The Civil Protection Office functioned like a police station in this world, a place where citizens could report grievances, seek justice, or request help if something terrible had happened.
The building itself was sturdy and formal, with high ceilings and old dark wooden desks where witch officers handled cases.
Behind one of the desks sat a witch officer, dressed differently from the usual robes. Instead, she wore a tight-fitting uniform designed for movement and combat. She had a strong, honest face, her golden-tan skin glowing under the dim light as she looked at Ruby with sharp, attentive eyes.
Ruby and Julian were seated on the chairs, while Karl stood behind Julian. Milo, standing behind Ruby, looked at her hair before glancing around curiously.
"State your business," she said, her tone firm but professional.
Ruby took a deep breath before speaking. "...I was drugged," she said bluntly, her voice steady but firm. "I just recovered, so I came here to file a complaint. And—"
She didn’t hold back, detailing everything she knew—how she was tricked, how she barely escaped, and how she later found Julian in a terrible state.
The officer listened without interrupting, nodding occasionally as she jotted down notes on a thick book.
She tapped her pen against the paper thoughtfully before looking at Ruby again, her gaze sharper. "Do you have any proof? Witnesses? Physical evidence?"
Ruby clenched her fists slightly. "I don’t have physical proof, but Julian was there. He saw everything before he was attacked. And I—" She exhaled sharply, pushing back the anger rising inside her. "I remember enough."
The officer hummed in thought. "Alright. I’ll need statements from both of you. If what you’re saying is true, we’ll investigate Levi and Celeste and take the necessary action."
Ruby nodded firmly. "That’s all I ask."
The officer jotted down more notes before sliding a document across the desk. "Sign this to confirm your statement. And don’t worry—we take matters like these seriously."
Ruby took the pen and signed her name, her handwriting neat and clear.
She wasn’t going to let Levi get away with this.
The officer’s gaze shifted to Julian, noticing the white bandage wrapped neatly around his head. His mossy green eyes looked a little dull, and his posture was slightly slouched from exhaustion.
Though Ruby had already taken him to a healer, he still looked weak his skin paler than usual, his movements slower.
"Don’t worry. Our team will take action against him and investigate Celestia," the officer assured.
Ruby smiled a little, satisfaction glinting in her red eyes as the officer processed their complaint.
Julian, standing beside her, let out a small sigh of relief.
For the first time in a while, he felt like he could breathe.
The officer handed him a pen and gestured toward the document.
"You need to sign here as well," she instructed.
Julian hesitated for just a second.
Then, gripping the pen firmly, he signed his name.
His green eyes softened slightly. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have even been able to write his name properly. But now, after learning the basics, he could at least handle small things .
He sighed again, this time with a sense of closure.
As they stepped out of the Civil Protection Office, Julian couldn’t control himself anymore.
Right there, in the middle of the street.
His arms wrapped tightly around her, his face pressing against her shoulder.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how happy I feel finally getting rid of Levi. He always used to taunt me... control me... I can’t be happier than I am right now."
His smile was soft, but his grip around her was firm, almost desperate.
Ruby, though momentarily caught off guard, patted his back gently.
"Don’t be too happy yet, Julian," she muttered. "All of this happened for one reason—to create a crack in our relationship."
Julian stiffened slightly.
"But we still have no idea what Levi is planning right now," Ruby continued, her expression turning serious.
Julian slowly pulled away, his green eyes meeting hers.
Then, after a moment, he nodded, still smiling.
"You’re right... but at least now, he won’t have the same power over me anymore."
Milo, who had been listening silently, felt a wave of happiness for Julian.
Julian had told them before—how Levi used to mentally abuse him, gaslight him, control him. It had left scars far deeper than just words.
But now... if the officers took real action against Levi—
Then, for the first time, Julian might finally be free.
Ruby wanted to carry Julian again, but his face turned bright red. His ears burned with embarrassment, yet this time, he didn’t resist. With a deep breath, he let her lift him into her arms, burying his face against her shoulder to hide his expression.
After a long journey, they finally reached home. But as soon as Ruby stepped onto her street, her brows furrowed. A large crowd had gathered outside her house, murmuring and gasping. Something was wrong.
A loud, exaggerated wail pierced through the air.
"Owwww... my poor little ghost! He lost his innocence, and his fiancée rejected him! That Ruby—she was ruthless! She took advantage of my baby, stole his purity, and threw him away like nothing! Woooooo!"
Grace, Levi’s mother, was sitting dramatically on the ground, clutching Levi’s arm while sobbing loudly. Levi, however, looked less like a victim and more like someone who had barely survived a battlefield. His cheeks were swollen and red, marked with multiple handprints—clear evidence of repeated slaps.
Another harsh slap landed on Levi’s already abused face, sending him staggering to the side. His father stood above him, seething with rage.
"You shameless brat! You already had a fiancée! She may have been poor, but she truly loved you! How dare you betray her?!"
Levi barely managed to stay on his feet, swaying unsteadily. His eyes flickered with something unreadable—frustration, calculation, or amusement but he wisely kept his mouth shut.
The crowd muttered among themselves, exchanging knowing glances. Some snickered, others looked shocked, and a few simply enjoyed the drama unfolding in front of them.
At the center of it all, Angeline stood with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. Behind her, her husbands loomed, their eyes sharp as they observed the scene.
Ruby’s grip on Julian tightened. Her gaze swept over the chaotic mess in front of her.
—To be continued...🪄