Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 93 - 92- Marriage?

[Next day]

"How do you feel?" Adrian asked gently, his voice soft as he sat across from the familiar silver-haired girl.

He was here for counseling.

After everything that had happened, several teachers were checking in on the students, especially Allen and Elana, to make sure no lasting scars were left behind.

Allen seemed to be handling it well. Gilbert, his counselor, had mentioned that the boy wasn’t traumatized—just upset with himself, frustrated that he couldn’t do more.

The other students who had witnessed the battle, especially the part involving Ariana, had shown some signs of being shaken. A few had mentioned having nightmares, but their behavior hadn’t changed much, so no major steps were taken.

And now here was Adrian, in his office, sitting face to face with Elana.

The girl gave a small shake of her head. "I’m okay, teacher. Like I said before, I’ve experienced real combat before. This isn’t something I can’t handle."

Adrian smiled at her, warm and understanding. "Teachers are like parents, you know. Even a small scratch on their child makes their heart ache."

Elana didn’t know how to respond to that. Should she feel happy that he cared... or sad that he thinks of himself as her parent? In the end, she just gave him a faint smile.

There was a quiet moment before he spoke again.

"Would you like to take a few days off and go back home?"

She shook her head without hesitation. "No, sir. I’ve written to my parents. They know I’m fine. There’s no need for me to leave."

Besides, being away for even a few days... not seeing her favorite professor?

That, to her, would be the real trauma.

Adrian was about to ask if she wanted some warm milk when a sudden knock echoed through the room.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me, sir. Norma."

Elana’s eyes narrowed instinctively. Her first thought was to say ’Go away’—but she caught herself. She wasn’t his wife yet. Not officially.

Just a few more months. Just wait...

Adrian walked over and opened the door, letting in the red-haired professor.

"Yes?" he asked, stepping aside to allow her in.

Norma smiled gently, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.

"No... I only came to take Elana. Her father’s here to see her."

Elana blinked.

Father?

They’d exchanged letters over the past two days, and he hadn’t mentioned anything about coming. Was something wrong? freeweɓnøvel.com

Adrian, meanwhile, understood exactly what this was about.

He turned toward Elana, his voice soft but firm.

"You should go meet him."

The silver-haired girl paused, then slowly nodded as she stood.

Just as she took a few steps toward the door, she heard his voice behind her.

"I hope I can see you graduate, Elana."

She froze.

Her brows twitched slightly—caught off guard, almost confused.

Why would he say something like that?

Did he think her father, like the royal family, had come to protest?

To say that her life was in danger, and she should leave the academy?

...No. He must know by now—her father wasn’t that kind of man.

Then... what did he mean?

The question sat heavily in her chest, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask.

So instead, without looking back, she walked out of the office in silence.

Following Norma, Elana made her way toward the admission desk, where her father was waiting.

Norma quietly stepped aside, choosing not to follow her in, giving them space.

Elana walked into the room and instantly spotted the familiar figure.

He was sitting with his arms folded, his posture proud and unshakable.

Short silver hair, a trimmed mustache, and a beard framed his strong face. The sharp lines of his jaw and the broadness of his shoulders spoke of years spent in armor, not behind desks.

Duke Nolan Ironhart—her father.

A man who barely had time to sleep, let alone visit.

Not just because he was the kingdom’s only Duke, but because he served the country with his life—military affairs, national defense, political pressures... he carried them all without complaint.

A quiet smile bloomed on Elana’s face.

"Good morning, Father," she greeted gently.

His stern features softened in an instant, the cold weight in his gaze melting as he looked at her.

"How have you been, Eli? Your leg... it looks better now."

Elana nodded and moved to sit across from him.

"I told you, didn’t I? I’m fine now."

He hummed in response, but his eyes lingered on her longer than usual.

"You’ve lost weight. Are they not feeding you properly?"

She couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped her lips.

"Mother told you to say that, didn’t she?"

Nolan gave a slightly awkward smile.

"You know I’m not good at this sort of thing."

Elana nodded with warmth in her eyes.

"Yes, I know. So there’s no need to worry."

Her father was skilled in many areas—battle, strategy, and command.

But when it came to small emotional details, to soft words or quiet comforts, he often stumbled.

He was a great warrior... but not always the best at being a father.

Still, Elana never held that against him.

Because she understood, his role was bigger than just being her father or her mother’s husband.

He was the wall between peace and chaos.

The blade that stood in defense of countless families.

The name that gave others the courage to sleep peacefully at night.

As long as Commander Ironhart stood tall, people knew danger would not reach their doorstep.

And for Elana, that meant more than missed letters or clumsy conversations.

Because while he may not have always been there for her...

...he had always been there for everyone.

And that mattered.

They spoke for a while, catching up between pauses.

Nolan asked her about the ambush incident, concern flickering in his eyes.

Elana told him everything—how the Professor stood his ground alone and protected them till the very end.

"Adrian, huh?" Nolan leaned back, rubbing his chin. "Wasn’t he accused of being a fraud not too long ago?"

Elana scoffed lightly, the corners of her mouth tightening.

"It was a false accusation. He’s not just a Runesmith—he’s a brilliant one. The Tower is practically on its knees, begging him to join."

Nolan let out a chuckle, a low and knowing one.

"You seem to be quite fond of him."

Elana didn’t answer. She only smiled—softly, quietly—her gaze drifting for a second.

Neither a denial nor an admission.

And sometimes, silence says more than words ever could.

After a brief pause, Nolan finally revealed the reason behind his visit.

"Eli...I recently received an invitation from the neighbouring kingdom."

"Hmm?" Elana’s brows elevated in questioning.

Nolan calmly told her, "It was the King of Grimvale who invited us for a dinner."

Elana frowned, "Across a nation, he surely wouldn’t have called just for a dinner-ah." She suddenly realized.

The Prince.

He told her that they would meet again soon.

Nolan realized that Elana had understood.

And just as he thought her answer was, "Reject the proposal. I am not getting married until I don’t achieve my dream."

"I know, and I won’t force you to make any decisions. But...to maintain our relationship with our neighbours, we can’t ignore this invitation either. After all, they never mentioned anything about marriage."

Elana grumbled.

What a mess.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.