"Why are you holding him?" Ruby’s voice was cold, eyes sharp as they fixed on the witches restraining Karl.
"And who are you?" Sasa snapped back, her voice sharp and her eyes filled with anger as she glared at her.
Karl’s baby blue eyes brightened the second he spotted Ruby. Relief washed over him like a wave, and he felt his heart jump in his chest.
"Wife!" he whispered to himself, his eyes lighting up.
Without hesitation, Karl acted—sinking his teeth into the hand of the witch holding his arm.
"Ow!" The witch yelped, jerking her hand back in shock.
The other witch turned just in time for Karl to kick at her ankle, causing her to stumble.
Taking the chance, Karl bolted toward Ruby, not even bothering to look back.
"Wife! Save me!" he cried, practically diving behind her and gripping the edge of her robe like a lifeline.
Ruby glanced down at him, raising an eyebrow as she felt him trembling against her side.
Really... he’s just a fake tiger.
Ruby smirked as she watched Karl cling to her, trembling like a frightened cat behind her back.
Her red eyes flicked toward Sasa, tilting her head slightly.
"You tried to take advantage of my husband?" Ruby’s voice was cold and Sharp.
The words echoed loudly in Karl’s ears, repeating like a mantra. His baby blue eyes widened, his cheeks heating up.
Karl bit his lower lip nervously, sneaking a glance up at Ruby.
She doesn’t even look scared of bald Sasa...
Meanwhile, Sasa’s expression twisted with anger, the sharp glint of irritation flashing in her eyes.
"So what if he’s your husband?" Sasa sneered, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "If I like him, I can have him. What are you going to do about it?"
She laughed darkly, and the witches beside her chuckled, clearly entertained by the situation.
Ruby’s smirk didn’t fade. If anything, it grew sharper.
Karl peeked nervously from behind her shoulder, his heart pounding louder with every passing second.
"Wife..." he whispered, tugging at her sleeve. "M-Maybe we should just leave... quietly... before she does something crazy."
Ruby, however, didn’t move.
"I don’t think she’s that bold," Ruby said calmly, not even sparing Karl a glance.
"What did you say?" Sasa’s eyes narrowed, flashing with cold, murderous intent as she locked onto Ruby, anger crackling behind her gaze. Her lips curled slightly, baring her teeth like a predator ready to pounce.
"Sasa, let’s just kill this witch." One of her companions stepped forward, voice laced with malice, eyes fixed on Ruby like she was prey. Her fingers twitched at her sides, itching to strike.
"Yes... exactly," another witch said, her voice smug and dripping with satisfaction as she rubbed the spot on her hand where Karl’s teeth had left their mark. Her dark eyes glinted with cruel amusement. "Isn’t that what we always do? Kill anyone foolish enough to stand against us."
Karl’s grip tightened around Ruby’s arm, small hands trembling slightly. His wide eyes darted nervously between the witches, his breathing shallow and uneven. Fear was written all over his face, and he edged closer to Ruby, seeking comfort in the folds of her robe.
"W-Wife... wife, we should leave... now," he whispered, voice barely above a breath. His head lowered slightly, as if hiding behind her would somehow make him disappear. His hold on her arm grew desperate, clutching like she was his only shield from the witches’ wrath.
Ruby stayed still, her face calm and hard to read. She didn’t react to their threats or the sharp look in Sasa’s eyes. Instead, she quietly placed her hand over Karl’s and gave it a soft squeeze.
"Stay behind me," she said softly, though her voice carried enough authority to slice through the thick tension. "I’ll handle this."
The witches sneered, sensing Ruby’s lack of fear.
"Handle this?" Sasa laughed bitterly, stepping closer. "You’re either brave or foolish. Let’s see how long that confidence lasts."
Without warning, Sasa’s companions lunged forward, their movements sharp and Ruthless.
Ruby’s eyes stayed on the witch. As the first witch came closer, Ruby calmly shifted her weight and lifted her leg in a quick, smooth move.
Her foot connected squarely with the witch’s chest, sending her stumbling back with a choked gasp.
The force knocked her off balance, and she crumpled to the ground, clutching at her ribs as a scream tore from her lips.
The second witch had no time to react. Full of anger, she swung her arm at Ruby, aiming straight for her face.
Ruby’s eyes flickered with disinterest as she sidestepped, catching the witch’s wrist mid-swing. With a sharp twist, Ruby forced her opponent’s arm down, driving her fist into the witch’s stomach with a force that knocked the breath from her lungs.
The witch’s knees buckled, and she dropped to the ground, groaning as she wrapped her arms protectively around her abdomen.
Ruby lowered her leg slowly, her expression as calm and blank as if nothing had happened. Her gaze drifted back to Sasa, who had yet to move.
"Is that all?" Ruby’s voice was quiet, almost bored.
Sasa’s hands clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms.
"You..." she growled, but the flicker of hesitation in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed.
Karl tugged gently at Ruby’s sleeve. "Wife... can we go now?" he whispered nervously, glancing at the witches sprawled on the ground.
Ruby didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes remained fixed on Sasa, waiting for the next move.
"We’re not done yet," Sasa spat, though the slight tremble in her voice betrayed her.
Ruby tilted her head slightly. "You can try again... but I wouldn’t recommend it."
Sasa’s anger boiled over, her eyes burning red as rage twisted her expression. How dare this witch take her lightly? Her fists clenched, and she could feel the heat rising in her chest.
"You—" The word barely left her lips before she lunged at Ruby, legs driving forward in an attempt to strike her square in the stomach.
—To be continued...🪄