Chapter 386: Chapter 385- Meaning
Now, this was a problem. Newspapers had the power to shape public opinion, no matter who a person was.
At this point, the public saw Adrian as a savior — but there were always those waiting in the shadows, eager for a single mistake or the slightest suspicion to smear his name.
Adrian was tied to two great families and served as a respected professor at the Runebound Academy. Every word he spoke carried weight, and every phrase could be twisted if he wasn’t careful.
He couldn’t just say that he had teleported directly into the Vermillion residence — that would immediately sound like a lie. After all, everyone knew that teleportation could only be performed to a place one had previously visited.
Yet, he couldn’t tell them the truth either — that he had given Ruby a unique artifact allowing them to share perception in moments of grave danger.
No one would believe that such an advanced artifact existed. And even if they did, the next question would be why it wasn’t made available to the public.
In his mind, Adrian was already preparing for every possible question that could come his way — rehearsing answers, anticipating traps, and layering his defenses carefully. A single misstep, a single half-hearted reply, and the entire narrative could crumble.
That’s why, after taking half a minute to gather himself, he finally spoke.
"We... dreaded this," he said quietly.
The reporter who had earlier questioned his sudden appearance at the Vermillion estate frowned. "Can you elaborate on that, Professor?"
All eyes were on him now. Quills hovered above parchment, ready to capture each word he uttered.
Ruby, sitting beside him, watched nervously. They hadn’t discussed this or any part at all, though both of them knew how deep the reporters would dig for a headline.
Adrian leaned slightly forward, his hands clasped over his lap. His tone was calm, but every syllable carried intent.
"We dreaded that the Twilight Vault would target the Vermillion family."
A sharp wave of gasps swept through the hall.
Reporters exchanged glances, whispers spread like fire, and the sound of quick scribbling filled the air. The name *Twilight Vault* had weight — to accuse them directly was a risky move that could easily backfire.
That only made the revelation more thrilling for the audience. They wanted details, context, confession.
A man in the front row raised his voice, "Are you saying that you anticipated an attack from the Twilight Vault, and that’s why you stayed near Miss Vermillion — though not openly?"
Adrian shook his head slowly. "Not near, but I made sure to visit the places she frequented — including the ancestral house. That way, if anything happened to her, I could reach her instantly."
Before the murmurs could die down, a young woman from the right side spoke up, her tone eager and sharp. "Then, is it true that you can use independent magic to teleport to such places?"
All attention turned to Adrian again.
That question carried more danger than the others. After the tournament incident, rumors had spread like wildfire — whispers that Adrian possessed a forbidden form of magic, something beyond the norm.
Most dismissed it as slander — a fabrication by the Acolytes to discredit him. But those who had been there, those who had seen what happened that day... they knew.
They had witnessed something only a believer of a fallen god could achieve.
So yes — suspicion hung in the air, and the reporters wanted answers.
Adrian heaved a quiet sigh. He picked up his revolver, aimed once, and fired. The bullet swallowed the plate of cookies on the nearby table, sending crumbs scattering — then, in the same breath, then with another bullet he sent the plate floating up and over the man who had asked the question, dropping the cookie plate right into his lap without moving from his chair.
A dozen reporters sprang to their feet to see what had just happened. No one in that hall was simple enough to miss the meaning behind the trick.
"I hope that answers your questions," the brown-haired man muttered, setting the revolver back on the table with slow, deliberate calm.
A flurry of new questions followed — about the ambush, about the family’s next steps, about what the Vermillion patriarch intended for society, and what the Union Dominion planned to do about the Twilight Vault.
"We are no ones to dictate to them," Ruby said, her voice steady. "But as a citizen, I want to see the Dominion punish those who put lives at risk, who shook hands with evil and thought only of themselves."
Ruby rose then, every eye fixed on her. She stepped forward at a pace, met the room with a gaze that did not waver, and spoke so the words landed like iron.
"Listen well," she said. "You can hide in the shadows or dress your crimes with silence, but the truth is not a thing you own — it finds a way out. If you endanger the innocent, if you ally with the dark to line your pockets, there will be no pity, no safe corners left for you. We will expose you, we will hold you to account, and we will not let fear govern this world. Let every hand that reached for harm know this now: the people will not bow, and we will not forget."
....
After the reporters were finally escorted out, the heavy atmosphere in the hall gave way to a much calmer one. Ruby and Adrian made their way to the reception room, where Fiona and Damien were already waiting. The four of them gathered around a small round table, steam rising gently from their cups of tea.
"That was quite a strong message, Ruby," Fiona said, her lips curving with pride.
Adrian nodded in agreement. "You would make a great leader one day."
Ruby tried to maintain her composure, though the corners of her mouth betrayed the grin she was holding back. "Thank you," she said softly.
"Seemed pretty lame to me," Damien muttered under his breath, earning a sharp look from his sister.
"I’ll take that insult the day you gather the guts to stand before that many reporters," Ruby shot back, pointing her spoon at him like a weapon. "Until then, be grateful you’ve got such an amazing big sister."
Damien snorted but didn’t argue further, while Fiona chuckled into her cup.
Adrian sat back, watching the exchange with a faint, wistful smile. He had never experienced this kind of easy warmth before. In his previous life, he didn’t have time for such moments, and in this one... his own brother and sister barely acknowledged him as family.
So yes, watching the two bicker so freely — and yet so fondly — stirred a small, quiet envy within him.
He was still lost in thought when something suddenly crossed his mind. He turned to Fiona and said, "Mother, during winter we’re planning a housewarming celebration. You three must come."
Damien’s grin returned in full force. "Oh, so big sis got her invitation just now too?"
Adrian blinked, puzzled. "Why would I need to invite my fiancée?"
For a brief moment, silence hung in the air. Then realization dawned on Damien’s face, bringing with it a deep blush of embarrassment.
Ruby, on the other hand, couldn’t help the bright smile that spread across her face. She leaned back in her chair, eyes gleaming mischievously as if to say, Go on, little brother — try teasing me now.
Fiona sweetly smiled, "Yes, of course, we will come. Just let me know the exact date so I can keep my husband’s schedule free."
Adrian nodded, "I will."
....
Adrian and Ruby strolled through the garden, their footsteps soft against the grass. The sun had already dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. He had spent most of the day chatting with her family — laughing, listening, and learning the little quirks that made them who they were.
A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the faint scent of tea and blooming lilies. Birds were retreating to their nests, their calls fading into the quiet of dusk.
Then, out of nowhere, Ruby’s voice broke the silence. "Thank you," she said softly.
Adrian turned his head slightly, humming in question. "Hmm?"
"For... coming here today," she continued, her eyes tracing the glow of the sunset. "For spending time with them... and for not hesitating to call me your fiancée."
Her words carried warmth and vulnerability — a confession hidden within gratitude.
"It means everything to me," she added, her voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian didn’t immediately respond. The breeze swayed her hair, and for a moment, he simply watched her — the sincerity in her expression, the faint tremor in her tone.
She wasn’t asking for promises or affection; she was simply acknowledging what he had already given — acceptance.
And just that — the fact that he hadn’t hesitated to let the world know about their bond — told her more than any vow ever could. It showed that, at the very least, he wasn’t rejecting her.
Adrian held her hand, making her heart skip a beat as he said, "I feel, it’s time we give an actual meaning to this relationship."
Ruby’s eyes slightly widened at those words as she stared at Adrian.
Does that mean...
°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading