" Are you prepared for the day?"
" Yeah, I think so. I still find it kind of weird that this is the first day I've had off in such a long time."
" Well, it's to make good on a promise to an employee so I doubt anyone would have an issue with it, right Anna?"
" Yes, Sarah. I think everyone can understand it."
" But at the same time, I'll be just going out with Ruby, don't you think that's a bit strange? Like... As my wives?"
My question caused Sarah and Anna to pause for a moment. I guess they might not have thought about it since they brought this up to me yesterday. That day marked a week since I had picked up Holy Martial Arts. With a tweak of my schedule, by that I mean I now skip my lunch and go straight to a farm or a wall I needed to work on, I now only have 2 farms left and 85% of the roads and 30% of the walls renovated. However, as a consequence of doing all of this, the girls have noticed that I've gone a bit... Ragged I guess would be the word? I seemed to lack energy, I put this up to not having any energy by the time I make it back at night after practicing Holy Martial Arts and continuing the farming and construction projects. Yesterday was apparently the breaking point for the girls. Ruby and Emily joined us for dinner, she noticed I didn't finish the soup that I usually can't get enough of.
" That does it!"
" Ruby?"
Everyone called her name as we were shocked by her outburst.
" Tomorrow, I want my reward!"
"..."
I was surprised by Ruby's demand. Mostly because Sarah and Anna never informed me what she wanted in the first place. They both didn't look very surprised by what Ruby had said, let alone Emily or even Charlotte or Delcan who had joined us for dinner. Princess Alice said she wanted to relax in her new house for the day. While all of this was happening, Lucas was simply eating his soup happily. Regardless, I needed to know what Ruby wanted, so I began to ask her.
" What do you want as a reward, Ruby?"
I asked to find out what she wanted.
" Tomorrow, you and I are going to spend the day together!"
I scratched my cheek after she spoke. And I had one thought about what she just asked me.
" L-Like a date?"
Sarah and Anna didn't change their expressions at my words. But Ruby seemed to be affected by them. It's like she didn't even notice.
" My Love, whether you think it's something like that or not, Ruby has made her wants known. All we can do is honor your words and let her claim her reward. Just remember that she's an unmarried woman and it should be fine."
" I mean... Are you both sure tha-"
" Yes, it'll be fine, Darling."
With Anna's final words on the subject, dinner continued in a somewhat awkward silence. It seems Ruby is either regretting or realizing how what she said sounded to everyone. Regardless, the night came, then the morning. And now we've come to this point. Sarah had asked how I was, and I began to answer and share a few thoughts. Since Ruby wanted her reward to last till sundown, this technically became my day off. I thought it was fine, but there was a part of me who wondered if I couldn't quickly teleport to the farm and let Lily finish some developments on the 2nd to last farm we needed to make.
/Knock! Knock! Knock!/
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
" It seems its finally time. Have fun, My Love."
" It's a shame we couldn't do this, Darling. But it seems, Ruby truly does want what's best for you so try to enjoy the day and relax, okay?"
" I'll try."
Sarah and Anna both gave me some parting words, almost like they were concerned parents. I walked out the door after I answered them. After my eyes adjusted, I found Ruby standing in the sun...
" Good morning, Matthew!"
" R-Ruby?"
Ruby greeted me and I had gotten a good look at her... She looked so different... Her black hair that was usually tied up tight into a ponytail was now hanging below her shoulders and looked glossy and was almost shining. She was wearing a thin long-sleeved pink shirt with a pair of black pants that made her legs look longer than usual. It even seemed to me that she was wearing some makeup. She also seemed to be caring a basket on her arm. She looked amazing. I felt bad now for the fact that I was simply dressed in clothes that while, somewhat looked alright on me, I chose to wear them because of their comfortability over anything else. It was a long-sleeved black and white shirt and a pair of black pants.
" Yes, it's me, Matthew! Also, it looks like we're matching!"
" Y-Yeah, we are. I-I thought you would just wear what you usually do, Ruby. I'm sorry I didn't try to match you."
" It's fine, Matthew! Today isn't about me anyways! Today is about you! This is your rest day, so I'm going to make it as relaxing as possible. So first, let's go for a walk."
" Okay."
As this was Ruby's reward, I just did as I was told and followed her. We were greeted by the citizens of Paradise as they went about their day. Everyone seemed genuinely happy and the stands for veggies and fruits were out and stuffed full of product. What a sharp difference only a few months have made. When I first arrived here, there weren't even food stalls. Everyone just ate the government provided grains and any wild game they had hunted. Now people were munching on fruits and veggies as they made their way around town. I cracked a smile at the scenery around us.
" Did you see something nice, Matthew?"
" Yes, I did. I mean you should recognize it to, Ruby. I mean, you lived here before we got here. When I first arrived, a scene like this wouldn't be possible because of the food shortage. Now... You can even hear kids laughing and asking their parents " what's for dinner?" because they have so many options. You know, sometimes I feel like all of my work is an insurmountable wall that I can't break through. It vexes me in a lot of ways, since I really just want to enjoy the time, I have with my wives. But looking at this. I think all of that frustration is kind of worth it. Though with all the screaming kids around and not really doing anything but playing around, makes me think I need to make that school a priority after I finish up the farming project."
Ruby smiled at my words.
" Never in my 34 years of life did I ever really think that the streets of my town could look so alive and vibrant. I think it's undeniable proof that King Warrick was wise to bring you to us. It's also why I couldn't take it anymore."
" What?"
" Your overworking. I understand that your hard work is the foundation for the town turning into what it's become. I would know, I've watched you work, day in and day out along with Emily. That's not even including the month that the Humans were here, and Sarah and Anna also were working long hours with the rest of us. I think the fact that you all were willing to get down and dirty with hard work is something that caused even the more stubborn members of our population come around to you, Matthew. I know that the 5000 Demons that came here owed you, but I got the feeling that a few of them were here to quickly pay their debts then move along. Now, I don't think it'd be possible to get anyone to leave even if you were to pay them 10 Platinum Coins."
Ruby stopped walking and she looked to our left at a group of kids playing tag.
" That's one of the reasons why I couldn't stand it anymore. I mean, you were so tired that you weren't even able to enjoy your dinner. It's too much. It started to make me think about a few things... The biggest thought that caused me to demand today be my reward was... Well, maybe I'll tell you that later."
Ruby had me on the edge of my seat as she spoke. It sounded like she came to some kind of a decision about something. I couldn't help but begin to wonder what it was.
" Well, that'll be something for later, for now, come on! I know the perfect spot to have our lunch! Then I'm going to make you take a nap!"
Ruby began to walk energetically forward. I followed her and I tried to ignore that I found Ruby captivating to look at while she was explaining her feelings from yesterday.