Return of the Legendary Runesmith

What was that?

Adrian leaned against the doorframe, eyes gazing outside—but not really seeing anything.

His mind drifted again. Whenever it wasn't busy, it always went back to the visions he saw when he fainted.

Flashes. Clearer this time, but just as confusing.

Whose coffin was I crying over?

He couldn't remember the face, but the pain was overwhelming. He'd cried so hard his throat burned, clawed at the ground until his nails bled. He couldn't even speak. Only broken sounds escaped him. The desperation felt too real to be just a dream.

The grief hit him like a wave. But alongside it came a sharp, rising anger.

He didn't know who had died, but he knew this—whoever caused that pain... he wanted to destroy them. Rip them apart. Tear their eyes out, crush their limbs, make them suffer in ways no words could describe.

What's wrong with me?

He wanted answers about his past. About who he really was. But if the truth was this painful... did he even want to remember?

What if he had crossed a line to deal with that pain?

What if... the next time he remembered something, it wasn't a funeral—but a massacre?

A shiver ran through him.

"Adrian?"

He turned at the sound of her voice.

Morgana stood there, smiling gently.

"Food's on the table. Come eat."

He nodded and started walking beside her. "What about Uncle?"

"He's downstairs with your father," she replied, a teasing grin spreading across her face. "You brought out the ultimate weapon. No way he was staying mad."

Adrian chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "What can I say? Father has that calming presence."

Ariana's plan had worked better than expected.

As they neared the dining hall, Morgana glanced sideways and asked, "By the way... who proposed first?"

The question caught him off guard. "I… uh… that was me."

He smiled a little, remembering how it had happened. A kiss, born out of jealousy. But real all the same.

Morgana raised her brows, impressed. "Hoh~ Someone's grown bold over the years."

She patted his back, grinning. "Good job~"

Adrian didn't know how to respond to her teasing, so he simply smiled.

Soon, they reached the dining room.

At the head of the table sat Adam. On his left was Melissa, and on the right, Victor.

Whenever Adam wasn't present, that seat remained empty—a quiet sign of how much Victor respected his brother. And it wasn't just about age or status. Adam had once saved him from false accusations, shielding him when no one else would. That kind of loyalty earned respect few could match.

Adrian and Victor briefly exchanged a glance before Victor turned away, his focus shifting to his brother.

Adrian sighed, then glanced toward Ariana, who smiled at him—helpless but warm.

He took the seat beside her, while Morgana settled beside Melissa. The two women shared a soft, familiar smile.

Melissa turned to Ariana. "You caused quite a stir the moment you arrived."

Ariana gave a sheepish smile. "It was the easiest way to drive them off."

Victor let out a quiet grumble. "I've been friends with Hayden for ten years."

"And all he's done is take advantage of your kindness," Adam cut in, tone stern. "He steals your ideas, sells them at a profit—and sometimes, you don't even charge him for the advice."

Victor leaned back in his chair. "Friendship doesn't come with a price, brother."

Adam shook his head. "True. But friendship should be mutual. One-sided loyalty isn't friendship—it's servitude."

Victor didn't argue. He just let out a soft huff and looked down at his plate.

Adam's attention turned to his son. "When will the two of you be free for at least a week?"

Adrian looked at Ariana, then replied, "Probably in a month."

Adam gave a pleased nod. "Good. Then next month, let's hold the engagement ceremony."

Clink.

A fork slipped from Ariana's hand and hit the plate.

"For real?" she asked, blinking in surprise. Her wide eyes moved to her father, who met Adam's gaze before saying flatly,

"I haven't given my permission yet."

"But you said you'd consider it," Adam replied, wearing a grin.

Ariana's lips curled into a bright smile as she turned back to Adrian, eyes shining.

Adrian looked at his father with quiet gratitude, then said with a small bow of his head, "We'll clear our schedule for next month and confirm the date by next week."

Adam nodded. "That would be great."

After that, the family of six settled into a light-hearted dinner, the tension slowly melting away. Most of the conversation naturally centered around Adrian and Ariana.

Melissa stayed quiet for the most part, chiming in gently now and then. Morgana, on the other hand, was full of questions—especially about Ariana's daily life, which she directed at Adrian with playful curiosity.

Victor also spoke a few times, exchanging words with Adrian. The reluctance was still there, but he didn't ignore him completely.

As the night carried on, Ariana's heart felt full.

She was content—with the evening, with the warmth of the table, and with how far they'd all come.

°°°°°°°°

After dinner, Adrian and Ariana were helping the maid to take the dishes back to the kitchen, when suddenly,

"Can I have a minute, Adrian?" Asked the Countess.

Adrian looked at Melissa with his brows raised before nodding.

"Give them to me," Ariana said as she extended her hand.

Adrian rested the plates on her vacant hand and heard her saying, "Be careful with her."

Melissa, who somehow heard her warning, chuckled, "Don't worry, I don't bite."

Ariana glared at the woman before kissing Adrian on his cheek and making her way to the kitchen.

"Shall we move to the backyard for a walk?"

Adrian nodded before gesturing for her to take the lead.

They soon reached the backyard and began walking leisurely on the stony path.

A brief moment of silence before Melissa asked, "It seems you have agreed upon nullifying the contract we have made."

The contract in question was made months ago, which declared Adrian to be no longer a part of the Lockwood family.

Adrian's brows elevated, "And why do you think so?"

"I mean," she tilted toward him slightly as she added, "...you are taking advantage of my husband so I am assuming you still find yourself a part of the family."

"Advantage eh...that's how you see it." He chuckled mockingly, "I no longer carry the surname of Lockwood but that doesn't mean I have severed all my ties with my father." Glancing at her, he added, "After all, he is the only blood-related relative I have."

Melissa narrowed her eyes as she came to a pause before him, "Why are you so reluctant? What made you mad that you are so unwilling to rejoin the family?"

Adrian sighed as he asked, "Do you really not remember or are you pretending? The torment you made me go through....the insult. I believe you mustn't have forgotten all that."

Melissa's gaze lowered. She hadn't forgotten.

Adrian shrugged, "So unless you lower your pride and apologize-"

"I am sorry. For whatever I have done to you, I am deeply apologetic about it."

"...."

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.