HAPPILY EVER AFTER(9)
βElder brother!β
As Damian came down from the carriage, he smiled at the girl running towards him with her golden blonde hair fluttering in the wind. Damian caught his sister as she ran towards him with all her might then he hugged her tightly, lifted her into the air and placed her down.
The sound of the girlβs boisterous laughter spread in the air. Damianβs heart felt full every time he heard his sisterβs clear laughter.
βPretty big brother!β
Evangeline hugged Bruno tight too and greeted him. Evangeline had three big brothers, so she called them in a different way. For Damian, it was simply βelder brotherβ, for Chris, it was βJudeβs big brotherβ, and when Evangeline first saw Bruno, she shouted.
[Itβs a pretty big brother!]
And since then, Brunoβs name became pretty big brother. Bruno sighed as he stroked his cute little sisterβs head.
βEve. Canβt you change the way you call me? You can just call me big brother. Or call me by my name rather.β
βOkay, pretty big brother.β
β…β
Bruno suspected she was doing this on purpose since she was definitely at an age where she could understand his meaning now. She had a wide smile on her face and her expression was full of mischief. Bruno chuckled as if saying it was his loss.
Selena had run over like Evangeline but couldnβt hug them like Eve did, so she stood some distance away with envy in her eyes. Selena also had elder brothers of similar age like the two in the ducal residence, but there werenβt many chances to come out and greet them.
She felt very envious to see Eveβs elder brother look at Eve with a gaze full of affection, hug her and indulge her. And above all, Eveβs brother, Damian was far cooler and awesome-r than Selenaβs older brother. To Selena, he was a prince dreamy beyond words.
βIt has been a long time, Princess.β
When Damian greeted her, Selena hesitantly approached them, picked her skirt slightly and returned the greeting.
βIt has been a while, Sir. Damian. Lady Eve, I believe itβs time to say my regretful goodbyes.β
βLady Selena, goodbyes are really regretful. Iβll see you tomorrow.β
Damian and Bruno glanced at each other with a strange look in their eyes then they turned away and tried their best not to laugh.
* * *
After watching the carriage leave with the children that came to visit, the three siblings turned around. The fox, Asha, who had at some point, noticed that her owner was home, came to rub her head at Damianβs feet.
Damian picked Asha up and hugged her. She was now quite old, and her movements were not as fast as before. Asha closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of Damian caressing the back of her neck.
βAh, right. Elder brother, what is marriage?β
βMarriage is…uh…when a man and a woman come together to make a family. Like mother and father. Father and mother got married and so Eve, you were born.β
βHmm, I see. So if I marry, my little sibling will be born?β
βThatβs not how it wo…wait, Eve. Why are you suddenly curious about this?β
βJude asked me to marry him. Can I?β
βNo!β
Damian and Bruno shouted at the same time.
* * *
Hugoβs discussion with the king took longer than he expected. After managing to reject the Kingβs invite to dinner, Hugo returned home later than usual. As soon as he entered the mansion, he approached his wife who came to greet him like usual.
βYouβre late.β(Lucia)
βWhat of Eve?β(Hugo)
βSheβs asleep. She played hide-and-seek with her friends for quite a while so she must be tired. Youβre hungry, right?β
He was hungry indeed, but he wasnβt sure which hunger it was. Hugo decided to deal with the urgent one first. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulled her to his chest and covered her lips as her eyes widened in surprise. He sucked her soft lips and breathed in the sweet air around her. Her scent tickled his nose. His thirst for her could never be satisfied.
When she wriggled hard in his embrace, Hugo was a little unhappy. It was still not enough. He pressed her with a fiery kiss. She smacked his chest and pushed against him with all her strength.
Hugo didnβt removed his firm hand on her waist, but he had no choice but to loosen his embrace and take his lips away. When he saw the angry amber eyes that met his, he found it really cute. He seriously considered just taking her to the bedroom like this.
βWhat are you doing? The kids are here.β
Lucia whispered through clenched teeth. It was only then that Hugo lifted his gaze and took notice of the two boys who were standing with their heads lowered. When he saw the boys, he remembered what he had asked them to do.
βDid you get the cake?β
Lucia glared at him, prudishly. She couldnβt help but be moved by her husbandβs consideration of her. He had asked his son to bring the cake because he felt he would be late. The anger and embarrassment she felt because the children had witnessed that shameful sight, lessened slightly.
βI got it. It was delicious. Thanks, honey.β
Lucia pecked him on the cheek. Just before Hugo could go after her lips again, Lucia covered his lips with her palm and shook her head minutely. Tch, he grumbled inwardly and gave the tactless disturbers a fierce look.
βIf you finished the errand I sent you on, then youβre done. You donβt have to report to me.β
βThey came out to greet you.β
βHm? No need. Next time, you donβt need to come out. Since youβve greeted me, go up.β
The three men usually came back together, but when Damian and Bruno came back first, they would normally come out to greet Hugo with their mother. He was just being unreasonable. Lucia knew he was simply grumpy because their kiss was interrupted.
βWhere should they go? The kids havenβt had dinner yet.β
His plan to eat dinner alone with his wife on the second floor fell apart. Hugo frowned.
βWhy havenβt you guys eaten yet?β
βGeez, Iβm embarrassed to face the kids. Just come here.β
Lucia quickly pulled Hugoβs arm and headed for the dining room. Hugo followed like he was helpless while grumbling.
βNext time, let them eat first.β
βAlright.β
The two young menβs expressions were very weird as they watched the two go to the dining hall. They felt both taken aback and in disbelief. The same person who said he would hear the report of the meeting when he got home seemed to have now forgotten about it.
The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.
βWhy arenβt you coming in?β
Luciaβs voice calling them could be heard from the dining hall.
βYes, weβre coming.β
Damian and Bruno replied in a loud voice and walked to the dining hall.
Translatorβs Corner:
*Evangeline calls Chris, Damian and Bruno the same term, aka βOrabeoniβ. She attaches something different in front for each though. I wanted some distinction, so I used big brother for Chris and Bruno.
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 56 – 61 - December 21, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 50 – 55 - December 7, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 47 – 49 - November 22, 2025
RIP Jude once Papa Hugh hears about your proposal. Hugh, never change. I feel so happy to know how grown Lucia’s family has become, she got two (three if you count Chris lmao) sons and a lovely daughter. Especially since the webtoon has her in that uncertain period where she’s very lonely and not sure of her place as the new Duchess. It makes my heart burst knowing this is her future.
“RIP Jude once Papa Hugh hears about your proposal.”
IF he survives the brothers.
βJude asked me to marry him. Can I?β
βNo!β
Hahahah and wait till daddy hears it πππ
Thanks for the new chapter!
Tch, he grumbled inwardly and gave the tactless disturbers a fierce look.
Haha that childish side of Hugo is my favorite side of him.
Jude you better run for your life boi
Unreasonable daddy hugh AHHAHA
Lol! I love this chapter! βHe was hungry indeed, but he wasnβt sure which hunger it was. Hugo decided to deal with the urgent one first.β, I should have known Hugh would choose Lucia over food. Thanks, Miss Ruby!
I love this chapter, one of my favorites. ππβ€
Lool I wonder why Lucia is still surprised every time Hugo kisses herπ
Thats mainly because she’s embarassed bcs the kids were there, and that obviously wasnt a “simple kiss” lmao
MY HEART IS SO FULL
The more often Damian saw this kind of scene (his parents’ PDA π), the easier we predict about how Damian would treat Ted in the future (assuming they finally met again & got married) π since Damien is the carbon copy of Hugh (well, without “Hugh’s personality defect” of course π)
And so did Bruno. He surely would follow the exampke from his idol, the Duke of Taran π€£π€£π€£
Oh right…Jude, Ethan, stay away.
I’ll have “Eve 𧑠Bruno” written on my ship.
What? The age gap?
Bruno was about the same age as Damian, right?
Well, like they said, by the time Eve reached 18 years of age, Bruno would be about 29/30.
I bet he’d stll look ‘pretty’ even when he’s 70 πππ
I love how they call Lucia βMotherβ, i really feel their affection thru my phone.. ( κα΄κ)