Chapter 3: Shopping

The sun rose above the horizon in the gentle comforting warmth of the morning. The birds perched on the tree branches sung songs of the day's glory while wild butterflies flutter playfully in the garden where myriads of flowers unfold their gorgeous petals to showcase to the world. Ruby's eyes slowly opened due to the sunlight passing through her window, rousing her from another wonderful dream with the prince whose face she can't remember.

The witch sat up from her bed and checked the time from her bedside clock and saw that it was only 6:10 in the morning, still too early for her usual morning activities so she sank back down into the comforts of her soft mattress. Her mind slowly wandered to the things that she wanted to do for the day and how to complete her chores faster. The gentle cold of the atmosphere lulled her to slowly doze back to slumber until an arm wrapped around her waist making her eyes instantly open. She bolted upwards and pulled the wolf fur off of her body to see who was with her and saw the demon sleeping soundly by her side, casually hugging her waist.

"Dyrroth, wake up! What the hell are you doing in my bed?! Are you trying to rape me or something?!" Ruby shook him by his shoulder trying to rouse him.

"Shut up, little witch, it's still too early. It's so hot in my room while yours have air conditioning." the demon replied groggily. "Let's just sleep some more. You're quite soft and so fun to hug like a teddy bear. Do you know that you cuddled closer to me at four in the morning? However, your face was so annoying when you started mumbling about this Granger dude and horse rides..." Dyrroth trailed off burying his face closer to her waist.

"Oh no, you don't! You're gonna fetch water from the well while I prepare breakfast. Come on up!" Ruby pulled the comforter from the demon and placed it on a random chair. She grabbed him by his ankle and proceeded to pull him out of bed but the demon only stayed asleep while hugging her ice bear.

It has been two weeks since Dyrroth crashed into her place and her life couldn't be messier with his presence, literally. He doesn't clean after himself, he doesn't help with the household chores, he sometimes scared her customers inconveniencing her with more memory erasure spells to keep her business going and he only knows how to eat, sleep, slack around, and repeat. Ruby felt like she has another pet cat with Dyrroth's attitude and antics but this one is definitely not cute and not stress reliving like a real feline. He also eats voraciously putting a big hole into her wallet and never even doing the dishes once.

Her research on how to break their bindings continued but none of the books she's read so far bore relevant information regarding the subject but she still has her hopes up. Her determination is relentless and her greatest motivation to succeed in her research is Dyrroth's awful personality. He's too narcissistic, egotistic, and rude that she wanted to kill him the minute that she sees his face, which is quite a lot since they live in a relatively small house.

Oh, and he also started wearing her clothes. Of course not the tight dresses, which would have been very funny, but he chose to steal her loose neutral colored shirts and oversized dress shirts she used for sleeping as well as her sweat pants and her other pants that seem to fit him. The last draw was when he wore her purple Gothic dress as a joke and broke the back part. Ruby was so furious that she made him kneel over frozen peas with ten cement blocks weighing 50 kilos stacked over his lap under the burning sun at 50 degrees Celsius for five hours.

After that incident, Dyrroth started chopping the firewood and somewhat cleaning his room in his own version of clean. Ruby, feeling a bit generous slash somewhat guilty, invited him in a small trip downtown to shop for his own clothes which Dyrroth didn't refuse.

"I may want to go to town but the two of us together will attract a lot of attention. You're a witch and I'm a demon. A mob will be waiting for us before we even set foot inside the town." Dyrroth said buttoning up his red flannel shirt which he matched with navy blue denim jeans.

"We won't stand out if we pretend to be just like them. I know a glamor spell that would conceal your demonic appearance just wait here." the witch left in a hurry and fumbled with a near shelf knocking some of the potions to the ground and evaporating the floor or turning into a weird depressed suicidal yellow rabbit with a beak.

"Found it!" Ruby presented him with a tiny crystal-shaped vial about the size of her thumb with a glowing pink liquid inside.

"Do I drink this or do I just stare at it until something happens?" Dyrroth asked monotonously holding up the vial between his fingers.

"Actually that goes inside your butt. Of course you drink it!"

"Snob." Dyrroth removed the cap of the vial and brought it up to his lips.

"What the hell?! That tastes so vileee!" exclaimed the demon holding on to his throat making gagging sounds.

"Just hold on a minute. It should work right about... Now."

The demon's appearance slowly morphed into that of a normal human's. His horns slowly shrunk and vanished, his tail disappeared which alarmed him quite a bit since it's his favorite appendage. His lavender skin tone turned pale only a shade darker than Ruby's pinkish pale skin while his hair gained color. His alabaster tresses turned brown and his black scleras turned white while his oddly asymmetrical irises balanced into a glowing scarlet.

"Hmm, tolerable." Ruby commented scrutinizing his new appearance, circling him like a falcon.

"Meew meew mew mew." added Manticat who had just finished doing his bow tie. How he did it with no fingers is more of a mystery than why he hasn't broken his neck with such a big head on a small body.

"What do you mean tolerable? I always look good, little witch. My mere look can make your thong fall on the ground, reeewr."

"I tremble with fear." Ruby retorted sarcastically.

"Let's go already. I want to see the town." Dyrroth grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the house. He unfolded his wings and suddenly carried her in his arms before taking off without as much as a warning making the girl scream at the top of her lungs. Manticat somehow caught up to him even with his small wings, gliding casually in the air and giving Ruby a look that says "non-fliers sucks". The witch held on the demon's neck tightly nearly straggling him and shut her eyes closed while screaming at the top of her lungs.

"I don't know what you're screaming about but the view is so great, little witch. Open up your eyes and see it for yourself." Dyrroth spoke encouragingly. She can already see the smirk on his stupid face by the tone of his voice. Nonetheless, Ruby slowly opened her eyes and gazed at the clouds rapidly passing around her as if they were in a hurry though they are the ones moving. She stretched out her hand and grabbed a puff of cloud slowly squishing it between her fingers testing if it was really as soft as they say. It was quite disappointing when it melted into a moist in her palm. Her huge smile turning into a disappointed frown. She turned her attention to the demon when she heard him chuckling in amusement.

"And what is it that you find funny my dear demon?" she said snobbishly.

"Nothing. Your face was just stupid." Dyrroth teased directing her a Cheshire grin.

"I'm planning on punching you but I don't want my body dismangled on an apple tree so you're just getting a for later use punch coupon."

"I tremble with fear" Dyrroth quoted chuckling.

Ruby ignored the demon and wandered her eyes to the beauty passing all around her. The trees below them looked like an ocean of greenery and the mountains at the distance appear mystifying, standing tall for hundreds of years like proud wizards of old. Her eyes were filled with joy at seeing the great scenery, amazed by everything that she sees. Staring into the world with a different perspective makes it feel like you're in a different world. Everything is zooming around them like everything's in a rush but when she looks back everything stays right where they are. They may look different but they are still the same, never changing, and never leaving like the mountains standing over the horizon, or the trees rustling below them, or the sky with its passing clouds or the sun with its ever-burning fire. Everything stays exactly where they are. Just like her.

Ruby saw a flock of birds, hawks to be precise, gliding over the horizon, flying on top of everything that the light touches. Free as the wind and unbound to any land. Roaming every corner of the world that their precious feathers can take them. What an envious privilege, to have wings and to be able to use them to go where you want, to be where you want, and when you want to be there.

"You okay? I can pull up for a while if you want to puke or something? Pee maybe, cuz you didn't pee back at home?" Dyrroth suddenly said interrupting her thoughts.

"Meow meow." her familiar added.

"No, I'm fine. I'm good and my bladder is in perfect condition Manticat. Just don't let me fall." Ruby mumbled the last part before looking back into the scenery.

"I won't." he whispered but the maiden didn't hear.

They soon reached the village at the span of 10 minutes and Dyrroth landed a few meters outside of the forest to avoid eyewitnesses of their odd pair. He carefully placed the witch down and tucked his wings before following after her into the town.

"Here, this is yours now. Buy as many clothes and shoes you can but don't get into shady deals." Ruby advised handing him a pouch filled with gold.

"Meeew mew mew meeeoow." Manticat said insecure of the gold Ruby gave to the demon.

"Here you little greedy cat. And he's not my favorite familiar, I don't have favoritism." Ruby handed him a small drawstring sack that the familiar placed inside his pocket. He placed it on his waist and it disappeared without even a bulge. How come he has pockets when he doesn't wear clothes at all is a mystery even to Ruby.

"You're so loaded, it's so suspicious how you get this much money from your shady portions." Dyrroth wondered.

"Well, I conjure demons and sell them in the black market where they get raped and butchered. That's the reason why I'm dressing you up and fattening you with my waffles." Ruby joked with a straight face. The demon only chuckled before placing his hand around her shoulder.

"So where do we go first?" he asked.

"I was thinking about checking Hydrogen Alpha first because they have decent men's wear but we can go around to see if you like somewhere else."

"Let's just check your suggestion first."

"Okay." And so the two went on a shopping spree.

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

Lesley sat inside a cafe watching the people pass by outside the window. Her phone vibrated in her hand signaling a new text and she instantly opened it to see if it was from the person she was just thinking about. She closed her eyes for a bit debating whether or not to still check it out if it was really from him or just a spam text from the service provider. She sighed before checking the message, curiosity finally getting to her.

"Hey sis, since ur out mind buying me and Harith a piece of cake? Love u"

So it was from Harley.

She sighed in disappointment. She called for the waiter and ordered two cake takeouts before ordering another expresso. She placed her phone down on the table and steered her empty cup.

"Please, just talk to me Gus." she whispered into nothingness. Water built up her eyes, threatening to come down.

She had always admired Gusion ever since she met him at Ursula Academy for Magic during her visit to Harley. He had bumped into her spilling his coffee all over her shirt so he volunteered to wash it in the men's washroom while she stayed inside the cubicle. They talked to keep each other company albeit awkwardly at first because of their predicament but their conversation started getting comfortable. They chatted about the simplest things like the color of the sky at dusk and discovering that both of them are assassins. Lesley really enjoyed the time she spent with Gusion and since then she started visiting Harley more often just to see him.

Gusion is really hot and cool that's why many women went all their way just to earn a look from him. He was also a sweet talker and a real romantic in his actions. Lesley wasn't much of the romantic type but she can't help but be a victim of Cupid's arrow much like his other admirers. They soon became a couple when Gusion confessed that he liked her.

Their relationship wasn't that serious for Gusion, but for Lesley, it was the world. Every time she spent with him was the best moment of her life. She even started doing things that she usually didn't do. She became more feminine and she started caring more about her appearance, like finally buying a makeup kit and wearing pretty dresses that were not really her type just to look pretty. Hell, she even stalked Odette one time to see the type of clothes she was wearing because the chick always looks good. Plus Gusion once told her that he likes her dress. However, her world came crashing down when "she" came into the picture and ruined everything that she's been trying to maintain.

Guinevere Baroque arrived and suddenly everyone is loving her. Even the solitary little witch, Ruby liked her and she almost hates everyone. They even became best friends while the little bitch always snarls at her for some unknown reason. The auburn-haired princess just popped in and suddenly Gusion was courting her behind her back, meeting up on the lake and chatting casually like couples.

And then he broke up with her just to be with that posh violet cunt who thinks that she's so special and talented. He had a pretty good reason as well for separating from her. He told her that their families arranged the whole thing and he can't be with her anymore so he left her in the dust and enjoyed a life fucking with that violet loving whore. She was torn apart and she still can't get over the whole thing even though it's been a year already. She's been trying to build herself up and get back into the saddle but she can't. She's been a slave to love and she can't break the chains dragging her down into depression. So she called him. She told him that she wanted to talk to him to finally have closure and right now she's trying to contain herself and not break down while she waits for him.

She heard the bell over the door ring as someone entered the cafe. She looked over her shoulder to see if it was him but to her luck, it wasn't. It was the Lightborn squad probably here to order their coffees. She slumped back down in her seat and sighed for the nth time.

"Here's your order ma'am." said the waiter as he placed a tray with her orders in it. She grabbed her coffee and quickly took a sip in it to vent her frustrations. She seems to have forgotten that it was hot so the liquid burned her lip a little.

"Are you alright, Miss Vance?" she heard someone ask. She turned to the person and saw Granger handing her a napkin.

"I'm fine. Just getting a little bit clumsy is all." she forced a smile as she accepted the napkin. "Thanks."

"No problem. Are you waiting for someone?"

"Yeah, he should be here right about now but I guess he's running a little late."

"Is it Gusion again?"

Please leave already I want to be left alone, she thought.

"Yes. I just need closure. I'm still trying to move on but it's really hard because I still love him." Lesley stifled a cry, covering her lips with her hand. She felt his hand wrap over hers, squeezing it gently.

"If you need someone to talk to, you can always give me a call. I'm always free to listen." Lesley slowly pulled her hand away and placed it over her lap.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

She doesn't really want to talk to anyone at the moment except for Gusion and knowing that Granger has feelings for her makes their conversation very awkward.

She was distracted by someone whistling and looked at the direction where it came from and saw Alucard talking to Ruby who seems to be doing her best not to punch him in the face. The witch was looking really chic at her outfit consisting of a half-cut white lace camisole while a gray cardigan covers her back. She paired it with a very short red skirt showcasing a part of her smooth thighs with above the knee stockings. She had dyed the ends of her hair red, wore minimal makeup except for a feathery eyeliner and a seductive red lipstick that's why she's been attracting the unwanted attention of someone she would rather not meet anywhere in the world.

(This is what I imagine Ruby wearing)

Lesley knew about Ruby and Alucard's love history that went down the hill because he liked another woman, or elf called Miya. Ruby's story was quite similar to her own but her rival Miya fell in love with Hylos, surprising everyone, and had a very sexual relationship with him openly. Ruby in the end didn't want Alucard anymore and continued living her solitary life never even looking as ruined as her and brushed off the whole debacle like dust in her pretty skirt. Something Lesley couldn't do, which was quite admirable of the witch.

"Anyways, here's my number if you need anything." Granger handed her a parchment before standing up and going back to the counter to get his coffee just beside the witch.

Lesley didn't miss the way Ruby's eyes brightened when Granger addressed her or how she smiled with the radiance of a thousand suns when he had complimented her. Was she treating her badly because she likes Granger but Granger likes her instead?

"Hey." Her attention went to the person who just sat in front of her.

"Gusion! Hi. Uhm, would you like something to drink. We should call the waiter."

"No need, I won't linger. I don't have much time, I'm meeting up with Guinevere for a date so let's hurry it up. She gets really cranky when I'm late." Gusion explained looking a little fidgety to leave already.

"Oh, I just..." Great, she doesn't know what to say. Fantastic. There's a lot of people that both know them so she can't cry and beg for him to come back, ask him to leave that posh bitch, scream at him for cheating or else she'll completely ruin her dignity so she needs to just make something up.

"Can I still be friends with you even after all of that? And still borrow your Netflix account? I don't want things to be awkward because we live in such a small town." Really, Vance? Borrow your Netflix account? Might as well just shoot yourself with your own riffle.

"Uhh, sure. I guess you can borrow my Netflix account and yeah. I don't want us to still have bad blood or you have bad blood with Guin so let's just deal with it the grown-up way and put everything behind us. That's so brave of you, Les." Gusion presented her with his killer smile and she's doing her best not to kiss his face and embarrass herself.

"Yeah." she said awkwardly.

"Well, good talk. I should be going now. See you around." And with that he stood up and left, leaving her alone. Again.

She saw him exchange a few remarks with the Lightborn squad and Ruby since she's his girlfriend's best friend. He mouthed something like 'don't tell Guin and you also look pretty' to the witch who chuckled and made a mouth zip motion on her lips. Gusion left after that and she can only stare at his fleeting form from the window. A tear fell from her eye followed by another, and another and another until she realized that she's crying. She didn't even have enough restraint to let it out back in her house, how miserable.

She saw a pretty handkerchief being handed to her and she instantly looked up to see who it was. She saw Ruby looking down at her with a straight face. She stared at the witch for a moment before accepting the fabric and wiping her tears away.

"Thanks."

"The pain will be duller if you only think about the terrible things about him and do yourself a favor and get yourself a nice tub of ice cream and cry about it until you no longer have any more tears to shed." she left after that holding two cups of sundaes in her hand.

"Is there really no chance for us to be together again or do I just give up and try it with that emo marksman?"

"Now if you don't need anything else, a love potion or my phone number, I'm going home now to get breakfast. Pleasure doing business." she remembered the witch saying in a conversation she had with Granger. Tears stopped falling from her eyes as she stared at the witch's handkerchief as well as Granger's number, a plan finally completing in her head that's she's been contemplating for a while now.

"Maybe there's still a way to fix everything."

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

"Ugghh, do I really have to carry all these bags? Can't you take a few of them since most of them are yours?" Dyrroth complained before sitting on the bench.

"I basically paid for all of these and aren't you a strong and powerful demon? Also, the heavier ones are your sneakers." Ruby argued joining him on the bench.

"But there's so many of them. Don't you have shrinking magic or something so I can just put them in my pocket? These things are ruining our perfect couple look. I look like your pet, not your boyfriend." Dyrroth joked giving her puppy eyes.

"Haha, nice try but I'm not using my magic for shopping bags. Just stuff the other clothes into the bigger bags and throw the other bags away." Ruby suggested starting to transfer some of the clothing into the bigger bags as she said.

"You're so smart, little witch." Dyrroth complimented replicating her action.

"I know." Ruby saw Granger enter a nearby cafe with the Lightborn squad and she suddenly stopped with her stuffing.

"Hey, Dyrroth do you want to get ice cream cause I really want one? Mind if I buy some just right there?" she said pointing towards the Cafe.

"Is that an excuse to make me do all the transferring?"

"Maybe?"

"Just go ahead but get me a cup of cookies and cream as well. Kingcup." Dyrroth requested transferring her newly bought lingerie into another bag.

"Sure." Ruby replied before crossing the street and heading towards the cafe.

She opened the door and confidently walked in like a queen, flipping her hair over her shoulder. The comforting warmth and the bitter yet delicious aroma of the coffee were the first things to greet her. She paused for a while slowly composing how she would talk to Granger and maybe get his number or much less a smile. She breathed out calmly before looking back into the cashier where the Lightborn squad chats about.

She noticed Granger heading her way and everything feels like it went slowmo. Every step that he took made butterflies flutter in her tummy. The way his lips curve a little in what would be a smile made her heart do a backflip inside her chest and sent pleasurable shivers up her spine. The dialogue she composed inside her head suddenly melted into nothingness and her mind swam with only the thought of him kissing her right then and there and encasing her in his strong well built arms. Granger finally stopped in front of her and looked her straight in the eye. His silver irises bore a certain enigmatic charisma that she really finds enchanting as well as the hardened look of someone who's been to hell and back. Granger is the perfect man for her and she knows that if he learns to love her then she will finally feel complete even if the world scorns her for merely existing.

"Hello, Ruby." he greeted with his melodious baritone voice.

"Uhm, hi." she greeted back with a huge love-struck smile on her crimson lips.

"Can you please move a little? I want to talk to Lesley." Granger requested looking over at the fuchsia haired.

"Ooh, sure." Ruby smiled before stepping out of the marksman's way.

"Thanks." he said before heading over to the girl who spilled coffee on her table because she didn't notice that it was hot before sipping it. Granger handed her napkins before taking a seat across from her and starting up a conversation that Lesley obviously didn't want. Ruby can see the discomfort from Lesley and how she wanted Granger to shut up already and leave her alone.

Lesley stifled a cry. What a drama queen. Ruby thought, rolling her eyes. Her blood suddenly boiled in jealousy when she saw Granger held her hand and squeezed it gently to try and comfort her but the female pulled it away and hid it on her lap.

Ruby heard someone wolf-whistling to her and she turned around to see good old fucking Aluturd looking as slick as ever heading towards her.

"Ruby! As gorgeous as ever. So what are you up to? Stalking Granger fail at courting Lesley or are you here for me?" She never wanted to punch anyone's face ever more than now. What a cunt.

"I'm not here for any of that because I don't care about what you're friend does much less you. I'm here to get ice cream so if you can just move out of the way like some dumb rock-"

"Hey!" Grock said in his earthy deep voice.

"Sorry darling I know you're a brilliant stardust I'm talking about this asshole right here." Ruby apologized to the giant who gave her a thumbs up and a smile replying "Okay".

"Where was I again? Right. Move away leech." Ruby retorted crossing her arms and raising a brow.

"You've always got this brilliant spunk on you, which makes me wonder why I choose Miya over you before."

"Because you were a stupid boy and you still are." Ruby answered smiling at him with an insulting glint in her eyes.

"Alucard, I don't think you should be bothering Miss Ruby. Just step away and let her pass." Harith interjected stepping between the two.

"But it was just getting fun. Ruby is really cute when she's angry, like lava. Red, hot, and dangerous." Alucard directed her a seductive smile before moving out of her way.

"Okay lava boy, shut up before I chop you to pieces." Fanny said before pushing Alucard out. "Hey Ruby." she called making the witch look back to her.

"You look hot."

"Thanks." Ruby smiled and went to the counter and ordered her ice creams.

"One strawberry demon and cookie monster n cream. Kingcup."

"That will be two silvers ma'am." Ruby placed down the payment before accepting the receipt.

"Thank you. You will receive your order shortly, ma'am." Layla said.

Ruby felt someone poke her waist making her turn around expecting it to be Alucard only to find out that it's Harith, staring at her with an embarrassed face.

"I'm sorry do you need to order something?" she asked.

"No, it's not that. I would like to apologize for the way that I behaved a while back when you were only trying to help me. I know I said a lot of mean stuff about you and I would like to apologize for my poor treatment of you. I'm really sorry Miss Ruby for the things that I said and I want to thank you for saving me. I could've died if you weren't there." Harith voiced.

"Oh, sure. No hard feelings. It's not like you're the first person to brush me off as some hex crazy witch, actually, your words were even tamed compared to the things that other people called me so just forget about it. I got paid triple as well so no need for thanks." Ruby replied waving her hand as if brushing off the whole incident.

"Oh, thank you." Harith nodded before heading back to their table.

"I've got Mister Granger's black coffee!" Layla declared after pinging the bell on the counter.

"I'm here." Granger replied before retrieving his beverage just beside Ruby.

"I've got Miss Ruby's two kingcups." she pinged again placing two paper cups filled with deliciously freezing treats in it.

"Hello again, Ruby. You look very nice. Are you on a date with someone?" Granger asked casually.

"Thanks but I'm just here with a friend. We're just shopping and stuff. Are you guys going on a mission?"

"Yes, some of our colleagues said that they saw a demon flying just outside of town in the woods quite near where you live. Do you happen to know anything about that?" And then her blood ran cold. The demon he's probably talking about is just waiting outside stuffing her lace thongs in another bag while waiting for his ice cream.

"I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary lately since I'm mostly cooped up inside my workshop but I'll be sure to give you a call when I see something suspicious." Ruby smiled in a desperate attempt to hide her secret.

"Thank you."

"Hey, guys! Are you two on a date or something?" Gusion greeted interrupting their conversation and making Ruby blush a little.

"No, she's here shopping while I get my coffee. I and the guys are going on a mission." Granger answered.

"Sucks to be you because this little princess right here is the cutest cinnamon roll in the whole Land of Dawn. Why don't you court her already?" Gusion said slinging an arm around Ruby's shoulder.

"I don't think Ruby needs a man in her life right now, I think she's rocking it just perfectly on her own. Plus I like Lesley." Wow, that's basically a rejection right there even before Ruby really got on the road, how very discouraging. And he also rubbed it in her face that he likes someone else. Stupid Gusion for opening his damn mouth in the first place.

"I don't think you'd fare well in that water right now, she's still on the recovering track so maybe take it a little easy. I know what I did was such a bitch but I really loved Guinevere even though it ended up hurting Les. But she'll bounce back and when she does you should be there to catch her." Gusion advised looking straightly at Granger. Ruby didn't miss the intense stare that the marksman was directing towards the assassin as if he wanted to strangle him without remorse.

"Hey, Gus. What are you doing here? I thought you and Guin are going on a date today." Ruby said trying to break the tension.

"Well, Lesley called me to talk a bit, get some closure and stuff, but you know I think she's just making excuses to see me." Gusion informed pointing his thumbed over at the fuchsia is haired. "She's a really strong woman so I think that she'll get over it quickly. Maybe not as quick as you Rubs, cuz Alucard is shit and easy to forget while you know how cool and good looking I am but I should be going now if I don't want my queen strangling me with her corset so bye now."

"Bye." Ruby smiled and waved her hand.

"Don't tell Guin and you also look pretty." Gusion said before heading away which Ruby replied with a mouth zip.

After Gusion left Ruby didn't miss the sad look on Lesley's face as she watched him leave. She soon noticed tears pouring out of her eyes. The witch couldn't think of an insult to throw at her because she herself knew what it was like to see the man that you loved happy with someone else. How he seemed happier with her more than he ever did with you and it makes you feel inadequate and pathetic. The feeling is crushing and it makes you feel hollow, empty like a pretty shell abandoned by the beach, being repeatedly hit by the harsh waves that slowly break you down and bury you under the rough sand deeper and deeper and deeper unless you pull yourself together and be just like the waves trying to destroy you, relentless and resilient regardless of how much the jagged rocks are trying to shatter you.

Ruby saw Granger about to go to the fuchsia haired to comfort her but Ruby instantly grabbed his arm to stop him.

"She's upset. She needs someone." he said trying to shake her away.

"And that someone is not you. She needs someone who's been to the same situation. I'll handle this trust me." Ruby has a soft yet determined look like that of a mother's and Granger didn't argue any further before backing off back to his friends. Ruby went over to Lesley and handed her a handkerchief. Lesley's sobbing briefly stopped as she looked up at her.

"Thanks." she mumbled before accepting the fabric.

"The pain will be duller if you only think about the terrible things about him and do yourself a favor and get yourself a nice tub of ice cream and cry about it until you no longer have any more tears to shed." Ruby advised before walking away, leaving the whole thing behind and returning back to where Dyrroth was.

"Took you long enough. I was beginning to consider flinging your panties at everyone to pass the time but I guess you're lacies are safe for now." Dyrroth joked before accepting the ice cream and stuffing it into his mouth.

Ruby laughed before turning deadly serious. "You know that if you really did that I would strangle you with them, right?" Dyrroth chuckled before replying.

"Well, at least that's the number two on my list on how to die happy. My number one is asphyxiation because you sat on my face. I want to feel your soft butt with my face as I draw my last breath against your vag-" Ruby shoved a spoonful of her strawberry ice cream into his mouth to shut him up.

"Can we not talk about my lady parts or my panties? Please."

"Fine, I guess. I can always look at them back at home when you're asleep."

"Do you really do that?"

"No. Not yet at least."

"Please don't."

"Hey, why are they hanging those wires with triangles in them? Is that some sort of mage craft to repel demons or corrupt politicians?" the demon asked pointing to the men hanging banderitas across the houses in a zigzag formation.

"No. Those are decorations for the lantern festival dedicated to the prince of Moniyan who disappeared 400 years ago. The people kept the tradition even though the empire has fallen long ago." Ruby explained taking a bite of her ice cream.

"They must really love their prince to keep his memory alive for so long. Hey, let me have more of yours. I didn't know that strawberries are delicious."

"Fine, but I want to taste yours too. Cookies n cream is one of my favorite flavors."

"Sure. Dyrroth scoped a huge chunk of ice cream and waited for Ruby to do the same.

"Here." Ruby fed Dyrroth her spoon filled with her pink dessert while the demon did the same for her.

"You're strawberry have a unique edge. Is that cheese I taste?" Dyrroth commented with intrigued.

"Well, it's a strawberry cream cheese after all."

"Ohh, that's nice too. Did you like my CNC or is it quite bland? I think it's a little bland."

"Look at those two young couple being so sweet. I still remember back then when we used to eat ice cream together you would "accidentally" drop some on my shirt so that you can lick my breasts, you old perv. That young lad seems to be taking really good care of his wife, look at her she's a glowing goddess." they heard an old lady say from a balcony a few meters to their left.

"How did you know that they're married?" asked her husband who obviously have a difficult time seeing properly.

"Because of that shiny ring on her finger as bright as the Northern Star. He even got her a nice golden wedding ring unlike you cheaps cake only giving me silver." Ruby looked at her finger and saw her pretty diamond-studded purple butterfly ring. The old lady must have mistaken it for a wedding ring but it was a family heirloom.

"Do you think she's pregnant? I have that certain attractive glow when I was pregnant."

"If she is, at least she didn't get instantly fat like you. Once I squirted our son into your womb you inflated like a hippopotamus in less than two months." teased the old man laughing proudly at his own joke. The two joined in on the laughter although muffling their sounds a little to avoid being caught eavesdropping.

"I take really good care of my wife alright." Dyrroth wiped the ice cream on the side of Ruby's lips with his thumb and licked it making the witch blush a deep shade of red.

"God, you're so annoying." Ruby breathed out turning away from him and eating her ice cream fast to vent out her frustration on the dessert.

"But you still like me because I'm your partner in crime." Dyrroth retorted smiling at her.

A smile bloomed on the witch's lips hidden from the demon's sight.

"My partner, huh? That would be nice for a change."

A/N: I don't own the picture I used in this chapter they belong to their rightful owner and model.