Chapter 194: Date With Isabella Part 4

The Dark Magician, Ruby, reappeared in a damp, dimly lit cave deep within the heart of Shadowgrove Forest.

She staggered, clutching her side as waves of pain pulsed through her body. The sharp, musty air filled her lungs, grounding her as her surroundings gradually came into focus.

Moss covered the jagged rocks around her, and faint echoes of dripping water reverberated through the cavern, lending an eerie stillness to the space.

With a wince, she summoned a healing spell, dark tendrils wrapping around her wound, attempting to stop the blood that trickled down her side.

She grit her teeth; the wound was deep, and Adrian's draconic-infused strike had left a lasting trace of mana in her flesh, making it difficult to heal.

The cave flickered with a sudden surge of light, and shadows shifted to reveal a tall figure standing in the darkness.

Cloaked in a heavier, darker robe than Ruby's, the figure's face was obscured. Only their eyes, glinting with a strange, unnatural glow, were visible.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be causing chaos in Everhart territory? Don't tell me you failed the mission given by that esteemed person?" the figure's voice was a low hiss, dripping with disdain.

Ruby clenched her teeth, feeling the sting of failure as the cloaked figure’s mocking tone settled in the damp air.

“There was… someone unexpected,” she began, a hint of anger edging her voice.

“I don’t know who he was, but he was powerful. He intervened before I could fully control the creatures in the circus. Besides, his mana was unlike anything I’ve felt before—strange, almost alive. It cut through my defenses like they were nothing. I still can't get rid of it and it's preventing me from recovering.”

The figure’s eyes narrowed, their glow intensifying with interest. “A nameless stranger disrupted your mission?” they sneered, though there was a subtle shift, as if her words had piqued their curiosity.

“He wasn’t someone ordinary,” Ruby replied firmly. “I tried to subdue him, but his skill… I’d never encountered anything like it. If not for my life-saving item, I wouldn’t be standing here now.”

The cloaked figure stepped closer, the cavern’s shadows swirling around them. “You were meant to create chaos, not flee from it. Whoever he was, he was only one man. You have failed that lord's mission."

The figure came towards Ruby and grabbed her hair and pulled her up.

"Argh..." Ruby groaned with pain as her whole body was lifted by the cloaked figure.

" You bitch, you have made me lose face infront of the esteemed lord. I will give you 3 days, recover your wound, find me that man. Otherwise, you know the consequences."

Ruby’s face paled, a wave of terror passing through her as the cloaked figure's words cut through the darkness.

“N-No… please,” she stammered, but her plea was cut short as the figure’s hand released her hair, throwing her down to the cold, wet ground.

She winced in pain, barely catching herself on her elbows, only for a brutal kick to slam into her side, sending her sprawling. The cloaked figure continued beating her and all she could do was, curl herself into a ball and endure it.

Eventually, the cloaked figure left with some more harsh words for her after he was done tormenting her.

She writhed, pain radiating from her injuries. But as her tormentor’s footsteps receded into the shadows, a surge of hatred and defiance flickered in her eyes.

She grit her teeth, face twisted with determination. "This isn’t over, she vowed silently. That man… whoever he is, I’ll make him suffer for this. I will make that man regret being born, I will torture him forever. Not only him, all his family, I will torture everyone closely related to him."

Back in the bustling circus grounds, Adrian’s attention was fully on Isabella, his gaze soft as he asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Isabella smiled warmly, shaking her head. “Yes, I’m perfectly fine. I was nowhere near the incident, and besides, wasn’t my husband here to protect me?”

Adrian’s eyes softened at her words, and he gave her a nod. “Good. I was worried for a moment. Should we wrap things up for today? You’ve had quite an eventful day."

But Isabella shook her head. “No, let’s keep going,” she replied, looking at him with a sparkle in her eye. “The day isn’t over yet.”

Adrian smile and replied to her," If that's your wish, then so be it. Let's leave the commotion here to soldiers, I will have them report it to me tomorrow.”

As the sun dipped closer to the horizon, casting the circus in a warm, amber glow, the two strolled through the stalls, taking in the sights and sounds.

After a series of games and treats, Adrian turned to her as the last colors of sunset began to fade, saying, “Shall we head home now?”

Isabella’s cheeks flushed, and she looked at him with a playful glint.

“Actually, there’s one more thing. You see,” she said, glancing away shyly, “from what I’ve seen on those ‘videos’ on the ‘mobiles’ you gave us, dates are always supposed to end at a ‘love hotel’ or something.”

Adrian blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

“And… since we don’t have anything like that here,” she continued, meeting his eyes, “why don’t we go to an inn tonight, my dear husband?”

Adrian’s brow raised in surprise, her unexpected suggestion catching him completely off guard.

He chuckled softly, warmth lighting up his gaze as he looked at her, taking in the faint blush painting her cheeks and the playful, almost mischievous glint in her eyes.

“An inn, huh?” he murmured, his voice laced with a hint of intrigue. “So, you’ve been paying close attention to those videos.”

Isabella’s blush deepened, and she gave a shy laugh, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear as they continued strolling down the now-quieter fairground paths.

“I couldn’t help it. Those people seemed so close and happy by the end of their dates. It… looked nice.”

Her words, soft and almost a whisper, brought a gentle smile to Adrian’s face.

He could tell that behind her playful teasing, there was a genuine desire to end the evening in a way that would feel intimate and memorable.

“Then,” he said, his voice warm as he slid an arm around her waist, “I suppose we should follow tradition, shouldn’t we?”

Isabella looked up at him, her eyes widening with excitement and anticipation. “Really? You’d want to?”

“For you, my love, anything,” he replied, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

They walked through the winding streets toward the nearest inn, a modest but charming place with ivy crawling up its stone walls and lanterns casting a soft glow by the entrance.

Adrian held the door open for her, and she stepped inside, her hand slipping naturally into his as they approached the counter.