Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 99 - 98- Welcome to the group chat(1)

They were still in her office, though Ariana had chosen a different seat than before.

On the couch, Adrian sat with his arms gently wrapped around her waist.

There were plenty of places to sit, but in the rush of emotions, that soft, stolen kiss had made them forget everything. Somehow, Ariana had ended up in his lap, like it was always meant to be.

With her head resting on his shoulder, she whispered, "What does this make us?" Her voice was as soft as a breeze, brushing warmly against his ears.

Adrian pulled her a little closer, his breath slow and steady. "I guess we’re lovers now," he said. "But only if you want it too. I won’t hold you to anything."

Then he gently lifted her chin, making her meet his eyes. "But whatever you decide," he said firmly, "don’t shut me out again."

A small, helpless smile tugged at Ariana’s lips. "It’s not like I wanted to," she murmured. "I just didn’t know how to face you... everything felt so confusing."

Adrian let out a quiet hum, thoughtful. "And now? Do you still feel that way?" His gaze was steady, full of quiet certainty. He wasn’t holding back—and that only made her heart stir more.

Ariana stood up, walking over to her desk. Her fingers brushed the surface absentmindedly as she turned to him. "Do you... see a future for us?"

She wasn’t a teenager anymore, the kind who’d cry from happiness just because her feelings were returned. Life had taught her to think of the hard parts before dreaming of the sweet ones.

Adrian leaned back slightly, his voice calm as he asked, "Are you scared I’m not thinking ahead?"

She looked at him, leaning gently against the desk now. "That’s not it," she said softly. "I’m scared of what our parents would think... what they’d do."

Ariana’s father was the adopted brother of Count Lockwood. There were no blood ties between them, but since childhood, she and Adrian had grown up together—calling each other brother and sister, sharing moments, memories, and laughter.

So now, to suddenly tell the family that they were in love... it wasn’t just shocking—it sounded like the kind of thing that could stop a heart.

Adrian let out a quiet hum. "Uncle Roger’s not the strongest when it comes to surprises. If we just show up hand in hand one day, he might actually faint."

He stood up, walked over to her, and gently took her hand. "But there’s one man who can calm him down."

"Uncle Adam..." Ariana said the name without thinking.

Adam was younger than Roger, but he had always held a calm authority. Roger respected him deeply—listened to him in ways he rarely did with others.

Yes... if anyone could ease her father’s worries, it was him.

But then a thought hit her. Her gaze turned serious. "Didn’t you cut ties with them?"

Adrian nodded slowly. "I did," he said. "But for you... I’m willing to swallow my pride and face them again."

Her heart skipped a beat. She looked at his hand holding hers—warm, strong—and she gently gripped it in return, and spoke with certainty. "I don’t want you to sacrifice your self-respect for me."

Adrian leaned in, looking into her eyes. They were bright but conflicted, full of hesitation and care. To him, she felt like light—soft, untainted. He couldn’t help himself; he kissed the corner of her lips and pulled her into his arms.

"Don’t worry," he whispered. "I won’t let anyone walk over my pride and nothing in the world could separate us."

It was strange...

Just a few days ago, Ariana had believed she didn’t need anyone to feel whole. Comfort, assurance, strength—she thought she had all those within herself. Depending on someone else, especially a man, had always felt unnecessary... even laughable.

But now... here in his arms, hearing his voice, his promises...

It felt safe.

It felt right.

She couldn’t even explain the feeling—it ran deeper than words.

Wrapped in his warmth, she didn’t hold back the whisper that left her lips, soft and honest, meant only for herself— freewēbnoveℓ.com

"I love him..."

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[Next day]

Adrian had a soft smile on his face.

Yesterday, something happened. Something special.

Initially, he just thought of Ariana as a close ally who stood by his side even when everyone was against him. She gave him shelter when he was on the verge of being kicked out of his house. And she was ready to take the blame and let others trample over her pride just to protect him.

He was thankful for her, but he didn’t think his feelings would shift like this.

He didn’t know when it happened...maybe the time he first saw her, begging him to leave. Or it was one of those random meetings they had in her office. He couldn’t tell.

However, after staying away from her for the past five days, he realized how much she mattered to him. When he thought back about the past that Edward and Ariana were quite close, his heart ached. And when his mind wandered to the uncertain future where Allen and Ariana may end up together, he felt....annoyance, even anger.

He never felt anger toward Allen because of Olivia since she never mattered to him...but the very thought of him getting closer to Ariana... burned something inside him. Something akin to hatred.

And these many signs were enough to tell him that he was in love with her.

He didn’t need to find any reason or make any excuses. He didn’t need to contemplate the past or worry about the future.

All he cared about was Ariana’s perspective on their relationship. And once he confirmed that she also liked him, there was no chance he would have let her go.

’Haah~today is our first date.’ It’s not a date, actually. Ariana was going to buy new armour, and Adrian was accompanying her. But still, he was considering it as a date.

He was about to get up and take a bath, when suddenly,

[Ding!]

[Cross-dimensional chat is now online.]

[Tap to open the chat box.]

Excitement built inside him upon reading the message, as Adrian readily commanded,

"Open it."

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A/N:- Here it is, folks. Thanks for reading.