. She reached for the robe again, but Karl caught her wrist gently, not holding her back, only making her pause.

"Wife," he said softly, his smile almost gone now, replaced by something raw. "Do you even realize how much you drive me crazy?"

Ruby opened her mouth, ready with a sharp reply, but the words never came. He was too close, his voice too low, and the warmth of his hand on her skin too distracting.

She tried to step back, but Karl leaned in, the scent of soap and fresh linen clinging to him. "If you keep looking at me like that... I won’t be able to stop."

Ruby’s breath caught. "Karl..."

He tilted his head, his lips hovering just above hers. His eyes flickered, as if asking for permission, as if giving her a chance to push him away. But Ruby didn’t move.

The towel slipped slightly on her shoulder, and Karl’s hand instinctively lifted, brushing it back into place with surprising gentleness. His fingers lingered, tracing her damp skin, and Ruby’s heart thudded so loud she wondered if he could hear it.

Her lips parted to say something—anything—but Karl closed the space between them, his mouth pressing against hers in a kiss that was both hesitant and burning at once.

For a second, Ruby stood still, caught off guard. Then the slight tension she had been holding inside melted, and she kissed him back.

Karl tightened his arm around her, pulling her closer, the robe still forgotten in his other hand. The kiss deepened, no longer playful, but desperate and real, the kind that left no room for words.

When they finally broke apart, Ruby’s cheeks were flushed, her breath uneven. Karl’s forehead rested against hers, his voice rough. "See, wife? Winning that game wasn’t the best prize tonight. This is."

Ruby scoffed softly, but her lips curved despite herself. "You’re still impossible."

Karl grinned, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. "impossible for anyone else. But for you... always."

To be continued... 🪄