Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 197 - 196- Can’t live together

"So... what’s been decided?" Ruby asked as she stepped into the tent where the two sat.

She had just received confirmation—her uncle was on his way and would arrive at the site in a few hours to begin his inspection.

An ancient relic that even top Runesmiths couldn’t begin to decipher? Naturally, it had caught his attention. But Ruby already knew... even he would struggle to make sense of what was written inside that cube.

The trio sat comfortably inside the tent, sipping coffee that Adrian had brewed—he never traveled without his portable boiler and gear.

"Hm?" Adrian looked up. "What do you mean?"

Ruby tilted her head slightly toward Annabelle. "You reunited with her after so long... so are you two, like... going to live together now?"

Annabelle nodded at once, while Adrian shook his head.

"Ehhh?!" Annabelle cried, eyes wide.

Adrian let out a soft sigh. "You know how complicated things would get if the strongest Warden suddenly started staying with some average Professor, right?"

Ruby chuckled. "Well, I wouldn’t call you average, but yeah... it’d definitely raise some eyebrows. Out of nowhere, Annabelle shows that much trust in you—you’d be on the Tower’s radar in an instant."

Every Tower, every major nation wanted Annabelle under their thumb.

If it weren’t for the Vermillion family’s reach and power, Ruby herself might’ve been pulled into their grasp—just so they could indirectly control Anna through her.

"That’s what I’m saying," Adrian continued firmly. "So, Bella, you need to avoid being seen with me in public."

Annabelle pouted. "This damn world... always getting in the way between me and Darling."

Then her eyes lit up. "Ah! What if we say you accidentally got me pregnant? That way, we have to stay together!"

"..."

Adrian was stunned into silence.

Ruby, on the other hand, burst into laughter. "Seriously, Anna? Accidentally got the strongest warrior pregnant? Do you even hear yourself?"

The redhead was practically in tears from how absurd it sounded.

Annabelle crossed her arms and huffed. "He spiked my drink and seduced me. Simple."

Adrian dragged a hand down his face, rubbing his brows with visible irritation. "Gods... how many trashy novels have you been reading lately?"

Annabelle gave a double pout, her cheeks puffed as she crossed her arms. She didn’t like how lightly they were brushing off her plan. It was perfect! At least in her head.

Adrian just shook his head with a sigh. "We can’t go with that. I need to talk to Ariana about all this too. Hiding so much from her... it doesn’t feel right. Feels like I’m being unfair to her."

Annabelle’s pout softened as she saw the serious expression on his face. She didn’t feel good about how much he cared about her. But how could she be upset with Ariana? That woman had stood beside him during all the times Annabelle wasn’t around.

So, she would be generous. Kind. Big-hearted.

She gave a light nod to herself. "Alright. I’ll let her be your second wife."

Adrian blinked. Ruby choked on her coffee.

"Yep, that’s bad," Ruby said, coughing a laugh. "But in all seriousness, Ariana seems mature. From what I’ve seen, she’ll understand. You should tell her everything—about your past, about Anna."

Adrian gave a quiet "Hmm," and nodded, eyes down as he sipped his coffee.

A moment of silence passed before Annabelle leaned forward and asked, "So... I’m not living with you?"

Adrian looked up and shook his head gently. "Not right now. We can meet now and then, but for now... let’s return to our usual lives."

"No!" she protested.

Before he could react, she had launched herself into his lap, wrapping her arms around him like a clingy child refusing to be left behind.

"I don’t want to! I just found you again!"

Adrian let out a helpless sigh while Ruby chuckled, raising her cup. "Well... best of luck, Professor."

Adrian shook his head at her before softly rubbing her back, "Did I say I am going to leave you?" He asked gently.

She didn’t respond, but he knew she heard him.

That’s why he continued, "Don’t worry, this won’t continue for long. I promise you, by next year we will live together again. Just like how we used to."

She slowly parted from him, her eyes teary as she asked, "You promise?"

Adrian nodded, "Yes, I do."

....

Adrian was on his way back to the academy.

Before leaving, he had promised Annabelle that he’d stay in touch through the chat and let her know when and where they could meet next.

She had been reluctant to part ways, but after some coaxing—and a lot of patience—she finally agreed.

Even now, Adrian wasn’t sure how he felt about her.

Annabelle clearly loved him—not just as a protector, but as a man. But he... he couldn’t say the same.

She was important to him. Too important.

So much so that it scared him.

He hadn’t expected that simply regaining his memories would stir this deep a connection to her. And yet, here he was—tangled in a bond that went beyond logic or time.

Still... he couldn’t tell if that bond was strong enough to take another step forward in their relationship.

And until he knew for sure, he had no right to give her false hope.

"We are here, sir." The carriage driver informed me before Adrian hopped off the carriage.

"Here," he handed him the coins before making his way towards the academy.

For now, his focus was on Ariana.

He has to tell her everything. Including his relationship with Annabelle and his previous identity.

He would tell her everything.

He knew she would be hurt and she might not like the closeness between him and Annabelle.

But...he wasn’t going to lie to her.

He would be lying to say he wasn’t nervous but there was no turning back.

He has to do this.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- It has always been in my mind how I would introduce a harem. But yes, I might have taken a long time.

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