Confiding in a Rothmore

Reuben awoke to the gentle glow of morning sunlight streaming through his bedroom window, the crisp air of a new day filling the Rothmore estate. Cradling a steaming cup of tea, he strolled to the gazebo, his sanctuary for quiet reflection. The dragon’s blood incense curled its fragrant smoke into the breeze as Reuben shuffled his tarot deck, drawing cards to set the tone for his day. After a few moments of stretching and grounding himself, he made his way back inside to cook breakfast, savoring the extra time his new schedule afforded him.

Since Giselle had joined the Mystic Herb, Reuben had finally found the freedom he’d been yearning for. She was reliable, capable, and opened the shop most mornings, allowing Reuben to reclaim moments of peace before diving into work. It was a welcome change after the hectic months of overseeing contractors and construction crews. The estate’s new studio had just passed its final inspection the week prior, and Reuben couldn’t resist taking a leisurely tour that morning. The building stood as a testament to his hard work and vision, the polished floors and pristine fixtures a tangible reward for years of effort.

When the time came to head into the shop, Reuben slipped in through the back door, locking it behind him. He passed through the office and into the shop, where Giselle was restocking shelves, her focus unwavering — at least at first glance. A soft, muffled sound caught his attention. Was she crying?

Reuben’s brows furrowed as he stepped closer. Giselle stiffened at his approach, hastily wiping her eyes and spinning around with a forced smile.

“Everything alright?” Reuben asked, his tone warm and sincere.

“Y-yeah,” she replied, her voice unsteady. Clearing her throat, she added, “Just tired, that’s all.”


Reuben wasn’t convinced. He moved closer, his expression softening. “You know, if you need to take some time off, it’s totally fine. I—”

“No, really,” Giselle interrupted, shaking her head and forcing a brighter smile. “I’d much rather stay here and work, trust me.”

Her bloodshot eyes betrayed her words, but Reuben respected her decision. “Alright,” he said gently. “But if you ever need to talk, I’m here, okay?”

She nodded, grateful for his understanding, and turned back to her task, her shoulders tense as she tried to compose herself.

Reuben retreated to the office, troubled by the encounter. Giselle was usually upbeat and focused — this was far from her norm. Something was clearly weighing on her, but he knew better than to pry. He set to work on a potion order, hoping the rhythmic task would distract him from his concern.

The morning unfolded as usual, with customers coming and going, their cheerful chatter filling the shop. When lunchtime arrived, Giselle flipped the sign to “Closed” and let out a long, weary sigh. She’d been carrying a heavy weight all day, and it had finally become too much to bear.

Walking into the office, she hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Reuben, I was wondering…can we talk?”

Reuben looked up from his desk, immediately setting aside his work. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

Tears welled up in Giselle’s eyes immediately, and her voice trembled as she began to speak. “I’ve just been having such a tough time lately,” she admitted. “I know I don’t talk much about my home life, but this morning, when you saw me crying…I just couldn’t hold it in anymore.”

Her words spilled out in a torrent, each one weighed down with emotion. “My brother, Victor, has been dealing with…things, and it’s gotten so bad that I’m scared to go home. Then my dad works himself to the bone but drinks every moment he’s not working. Ever since my mom passed, he’s expected so much of me. I feel like I’m the only sane adult in that house, and it’s just…too much. I’m so sorry to unload all of this on you, but I don’t have anyone else to talk to.”

Reuben’s heart ached for her. He listened intently, his expression a mix of compassion and concern. Rising from his chair, he crossed the room and enveloped her in a comforting hug.

“I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” he said softly. “That sounds like an impossible situation, but you’re so strong for carrying it. If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word.”

Giselle clung to him for a moment, her tears soaking into his shirt. When she finally pulled back, she wiped her face and managed a small smile. “Thank you, Reuben. Just saying it out loud has helped more than I expected.”

An idea suddenly sparked in Reuben’s mind. His face brightened, and he looked at her with a hopeful smile. “What if you rented the new studio on the estate? It’s ready to go, and you’d be close to work. It might give you the space and peace you need.”

Giselle’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’d let me do that?”

“Of course!” Reuben replied earnestly. “You’d actually be helping me out by renting it so soon. It’s a win-win.”

A genuine smile spread across Giselle’s face as she felt the weight she’d been carrying begin to lift. “Yes, absolutely. I’d love to. Thank you so much, Reuben.”

“Perfect!” Reuben said with a grin. “We’ll draw up the agreement, and you can move in whenever you’re ready.”

“This weekend?” Giselle suggested. “I can pack up my things this week.”

“Sounds great,” Reuben said, nodding. “Maybe Ryder, Evan, and I can help with the move.”

“That’s so kind, but I think I can handle it,” Giselle replied. “Still, thank you for everything. I’ll never forget this.”

The rest of the day felt lighter. Giselle worked with a newfound energy, and Reuben felt a deep sense of fulfillment knowing he’d helped ease her burden. As the Mystic Herb settled back into its usual rhythm, both of them felt like brighter days were finally on the horizon.