"Great! My husband liked the robe you sold... and this is the place I ntioned," said the boss lady with a warm grin, adjusting the scarf over her shoulder as she led them through the small wooden gate. Her voice had a certain calm strength in it..like soone who’d been in the market business for years and still believed in giving newcors a fair chance.
The house wasn’t grand or flashy, but it had sothing that pulled Ruby in right away. The front had enough space for a signboard and maybe a sitting bench. The inside had thick wooden beams and solid floors and the best part...it ca with a spacious storage area tucked behind a sliding door, perfect for her robes and materials.
"It’s not too big," the witch said honestly, "but it’s yours if you want to start small and grow."
Karl, anwhile, had wandered to the back, and the mont he saw the staircase, his eyes sparkled with childlike excitent. He turned to Ruby and whispered loudly, "There are stairs! Wife! Look, look! Stairs!"
Ruby chuckled softly and turned to the boss. "Would it be alright if we see the terrace first?"
"Of course," the witch nodded, leading them up.
Karl climbed first, taking each step like he was ascending to a hidden land in the clouds. At the top, he stopped in awe. The wind rushed past gently, brushing his ssy hair aside. The terrace wasn’t large, but it gave a clear view of the neighborhood rooftops, smoke trails rising from kitchens, and far-off shops closing for the evening.
The sky had shifted. The last of the daylight dipped behind the hills, turning the world red-orange, while the moon...a glowing, silver disk rose quietly above them.
Ruby stepped up beside Karl, her hands resting lightly on the railing. The wind tugged at her white hair as she looked around. The air was cold, crisp, full of possibilities.
"It’s beautiful," Karl whispered, completely srized.
"It is," Ruby replied, her voice gentle, as if speaking too loudly might break the magic.
🪄
There was no furniture inside, not even a broken chair. Just quiet rooms, wide windows, and dust floating in the night air under the dim light of the moon. The wooden floor was uneven in so spots, and the walls needed a fresh coat of paint. But Ruby didn’t mind. In fact, as she walked through each room, her heart beat a little faster..
This would be her company’s base...her first real workplace in this world.
Karl walked beside her with sleepy steps, holding her arm lazily as usual. He didn’t say much, but his curious eyes moved across the empty space with quiet interest.
"This is perfect," Ruby whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
She had already decided. The money she earned during the fair would go straight into building this place. She’d clean it up, repaint the walls, maybe get so secondhand furniture from the market. She didn’t need luxury. She just needed sothing functional.
A few working tables for cutting and stitching, shelves to stack fabrics, a small storage room in the back for finished pieces.
And when that was done... she would focus on people.
Hiring more workers, especially those who truly needed the job...like Rowan and Eilas once did. She’d make sure they were paid fairly and treated with respect. And after that, her next goal was to find rchants. The right ones. rchants who believed in her robes and could help her brand spread beyond this little village.
"I like this place, and I’m ready to buy it!" Ruby said firmly, her red eyes glowing. Her voice was calm, but her expression was serious.
The witch in front of her, nodded approvingly.
Her expression turned thoughtful for a mont before she gave a small smile.
"Alright, Miss Ruby," she said, extending her hand with confidence. "We’ll et tomorrow morning to sign the docunts. Once that’s done, the property is officially yours."
Ruby shook her hand firmly. "Thank you. I’ll be ready."
"We’ll et here tomorrow in the early morning," said the witch calmly, her voice crisp but professional.
Ruby nodded firmly. "I’ll be here. Thank you again."
With that, the deal was set in motion. Ruby, Karl, and Angeline walked away from the place.
The walk back ho was quiet but warm. Karl yawned a few tis, still holding onto Ruby’s arm lazily, while Angeline chatted a little about how the new place had good energy.
When they finally reached Ruby’s house, Ruby turned to Angel and smiled. "Thanks for helping so much today."
Angeline smiled back and waved. "Get so rest. Tomorrow’s a big day!"
After Angel walked off toward her own ho, Ruby rang the doorbell, and just then...grrrrrr—a low growl echoed.
Ruby looked down at Karl’s stomach. He blinked innocently. "I’m not the only one. You’re hungry too."
Ruby sighed with a smile. "Let’s just get inside."
The door creaked open a mont later.
"Co inside," Adrian said, his voice calm but his eyes narrowed slightly when he noticed Karl’s hand still holding onto Ruby’s arm.
For a brief second, a flicker of doubt passed through his gaze—but just as quickly, it faded when Karl, completely unaware, dramatically sighed and said, "I am soooo hungry... I couldn’t even walk properly," then pouted and casually grabbed onto his arm next.
Adrian blinked.
Ah. So it wasn’t personal. Karl just liked holding onto people.
Adrian cleared his throat. "Go and freshen up," he said, gently untangling himself and walking toward the kitchen.
Ruby stepped inside and quietly looked around the house. The warm light made everything feel cozy and familiar. But... she didn’t see Julian or Milo anywhere.
"They’re doing sothing," Adrian said over his shoulder as he entered the kitchen, his tone flat, almost like he didn’t want to explain much.
Ruby watched him walk away, her red eyes thoughtful. He always acted cold and distant, but if she paid attention... he noticed things. He rembered details. And now, quietly starting dinner without anyone asking—yeah, he cared. Just not with words.
She smiled a little to herself, then turned to go wash up before dinner.
—To be continued...🪄
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