"Don’t worry, dear. I’ll handle all the paperwork for you," she said, pouring tea into two cups. "You won’t have to go through much trouble at all."
Ruby picked up one of the snacks, taking a small bite. It was soft and sweet, melting on her tongue almost instantly.
"But," Zee continued, her tone becoming just a little more business-like, "I will need the full plan—business name, type, and all the necessary details."
"I have the full plan," Ruby said, taking another bite of the snack in front of her.
"That’s good," Old Witch Zee replied, her smile deepening with satisfaction.
"Once your business is registered," Zee continued, "it’ll be much easier to apply for loans from the bank. You’ll be able to start things without worrying too much about funds."
Ruby nodded thoughtfully, letting the words settle as she reached for her tea.
"That sounds like a relief," Ruby said softly. "I’d rather have things set up properly from the start."
Zee’s eyes glimmered approvingly. "Smart thinking, dear. Most witches don’t bother with registration until it’s too late.."
Seeing Ruby finish her tea and snacks, Old Witch Zee smiled warmly.
"Alright, let’s get your work done! I don’t have much to do today anyway," Zee said, rising from her seat.
Ruby nodded, brushing the crumbs off her lap as she stood.
Old Witch Zee quickly told the main office she was taking leave to help Ruby, who had helped them during the crisis.
After that, she led Ruby to the garage where her car was parked.
"Hop in," Zee said with a grin, sliding into the driver’s seat.
Ruby sat in the passenger seat, looking around at the car’s old but detailed design. The faint smell of lavender filled the air, and small charms hung from the rearview mirror.
As the car rumbled to life, Zee glanced at Ruby and said, "My daughter works at the corporate registration office. She can help you get things done faster."
Ruby perked up, tilting her head. "That’s great! How old is she?"
Zee chuckled softly as she pulled out of the garage and onto the Sky. "She’s thirty-five now," Zee said proudly, keeping one hand on the wheel.
"Wow," Ruby murmured. "She must be quite accomplished."
Zee’s smile grew wider. "Oh, she is. Very hardworking. Ever since she was little, she dreamed of working in a government office like me. She put her heart into it, and now she’s right where she wants to be."
Ruby glanced at Zee as she drove, sensing the pride in her voice.
"That’s inspiring," Ruby said sincerely. "It’s nice to hear about witches who follow through with their dreams."
Zee nodded, her eyes softening. "Yes. That’s the thing, young witch—you need to have a vision. Know what you want and where you see yourself in the future. Nothing falls into place unless you chase after it."
Ruby listened carefully, letting Zee’s words settle in her mind.
"Now my daughter’s happily married to three ghosts and has five kids keeping her busy," Zee added with a hearty laugh.
Ruby smiled, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "That sounds like a full life."
"It is," Zee agreed. "And I hope the same for you. Maybe not five kids just yet," she teased, "but a future where you can say you built something you’re proud of."
Ruby glanced out the window as the market slowly passed by, the soft hum of the car filling the quiet space between them.
"I’m working on it," Ruby said softly, her gaze still on the passing scenery.
Soon, they arrived at the corporate office. It was noticeably smaller than the government office with a quieter atmosphere.
Old Witch Zee led Ruby inside, the faint scent of ink and parchment lingering in the air. The office was cluttered with stacks of papers and documents, and only a handful of people were working there. Each one seemed deeply focused on their tasks, barely glancing up as Zee passed by with Ruby in tow.
Without hesitation, Old Witch Zee opened the door to a smaller office without knocking.
The room inside was tidy, lined with shelves filled with thick books and neatly labeled files. A study table sat by the window, with a computer humming faintly on top of it.
Ruby’s eyes wandered to a framed family photo on the desk. A witch who bore a striking resemblance to Old Witch Zee stood beside three ghosts and five children, all smiling brightly. Old Witch Zee was also in the photo, standing proudly at the side.
Behind the desk sat a witch who looked so much like Zee, Ruby almost thought it was a trick of the light. Her gaze lifted the moment they entered, eyes widening slightly in surprise. However, she said nothing, her eyes lingering on Ruby as if silently assessing her.
"Sana!" Old Witch Zee said cheerfully, patting Ruby lightly on the arm. "This is Ruby—the one I told you about!"
The witch at the desk, Sana, blinked before quickly standing.
"Oh! Hi, Miss Ruby. I’m Sana," she greeted, stepping around the desk and extending her hand. "I’ve heard a lot about you from my mother. Thank you for everything. Because of your help, my mom’s job was saved."
Ruby smiled warmly, shaking Sana’s hand. "It was nothing, really. I’m glad things worked out."
Sana studied Ruby for a moment longer, her eyes narrowing slightly—not out of rudeness, but curiosity.
’She carries herself well... too well,’ Sana thought as she pulled her hand back.
Ruby didn’t look like the typical village witch. There was a calmness about her, the kind that stood out. She didn’t fidget or glance around nervously. Instead, she observed the office in silence, taking everything in with focused, calm eyes.
Even the way she shook hands felt different—firm, confident, like someone who knew exactly what she was doing.
’She’s just a school graduate... how does she already know how to handle formalities ?’ Sana wondered silently, though she hid her thoughts behind a polite smile.
—To be continued...🪄