Summer wanted Ruby to go to sleep after noticing the time of night, but Ruby wouldn't listen. Even when her head was bobbing up and down and her eyes half-lidded, Ruby refused to let go of Summer's pant leg.
After Summer had let go of Ruby after a warm hug, Summer was currently walking Ruby back to her room.
"Y-Yang and Daddy said you were gone, B-But I believed in Mr. Hero," Ruby stuttered, large eyes blinking. Her feet were almost catching on the blanket she had draped around herself and it was making Summer worried that she may trip and fall.
"Mommy's very happy Little Rose, but she's also very mad," Summer stopped moving and knelt down to pick up the parts of Ruby's blanket that were dragging against the floor. Thereafter, she stared long and hard at Ruby who began to fidget.
Ruby could recognize the expression on Summer's face, it was the same kind Summer always made whenever Ruby tried to sneak another six cookies from the cookie jar at home.
"Do you know why Mommy's mad?" Summer placed her hands over Ruby's shoulders, using her finger to turn Ruby's face towards her when Ruby kept glancing away.
"No," Ruby answered in a small voice, her pupils darting.
"Ruby Rose, look at me when I'm talking to you," a smile crept up Summer's lips, but she did her best to maintain her sternness.
Ruby froze before nodding her head obediently.
"Good, that's my Little Rose," Summer ruffled Ruby's hair before hardening her resolve. "Do you know why mommy's mad?" She asked again.
Ruby stayed silent, twiddling her fingers and body fidgeting.
Watching her youngest daughter, Summer could only sigh before lightly bopping her on the head. "What did I tell you about leaving home without me or your dad?"
"That I have to ask first," Ruby lowered her gaze in guilt. "B-But Mr. Hero took me," she tried to defend.
Summer had no response to give other than a shake of her head. There was no way she could explain to her child that the remaining two red marks on her hands were something Shirou called Command Seals. It didn't matter if Shirou took Ruby or not if Shirou didn't have a choice in the matter.
Wordlessly, Summer took Ruby into her arms and hugged her. Even without saying it, she could understand that Ruby must have missed her dearly to risk a heavy scolding.
It warmed Summer's heart, but at the same time, it was like a knife was twisting itself in her chest. After all, she knew better than anyone, that she wouldn't be able to stay with her daughter for much longer.
Right hand pressing Ruby's head to the groove of her shoulder, Summer's eyes dimmed when she stared at the translucency of her other hand. The fingertips were already starting to fade in little mots of white light.
She fell into a daze, and it was only when Ruby tried to push away from her that Summer nearly panicked, her breath hitching as her muscles tensed.
Immediately, she put more strength into her right arm and prevented Ruby from turning around. Summer didn't know what Ruby would do if she noticed what was happening.
There would not be any words of comfort Summer could give if Ruby noticed her disappearing bit by bit.
Summer pursed her lips and carried Ruby directly back to her room, a tremble in her shoulders.
"Mommy?" Ruby called out to her, the grip she had over Ruby was getting tighter.
"It's alright Little Rose, don't worry about mommy," Summer comforted, placing Ruby down on the bed while subtly hiding her left hand. "Stay there for a bit okay?"
YOU ARE READING
The Huntsman of Red V2
PrzygodoweGuardian, Protector, Hero, and perhaps something more, that was what he had always meant to her, but to others he was simply known as the Huntsman of Red, Remnant's final hope. This story is not mine, it belongs to Parcasious
