Return of the Legendary Runesmith

This wasn't the day she wanted the Tower members to arrive.

This was supposed to be her day.

Adrian was coming home—not as her friend, not as her teacher, but as her soon-to-be fiancé.

Yes, she knew it was all just an arrangement, a façade. But to her, it didn't matter.

The thought alone—that the world would see her as Adrian's fiancée—was enough to set her heart racing.

Getting engaged to the man you've secretly loved for so long was something beyond words, a fragile happiness she wanted to hold onto.

Maybe that was why she refused to think about what tomorrow would bring. She wanted to live in this moment, to believe that, perhaps, someday she would carve out a place for herself in his heart.

"My Lord, Sir Adrian has arrived." The butler's voice broke the silence, drawing every eye in the room toward him.

Ruby's eyes sparkled. He was here.

She rose quickly from her chair, her heart leaping ahead of her steps. "I will go receive him."

The two Tower members exchanged a knowing glance, faint wry smiles tugging at their lips. So, it was true—the Vermillion daughter held feelings for the man.

"Is something troubling you, gentlemen?" Reid's calm but firm voice brought their eyes back to him.

The one on the left, the Tower Master's secretary, cleared his throat before saying, "Sir Reid, you must be aware of the rumors surrounding Mister Adrian these days. And yet, you've chosen to welcome him into your family—"

Reid lifted a hand, silencing him. His voice carried weight, each word steady and deliberate. "What I decide for my family is untouched by whispers or outside judgment. The only thing that matters… is my daughter's happiness."

The two men exchanged another glance, this time with unease. They understood well enough how futile—and dangerous—it would be to press the matter any further.

Not long after, the man on the right spoke up. "We won't trouble you further. Thank you for your time."

Reid remained silent, his expression steady as the two Tower members excused themselves and walked out.

On their way, they passed Adrian in the corridor. He was speaking with Ruby, her face glowing with a brightness she couldn't hide.

"Good evening," one of the Tower men offered politely.

Adrian gave a curt nod in return, nothing more. The exchange ended there, and Ruby gently guided Adrian toward the reception hall, her steps light as though the weight of the entire day had just lifted.

Reid soon emerged from his office, his lips curved in a rare, warm smile.

Adrian stepped forward, his voice respectful. "It's good to see you in such fine health, Sir Vermillion."

The two men shook hands firmly, a brief but telling gesture.

Reid chuckled softly and replied, "Even if it is only for a little while, I would prefer it if you spoke to me with less formality."

Adrian's lips pulled into a sheepish smile, his usual composure softening. "I will try, sir."

Moments later, the rest of the family arrived.

Adrian's gaze shifted and landed on the young man he vaguely remembered from a previous visit to the manor. But before addressing him, Adrian turned first toward the lady of the house.

Lowering his head slightly, his tone respectful yet carrying a hint of charm, he said, "It is an honor to meet you, Lady Vermillion. Now I understand where Ruby inherited such beautiful eyes."

Both mother and daughter blushed at the words. Ruby lowered her gaze, her heart fluttering wildly, while her mother, Fiona, brought her hand to her cheek with a graceful smile.

"Oh my, what a flattering compliment," she said warmly. "It's lovely to meet you as well, Adrian."

Adrian's smile lingered as his gaze shifted from the lady of the house to the black-haired young man standing off to the side.

"Damien," he greeted, remembering Ruby's warning that her younger brother could be… a little sharp with his words.

But what Damien did next caught everyone off guard.

The boy suddenly bent low—so low that his head nearly reached his waist—as he spoke, voice firm yet trembling with sincerity.

"I would like to extend my gratitude for saving my life. Thank you, Sir Adrian."

The room fell into stillness. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.

Adrian blinked, caught completely off balance by the boy's unexpected gesture. He cast a helpless glance at Ruby.

She only lifted her shoulders with a small shrug, her lips tugging into the faintest smile as her eyes silently told him, You handle this.

Exhaling softly, Adrian stepped forward and placed both hands on Damien's shoulders, steady and gentle.

"I accept your gratitude," he said, his voice calm. "Now… lift your head."

Damien rose slowly, the sincerity still lingering in his eyes.

From the side, Reid's voice rumbled through the silence. "He reminded me that I, too, never thanked you, Adrian."

Adrian turned to him, slightly stiff, clearly unaccustomed to such direct praise. "I only did what was right," he replied, his composure betraying the faintest trace of fluster.

Sensing his unease, Ruby quickly broke in, her tone playful. "Did you bring gifts for me?"

Adrian blinked, caught off guard a second time, before a small smile touched his lips. "Yes. I brought something for everyone."

He reached into the bundle beside him and pulled out a finely crafted box, extending it toward Reid. "This is an incense burner."

Reid gave a firm nod and accepted the gift with quiet grace.

Adrian then turned to Fiona, presenting another box with careful hands. "These are hand-picked perfumes. I hope they suit your taste."

Her face brightened as she accepted the box, immediately lifting the lid. One by one, she picked up the delicate vials, admiring them with a smile that reached her eyes.

Handing a dagger, sheathed in a leather cover, Adrian said, "I heard you like daggers? I came across a good one recently." He actually got it from Dark Knight recently in exchange for the artifact he made for him. Since Adrian didn't use daggers, he thought of gifting it to someone who actually wields daggers as his main weapon.

As Damien took the dagger, he heard Adrian stating, "If you want, I can tune it later."

Damien's eyes lit up, "You will?"

Adrian smiled, "Of course,"

His eyes then turned toward the girl impatiently waiting on the side.

He sighed and then told her, "I thought for a long time about what I can give you. And then, I came to the conclusion, this would be for the best." He handed her a diary.

Ruby tilted her head, "What's inside it?"

Adrian smiled, "My notes. I made it for you."

Ruby's eyes widened, "You made it for me?"

Adrian nodded.

Ruby turned silent.

He knew her interest, and for that, he went out of his way to make these notes.

A charming smile lifted the edges of her lips as she told him, "Aren't you deliberately trying to make me fall for you all over again?"

Adrian's smile faltered as he stared at her dumbly.

Just then,

"*Cough*" (Reid)

"Fufu~how adorable." (Fiona)

"..." (Damien was busy admiring the dagger).

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.