My five ghostly husbands-Chapter 448 Wedding

There stood Madame Shades, her dark robe flowing elegantly, her smile carved sharp and smug as if she had already won a battle they hadn’t yet begun. And beside her—Fat Louis, puffing his chest proudly, his round body stuffed into a robe far too tight, his face flushed with arrogant confidence.

Julian’s mood blackened. His eyes turned to ice.

"Are we not welcome?" Madame Shades asked sweetly, her tone dripping with false warmth. Her gaze slid past Julian as if he were nothing more than a servant holding the door.

Louis smirked. "Where’s wife?" he demanded, puffing his chest further.

Julian’s hand tightened on the doorframe, his knuckles pale. He wanted nothing more than to slam the door in their faces, to throw them back into the night, but he forced himself still. He glanced over his shoulder, meeting Ruby’s steady eyes. She gave the smallest nod, silent but firm.

With a clenched jaw, Julian stepped aside. "Come in," he said coldly.

Madame Shades glided in like the house already belonged to her, her perfume thick in the air. Louis strutted after her with that smug smile, brushing past Julian as though victorious already.

The living room erupted in tension.

Karl shot up from the couch like a flame, his eyes blazing red with fury. "YOU—!" His voice cracked with rage as his fists clenched.

Milo hid half behind Ruby, his eyes glaring at Louis. "Bad ghost..." he muttered, his lips curling unhappily.

Adrian leaned back, his face unreadable, his sharp gaze cutting straight into Madame Shades. He didn’t need to speak—his cold silence was enough to make the air heavier.

Ruby rose slowly, her posture calm, her aura commanding. "Why are you here this time?" she asked, her voice cold but even, her eyes locked on Madame Shades.

Madame Shades only smiled wider, settling herself gracefully onto the opposite couch as though it were her throne. She looked at Ruby with that sly expression and said, "We came to speak about family matters. After all... soon, we will be one family."

Karl’s nails dug into his palms so hard his skin almost broke. "Over my dead body!" he shouted, his voice shaking with fury.

Louis smirked and puffed his chest again. "You’ll have to get used to it, Karl. Wife will belong to me soon."

Karl lunged a step forward, but Julian’s hand shot out, gripping his arm firmly. "Not here," Julian hissed lowly, his face expressionless.

And then Julian went into the kitchen and brought back a tray with glasses of water for Louis and Madame Shades.

Ruby’s eyes didn’t waver. She stood tall, her voice like ice. "Say what you came to say, Madame Shades. Don’t waste my time."

The witch only chuckled, sipping the water Julian had grudgingly placed on the table. Her smile curved sharper as she set the glass down with a soft clink. "I came here to talk about the marriage date," she said smoothly, her voice as sweet as poison. "I think you two should marry as soon as possible. My Louis has confessed he can’t live without you." She chuckled lowly, her eyes glinting with triumph.

Louis’s cheeks turned crimson, and his round face pulled into a fake shy smile. He ducked his head, twisting his fingers nervously in his robe as though he were some bashful groom rather than the arrogant ghost he truly was. "Y-yeah," he mumbled, sneaking a glance at Ruby. "I... I can’t wait anymore."

Ruby’s jaw tightened, her breath steady but heavy. Her heart thumped like a drum in her chest, but her face betrayed nothing. Calm, cold, unreadable. She cut her gaze toward Karl and Julian for the briefest moment—just enough to give the smallest signal: stay still.

But both of them were already burning alive inside.

Karl’s breathing came harsh and fast, his chest rising and falling as though he could barely hold himself back. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles had gone white, his whole body shaking with barely-contained rage. His eyes blazed, locked on Louis like a predator ready to pounce.

Julian, at first, looked calmer but the longer the silence stretched, the more his mask cracked. His expression darkened, the veins at his temple twitching, his grip tightening on the arm of the chair until it creaked beneath his fingers. His eyes, usually soft and warm, were now cold and Sharp, fixed sharply on Madame Shades and her smug face.

The house had never felt so tense. The air itself seemed to tremble, heavy and suffocating, as if one wrong word would ignite the storm.

Ruby straightened slightly, her lips curving...not into a smile, but into a thin, cold line. "Is that so..." she murmured, her voice even, but her eyes were sharp.

Karl’s teeth ground audibly. Julian’s jaw flexed.

And Louis, oblivious to the fire he had just stoked, gave another awkward, fake shy laugh.

The room felt like it was seconds away from erupting.

"Why all of a sudden do we need to rush?" Ruby asked suddenly, her voice steady but low. She drew in a long breath, grounding herself before the storm in her chest spilled out. Her eyes, sharp and unblinking, slid to Louis, pinning him where he sat.

Madame Shades tilted her head, her smile never faltering. "I just said—my Louis can’t live without you. That reason is enough." She sipped again from her glass as if it were fine wine instead of plain water.

"And I thought next week is perfect. From the day after tomorrow we can begin the ceremonies, the arrangements, everything. You two should go shopping tomorrow for all the outfits." Her chuckle was soft but laced with mockery.

Louis shifted in his seat, his cheeks puffing as he tried to look bashful again. "Y-yes... it will be fun," he said quickly, eyes flicking toward Ruby with a weak grin.

Karl’s glare locked onto Louis like he was already imagining breaking him in half. "Fun?" Karl’s voice came out rough, almost a growl. "You think this is fun?"

Julian’s hand shot out, pressing firmly against Karl’s arm before he could take another step. "Brother Karl," Julian warned quietly, his voice calm but edged with steel. His own jaw was set hard, his dark eyes cutting toward Madame Shades.

Ruby remained seated, her back straight, her face still. But her hand curled tightly into a fist. She looked straight at Madame Shades and spoke slowly, each word dipped in ice. "Next week... is too soon."

To be continued... 🪄