Chapter 177 

Killian’s POV 

This was absolutely not what I expected when she asked me to talk. Even so, I had no complaints. A kiss is not a bad first step toward making peace. 

The moment our lips met, it felt like bringing a dead garden back to life, turning barrenness into bloom and sweeping away the rubble of collapsed ruins. Our bond flared like fire unleashed by a Phoenix. But then I panicked when in the heat of that kiss, Ruby suddenly began to cry again. Who could blame her for feeling like this? 

“I’m a mother. Why am I being so weak?” she muttered, her voice soaked in emotion. 

I winced as she began to spiral into self–directed anger. I’d seen this before, many times, even if it always felt like the first. 

“Sweetheart, quiet down for a moment. Inhale, then exhale. Do each one four times,” I gently instructed her. 

To my surprise, Ruby actually followed along. As she wiped away her tears, I told her she was doing great, and that I was proud of her. Not once did I hold back from pouring out my heart, including an apology for having overlooked her needs as the one who bore the weight. 

Once things had calmed down a little, Ruby ended up on my lap. The tension in her body, the way she moved everything reflected a complex, restless state of mind. 

“Are you uncomfortable? We can shift to a better position. There’s a couch in my study. Would you like to move there?” I asked softly. 

“Well, I have to admit, this isn’t exactly the healthiest way to reconcile,” she said, staring awkwardly at her fingernails. “But then again, when have we ever done anything ‘normal‘ as a couple?“. 

“The last part of that question is one hundred percent true,” I replied. 

The royal library was utterly silent. I had cleared the place put, ordering the guards to keep the area secure for as long as Ruby needed. Luckily, they weren’t the kind of guards who asked too many clever questions. Still, it was getting a bit hot and stifling, being caught in a moment like this. It felt like reliving the early years of our unofficial dating phase forgetting, even for a second, that we had children now. 

The whole palace was fed up with our antics. They had even joined forces with our three kids to lock us in the west wing like a pair of unruly monkeys who had lost all dignity. 

I had never been someone who pursued love out of romance. One–night stands and mutually beneficial dates were my past. The old me would have scoffed or even gagged at the idea of kneeling at a woman’s feet. This had been the worst fight in the history of our relationship. I prayed it would be the last. 

“I don’t like making small talk,” she muttered. 

One of my eyebrows rose. “Hm, that line suits me more. You’re the one who loves to ramble.” 

“In this case, you’re not allowed to correct me!” 

“I’m just trying to be an honest man. Isn’t that what most women like?” 

Ruby clenched her fist and threw a punch at my chest before I caught it. A butterfly kiss landed on the back of her tense hand. A 

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Chapter 177 

grin spread across my lips as a soft blush bloomed across her cheeks. What a beautiful sight. I had missed this more than I resized. 

“If I may plead one more time, I’d like to meet our son and treat him properly. I’ve carefully prepared everything he might need of course, you’ve granted me permission to approach him,” I explained, anticipation heavy in my voice as I watched her reaction 

“Above all else, I’ve been hoping maybe you’d say yes.” 

Gently, I slipped my fingers between hers. I laid bare my guilt, refusing to twist the truth just to win the argument. 

I continued, “I’m not asking you to forgive me. What has always mattered most to me is your happiness, Ruby. As long as I can still see you, that’s enough.” 

A silence fell over our conversation. Ruby covered her mouth, falling into a quiet despair within my embrace. 

“What if I actually want to?” 

I tilted my head. “What do you mean, mate?” 

“Both you and I know the core of what cracked our bond,” she began. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore it would just pour salt into a gaping wound. That’s why let’s fix this relationship slowly.” 

I stared at her in disbelief. “Did you just imply you’ve forgiven me?” 

She lowered her head. “Yes.” 

“I–I don’t deserve it, Ruby.” 

Could hardly believe what I had just heard. It went far beyond what I’d dared hope for. 

“You’ve seen the darkness of my soul. I would do it all over again without hesitation if it meant you’d live forever by my Doesn’t that make me a monster in your eyes?” I leaned my forehead against hers, letting out a shaky breath. 

She was the only one the stars ever chose to see me as I truly am. 

“Killian,” Ruby called softly. 

side. 

Our bodies were pressed tightly together, clinging to each other in search of warmth. Ruby clutched my shoulder, her lashes fluttering as she gazed into my eyes. 

“I accept everything,” she give me a bright smile. “The good and the bad just as you’ve embraced all of me. I was angry with you, but I could never bring myself to turn my back and just walk away. So, can we end this now, please?” 

There was still so much left to untangle in this mess. But for now, I let the comfort of her words wash over me. Perhaps it was time! sent a gift basket to Leonidas and the kids. 

Otherwise, I might resort to something drastic just to make Ruby look at me with love in her eyes again. And no one would ever know, except me and the sky above,