The Bigshot's Superstar Wife-Chapter 106: A Walk

Athena arrived at the hidden chamber with a small bundle in her hands. Noctis sat on the bed, his thin legs dangling off the side, his golden hair messy from sleep.

He was no longer wary of her presence, but he still barely spoke. Every day, she brought him meals, told him stories, and sat beside him in silence, allowing him to get used to her.

Today, she had something different in mind.

"Noctis," she said gently, kneeling in front of him. His bright eyes lifted toward her, the flickering candlelight reflecting off his irises like shards of gold. "I have a surprise for you."

He didn’t react immediately, but his fingers curled slightly on the bed, a small sign of curiosity.

"I want to take you somewhere beautiful," she continued. "Somewhere outside this dark place."

At the mention of "outside," Noctis stiffened. He glanced toward the door instinctively, his small shoulders tensing.

"It’s safe," Athena assured him, reaching out a hand. "I promise."

He looked at her, searching for any deception. She had never forced him to do anything, never demanded words or actions from him.

Slowly, with hesitation, he placed his small hand in hers. A rush of warmth filled Athena’s chest.

Holding his hand gently, she led him out of the chamber and into the secret passage.

Noctis followed her steps cautiously, his eyes darting around as if expecting something to jump out at him. Athena kept her pace steady, her grip firm but reassuring.

When they finally reached the villa’s exit, the moonlight bathed them in soft silver hues.

Noctis squinted at the brightness, his brows furrowing. He took a step back, gripping Athena’s hand tighter.

"It’s okay," she whispered, squeezing his fingers lightly. "Just take a deep breath."

He hesitated, then inhaled slowly.

Together, they stepped outside.

The villa’s botanical garden stretched before them, illuminated by the delicate glow of hanging star-shaped lanterns.

Exotic flowers bloomed in various colors, their petals opening under the soft moonlight. The scent of fresh earth and blooming roses filled the air.

Firefly-like beasts flitted through the leaves, their tiny bodies glowing like scattered stars.

Noctis stared, his lips parting slightly.

Athena watched his face closely. This was the first time he had seen something beyond the walls of his chamber.

The shadows that always dulled his golden eyes flickered with something else, wonder.

She gently led him toward the marble pathway, lined with vines and white blossoms. "This is the garden," she said softly. "Everything here is alive."

The most uptodate nove𝙡s are published on frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓.

Noctis took a hesitant step forward. His bare feet touched the cool stone, then the soft grass.

He bent slightly, reaching out toward a blue night-blooming flower. His fingers hovered over the petals but didn’t touch.

Athena knelt beside him. "You can touch it," she encouraged.

His gaze flickered to her, uncertain. Then, very carefully, he pressed a fingertip against the velvety petal. It moved slightly under his touch, and his lips parted in silent surprise.

Athena smiled.

For the first time since she met him, Noctis was truly seeing something beyond his own pain.

She let him explore at his own pace. He moved slowly, his feet silent against the ground as he trailed his fingers over the leaves, the petals, the dewdrops resting on the edges.

His expression remained unreadable, but there was a subtle shift in his posture, less rigid, more present.

Then, as they reached a small pond at the center of the garden, Noctis stopped.

Athena followed his gaze. The pond’s surface shimmered under the moonlight, koi fish lazily swimming beneath.

A gentle breeze rustled the surrounding willow tree, causing its long branches to sway. Noctis stared at his reflection in the water. His small fingers curled into fists.

Athena stepped beside him, kneeling down so their reflections were side by side. "Do you know what’s special about reflections?" she asked.

Noctis shook his head slightly.

"They show us who we are," she said. "But they don’t define us."

His brows furrowed slightly, as if trying to understand.

"You are more than what you see here," Athena continued, placing a hand on her own chest. "What’s inside you, your thoughts, your feelings, those are what matter."

Noctis looked back at the water. For a long moment, he was quiet. Then, slowly, he reached out and touched the surface. The ripples distorted his reflection, scattering the image.

Athena watched, her heart aching at the sight.

Noctis was only a child, yet he carried a pain so heavy that even the moonlight couldn’t reach him fully.

She wanted to change that.

"Do you want to stay here for a while?" she asked gently.

To her surprise, he gave the smallest nod.

It was barely there, just a slight tilt of his head, but it was an answer.

A genuine answer.

Athena sat beside him, resting her arms on her knees as they both gazed at the water.

The night stretched on, filled with the soft chirping of crickets, the occasional rustle of leaves, and the quiet presence of a boy who, for the first time, was allowing himself to exist beyond his prison.

The wind carried the faint scent of lavender, wrapping around them like an unspoken promise.

Athena didn’t push for more words, didn’t ask for more than he was willing to give.

For now, this was enough.

A step forward.

And perhaps, just perhaps, the beginning of something new.

Athena watched as Noctis continued to observe the pond, his small fingers occasionally dipping into the cool water.

The fish swam toward him curiously, their golden and white scales reflecting the soft lantern light.

He didn’t flinch or pull away. Instead, he simply stared, his golden eyes holding something fragile, something between curiosity and disbelief.

She didn’t speak, allowing him to take in the moment at his own pace. The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine.

The quietness of the garden was peaceful, wrapping around them like a warm embrace.

Noctis turned his head slightly, his gaze drifting toward Athena. It was a silent question, hesitant yet hopeful.

"You like it here, don’t you?" she asked gently.

After a pause, he gave the smallest nod.

Athena’s heart warmed at the response. It was small, but it was progress.

"You can come here anytime," she assured him. "Whenever you want. This garden is yours too."

Noctis looked at her for a long moment, his lips pressing together as if he wanted to say something. But in the end, he remained silent.

That was fine. Athena didn’t mind.

Instead, she reached into the small basket she had brought and pulled out a soft, warm bun filled with sweet red bean paste. She broke it in half and offered him a piece.

He hesitated before slowly taking it.

Athena smiled, watching as he took a careful bite.

Noctis didn’t smile back, but for the first time, he didn’t look so lost.

And for now, that was enough.