"Why didn't you tell me?" Ariana asked, a frown creasing her brows.

They were on their way back to the academy, slowly making their way up the hill. As they walked, Adrian had told her everything—about the sudden transfer, the other world, and the friend whose home was in danger.

He hadn't meant to hide it. Honestly, he didn't even know his physical body would be transported. He thought, like with the Time Chamber, the world around him would pause while he left temporarily.

Now that he thought about it… it made sense. Sort of. But not entirely.

Thankfully, only Ariana and the carriage driver had seen him disappear. He'd have to be more careful from now on.

"Ariana…" he started gently, "you remember when I told you about that voice in my head? The one that lets me enter that room where I usually study? This transfer thing… it's just another part of that."

He avoided saying the word "system." He knew she wouldn't understand all that, and he didn't want to confuse her further. This way, it was simpler—truthful, but easier to take in.

Ariana let out a soft sigh and rubbed her forehead. "Don't tell me you're going to disappear like that often."

Adrian quickly shook his head. "No, I promise. This was an emergency. His home—his entire world—was at risk. That's the only reason I went."

She looked at him, eyes filled with concern. "You… didn't have to fight, right?"

She was trying to stay calm, but the weight of it all was clearly setting in.

Her fiancé had just crossed into another world and helped fight in a war.

It was a lot to take in.

But she believed him. She always had. And maybe that's what made her more afraid.

Because when you trust someone that much, every risk they take feels just a little too close to losing them.

Adrian let out a soft sigh. "My job is to create tools for them—and that's exactly what I did. Like I promised, Ariana, if I ever feel like my life is truly in danger, I'll toss aside my pride and run. I won't be reckless."

Then, gently taking her hand in his, he smiled. "Well… unless your life is in danger. In that case, I might break that promise."

At his touch, Ariana's worry slowly faded. She leaned closer, hugging his arm and resting her cheek against his shoulder.

"I never imagined I'd get abandoned by my lover right in the middle of flirting," she teased with a soft pout.

Adrian laughed, the tension easing between them. "I sincerely apologize for that crime. How about I make it up to you with dinner?"

He winked. "We can flirt as much as you want—no interruptions this time."

Ariana grinned. "Well, expect more than just flirting then."

"I welcome that," Adrian replied, his voice low and amused.

The mood between them lightened, their earlier worries dissolving into gentle warmth. It wasn't long before they reached the top of the hill, where the grand gates of the academy came into view.

But just as they were about to pass through, both their eyes caught sight of a figure standing near the entrance.

A shawl was draped over the person's head, masking most of their face, but it was clear from the way they moved in uneasy circles—they were anxious, restless.

Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Bella…"

He instinctively turned to Ariana, intending to ask her for a moment alone, but before he could speak, she gently beat him to it.

"Can I come too?" she asked softly, already understanding the weight behind his gaze.

He hesitated, just for a second, then gave a firm nod. "Okay."

Together, they walked toward the figure. The closer they got, the more apparent the signs of distress became—trembling shoulders, clenched fists, and hurried breaths.

"Didn't we talk about this?" Adrian called out gently.

Annabelle looked up.

Her eyes were swollen and red, her face pale, and her breathing ragged. It was obvious—she had run here. And even more obvious—she had been crying for a long time.

Adrian gently took hold of Annabelle's arm. "Let's go somewhere quiet to talk."

He didn't let go of Ariana's hand either. With one leading step and two hearts trailing close behind, he brought both women into a secluded part of the forest—a clearing sheltered by tall trees and distant from the academy's eyes.

Once they stopped, Annabelle finally removed her veil.

Her black hair tumbled down, but it was her eyes that stole the moment—puffy, red, and trembling with emotion.

The first word out of her mouth was sharp and broken, "Why?"

Adrian exhaled deeply. "Because it was an emergency."

Ariana didn't speak. She already understood what this was about. And understanding the bond they shared, she chose to remain silent—a silent pillar, neither judging nor intervening.

Tears welled up in Annabelle's eyes, and her voice cracked, "You knew how dangerous it could be. The system doesn't guarantee anyone's safety! You could've died in there! Do you even understand what that means to me?"

Adrian stepped closer, gaze steady. "I knew what I was doing, Bella. I understood the risk—but given the situation, I had no other choice. I had to be there."

His tone wasn't defensive, but grounded in truth. It was the voice of a man who had already weighed the cost.

Annabelle snapped, her voice rising with raw emotion, "His world isn't your responsibility! He should've been strong enough to handle it on his own! Why must he drag you into his mess?! If he can't protect his people, then let them die—just run away and leave them!"

"Bella."

The single word dropped like a hammer.

Adrian's voice was low, but it cut through her rant like ice splitting stone. The air around him seemed to shift—he wasn't yelling, but the authority in his tone was undeniable.

His eyes had gone cold. Unforgiving.

It was only the second time Ariana had seen him like this.

The first... was when Elizabeth destroyed his workshop.

In a voice heavy with restrained fury, Adrian said, "Grow up… before I get tired of you."

Then he turned, not sparing another glance. "Let's go, Aria."

The silver-haired woman hesitated, her gaze falling on the First-Ranked Warden—whose expression was twisted in horror and grief.

"I'll catch up," Ariana said softly, her tone gentle but firm. "Give me a few minutes."

Adrian paused for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly as if searching her face for hidden intent. But he said nothing.

Silently, he walked away, his footsteps fading into the trees—leaving the two women behind in the stillness of the forest.

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.