Adrian was in the main hall when a sudden crash echoed through the air.

    The room fell into a murmur of confused voices.

    A sinking feeling gripped his chest.

    He had seen Ariana heading in that direction just moments ago.

    His pulse quickened as he pushed toward the gathering crowd.

    Then came a furious roar that silenced the hall.

    "What the hell did you do to my son?!"

    The King''s voice thundered as he, like the others, stared at the scene before him—his son lay motionless on the floor, shards of broken glass scattered around, his face bloodied and eyes shut.

    Adrian''s gaze sharpened. He knew Ariana wouldn''t lose control without reason. If Edward was hurt, then he must''ve done something to deserve it.

    As he forced his way through the throng, the King gave a sharp command:

    "What are you standing around for?! Seize her!"

    Adrian moved without hesitation, appearing before Ariana in an instant, a blade gleaming in his hand.

    "Take another step and this ends badly," he warned coldly. His other hand hovered over his gun, fingers ready to draw and fire.

    Ariana, breathing heavily, glanced at him. Her fury had cooled, but her eyes still burned with defiance. She didn''t regret what she''d done—but the thought of Adrian getting hurt because of it made her waver.

    Godric snarled, "Step aside, Mister Adrian. She assaulted the Crown Prince—she nearly killed him!"

    Adrian didn''t flinch.

    "And did you even ask why she did it?" he shot back. "You really think Ariana would attack someone without a damn good reason?"

    He held his ground, unmoving—eyes cold, voice steady.

    One of the ministers stepped forward and shouted, "I saw everything! His Highness just tried to hug her—and she lashed out like that!"

    Murmurs rippled through the crowd, faces turning with a judgment already written on them.

    "It was just a friendly gesture…"

    "Aren''t they childhood friends?"

    "She''s dangerous… he could''ve died."

    Adrian''s gaze hardened. These people had no idea what boundaries meant. No understanding of what it meant for a woman to defend herself.

    They saw a prince fall and, without a thought, painted Ariana as the villain.

    Then the King stepped forward. His presence alone brought silence once more.

    "Last warning, Adrian," he said, voice icy and absolute. "Stand down, or both of you will be imprisoned for the attempted murder of the Crown Prince."

    Gasps spread through the crowd. Some were shocked; others looked entertained—like this was just another royal drama to enjoy.

    Adam''s expression darkened as he took a step forward, ready to stand by Adrian and Ariana.

    But Melissa caught his hand, stopping him.

    Adam turned, glaring—surely she wasn''t trying to hold him back now?

    She met his sharp gaze calmly, and then subtly gestured with her eyes toward the crowd.

    Adam followed her signal—and paused.

    A woman moved through the gathered nobles with quiet but unwavering steps, cutting through the tension like a blade. The crowd parted for her, whispers rising behind her back.

    "Woah…"

    "Wait—isn''t that…?"

    "Why is she standing with them?"

    Gasps gave way to stunned silence.

    The very reason for this gathering… was now standing between Adrian and the King.

    Ruby Vermillion had stepped into the storm

    Ruby''s gaze swept over the gathered crowd, cold and detached, as if looking at something unworthy of her attention.

    "You not respecting a woman''s boundaries doesn''t mean they don''t exist," she said, her voice steady and clear, carrying easily across the open ground.

    Godric''s eyes narrowed. "This isn''t something you should be involving yourself in—"

    "Oh? But I am involved, Your Majesty," Ruby cut in. "Because anything that concerns Adrian concerns me. And do you know why?" Her pause was deliberate. "Because he is the reason the Vermillion family chose to cooperate with Valmora."

    "…!"

    The words struck like thunder in a still sky.

    Gasps rippled through the crowd. Whispers broke out again.

    They hadn''t allied for diplomacy or profit… but for him?

    Godric stood frozen, lips parted but no words coming. He just stared at Ruby, stunned.

    She took a step forward.

    "I''ll make it plain. If Adrian or Ariana are punished—or even pressed further—this will be taken as a direct insult to the Vermillion name."

    Godric clenched his fists, jaw tight. But he knew better.

    Even for his son, he couldn''t afford to cross the Vermillion family.

    After a long, bitter pause, he raised his hand. "Step back." Sёar?h the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The soldiers obeyed and lowered their weapons.

    Adrian, still holding Ariana''s hand, turned to Ruby.

    He hadn''t expected her to step forward like this.

    "…Thank you," he said quietly.

    Ruby met his eyes with a faint smile. "For now, leave. I''ll take care of things here."

    Adrian gave a small nod and turned away, gently pulling Ariana along.

    She followed without resistance, her silver hair swaying as she walked, her face unreadable—blank, but not calm.

    They moved in silence for a while, weaving through the murmuring streets, until Adrian led her into a narrow alley between two closed market stalls. With quiet care, he turned to her and softly pressed her back against the wall.

    Lifting her chin with two fingers, he asked, "Why are you worried?"

    He didn''t need her to say anything. He could see it—feel it. She was tense and anxious. He could read her like an open book.

    Ariana looked up at him, lips parting.

    "…I messed up, didn''t I?" she said, voice low. "Everything was going well, and then—"

    "Ariana," he cut her off, frowning, "if you''re about to say you regret hitting that bastard, then I''ll be both mad and disappointed."

    Her eyes widened, caught off guard.

    "You did nothing wrong," Adrian said firmly. "He harassed you. He crossed a line. You did what any woman should do in that situation. Don''t regret it."

    "B-But... the King..."

    "Fuck him," Adrian said without hesitation. "I don''t give a damn what he says or does now. If it comes to it, we''ll just leave this nation. He won''t touch us. Not after Vermillion stepped in."

    He knew Godric. Knew exactly what kind of man he was—loud when backed by power, but a coward when truly challenged.

    Ariana suddenly stepped forward and pressed her head against his chest.

    Her voice trembled as she whispered, "I hated it… being touched like that… it made me feel disgusted."

    Adrian held her close, wrapping his arms around her and gently rubbing her back.

    "I understand," he said quietly. "You''re safe now."

    It was then—

    **BOOOOOOM**

    Heavy explosions shook the ground as Ariana and Adrian turned towards the direction from where they came.

    The palace was set on fire and explosions continued to erupt.

    They both glanced at each other and without a word, they dashed toward the palace.

    °°°°°°°°

    A/N:- Their concern: Adam and Ruby. Thanks for reading.