Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 567 - 566- Another situation

Sylvie was currently seated in Adrian's workshop, looking around the place she had visited a couple of times in the past when she was receiving classes from him.

The place never ceases to amaze her. All the tools and notes scattered around were like a paradise for her to explore. As a runes enthusiast, she really loves to know more about the subject. But naturally, she didn't cross her boundary and touch anything without permission.

Adrian was brewing coffee for both of them, his back facing her as he said, "So… you are bothered since your father has already decided on a fiancé for you?"

Sylvie hummed in assent. "Yes, Professor." There was a reason why, for the first time, she felt cornered and helpless even before trying to face the situation.

She had promised her father to get married once she graduated, and in exchange, he hadn't asked her for anything until now. She had lived her life as she wanted.

Her father wasn't an irrational person, nor did he see her as a burden, so it wasn't like he wouldn't listen if she explained her decision. But what could she say? That she liked another man? And the bigger problem was that the man she adored didn't even know her feelings, and when it came to having those feelings reciprocated, she was completely hopeless.

Adrian nodded in understanding before finally turning, holding two cups of steaming hot coffee. He placed one before Sylvie. "Added sugar," he assured her, knowing her preference.

Sylvie gave him a thankful nod before Adrian settled on the stool across from her.

Resting the cup on the worktable, Adrian asked, "Sylvie, I am aware that the customs people follow urge a girl to get married by eighteen, or at least get engaged. However, I feel everyone should be very mindful of decisions that could shape their entire life."

Sylvie silently listened to him, her thumb tracing the rim of the cup.

Adrian added, "A life partner can be both good and bad. Everyone has qualities and faults, but it depends on you which qualities you want to appreciate and which faults you can tolerate. I won't suggest you go against your family, but try to convince them not to force you into an unbreakable bond with a man you don't even know."

Sylvie wasn't delusional enough to think that the professor was asking her to think this through because he didn't want her to be with someone else. His tone and that warm gaze belonged to a mentor who cared for her, not a man who wanted her for himself.

Smiling faintly, Sylvie asked, "Professor… what if I don't want to get married to anyone and just stay like this… always waiting?"

Adrian tilted his head. "Waiting for whom?"

Sylvie looked down and muttered, "Waiting for the man who would never accept me."

Adrian fell silent at those words.

He wasn't an idiot. He had noticed the subtle change in her behavior when she was with him, the way she looked at him.

Maybe Adrian wasn't the best person to talk about this either, but he couldn't remain ignorant when his student was going through such a difficult phase.

Talking in a roundabout manner felt like it might end up hurting her, so he said, "Sylvie… I won't tell you to try dating someone else, since that would be insulting to your feelings, but you can't wait for someone your entire life. You have the right to be happy too."

Sylvie leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. "That's the beauty of one-sided love, sir. No expectations, no complaints. I can love the person from the sidelines all I want, and no one would know."

Adrian fell silent. He had rarely heard Sylvie speak so honestly and openly about her feelings before.

The royal princess then leaned forward and said in a composed voice, "I know what I must do, Professor, and it's all thanks to you."

Adrian was baffled. "What do you mean?"

With a confident smile, Sylvie said, "It's better to live alone for the rest of my life than to let a man become my life partner who isn't you."

"…." Did she just come out and confess to him?

Sylvie didn't wait for long. She took a sip of her coffee before getting up. "Thanks for the coffee and the advice, Professor. Now my mind is clear, and I can prepare for the exams better." Bowing her head, she soon took her leave…

Leaving a stunned Adrian behind.

.....

On his way back to his room, Adrian couldn't help but sigh.

First Elana and now Sylvie. Exactly how many students had a crush on him?

'I should follow Ariana's advice and dress a little dull...' He now doubted that the reason why not a single student(female) has missed a single class the previous year was not because they loved his lectures.

Shaking his head he muttered, "I sound kind of narcissistic." With a chuckle, he returned to his room.

Inside the room, not only Ariana but Ruby and Annabelle were waiting for him as well which surprised him since Ruby mostly arrived at the academy when there was an emergency.

And that's why, the first thing he asked was, "Did something happen?"

Annabelle grumbled, "Daring...that's rude to Ruby. She could be here just to see you."

Adrian sheepishly smiled, "Right...sorry about that."

The redhead chuckled and assured him, "It's okay and today too, I came with a reason."

Adrian nodded and wordlessly urged her to tell them.

Ruby first helped him take off his coat as she said, "There is a gathering of all the Towers of the continent in about ten days and there is a very high chance for you to be invited there as well."

Adrian hummed, "Because of Clark?" The greatest runesmith in existence was killed. It wasn't a small thing to happen, so they might be gathering to discuss how to approach this matter.

Ruby shook her head slightly and said, "While I believe that might be raised during the discussion but this is about something else."

Adrian remained silent, his brows slightly drawn closer as he could sense the matter was serious.

Glancing at Ariana, Ruby muttered, "We might have provoked the whole cultist community during that last ambush. They have recently...waged a massacre and killed over two thousand people in the west."

"...!!" Adrian's eyes widened in shock, "What?"

Ruby nodded, "Yes. The news has been kept tightly under the cover or a huge uproar would rise. But Adrian what concerns me is that apart from all the Tower Heads only you, an outsider is being invited to this discussion."

Adrian's eyes turned cold as he said, "That means...they are going to ask for my help."

Annabelle's demeanor shifted at the words and Ariana frowned as well.

Ruby nodded before adding, "And this time...they might get a little forceful too since this concerns humanity itself and for that cause they could present a very arguable reason."

Adrian exhaled a sigh....yet another problem has arrived.

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A/N;- Thanks for reading. Please drop a comment if you are still reading the story.