[ Volume 1] Chaper 7- Mayor.

Brightly colored banners fluttered in the gentle breeze, while laughter and the chatter of excited villagers filled the air. It wasn't just a festival—it was a celebration of how far they had come.

Ruby stood in the heart of it all, scanning the scene with a watchful eye. Dressed in a deep blue dress that shimmered subtly in the daylight, golden embroidery tracing delicate patterns along the fabric, she had an air of quiet authority. A small, antique watch rested on one wrist, a few golden bangles adorning the other, clinking softly as she turned the pages of her notepad. Her dark hair was pinned into a loose bun, a few stray strands escaping to frame her face.

She tapped the notepad lightly, mentally checking things off. The stalls were stocked, the musicians were tuning their instruments, and the stage—her gaze flicked toward the wooden platform in the center of the square—stood ready, its polished surface catching the sunlight.

"Is the stage set?" she asked, not looking up.

"Yes, ma'am. Everything is in place."

Good. That meant the speeches could go on as planned, and the day would unfold smoothly—at least, that was the hope. She exhaled slowly, rolling her shoulders before tucking the notepad under her arm and taking a step forward.

From a distance, she could hear children's laughter as they ran through the fairgrounds, the delighted squeals of little ones spinning in circles, holding sticks of candy. For a place that had once been forgotten, ignored, today, it felt like it finally mattered.

Still, beneath the hum of joy and excitement, a quiet unease settled in her chest. Something was shifting in the air, something beyond the festival and the bright decorations.

She wasn't sure what it was.

But whatever it was, she would be ready.

She spoke to the men gathered around her, ensuring everything was in order. "Listen, the flower garlands need to be perfect. What did you use for the bouquets this time?" Her tone was calm, but her words carried an edge, making it clear she was expecting nothing less than perfection.

One of the men stammered slightly. "We used roses, ma'am, as usual, but... you asked for a mix of different flowers, so we did that too."

Ruby nodded, satisfied. "Good. Make sure the flowers are well-mixed. Some people may not appreciate just roses, and we don't need any surprises today." She glanced over at the stage and gave a final check to the decorations. "And the water bottles, are they all in place?"

"Yes, ma'am. Everything's ready."

She nodded again, still scanning the area with calculating eyes. "Good. Everything is prepared. Now, let's make sure there's no commotion today." Her voice dropped slightly, her gaze turning sharp. "We both know that man won't keep quiet for long."

The men exchanged uneasy glances before one spoke up. "Don't worry, Ruby. We'll handle it."

Before Ruby could respond, a voice interrupted from behind her—smooth, taunting, and unmistakable.

Ruby's jaw tightened ever so slightly as she heard the voice behind her. Her fingers instinctively curled around the notepad in her hand, but she kept her stance calm, controlled.

"Oh, Mrs. Ruby, I'm quite hurt hearing that."

The voice was laced with false disappointment, but Ruby knew better. Turning around slowly, she met the gaze of Mayor Edgar Caldwell—a man in his fifties with greying black hair and sharp, calculating dark eyes. He was dressed in an expensive navy-blue suit, the kind meant to demand respect, though Ruby only saw it as a façade.

She kept her expression neutral, her lips pressing together for a brief moment before she spoke.

"Hello, Mr. Mayor."

The mayor's eyes swept over her, from the carefully embroidered details of her dress to the watch on her wrist, and then back to her face. A smirk played at the corner of his lips as he said, "Well, you're looking gorgeous today."

Ruby didn't smile, nor did she let her expression soften. Instead, her eyes held steady, cool and unreadable.

"Thank you, but not much better than you," she said, her tone polite but edged with something sharper.

The mayor let out a low chuckle, mocking, amused. "Oh, come now, Miss Ruby. No need to flatter me—I might start thinking you actually like me."

Ruby tilted her head slightly, her fingers tapping idly against her notepad. "That would be a terrible misunderstanding, wouldn't it?" Her voice was smooth, even pleasant, but there was no warmth in it.

The mayor's smirk widened, but his eyes darkened ever so slightly. "Always so well-spoken. It's a shame, really. A young girl like you handling such big responsibilities—must be exhausting."

Ruby didn't flinch, but something in her expression shifted.

"Oh, it is." She let out a soft breath, almost amused, though her eyes remained sharp. "Especially when certain people make things more difficult than they need to be."

The mayor let out another chuckle, shaking his head. "Ah, you wound me. I only want what's best for this village."

Ruby's fingers tightened around the notepad, but she kept her voice steady.

"Then perhaps you should start acting like it."

For a brief moment, the air stilled between them. The noise of the festival continued around them—laughter, music, the distant chatter of villagers—but within this space, it was a quiet battle.

The mayor's smile remained, but his eyes held something colder now. He adjusted the cuffs of his suit, a slow, deliberate motion.

"Well, I suppose we'll see who really has Willowmere's best interests at heart."

Ruby nodded slightly, her gaze unwavering. "Yes, Mr. Mayor. I suppose we will."

Her expression remained cool as she turned away, signaling the end of the exchange. The momentary tension between them was like a spark in dry grass—brief but dangerous. But Ruby had a purpose, and she wasn't going to let the mayor's words unsettle her.

The sound of laughter and music from the village fair surrounded her once again as she walked past the mayor, her steps measured and confident, a small but clear sign that she wasn't easily rattled.