Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"Are you upset too?" Ariana asked softly as she stepped into the kitchen, where the scent of warm herbs filled the air.

Her mother was brewing tea — something she always did when her mind was heavy.

Without saying a word, Morgana motioned for the maid to leave. Only once the door clicked shut behind her did she speak. "This is… unexpected." She paused, then added with a gentle edge in her voice, "I always thought you two were close. But for that bond to turn into love… I won't pretend I'm overjoyed."

"But... are you against it?" Ariana asked, leaning back against the kitchen counter, her head tilted, eyes searching her mother's face.

Morgana let out a quiet sigh. "Your father and I have always trusted your judgment. Again and again, you've shown us that you're wise — careful, even. And I can't deny that Adrian is a good choice. Especially when I know what kind of heart he carries."

Ariana lowered her gaze. "Then... is it the people? Is that what worries you?"

Morgana didn't answer right away. She poured the tea into a small pot, her movements slow, thoughtful. Then she said, almost to herself, "I was raised in a world where parents chose your partner for you. And while I know your father never truly clung to such traditions... I don't know how he'd feel about seeing his nephew become his son-in-law."

Ariana's voice was barely above a whisper. "And if he did agree? If somehow he gave us his blessing... would you?"

Morgana turned to her daughter, her eyes finally meeting hers — clear, calm, full of quiet love. "The moment Adrian stood tall in front of your father, declared that he would marry you, I knew you'd made the right choice."

Adrian had once been a boy who shrank under pressure, who flinched at the coldness of his stepmother's stare. But today... today, he had stood firm.

And Morgana saw something else — Ariana looked different too. She looked lighter. Brighter. Like someone whose heart had found its place.

That was what mattered most.

Without another word, Ariana stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her mother. Morgana held her just as tightly. It was a long hug, warm and quiet — the kind that says all the things words can't.

The silence lingered until Morgana finally asked, "Where is Adrian?"

"He went after Father," Ariana replied.

Morgana froze, then pulled back in alarm. "You let him go?!" Her voice cracked just a little. She knew Victor — his pride, his temper — and feared the words he might say in the heat of the moment.

But Ariana didn't look worried. In fact, she smiled. "Don't worry," she said, her tone light but sure. "Your son-in-law knows what he's doing."

....

[A few minutes ago]

Adrian stepped quietly into the workshop — the place where Victor spent most of his time.

Victor was an architect. The room was filled with models of towers and castles, made from wood, straw, and wire. Some were detailed, others half-built, abandoned in thought. It smelled faintly of sawdust and ink — the scent of creation and solitude.

Thankfully, the door had been left open. Adrian didn't have to knock and risk hearing the cold, familiar words: "Leave me alone."

Victor stood at his worktable, glasses perched low on his nose, studying the miniature castle he was designing. His fingers hovered over the structure, calculating, adjusting — always perfecting.

Adrian took a few careful steps forward, then spoke with quiet resolve, "I'm running away with Ariana today."

The pencil in Victor's hand stopped.

He looked up, eyes sharp and wide. But the surprise only lasted a second. A frown quickly took its place.

"You're both adults now," he said coldly, picking up a different pencil and scribbling over a blank page. "Do what you want."

Adrian didn't move. "I could have waited until after marrying her to come here. I had that choice. But I didn't. Because I needed your permission first."

Victor said nothing. He just kept drawing — or pretending to.

"I didn't want Ariana to be caught between us," Adrian continued, his voice steady. "I know how much she loves you. I've seen it. The way she talks about you. The way she looks for you in a crowd when she's happy… or when she's scared."

Victor's hand paused again.

Adrian took a breath. "You're her father. And you matter more to her than anything else in the world."

A quiet beat passed.

Then Victor slammed the pencil down. His voice broke as he turned, fury giving way to hurt. "Then why—?"

He didn't finish the sentence. His jaw tightened, and his shoulders slumped.

Looking at Adrian with tired eyes, he muttered, "I thought of you as my own son…"

His voice cracked — low, bitter, wounded.

"…and you..."

Adrian removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes as he asked, "Let's take that out. Assume I am not your brother's son and I am just a guy your daughter had brought along."

Looking at him, Adrian added, "You know about my qualifications. I earn well. I don't have a criminal record and I am confident that no one else can make your daughter happier than me."

"Based on that ...would you have accepted me?"

Victor sighed in exasperation, "That's not how things work-"

"That so?" Suddenly, a third voice entered the conversation as the duo turned towards the man who stepped inside the room with a frown on his face.

"Brother..." Victor muttered as he got up from his seat, "When did you come?"

"Just now. I believed I would be hugging you as my in-law, but here you are throwing a tantrum."

Victor lowered his gaze in disappointment, "So I was right...you knew about it."

Adam huffed, "Of course, I did. Your daughter trusted me with this more than she trusted you. She knew I would understand her and I think she was right."

"Adam...despite knowing the society you are still taking their side."

Adam clicked, "Fuck the society. I don't care about what they say. They can only talk." Drawing closer, Adam asked, "And tell me which is better; handing over your little one to someone you don't know or letting her decide her partner...someone you closely know?"

Victor didn't say anything instantly, allowing Adrian to add,

"Uncle, I know you can't accept this right away but please try to understand that we don't survive on how society views us. It's our feelings and happiness that matter."

Victor didn't say anything right away.

Adam glanced at his son and gestured for him to leave them alone.

Adrian nodded and soon walked out—hoping that their conversation would bring a positive outcome.

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Family drama over. One of the most....typical characters I have written. Drop a comment.