Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"Is this really a good idea?" Ruby asked for the third time, her eyes darting uneasily toward the door.

Ariana let out a slow sigh, setting the document on the table. "As I said, leave it to me. He won't say anything to you. And he definitely won't throw you out."

Ruby's shoulders slumped. "Alright…"

Ariana studied her for a moment before asking, "Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? Baggy eyes, messy hair… You look like you're already in heartbreak—before even hearing his answer."

Ruby muttered under her breath, "We both know what he's going to say… and just the thought of him frowning at me makes me anxious."

Another sigh from Ariana. She rose from the chair, took a wooden comb from the table, and said, "Come here."

Ruby blinked, then scooted to the edge of the bed and turned her back toward her.

As Ariana began combing through her tangled hair, she said, "You've really changed. The stories I heard about you… They were something else."

Ruby's curiosity sparked. "What stories?"

"The infamous Crimson Warden who whips her targets to death. I heard you like to torture your enemies before killing them."

Ruby grumbled, "They exaggerate…"

"Oh? So you don't torture your targets?" Ariana asked, a sly grin tugging at her lips.

Ruby swallowed hard and fell silent.

Ariana shook her head. "And now look at you… all anxious about what he'll say. I bet you didn't even pay attention to today's matches."

Ruby grumbled—because she was right.

Her gaze dropped to the bed as she murmured, "He's a very important person to me, Ariana. I'm sure you understand… when someone you care about, someone you've had a good relationship with, suddenly grows distant because of something foolish you did."

Ariana let out a soft chuckle. "Well, in my case, he's messed up a few times himself—and then turned miserable when I ignored him. But yes… I know exactly how it feels."

Ruby tilted her head slightly as Ariana gathered her hair into a neat bundle, grabbing a scrunchie from the nearby table.

"Tell me something," Ariana said while securing it. "Does your father know about your feelings for Adrian?"

"Of course. I'm terrible at hiding things like that."

"And what was his reaction?" Ariana asked, tying off the final loop before taking a seat beside her, facing the opposite way.

Ruby drew her knees close, her voice quieter now. "Neutral… at least, that's what he showed. But I know he must have looked into Adrian—just without telling me."

She knew how much her father cared for his children. And no matter how open-minded he might be, he would certainly investigate the man who had caught his daughter's attention.

"But are you really okay with him assuming things about you and Adrian? I mean… are you sure about your feelings?" Ariana asked—not as Adrian's fiancée, but simply as a friend.

She didn't know much about Lord Vermillion, but if he was already looking into Adrian, sooner or later he would bring his findings to Ruby. And then… would Ruby be ready to answer questions about the man—and the allegations—that had shadowed him in the past?

Ruby smiled, momentarily forgetting she was speaking to Adrian's fiancée. "I… see many things in him. A friend, a teacher, a mentor, an inspiration… and my first crush. I love how passionate he is about what he does. He's not like the others. When so many influential people offered him work, he rejected them without even thinking twice. I like that about him."

Ariana's lips curved upward. "Yes… That's one of his strongest traits. He's passionate about teaching and Runesmithing. When I told him he couldn't sell his creations to the general public, he agreed right away."

Ruby's smile grew. "You know, once he scolded me? No one has scolded me except my mother. And when he did, he didn't see the Vermillion name—he just saw an idiot who needed guidance."

Ariana chuckled. "Well, that man could even scold his own father if he caught him making a mistake—especially at work."

Ruby giggled, glancing her way. "See? That's why he's different. Someone worth admiring. Not to mention… he looks goddamn gorgeous when he frowns."

Ariana grinned. "Can't argue with that."

The two women shared a warm moment, their conversation flowing easily around the man they both deeply admired.

But then—

Knock.

Ruby flinched. She already knew who it was.

Ariana confirmed it a moment later. "Must be Adrian." She rose from the bed and walked to the door.

Click.

Opening it, she found Adrian standing there, one brow slightly raised. "You were talking to someone?" he asked, stepping inside.

Ariana nodded. "Yes, I… haah…" Her sigh trailed off as her eyes shifted to the now-empty bed.

Adrian blinked in mild confusion as Ariana crossed the room toward it, calling out, "If you don't come out, I'll tell him what you did with his coat—"

"I'm here!" Ruby suddenly slid out from beneath the bed, making Adrian take a startled step back.

"What… are you doing here?" he asked, his gaze flicking from her to Ariana.

"I invited her," Ariana said easily. "Didn't you want to talk to her about something work-related?"

Adrian paused, then gave a slow nod. "Yeah…" His eyes dropped to Ruby as he extended his hand.

Ruby took it, letting him help her up. "Thanks," she murmured.

After a moment of pause, Adrian said, "Well...it's good that she is here. There is something I would like to discuss with you two."

Ruby glanced at Ariana upon sensing the sudden shift in his voice.

The matter was serious and they both could sense it.

Wordlessly, Ariana sat down on the bed as Adrian pulled a chair for himself and sat across from them.

Adrian turned to Ruby and told her, "I am trusting you, Ruby so please don't let anyone know about this, okay?"

"I promise," she readily nodded, the previous fluster vanishing from her eyes.

Adrian leaned back in his seat, glanced at both before revealing, "The Acolytes might be ambushing the event in two days."

"...!!"

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. The review count ain't going up from twenty four. Do something!