Julian slowly turned toward her. "Still... you’re beautiful to me. Even if you go bald, I’ll still call you my wife," he said, trying to lighten the mood, his lips twitching into a soft smile.
Ruby gave him a small side glance. "Don’t tempt me... if I go bald, you’ll be the one massaging oil on my head every night."
"I already do that," Julian replied proudly.
Ruby let out a small laugh and leaned her head on his shoulder. For a moment, they just sat in the quiet warmth of the room, letting the stress fade away little by little. The day had been wild. Dangerous.
But at least, for now, they were safe and together. And if Ruby had to lose a little hair to protect them both... maybe it was worth it.
The next morning, the air in Dreadmire village was thick with the scent of fresh mist and morning dew as Ruby and Julian made their way through the winding paths toward the village center. Birds chirped overhead, and some of the local children waved at them while running across the dirt roads. Ruby smiled warmly, her hands gently holding onto a basket that carried neatly packed gifts.
They had stopped by a small shop on their way into the village to pick up presents—carefully chosen for Old Bran and the three witches who had helped her during the dangerous Mistvine mission. Ruby believed in showing gratitude through thoughtful gestures rather than handing out money, especially in a village where everything was built on trust, respect, and shared hardships.
When they reached Old Bran’s place, Ruby handed over a sealed pouch with a sweet herbal fragrance. Inside was a soft blanket, a carved wooden comb, and a jar of rare mountain honey. Old Bran was touched beyond words. Then, from her other bag, she took out a small Mistvine sapling—its roots still fresh and wrapped in moist cloth. She handed it to him with a warm smile.
"You’ve done so much for me... This is a small gift. If you plant this carefully, maybe one day your family will have your own Mistvine harvest," Ruby said gently.
Old Bran blinked a few times, clearly emotional, before letting out a rough chuckle and nodding. "You’re not just a clever one, child. You’ve got a big heart too."
Afterward, they visited the three witches. Ruby gave each of them something that matched their nature—a leather pouch of hairpins for Nini, a scarf embroidered with flying foxes for Maira, and a set of knives for Sora, the hunter. The witches were surprised and overjoyed.
Then Ruby and Julian walked to meet Leader Kerry at the village hall. They discussed the final steps of the trade agreement Ruby had been working on. All documents were neatly organized and ready. Ruby explained everything again, ensuring everyone was clear. After a long but satisfying meeting, both sides signed the papers.
Leader Kerry nodded with a kind smile. "We’re sad that you’ll be leaving tomorrow, but your presence has changed this village for the better."
Ruby bowed slightly. "I’ll come back to check in, and we’ll stay connected through the delivery channels. I’ve added an extra clause for that."
As the sun began to rise higher, Ruby took a short stroll around the village and finally spotted something she hadn’t noticed before—a tiny, cozy barber shop tucked near the herbal store. A wooden sign swayed gently in the wind.
She stood outside for a moment, fingers brushing over her uneven hair. Julian joined her quietly.
"Thinking of trimming it?" he asked softly.
Ruby smiled faintly, "Yeah... it’s time for a fresh start."
They stepped inside the small barbershop, and a soft chime rang from the doorway. The place smelled of lavender and dried herbs, with sunlight pouring through the window and falling over neatly arranged scissors, combs, and rows of handmade hair oils.
A tall red-haired witch, whose curly hair was tied back in a messy bun, looked up from polishing her shears. Her eyes sparkled behind round glasses, and she gave them a warm smile. Though she was older, there was a stylish charm to her—her long robe had bright floral patterns stitched into it.
"Well, well, look what the wind brought in," she said playfully, then looked at Ruby. "You must be the one everyone’s been talking about."
Ruby chuckled lightly, a little flustered. "Maybe..."
She glanced at Julian and waved him toward a cushioned chair in the corner. "Don’t be shy, sweetheart. You can wait there. That’s the softest one—my husband picked it."
Julian gave a polite nod and sat down, still looking at Ruby with quiet concern over her uneven hair. She gave him a little wink, as if to say, Don’t worry, I’ve got this.
The witch turned to Ruby, brushing a hand through her slightly damaged strands. "So what are we thinking today, darling?"
Ruby blinked. "Honestly... I’m not sure. I just... I want to feel fresh. Neat. Something new."
The red-haired witch nodded kindly and pulled out a little binder from a nearby table. "Take a look through this. These are normal styles, nothing fancy unless you want it."
Ruby flipped through the pages. The first few showed a soft layered cut with long bangs that framed the face. Then there was a shoulder-length blunt cut, simple but clean and elegant. Another page showed a messy low bob, slightly curled at the ends, with a casual charm. There were also photos of a side-parted medium cut, a classic feathered cut, and a long trim with light face-framing layers—nothing magical, just beautiful and neat.
"These are all styles women around here ask for," the witch said. "Some keep their length, others go bold. What matters is what feels right for you."
Ruby paused at a page that showed a medium-length layered cut with wispy curtain bangs. It was soft, clean, and gave the face a bright, youthful frame without losing elegance.
"This one..." she said softly.
The witch leaned over to look and smiled. "Good choice. That’ll bring out your cheekbones and won’t take away too much length."
Ruby nodded. She glanced over at Julian, who was watching her with warm eyes, then back at the mirror.
—To be continued...🪄