Wife number Four

Chapter 29

"Eleanor!" 
"Yes mama!" 
"Uncle John is here!" 
Eleanor ran towards her uncle and hugged him tightly 
"Oh I missed you pumpkin!" Uncle john said excitedly 
"Me too! Can we play with dolls!" The little girl asked 
"I'm sorry El I'm not staying for long." Uncle john said 
"Oh." 
"But I can stay for one bedtime story." 
"YAY!" 
Uncle John carried her towards the bedroom and tucked her in. He took a seat at the edge of her bed and started the story. 
"Once upon a time there was a princess with beautiful rich brown hair, it was like chocolate and pretty pink eyes. She was the most beautiful girl in the land but she wasn't just admired for her beauty. No, she had very special powers. She could control the elements. Like your Mommy but your mommy is single and the brunette was not." Uncle John chuckled, "She had 12 princes, I know that's a lot but they all loved her and she loved him, that's all that matters. They were the definition of true love." 
"What happened next?" Eleanor asked 
"Well something bad-" 
"Don't you think that's enough? Eleanor has school tomorrow with her teachers. I think that it is best that you leave." Eleanor's mother butted in 
Uncle John sighed and said, "Yeah you're right." 

He kissed Eleanor's forehead and left. Eleanor wanted to know what happened next. She wanted to know what happened to the pretty brunette and her princes. She wanted her to have a happy ending. Those were last thoughts before she fell asleep.

And then she woke up. 

Eleanor gasped clutching her heart. What did she just dream off? Uncle John looked like the man at the shrine. But the man at the shrine is her father. At least she thinks so. She could not remember a lot about her parents, especially her dad. All she knew was what her mother looked like And that she was happy. This is all so confusing. She would have to ask Karlheinz next time she sees him.  

A knock on the door brought Eleanor out of her thoughts. 
"Yes?" 
"Frail woman, I am coming inside." 
Ruki stepped inside her bedroom and leaned against her door. 
"You know it's polite to ask to come in," Eleanor teased," But what can I help you with?" 
"Icameheretoapologize." Ruki muttered 
"I'm sorry what did you say?" Eleanor inquired 
Ruki sighed and muttered more clearly, "I-I came here to apologize." 
Eleanor was confused and asked, "What for?" 
"3 days ago when we were searching for Azusa I yelled at you when I had no right to. I am sorry." Ruki apologized 
Eleanor smiled warmly at him and said, "It's okay, you were worried about your brother and got upset. It happens to the best of us." 

Ruki sighed in relief letting his shoulders slump before quickly fixing his posture and said,"Just because I apologized does not mean that I like you or trust you. You are still a frail woman." 
Eleanor chuckled, "I've been given the worst names. Frail women is the least of my worries." 
"Who called you names? I'll kill them." Ruki announced
"Ruki you're only 9, you won't even be able to reach his knees." Eleanor sweatdropped, "besides the person is way stronger than you trust me. But I'll give you a hint on his looks, he has white hair but do not tell him that I told you anything about him."
"Are you calling me weak?!" Ruki grumbled
"No of course not!" Eleanor lied nervously, "A-anyways do you want to read a book together?" 
"Stop trying to change the subject." Ruki ordered 
"Who me? I would never." Eleanor said, grabbing a random book off her book shelf, "Oh look Romeo and Juliet, it is such a classic let's read it together." 
"No." 
"Oh come on!" 
"No." 
"Oh..okay," Eleanor sighed and was about to leave her room for breakfast when she was stopped. 
"F-fine! I'll read the idiotic book w-with you." 

Eleanor smiled and layed down on her bed covering her lap with her red duvet waiting for Ruki to do the same as well. 
"You expect me to lay with you?" Ruki asked stunned 
"Well yes, The couches and chairs are too small." Eleanor stated
"It's improper." Ruki said 
"Ruki you're 9, not 29 it's fine, I do it with my son Reiji all the time." Eleanor convinced 
"That's because he is your blood we are not." Ruki added 
"Were not blood related." Eleanor said 
"W-well-" 
"It's okay, I do not mind but if your uncomfortable with this I do not mind us going somewhere else to read like outside."
Ruki sighed, "No it's fine."

Ruki cautiously climbed in her bed but remained a safe distance from her. 
Eleanor chuckled and started to read, "Gregory, o' word, we'll not carry coals." 

Ruki listened to every word she said word for word. Her voice was comforting that he didn't realize that he was beginning to fall asleep. Her voice reminded him of flowers dancing and birds singing. Even when she stumbled on some, well lost of the old english words she was still perfect doing it. Before he knew he fell asleep listening to the last words she spoke, "For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

Eleanor looked at the child next to her and happily smiled to herself. She picked up his small body and tucked him under her red duvet before leaving to eat lunch since breakfast already passed from all the reading. Maybe just maybe she was getting closer to warming that cold heart of Ruki Mukami.