"Are you nervous?" Damien asked, watching his sister fuss with her hair in front of the mirror.
Ruby scoffed. "? Nervous? Please. I’ve stared down monsters twice my size before I even beca a Warden. You think a few reporters with microphones scare ?"
Damien smirked. "You just wanted an excuse to brag about that again, didn’t you?"
Ruby turned slightly, one eyebrow raised. "I never told you to stay underachieved, dear brother."
Damien picked up a sheathed dagger and flicked it at her. She swatted it aside without even looking and went back to adjusting her collar.
He sighed dramatically. "Can’t you show a little sympathy for soone who nearly died?"
Ruby paused, turned, and widened her eyes in mock concern. "Aww... does my little brother want to be pampered? Should I get you so candy and pat your head?"
"I really hope the reporters don’t announce a certain Vermillion’s *death* today," Damien said with a sweet smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Ruby giggled behind her hand, clearly amused. "Relax, you’ll live—unless you keep tempting ." She winked and walked out, humming like she’d already won the argunt.
They bickered for so more ti until Ruby finished her makeup and wore her sandals.
Once she was done, she stepped out of the room, and was stunned to see the person standing there.
"Ah, hi."
Ruby’s words trailed off as her smile faltered into surprise. Standing at the doorway was a familiar face she hadn’t expected to see.
"A-Adrian?" Her voice trembled with disbelief, eyes wide and glimring. "How are you here...?" For a mont, she forgot how to breathe.
She knew that he must be busy in the academy with the final terms, so she never expected him to be here. So yes, she was quite a ss.
Adrian’s lips curved into a soft smile. "This incident doesn’t just concern you, Ruby. It involves too."
The whole incident at the Vermillion residence was sothing he got involved with.
And he was sure that the reporters would have, one way or another, must have gotten the news of his presence during the ambush. So, how could he have let Ruby face everything on her own?
Ruby faintly smiled, lowering her eyes she said, "Thank you for coming...while I told Father that I have this, I was actually a little nervous."
Suddenly, he stepped closer, the faint scent of his cologne brushing past her as he gently reached out, tucking away a loose strand of hair from her shoulder. "You don’t need to thank . It’s only right for to be here."
Ruby’s shoulders, which had been tense all morning, finally eased—only for her heart to start racing when he added, in that unhurried tone of his,
"You look stunning today. That shade really suits you."
She was wearing a long gown that reached her ankles. The dress hugged her lithe waist quite perfectly, her charm being highlighted in the apparel.
Her curly red hair was resting over her shoulders, adding a mature touch to her look.
Her face instantly grew warm. "You... like in a black dress?"
Adrian nodded, his gaze tender. "I do. It suits your strength... and your calm." He confessed.
Ruby exhaled softly, her lips curving into a shy grin as she made a ntal note to fill her entire wardrobe with black.
She generally likes dark dresses but now, black was going to be her favorite.
Just then, a voice called from behind. "Ah, Adrian!" Fiona appeared at the top of the stairs, a bit surprised but pleased.
Adrian turned at once. "I just arrived," he explained politely. "A maid told Ruby was upstairs. I’m sorry—I should’ve waited downstairs."
Both ladies responded at the sa ti, "It’s okay." "Don’t worry about it."
The two won glanced at each other, then laughed, making Adrian blink between them, unsure who to answer first.
Fiona smiled warmly. "It’s perfectly fine, Adrian. You’re our son-in-law, after all. Ruby is your fiancée—you can co here anyti you like."
Ruby’s grin blossod, her eyes twinkling. "Heard that? You’re officially welco here whenever you want."
Adrian chuckled softly, lowering his gaze in mock modesty. "Then I’m honoured."
At that mont, Damien stepped out from his room, offering a nod to Adrian. The two exchanged a few words before Damien relayed, "The crowd’s gathering. You two should head down."
Adrian turned back to Ruby, extending his arm with quiet grace. "Shall we?"
Ruby’s smile softened into sothing tender, her eyes eting his. She slipped her arm through his and murmured with warmth, "Lead the way."
And as they descended together, her hand resting gently on his arm, the morning light followed them—two silhouettes bound by sothing gentle, certain, and beautifully inevitable.
Fiona looked at them with a warm gaze, sighing at how good they looked together.
....
The reporters were ushered into the grand reception hall, the air heavy with curiosity and ink. They took their seats in neat rows, quills poised above parchnt—ready to carve every word that would echo through tomorrow’s headlines.
When Ruby and Adrian entered, a hush fell over the room. The pair walked side by side, their steps in quiet rhythm. The intimacy between them—subtle but undeniable—stirred whispers across the hall.
The first question broke the silence as soon as they sat.
"So, the rumors are true? You two are engaged?"
Ruby’s eyes flickered toward Adrian before turning back to the reporter. "Yes," she said evenly, her tone asured. "We are."
The faint scratching of quills filled the air, recording her every syllable. Then, another voice—this one sharp and amused—cut in.
"We’ve heard," a woman said, a smirk playing at her lips, "that Mister Lockwood was previously engaged to his cousin, the headmistress of Runebound Academy. Tell us, Sir Adrian—did Miss Vermillion truly consent to this engagent?"
A ripple moved through the room. Heads tilted. Eyes glead.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, unruffled. His gaze was steady, his voice calm but edged with authority. "I believe there will co a ti when I write a book about my life," he said. "And I assure you, all such curiosities will be answered there. But until then—" his lips curved faintly "—let’s not ruin the suspense, shall we?"
A few nervous chuckles broke the tension, but Ruby’s tone was quick to redirect the conversation.
"Perhaps we should focus on today’s agenda," she said, her voice cool and precise.
The next question ca from an elderly man seated in the front row. "Is it true that the Vermillion family was ambushed by the Acolytes—and that young master Damien nearly lost his life?"
For a mont, the sound of scratching quills stilled. Ruby’s expression faltered, only for a second, as the mory resurfaced. Then she straightened, her composure returning.
"Yes," she said softly but clearly. "That is true. The Acolytes trapped us within a barrier and released inhuman creatures upon us. My brother was gravely injured."
The quills resud their scratching, faster now, feeding off the gravity in her words.
Another question followed swiftly. "But it was reported that Sir Adrian Lockwood and Miss Ariana intervened and saved the Vermillion family. Is that accurate?"
Ruby gave a single nod. "It is."
That acknowledgnt only sharpened the next inquiry.
"Then tell us," said a man near the back, his tone probing, "when no Vermillion operative could breach that barrier... how did *you*, Sir Lockwood, manage to enter it without resistance?"
The hall grew still. Even the quills paused midair.
Adrian exhaled quietly, as if he had expected this turn. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Ruby tense—but he gave her a reassuring glance before answering.
He drew his revolver from its holster and set it gently on the table, the tal glinting under the chandelier’s light.
"This," he said, his tone calm but commanding, "allows to suppress active spells. I believe many of you already know what this armant is capable of."
Murmurs spread through the crowd. So nodded, recalling the reports—his feats during the academy ambush, his intervention at the tournant. The weapon was famous; the man behind it, even more so.
But not everyone was convinced.
A younger reporter leaned forward, voice steady yet bold. "The Vermillion estate lies at the far end of Grimvale. Even using teleportation gates, it takes hours to reach. So tell us, Sir Lockwood—" he paused, every ear in the hall now tuned to his words—
"even if you *had* received a distress ssage from Miss Vermillion... how did you reach her side *instantly*?" the reporter concluded, his eyes searching and fingers ready to jott down the answer.
The hall fell into silence so deep that the faint dripping of wax from the chandelier could be heard.
Adrian and Ruby exchanged glances, both of them were unsure how to answer that.
Now this conversation was headed in a complicated direction.
°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you have been enjoying the story so far, please leave a review. It always helps the future readers.
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