Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 548 - 547- A few drinks

"Long... day at work...?" Ruby tilted her head as she stepped into her room and found an unexpected sight. Someone was sitting on her bed, hugging a pillow, cookie crumbs scattered everywhere, lips smeared with cream, eyes brimming with tears.

Ruby hung her coat on the rack and walked over to her friend. "This might be the second time I’ve seen you like this, but I already know you’ve fucked up. Big time." She said it calmly and made space for herself beside Annabelle.

Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, Ruby asked, "So, what is it this time? What did you do?"

Annabelle finally turned toward her. Her vision was blurred behind heavy tears as she muttered, "Ruby... I shouted at Darling and... sniff... ran away."

"...." Well. That was interesting.

Picking up the bowl of snacks from the side, Ruby picked a cracker and said. "Go on. Tell me everything from the beginning."

....

"Like... for real?" Ariana asked, tilting her head, eyes narrowing slightly.

The silence in the room broke with a tired sigh as the man nodded. "Yes. That’s exactly what happened." He admitted it without hesitation.

Ariana hummed and leaned back in her seat. "I could have hidden the truth, but it would have felt like I was betraying her trust. Did I do something wrong?"

Adrian shook his head. "I would have told her anyway. I just didn’t think things would turn out like this."

He sounded regretful, and he had every reason to be. After all, just a few hours ago...

...

"Why can’t you?!" Annabelle demanded, her voice rising as tears threatened to spill at any second.

Adrian was left speechless under that shattered, accusing gaze.

He held her by the shoulders and said softly, "I didn’t say I wouldn’t. Just let me think—"

"Why do you need to think, Darling?" she cut in, her voice trembling. "You accepted Raven even though she had nothing to do with this version of you. What about Ruby? You met her just a year ago. And that student of yours... was she more important than me? You could go ahead and kiss her, but you can’t even look at me like a woman?"

Adrian was left completely wordless. It might have been the first time he had ever faced this much anger and frustration directed at him.

And it was obvious Annabelle had been holding it in for a long time. No matter how calm and composed she acted around others, she had always been hurting because of him. Because of his indecisiveness.

She stepped back, her voice trembling. "I was a fool to think that being reborn in a world where my Darling exists would give me a chance to change the way you see me. But how could I forget? As a woman, I am nothing but a disappointment."

Adrian shook his head immediately. "No, Bella. I told you never to say that."

"Oh, really?" she shot back. "Then what am I in your eyes? A woman who makes your heart race? Someone you find hot or tempting?" Her lips quivered before she forced the words out. "No. I will tell you what you think of me. I am nothing but a silly child who throws tantrums, acts coy, and foolishly waits for you every single day like a small puppy in your room."

"Bella... trust me. I don’t see you that way."

Annabelle sniffled, her voice breaking. "No. I think that’s exactly how you see me, Adrian."

He froze.

It was the first time she had called him by his name.

Adrian stood there, struck in place, his hands falling to his sides, eyes wide with disbelief.

Annabelle stared at him, her eyes filled with emotions that pierced straight through him. Then she wiped her nose, turned toward the window, pushed it open, and jumped out.

....

Ariana shook her head. "I believe this was inevitable."

Adrian nodded. "Yes... I should have been more sensitive about this matter."

The silver-haired woman glanced at Elana, who was still asleep on his bed, before speaking. "I will take care of her. You go and bring her back."

Adrian let out a slow breath and thought inwardly, ’Bring her back... but how?’

He rose from his seat and left the room, walking down the gallery and descending the stairs until he reached the ground floor.

He could have used teleportation to reach Annabelle. He knew exactly where she would go at times like these.

But right now, he needed time to think.

As he walked along the school corridor, a voice suddenly called out, "Ah, Professor Adrian."

He turned. It was Instructor Rylie.

"Good evening, Rylie." Adrian offered a faint smile and a small nod.

Rylie studied him for a moment. "You look quite down. Did something happen?"

Adrian shrugged lightly. "You could say that. But well, were you heading somewhere?"

"To get a few drinks. And looking at you, I would say you need some too."

Reluctance was clear on Adrian’s face, but Rylie ignored it and practically dragged him along. "No excuses today. You are coming with me."

Adrian sighed and allowed himself to be pulled away.

They headed to the rooftop, where Rylie had already prepared everything for a quiet evening.

"I keep my stock hidden here. Do not tell anyone." He pushed a loose brick from the spire and pulled out a bottle of ale.

"I do not really drink," Adrian muttered, but Rylie waved it off.

"A few drinks in and a lot of stress out. Come on, let’s have some." He took out two glasses and poured Adrian a full one of the fizzy drink.

Adrian sighed again, accepted the glass, and sat down on the ground. Rylie joined him.

Clink.

"Cheers." Rylie tapped his glass against Adrian’s, a soft grin on his lips. "Now, with the first sip, let it out."

Adrian hummed in confusion as he took a small sip.

"I mean, what is troubling you? Maybe I can help, maybe not. But I am a good listener, and I do not judge."

Adrian gave a faint smile and shook his head.

But then he paused.

Rylie hummed softly, urging him on. "Go on. Tell me if you or maybe your friend is having some problems."

Adrian coughed lightly before speaking. "No... well, it is actually a friend who has been asking me for advice about a certain issue."

Rylie nodded, his expression turning serious. "Alright. What is it?"

Adrian did not know why he was suddenly sitting here, drink in hand, talking about this with Rylie. He did not really have any close male friends. If there was someone he could call close, it was this man. Maybe that was why he chose to speak.

"So, this friend of mine... he has been close to a girl for a long time. They trust each other deeply. They would even risk their lives for one another. The problem is that the girl loves him as a man, but he is confused about his own feelings."

"Confused how? Unsure whether he wants a relationship with her?"

Adrian shook his head. "No. Commitment is not the issue. It is just that... he has always seen her as a little sister. He took care of her like family, even though he knew about her feelings. And now the problem is this... he cannot let her go because he loves her too much. But he also cannot move forward with her properly. In the end, he is doing nothing but hurting her."

Adrian had not intended to say so much, but once he started, the words would not stop.

He finished the drink in one go, wetting his dry throat.

Rylie quietly refilled his glass and said, "Hmm. I suppose your friend is quite the man to be that selfish."

Adrian flinched, then gave a wry smile. "Yes... he can be selfish at times."

Rylie poured himself another drink before continuing, "Well, I have a way to help your friend understand his feelings."

Adrian, already halfway through his second glass, tilted his head. A little of the drink spilled onto his coat, but he did not notice.

"Tell your friend to close his eyes," Rylie said calmly, "and imagine that girl smiling beautifully. Her eyes closed, her whole presence overflowing with happiness."

Adrian did not need to close his eyes.

He could already see Annabelle clearly. Her radiant smile. Her curved eyes. The warmth in her expression.

"Then," Rylie continued, his tone steady, "make him imagine that she is not smiling at him. She is smiling at another man."

Adrian’s brows drew together instantly.

But Rylie was not finished.

"Make him think about how she always valued him, always prioritized him, always loved him without hesitation. Now imagine her doing all of that for someone else. A man who returns her feelings. A man who sees her as a woman, who loves her, adores her... and wants her."

Clang.

The glass in Adrian’s hand shattered under the pressure of his grip.

Rylie glanced at Adrian’s bloodied palm and said quietly, "I believe you have your answer, Professor. So do not remain indecisive. Otherwise, what you just imagined may become reality."

Adrian didn’t respond to him and got up.

He once glanced at Rylie before making his way downstairs.

Maybe it was because of ale or what Rylie made him think just now...Adrian knew what he must do to bring her back.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you have been enjoying the story so far then please leave a review to help me remain motivated.