My five ghostly husbands

Chapter 466

Kaelan had always been the most affectionate person in the house. He never hesitated to show his love openly. Whether it was through small gestures or quiet words, he had a way of making everyone feel special. And today, that warmth was needed more than ever.

They were all gathered at the station to see Julian off. The morning sky was clear, the soft breeze carrying the scent of dust and rare summer flowers from the nearby fields. Almost half the village had come, curious and proud, whispering excitedly among themselves. It was a rare sight—someone from their small village going to study medicine in the Capital. Everyone had already started calling him "Doctor Julian" before he had even stepped onto the soul express train.

Kenji was the first to step forward, grinning from ear to ear. "Promise me one thing, Doctor," he teased, slapping Julian lightly on the shoulder. "When you come back, treat me first. My back hurts every time I wake up!"

Julian chuckled softly. "Sure, I’ll even give you a free check-up," he said, smiling warmly.

Pillu, Max, Leo, and Hugo all came next, each offering hugs, handshakes, and cheerful wishes. The air buzzed with laughter, but underneath it all, a quiet sadness lingered.

Karl stood a little apart, his face scrunched up like he was about to cry. He tried to look composed, but his red eyes betrayed him. "Oh no," Ruby whispered, hiding a smile as she watched him. "He’s about to flood the ground."

Beside Karl, Milo was no better—his hands clutched his painting bag tightly, his lower lip trembling.

Finally, Julian turned toward them, his eyes soft and teasing. "What’s this?" he said playfully. "My silly brothers aren’t going to hug me goodbye?"

That was all it took. Karl burst into tears and threw his arms around Julian. "You’re leaving us!" he said between sobs, burying his face in Julian’s shoulder.

Julian laughed through his own tears, patting Karl’s back gently. "I’ll be back soon, you big crybaby."

Then Milo hugged him next, his body shaking. "Don’t forget us, okay?" he whispered.

"I could never forget you," Julian said softly, bending down to press a kiss on Milo’s forehead.

Adrian, standing nearby, folded his arms but his eyes betrayed his emotion. "You’re going to make the whole village proud," he said quietly.

Kaelan nodded beside him, his voice gentle. "We’ll be waiting for you, Jules. Don’t forget to call us."

Ruby smiled, her heart full and heavy at the same time. "We’re all proud of you, Jules," she said warmly.

Julian looked around at all of them and his chest tightened. "I’ll miss you all," he said, his voice barely steady. "Take care of each other, alright?"

As the soul express train whistle echoed through the air, they all waved together, shouting and smiling through their tears.

Kaelan slipped an arm around Ruby’s shoulders as the train pulled away. "Our family’s growing," he murmured softly. "But it still feels like a piece of us just left."

Ruby nodded quietly, her gaze following the train until it disappeared. "He’ll come back," she said. "And when he does, we’ll be waiting—with open arms and a full table."

Karl sniffled loudly. "And cake," he added, wiping his eyes.

That made everyone laugh, the sadness easing just a little as they began their walk back home together.

Meanwhile, Julian wasn’t going alone. Healer William had decided to travel with him to the Capital, saying it was time for Julian to learn from real masters and experience the world beyond their quiet village. That eased Ruby’s heart; she knew Julian would be safe with him.

When Julian finally reached the Capital, he called Ruby right away. His voice through the crystal call was full of awe and excitement. "Wife, it’s so huge here! The buildings are tall, the streets are glowing, and there are so many students!"

Ruby laughed softly, feeling her heart lighten. "Just promise you’ll eat properly and rest," she said.

Healer William’s calm voice joined in from the background. "Don’t worry, Ruby. I’ll look after him. He’s in safe hands."

Once Julian had settled into his dorm, Ruby kept her promise—she took all her husbands to visit him in the Capital. The journey was long but full of laughter and chatter. When they arrived, Julian proudly showed them around his small dormitory. It wasn’t grand, but it was neat and charming, with books stacked neatly, a potted plant by the window, and small charms hanging from the walls for good luck.

"I made it look nice, right?" he asked, smiling.

Ruby nodded proudly. "You did better than I expected," she teased.

Julian introduced them to his new friends—other young healers and apprentices who greeted Ruby and her family respectfully, clearly impressed by Julian’s warmth and intelligence. That evening, they all had dinner together at a quiet café near the academy. The food was simple, but the laughter and stories made it feel like home.

When it was time to leave, Ruby hugged Julian tightly. "We’ll visit again soon," she promised, and he smiled, waving as they left.

Back in the village, Ruby had already bought land for their new home. Construction began soon after, with everyone helping however they could.

One and a half years later, the house was finally complete.

It stood proudly at the edge of the village, surrounded by blooming pink trees Ruby had planted herself. Their petals danced in the breeze, falling softly across the wide lawn. The house was large and filled with light, with wide windows, carved balconies, and a calm, welcoming aura.

Julian came home for his holiday that same week, and everyone was shocked to see how much he had changed. His aura was calmer, his voice deeper, and there was a new wisdom in his eyes. He moved with quiet confidence now, and even Karl had whispered to Milo, "I think I need to study too. He looks like some scholar from Soulstream dramas."

Ruby couldn’t stop smiling. Her family was growing stronger, each of them finding their own way.

Kaelan, who had overseen most of the interior design, had surprised her most. His sense of color, texture, and placement was flawless. He had personally designed the living room—simple but warm, with wooden floors, cream walls, and large windows that opened to the garden view.

When Ruby walked through the finished house for the first time, her eyes glistened. "Lan," she said softly, turning to him, "you’ve made it look perfect."

Kaelan smiled, his voice gentle but full of pride. "It’s our home, wife. I just made sure it feels like one."

To be continued... 🪄