CHAPTER 441: CHAPTER 441 ACCEPTING ARRANGEMENT

The news spread like wildfire, faster than Ruby could even blink.

Ruby is marrying Louis? Madame Shades’ son? People gasped, argued, laughed nervously. Some said it had to be false—how could the witch who had four devoted husbands marry such a foolish ghost? But when Ruby herself confirmed it with her steady voice, the whole village reeled as if the ground had shifted.

Angeline stormed to her house not long after, her heels sharp against the floor as she marched inside. Her eyes burned with disbelief. "Ruby, have you lost your mind or what? Why are you marrying that ghost?" she demanded, her tone breaking with anger and worry. Ruby stood silent, her jaw tight, her gaze avoiding Angeline’s. Not a word left her lips. Angeline’s face softened for a moment, but when she saw Ruby’s silence, she let out a frustrated sigh and threw her hands in the air. "Fine. If you won’t speak, then I can’t stop you." She turned on her heel and left, the door banging shut behind her.

Not long after, Pillu arrived, his usually playful face dark with anger. He did not bother to sit; his eyes flashed as he looked at Karl and Adrian. "Why are you letting this happen?" he snapped. "How can you two stand here and watch her walk into a trap with Louis of all people? Are you blind or just cowards?"

Karl shot up at once, his face ugly with rage. "Cowards? Don’t you dare. Do you think I want this? Do you think I can breathe easy for even one second knowing that fat ghost dares to dream about my wife?" His fists cleanched in fist.

"We have our reasons. Please do not interfere," Adrian said.

Pillu’s chest heaved, his anger still simmering. "I don’t care what reason you have," he spat. "If anything happens to her, you’ll regret letting her play with fire. I’ll never forgive you."

Ruby, who had been silent all this time, finally lifted her gaze. Her eyes were calm. "Pillu, I know what I’m doing," she said quietly. "Trust me, or leave it. But don’t get in the way."

Pillu had no words. He only stared at her, helpless, before storming out with the same frustration Angeline had carried.

Ruby didn’t share her plan with the others, not wanting to risk their safety.

She also hadn’t told her husbands about her transmigration that day, because they were interrupted by Kenji, who came in carrying the sweets he had made.

**

Two days later, the air in the house felt heavy, every corner carrying a tension that refused to leave. Madame Shades sat on the couch as if it were her throne, sipping from the glass of water Julian had just placed before her. Her eyes were calm, too calm, her smile stretched like a blade hidden in silk.

"Well, good thing you accepted the arrangement," she said smoothly, her voice sweet but dripping with mockery. "Louis will love you wholeheartedly." She turned her gaze to her son, who sat beside her with his shoulders hunched and his lips pressed into a shy smile, as though playing the role his mother had drilled into him.

Julian’s face was carved into stone, expressionless as he stood near the table, still holding the tray. His hands, however, betrayed him; they gripped the sides so tightly his knuckles whitened, his jaw clenched as if holding back words that would burn the room.

Across the room, Karl sat with his legs spread wide, his arms crossed so tight it looked painful. His eyes were locked on Louis, hot and furious, his nails digging into his palms as he forced himself not to lunge forward and tear that fake, shy mask from the fat ghost’s face. Every time Louis looked Ruby’s way, Karl’s teeth ground harder, his rage barely contained.

"Yeah," Ruby said simply, her voice steady though her eyes betrayed nothing. She kept her face calm, but Karl knew her too well; beneath that calm was the storm, and she was playing a game no one else dared.

Milo, meanwhile, had locked himself in his room since morning. No coaxing, no knocking had brought him out. He had cried the night before, saying he would not sit at the same couch with that bad ghost Louis.

Adrian was nowhere in sight, tied up with company matters—handling papers, smoothing deals, making sure the business stood strong while the house itself felt like it was splitting under the weight of Madame Shades’ shadow.

Julian’s grip on the tray tightened once more, and his voice came out low, almost trembling. "Do you need anything else?" he asked, though the question was edged and sharp, his eyes never leaving Madame Shades for even a second.

Karl muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Ruby to hear, "One more word from her and I swear I’ll throw Louis out myself." His chest rose and fell, his anger simmering like fire ready to burst.

Ruby’s lips curved, not into a smile but into the tiniest flicker of acknowledgment. She knew her husbands were burning inside, and yet, for this plan to work, she had to keep them still.

Madame Shades broke the silence first, her voice honey-sweet but sharp at the edges. "Ruby, my dear, you’ve grown into such a fine witch. Your parents would be proud, don’t you think so, boys?" Her eyes slid to Karl and Julian, her smile daring them to answer.

Julian’s throat worked before he spoke. "Pride is not for you to measure. Her parents would see her for what she is, a witch who survived and built herself." His voice was flat, carrying quiet steel.

Karl’s laugh burst out bitterly. "Proud?" He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing on Madame Shades. "If her parents could see the kind of people trying to tie her down now, they’d rise from their graves just to tear you apart."

"Karl." Ruby’s voice cut through sharply, her hand brushing his arm under the table. He froze, chest heaving, then sat back slowly.

Madame Shades only chuckled, as though amused by a child’s tantrum. "Such spirit. But spirit needs taming, or it turns to waste. Don’t you agree, Louis?"

Louis nodded quickly, his shy smile twitching wider. "Yes. Ruby deserves a calm life, one without fights. With me, she’ll have peace."

Karl nearly lunged forward, but Ruby’s glare just enough to stop him.

Julian’s lips curved into a cold smile as he set down the jug with a thud. "Peace? Peace doesn’t come from hiding behind someone. Peace comes from fighting beside them. Something you wouldn’t understand."

To be continued... 🪄