His eyes widened when he saw her—a strikingly beautiful witch walked in the morning sunlight. Her deep red eyes held no particular emotion, framed by long lashes that added to her mysterious allure. She was tall, her posture straight and confident, and even though her face was sweaty from exercise, the light sheen on her skin glistened under the sun, giving her an unintentional, almost sensual charm.
Her hand moved to wipe her face with the back of her hand, while her other hand held a small purple flower. The simplicity of her actions somehow made her seem even more captivating.
"Good morning, Miss Ruby!" Max chirped, his hazel eyes lighting up as he smiled at her cutely.
Ruby turned to him and gave a small smile in return. "Good morning," she replied softly, her voice calm and polite.
Pillu, who had been watching with growing admiration, immediately stepped forward. His heart felt like it skipped a beat, and his eyes practically turned into heart shapes as he eagerly introduced himself.
"Hello, Miss Ruby! I’m Pillu," he said, his voice slightly higher-pitched with excitement.
Ruby turned her gaze to him, studying the unfamiliar face. "Hello," she greeted politely, tilting her head. "And you are...?"
"I’m Pillu," he repeated, his smile growing wider as he emphasized his name, hoping to make an impression.
Max, ever cheerful, chimed in with a grin. "And he’s married to Miss Anabelle!"
Pillu’s smile froze for a moment, his enthusiasm faltering. Dmm! That little brat! he cursed internally.
"Haha! Yes, of course," he said, forcing a laugh, though it sounded awkward. He scratched the back of his neck, trying to cover his embarrassment.
Despite his discomfort, Pillu couldn’t help but admire Ruby. She was so polite, speaking with a calmness that made her seem approachable yet untouchable at the same time. He glanced at the flower in her hand, wondering where she’d gotten it and for whom, and his admiration for her only grew.
Now he wondered if that sneaky ghost he caught had lied to him to get Miss Ruby for himself. After all, Miss Ruby was beautiful and polite.
His face flushed slightly as he stole another glance at her. Sure, he had a wife—but that didn’t mean he couldn’t respect Miss Ruby.
Yes, it was just respect.
"Good morning to you," Ruby replied warmly, her voice calm yet polite. She gave a small smile to Max and Pillu before adding, "I should get going inside."
Max nodded, his smile warm as ever. "Alright, Miss Ruby. See you later!"
Pillu watched her retreating figure, his curiosity growing. "Oh! So she’s the wife of Julian and the other three?" he asked casually, though his tone betrayed his eagerness.
"Yes... Miss Ruby," Max confirmed, tilting his head thoughtfully. "She’s so different from what I heard," he added, trying to recall the rumors. "I mean, from what I was told, she was an alcoholic and barely had any sense of responsibility."
Pillu scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "Nonsense! You shouldn’t believe such rumors! I never did," he declared firmly. In his eyes, Ruby seemed almost goddess-like—graceful, polite, and far from the image painted by gossip.
At that moment, Kenji returned, holding a small bowl of sugar. "Here’s your sugar, Pillu," he said, handing it over.
"Thank you!" Pillu replied cheerfully, taking the bowl and strolling away, humming a little tune to himself.
Kenji watched him walk off, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Today, he wasn’t being his usual extra self," he muttered.
Max shrugged, leaning against the doorway. "Yes, yes, anyway, I don’t care..." he started, but their attention was suddenly drawn to Pillu’s loud voice calling back to them.
"Come to my house at night to watch Soulstream!" Pillu shouted. "Bring everyone else too!"
Kenji and Max exchanged a glance.
Artists can find inspiration in the most unexpected places, and Ruby had discovered hers in the small purple flower in her backyard. The delicate petals, with their soft hue, sparked a new idea for robes design. She couldn’t wait to start working on it, her mind buzzing with designs.
When she reached the breakfast table, she found that everything had already been prepared. Ruby sat down and ate in silence with the others. The morning had a peaceful atmosphere, but something felt off. Karl, in particular, seemed unusually quiet. He kept his head down, avoiding her gaze, which made Ruby feel uneasy. What’s wrong with him? she wondered, her curiosity piqued by his strange behavior.
Ruby quickly finished her breakfast, her thoughts still circling around Karl’s odd silence. She tried to shake off the feeling and focus on what needed to be done. There was something important calling her attention now—her work. She needed to start on her robe.
Once in her room, Ruby gathered her fabric, thread, and needle. She sat down on the floor, the new fabric spread out in front of her. The material was fresh, but she had already used it several times for practice, stitching and experimenting with different techniques. The fabric showed the marks of her previous attempts—small holes and frayed edges from the repeated use. It wasn’t perfect, but it was all she had to work with for now.
Though Ruby had no formal training in sewing, she was determined to give it a try. She didn’t back down from challenges, and this was no different. She picked up the needle.
The practice from yesterday had made her familiar with the process, and today she found herself moving more fluidly, without the hesitation she had before.
Ruby grew more confident and comfortable with the fabric as she continued to work.
Her fingers moved, threading the needle through the fabric. She pulled the thread tightly, making small, uneven stitches along the edges. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to hold the fabric together. Ruby was surprised to find that, despite her lack of experience, the stitch was strong and held the fabric tightly in place. She looked at her work, impressed by how secure the stitches were, even if they weren’t entirely neat.
—To be continued...🪄