Chapter 228: Chapter 227- Compensation

Ruby believed she could stop the Towers from excavating the entire site. She had her ways—clever ones—and that’s why she had so confidently told Adrian that she wouldn’t let anyone reach the place that was once his safe haven.

But involving Annabelle?

That had never been part of the plan.

She had messed up—badly.

Now, she was rushing across the barren lands, toward the place where the mysterious cubes had been found.

’Please… just don’t start a fight with the Tower Masters,’ she prayed silently. They always looked for reasons to provoke the strongest Warden.

And if Annabelle stood in their way—if she truly tried to stop them—it would mean declaring open defiance against the Towers.

“Lady Vermillion!” someone from the Twilight Vault called out, rushing toward her just as the distant tents came into view.

A crowd had gathered up ahead. There was murmuring in the air, voices blending into a fog of tension she couldn’t yet make out.

The man who called her was catching his breath. “How’s the situation? Has Annabelle arrived?”

His expression was grim. “It would be better,” he said slowly, “if you come and see it for yourself.”

Ruby’s heart sank.

No more words were needed. Trouble had already found its way here.

She followed him silently.

As they moved closer, more heads turned. Whispers paused. Eyes landed on her—some with concern, others with blame. The air felt tight with unspoken questions.

The Masters of the two Towers were already there.

So was Alfred—her former teacher.

“Ruby…” Alfred’s voice broke through the murmur, “…what in the world happened to your friend?”

Everyone knew Ruby and Annabelle shared a close bond. Even those who didn’t know them personally had heard the stories. Annabelle—the icy, unapproachable Warden—only ever opened up to this redhead.

So naturally, all eyes were now on Ruby, waiting for an explanation.

She sighed, steadying her breath. “What happened here?”

It was Albec who stepped forward this time, his voice firm but laced with clear frustration. “A few minutes ago, Miss Annabelle appeared at the site and declared that from this point on, this place belongs to her. No questions asked.”

Ruby pressed her lips together. That sounded just like her.

“Did she hurt anyone?”

“Not directly,” Ivy said, stepping in. “But the pressure of her presence alone caused several officers to lose consciousness. Others—well, they lost the will to reason with her.”

For once, both Towers were in agreement. And all their anger pointed at one person.

Ruby sighed again and said, “I’ll go talk to her. Until then, don’t approach. Maintain a safe distance.”

“Please allow me to accompany you, Miss Ruby,” offered the Master of the Twilight Vault.

But she shook her head. “No. Let me handle this. Unless you want things to get worse.”

He fell silent at that. Everyone did.

With no further resistance, she stepped forward alone.

It didn’t take long for her to spot the black-haired girl, perched atop a small boulder. Her eyes were sharp, her aura cold, and the surrounding air buzzed faintly with unstable mana.

Ruby came to a stop just a few steps away. “Did you really have to cause a scene like this?” she asked gently. “I could have handled this a better way.”

Annabelle didn’t even blink. “Against two Towers?” she scoffed. “I don’t believe you could have done anything.”

Unless the Patriarch of the Vermillion family personally intervened, she doubted anyone could stop the Towers once they’d made up their minds.

But she would.

She had to.

Darling’s home. Her home. Their home. Must protect.

Ruby ran a hand through her red hair, her voice softer now. “So… what’s your plan? Sit here until they give up? You know you can’t stay here forever.”

Annabelle’s expression shifted. The mana in the air thickened, making it harder to breathe. Her next words were sharp and absolute.

“Then I’ll show them what happens when they touch something that isn’t theirs. I’ll remind them what consequences look like.”

Ruby’s heart tensed. She was serious. If it came down to it, she might start a massacre—just to keep this place untouched. If it was about Adrian, there were no lines Annabelle wouldn’t cross.

“What’s inside that place that you’re so desperate to protect?” came a sudden voice.

It was Aiden—the Master of Twilight.

Albec had stepped forward too. They clearly weren’t going to stay out of this any longer.

Annabelle didn’t turn to them. But she didn’t keep her answer to Ruby alone, either.

The wind shifted. Silence settled.

Everyone waited.

Annabelle looked directly at the two Masters. Her gaze didn’t waver.

“I don’t find myself answerable to either of you,” she said flatly, her voice carrying no respect, only ice.

A flicker of tension rippled through the crowd.

Aiden’s jaw tightened. “Miss Annabelle, do you realize you’re breaking the law right now? Warden or not, the law applies to everyone. Even us.”

Annabelle leaned forward slowly, her eyes colder than a midnight blizzard.

“Look into my eyes, Aiden,” she said, her voice low and sharp. “And tell me—how many fucks do I give about your laws?”

The air grew still.

Ruby flinched, just a little.

So did several others from both Towers. Even the guards holding weapons subtly straightened, as if bracing for the worst.

Albec didn’t flinch. He simply stepped forward, cutting through the silence like a blade.

“So, you’ve made up your mind,” he said. “You’re not going to let us proceed. Fine. Then we want compensation.”

That caught everyone off guard.

Aiden turned to Albec, frowning. “What are you talking about?”

Murmurs rose among the gathered officers. A few exchanged puzzled looks. Compensation?

Annabelle raised an eyebrow. Her lips curled into a dry, mocking smile.

“Why am I not surprised,” she muttered. Then louder, “Fine. Shoot your terms.”

She leaned back slightly, one palm pressed against the boulder behind her, a picture of tense ease—ready to explode at a moment’s notice.

Albec didn’t hesitate. “You must give us your word. One promise, that’s all.”

She didn’t respond, just watched him, eyes narrowed.

He continued, “That under any circumstance, no matter the place or situation, you will answer a Tower’s summons. Just once. No delays. No tricks. No running.”

Annabelle’s expression didn’t change. But the stillness around her deepened.

Aiden added, “And you must sign a vow for it.” The man was unexpectedly content with the demand Albec made.

There was a long pause before she said, “Then you must mention it in the Vow that this place would remain as it is. Rather, I want someone to protect this place all the time.”

Albec knew it was a waste of resources but in exchange for the promise of getting help from the strongest Warden, this was nothing.

“Accepted.”

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.

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