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It was late afternoon in the city of Orom on the Zozah Peninsula, the closest city to the Great Hall where the witches resided. The city was a place of vibrant contrasts: stark white stone walls and elegant bridges arched over shimmering canals, while the air carried the sharp tang of sea salt mixed with the rich, earthy aromas of the bustling markets. Witches and merchants crowded the streets, but Olruggio navigated through them as if he already knew exactly where he was going. That was, at least, when he wasn’t being sidetracked by his friend’s apprentices, who stopped him to ask questions about one contraption or another along the way.
The reason they were following him in the first place was that Qifrey had been summoned to the Great Hall by none other than Beldaruit. Since the summons had come on a whim, Qifrey had originally wanted to spend the time with his apprentices instead. Before he could think about running away from the obligation, however, Olruggio had dragged the apprentices off with him. He figured Qifrey could use the chance to rest for a while. This left Olruggio in charge of the four energetic girls: Coco, Agott, Richeh, and Tetia.
After navigating through the crowded market for a while, Olruggio and his unofficial apprentices went into a shop. For a place packed with bizarre tinkering supplies, it was surprisingly clean and well-maintained. While the girls were chatted among themselves, Olruggio hunched over a display of specialized pressure-valves; seemingly amazed by the advancement of technologies these days. He looked, as he always did, like a man who rarely saw the light of the day. His beautiful black hair stuck up in several directions, faint shadows beneath his eyes suggested he had either not slept in days or had simply forgotten that sleep was a biological necessity even for adults, and his heavy work coat was dappled with ink stains.
And yet, he was currently the center of attention for a tall, strikingly handsome merchant who seemed utterly captivated by him.
What made the scene stranger was that Olruggio himself appeared entirely oblivious to it. He simply continued turning a brass valve in his hands with a thoughtful frown, inspecting the grooves along its edges as though nothing else in the world mattered.
“We were able to bring them here from the southern isles,” The man explained, his deep voice smooth and pleasant. “They’re forged near the volcanic vents there. Supposedly, they can withstand temperatures close to flowing lava itself.”
The speaker introduced himself as Alaric and the shop was called the Blue Cat; famous for its authentic pieces and acting as trusted confidants to witches seeking out patrons. But the truly alarming part was the way he looked at Olruggio. His gaze was warm, focused, and full of obvious admiration, fixed entirely on the disheveled witch in front of him. It was far more than the polite attention of a shop attendant to a wealthy customer. Every time Olruggio casually muttered something about pressure flow, heat resistance, or metal fatigue, Alaric listened with apt interest, as though every word was fascinating.
“Hm. The inner lining’s good,” Olruggio muttered, tapping the valve lightly with one finger. “Though if the heat distribution isn’t balanced properly, the outer chamber will still crack after repeated use.”
Alaric’s expression somehow softened further, a feat the girls had not previously believed possible.
“I had suspected the same,” Alaric said immediately, sounding absurdly pleased to have his concerns confirmed. “That’s exactly why I wished to hear your opinion.”
The girls stared in mounting disbelief.
This was not a negotiation anymore.
This was courtship!
And Olruggio, somehow, did not notice in the slightest.
But then again, this was Olruggio they were talking about.
“He touched the valve at the exact time as Master Olruggio!” Tetia whispered sharply, clutching both cheeks in horror. “And he didn’t even pull his hand away right away! That was at least three whole seconds!”
"He's leaning in again," Richeh commented, her eyes narrowed to defensive slits. "Look at the angle of his posture. That’s not a professional stance. He’s encroaching on Master Olruggio’s personal space by at least, hmm, eight inches.”
“He’s not just some standard shop attendant,” Agott muttered, narrowing her eyes as she studied the man like a hawk. “I recognize the crest on that ring. House Valerius owns half the mines in the southern region. That means he’s a major patron.” She folded her hands, "...He should not be here attending to Master Olruggio like that, though."
“He’s really handsome,” Coco said surprisingly in awe. “My mother and her friends would absolutely love someone like him. Maybe he just has bad eyesight?" She suggested, though she was wringing the fabric of her cloak with anxious hands. "Um, should we ask Master Qifrey...?"
"His eyesight is fine. He just complimented the 'strong, capable lines' of Master Olruggio's jaw," Richeh stated flatly, clearly annoyed. "People don't compliment jaws unless they want to bite them. I read that in a tragedy novel Tetia hid under her bed." She pressed, "No need to tell Master Qifrey yet. Look, Master Olruggio hasn't even realized he's being wooed."
"It wasn't a tragedy novel, it was a romance!" Tetia squeaked, her hands flying up to cover her flushed cheeks. But the flush quickly faded into pale terror as she looked back at the scene unfolding across them. "Oh no. Look. He just touched Master Olruggio’s arm!"
The girls watched in growing horror as Lord Alaric indeed stepped slightly closer and touched Olruggio’s arm, lowering his voice into something smooth and personal. “Master Olruggio, I’ve admired your work since your student days,” Alaric began, his voice was nothing but kind and understanding. “Most witches care more about spectacle than practicality, but your designs always put the user’s safety first. That’s rare.”
Olruggio, completely unaware of the atmosphere around him, merely grunted distractedly while examining a new contraption from before.
“My family owns a private workshop called Valerius by the southern vents,” Alaric continued. “It’s not far from the city, and it has direct access to rare materials, specialized tools, and old mechanical archives.” His expression softened as he looked at Olruggio. “Honestly, it feels like a waste for someone with your talent to stay hidden away in an isolated atelier out in Naakiwan Downs.”
The girls gasped in perfect unison.
"He’s taking him away," Tetia wept, thick tears welling up in her eyes. "He’s promising him a fancy workshop with no children and no Master Qifrey, and he’s going to take him away to a private estate and we’ll never see him again!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Agott snapped, though her own voice trembled slightly. "Master Olruggio wouldn't just leave. Right?" She looked at the other girls, searching for reassurance.
“He’s making an offer,” Richeh muttered darkly, staring at Alaric like she was moments away from declaring war. Then, reluctantly, she added, “Though…I understand his point. Our atelier is far from where most witches live. For Master Olruggio, who’s always building things and meeting patrons, staying closer to the city would probably be more convenient.”
The most frustrating part, however, was Olruggio himself.
“The southern vents?” Olruggio repeated, finally looking up at Alaric’s handsome face, only to completely misunderstand the situation. “Ohhh, I see what you mean now.” His eyes lit up with genuine interest. “So that valve’s heat resistance comes from the vent-forging process itself. I have heard about the feats of the workshop called Valerius. That is interesting.”
Alaric laughed softly at that, warm and entirely unbothered by how thoroughly Olruggio had missed the point. “Exactly,” he said with a smile that reached his eyes. Clearly deciding subtlety was useless, he continued without hesitation. “Would you like to see the process yourself? You’d be welcome to stay at my estate for as long as you wish. You could build whatever you want there.” His voice lowered slightly. “No budgets. No interruptions. I would gladly become your sole patron.”
The girls collectively stopped breathing.
“What do you think?” Alaric asked gently.
“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” Coco burst out before anyone else could react.
The entire stall went silent.
Coco immediately paled. “I-I mean–! Master Olruggio is the Watchful Eye of our atelier!”
Agott stepped forward at once, crossing her arms protectively in front of Coco. “She’s right,” she said firmly. “The Three Wise personally appointed Master Olruggio as our atelier’s Watchful Eye.”
“Our atelier is also,” Tetia added quickly, “a very good atelier! Master Beldaruit the Wise says so!”
“And there are people waiting for him to come home,” Richeh said in her usual flat voice, though somehow it sounded strangely sincere. “Us. And Master Qifrey.”
Meanwhile, Olruggio looked between all of them with growing confusion. “...Girls?”
Alaric glanced back toward the four apprentices still standing near the stacked crates. They looked painfully small huddled there together, staring at Olruggio as though they were watching someone leave home forever.
Alaric’s expression softened almost immediately. “Ah,” He said quietly, finally seeming to understand the source of their hostility, before he turned his expression gentle. “I assure you, I have no intention of taking Master Olruggio away from you.”
“My apologies,” Agott replied immediately, not sounding apologetic in the slightest. “But it sounded exactly like that was your intention.” She lifted her chin slightly. “And while your offer is generous, Lord Alaric, Master Olruggio’s research is massive in scale. His work isn’t something he can simply abandon to relax at a private estate.”
To her surprise, Alaric did not dismiss Agott’s words. Instead, he regarded her with genuine respect. “A very astute observation,” Alaric said warmly. “But I’m not suggesting that Master Olruggio abandon his responsibilities.” He glanced back at Olruggio, and his voice softened slightly. “I simply think someone like him deserves a place where he can breathe for a while instead of moving from one deadline to another.” His eyes lingered briefly on Olruggio’s exhausted face. “Forgive my bluntness, but you look tired, Master Olruggio. When was the last time you slept without a project hanging over your head?”
Olruggio opened his mouth, then closed it again. After a long pause, he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “...People have been saying that a lot lately,” Olruggio admitted quietly, lcompletely oblivious to the fact that he was throwing oil onto the fire. “Ah, well. I suppose I have been a little tired.”
"Master Olruggio-"
Alaric seized the opening immediately. He placed a steady hand on Olruggio’s shoulder to distract him from Coco's outburst, the gesture calm and reassuring rather than forceful. “Then come visit the workshop,” Alaric suggested gently, “Just for a tour. Nothing more. If you dislike it, I’ll personally escort you back to your atelier afterward.” After a brief pause, he added more quietly, “Now, before that. I want to make myself clear. Truthfully, I simply dislike watching talented people wear themselves down. Especially people who spend so much of their lives making things easier for everyone else.”
The girls fell silent at this. In their minds, the battle was lost. Olruggio was absolutely going to accept the offer. He was going to leave behind their cozy atelier for a peaceful life surrounded by elegant workshops and unlimited funding.
Meanwhile, Olruggio stared at Alaric blankly for several seconds before scratching at his messy hair again. “...That’s a strange thing to offer."
Alaric smiled faintly. “Perhaps. But I mean it.”
Olruggio looked away first, suddenly finding the collection of contraptions on the counter incredibly fascinating. “Well. Hm.”
Tetia’s eyes widened dramatically as she whispered. “...Master Olruggio…he’s flustered.”
“I’ve never seen this happen before,” Coco whispered back in sheer disbelief.
“Rare phenomenon,” Richeh agreed solemnly.
“I am not flustered!” Olruggio barked immediately, which only made him sound even more flustered.
Alaric’s smile deepened with obvious fondness. “Of course not.”
Agott looked between the two men and felt an enormous headache forming.
This was bad.
This was extremely bad!
Because the worst part was that Lord Alaric didn't behave like some arrogant noble trying to secure over a talented witch. He was respectful, attentive, patient, and somehow alarmingly good at handling Olruggio’s complete lack of social awareness.
Olruggio sighed in defeat. “...Alright. Just a look.”
The girls stiffened. Tetia looked moments away from tears, while Coco continued to clutch her sleeve with dramatic fervor. Even Agott, who usually fought to remain rational, appeared entirely unconvinced. Richeh simply stared at Alaric with the solemn expression of someone observing a natural disaster in real-time.
Olruggio, however, remained blissfully oblivious. “Hm?” He glanced back over his shoulder, a boyish grin spreading across his face. “Why are you all just standing there? You’re coming too, right? Hurry up! Just think of how we can boast to your Master when we get back home. Who knows what curiosities we might find?”
The silence that followed was absolute. Then, the dam broke.
Tetia let out a loud, shuddering sob. Coco followed suit, burying her face in her hands, while Agott made a choked sound, her shoulders trembling as she stared at the cobblestones. Richeh remained silent, though large tears began to track through the dust on her cheeks.
Alaric stood frozen. He looked at the weeping children, then back at Olruggio, who had begun to panic.
“Wait, no! Why are you crying?” Olruggio’s hands hovered uselessly in the air, darting from one girl to the next like a startled bird. “I said yes! We’re going! Isn’t that what you- Wait, is it because we’re going? Should we supposedly not go?”
This only prompted a fresh wail from Coco.
Tetia finally looked up, her eyes red-rimmed and fierce as she held Richeh's hand. “Master Olruggio’s an idiot!” She managed between sharp breaths, throwing weak punches at his coat “A complete bird brain!”
Olruggio winced, the grin sliding completely off his face. “Fair point. Alaric, a little help here?” He muttered desperately, “If Qifrey was here, he might know what I must do.”
Alaric knelt before the girls, shedding his looming presence for a soft, teasing smile. "Dry your eyes, little witches," He said gently. "I am a businessman, not a monster. Alright, I’ll yield for today. You can rest easy for now. And Olruggio?"
Olruggio looked at him, startled. "Yeah?"
"Qifrey is a fortunate man to keep you at his atelier. I wasn't lying when I said I’ve always admired your work; I truly wish I could have been the one to provide for your talents," Alaric offered with a conspiratorial wink. "If you ever grow weary of his company, you know where to find me. I have a cellar of exquisite wine that would suit your palate far better than workshop tea."
“Thank you for your kind offer, but we'll take our leave now!” Agott snapped before Olruggio could even open his mouth. She didn't wait for a rebuttal, grabbing the others by their sleeves and hauling them away. “Please excuse us!”
With a final, elegant bow of a noble, Alaric watched them go, waving a languid hand as they disappeared into the crowd.
Agott led the retreat with a frantic, iron-grip focus, weaving through the white-stone bridges of Orom. They navigated a chaotic maze of merchants shouting prices over. They crossed shimmering canal bridges where gondoliers sang to the water, their footsteps echoing sharply against the ivory pavement. The girls stumbled along behind her, still sniffing and wiping their eyes, until the stone streets finally gave way to the soft, dampened earth of a public park. The noise of the market faded into the rustle of willow trees and the distant splash of a fountain. Once they were safely under the shade of a wide oak, Olruggio let out a loud, frustrated and tired huff.
"Alright! That’s far enough!" Olruggio barked, though there was no real heat in his voice. He planted his hands on his hips, staring at the four of them. "What was that? Why are you all crying?”
The girls looked up, their faces red and blotchy.
"We thought you were actually leaving!" Tetia wailed, throwing herself at his waist with enough force to nearly knock the wind out of him. "He was so handsome! And rich! And he had every reason to take you away!"
"And he was nice!" Coco sobbed, grabbing his arm. "It’s easy to fight mean people, but he was nice!"
Olruggio let out a long groan, tilting his head back to stare at the golden colored sky. He wasn't a man of soft words or grand gestures, but he couldn't stand to see them like this. He reached down, his large, calloused hand clumsily patting Tetia’s hair while his other hand squeezed Coco’s shoulder with a firm, grounding weight. Richeh moved closer, quietly hugging his arm beside Coco.
"Listen to me," Olruggio reassured them, his tone steady and sure. "I don't care about his- his exquisite wine. And I certainly don't care about his private workshop, no matter how many fancy tools he’s got shoved in there. He looked over at Agott. She was standing a few feet away, her jaw set tight, but her red-rimmed eyes gave her away. Olruggio didn't say a word; he just held his hand out toward her. She hesitated for a heartbeat, then stepped forward, allowing herself to be pulled into the small, protective circle he’d built. "I’m not going anywhere," Olruggio promised, "As long as you four are causing trouble, the atelier is where I stay. You’re my responsibility now. Every one of you. Got it?"
"Got it," The girls whispered in a ragged, watery unison.
"Good," Olruggio grunted before finally letting go. He straightened his tunic, his expression softening as he looked toward the setting sun. "...Besides," He added, his voice falling so quiet it was nearly lost to the rustle of the trees. "Someone has to keep an eye on your Master. He’d worry himself into an early grave if I wasn't there to remind him to rest from time to time. I’m not leaving him to handle all of this alone."
"You really mean it?" Coco asked, looking up with one final, hitching sniff. "Even if Lord Alaric offered you a workshop made of literal gold?"
"Gold is a terrible metal for a workshop," Olruggio grumbled, gently nudging them toward the park's exit. "It would melt the moment I got the fire to the right temperature. Now, enough of this. Look at you…you’re all a mess. If we go back to the Great Hall looking like you’ve been through a hurricane, they’ll think the Brimmed Caps attacked us or something."
Agott straightened her hat, her face still a bit flushed, but her sharp gaze had returned. "We should wash our faces at the fountain before we head back to the windowway."
"Agott it right."
“Master Olruggio!”
Olruggio laughed, unable to hide the small, lopsided tug at the corner of his mouth.
As they walked back from the heart of Orom, the city seemed different. Their footsteps seemed lighter and the girls’ mood had entirely lifted. They passed a vendor selling warm, honey-drizzled pastries that smelled of orange blossoms, the kind of sweet scent that guaranteed to catch a children's attention. Olruggio stopped and dug a few coins out of his pouch.
"Five Citrussants on-the-go, please.” Olruggio said, prompting a loud, joyous cheer from the girls. It drew a few looks from passerby, but neither Olruggio and the shop keeper minded. Then he remembered, “Oh, and one for takeaway.”
A moment later, the shopkeeper handed over half-moon-shaped pastries that tasted of bright citrus and golden honey the girls had never tried before.
Tetia beamed, the very last of her sadness vanishing as she received the pastry. "You're the best, Master Olruggio!"
"Of course." Olruggio hummed as they walked along the canal, “Now, keep that between us. I have a reputation to uphold.”
"Okay~!”
Olruggio didn't look back toward Alaric’s district. He didn't need to. He had four very good reasons to keep walking, and one very stubborn, spectacled man waiting for them, who was probably going to be practically fuming by the time they finally made it back to the Great Hall.