The Kingmaker System
Chapter 262 - 261. Unshackled (2)

Chapter 262: 261. Unshackled (2)

Around a day later, Lyall arrived at my quarters with the fake crest carefully wrapped in cloth. I took it from him without hesitation, my fingers unfurling the fabric slowly. My eyes skimmed over the insignia, scrutinizing every detail with the kind of precision that only comes with familiarity.

"It’s as you ordered it to be," Lyall said, his voice betraying a hint of caution as he observed me carefully.

I nodded, my lips curling into a small but satisfied smile. "Yes, it is. Good work." The words left my mouth with a cool confidence, but there was something about the way I said them that made Lyall pause.

He stared at me for a moment, his eyes narrowing as if reading between the lines of my expression. I caught the slight hesitation in his gaze and raised an eyebrow, curious.

"What’s wrong?" I asked, my tone light, but with a trace of suspicion.

"N-Nothing," he stammered, clearly trying to hide his unease. "I was just... wondering if you had any more instructions for me." His eyes flicked to the insignia, then back to me, his posture just a little stiffer than usual.

I tilted my head, sensing his wariness but not immediately pressing him. "Nothing for now. Just keep an eye on the places I told you."

He nodded, but the tension didn’t seem to lift from him. Before I could press the matter further, there was a sudden knock at the door. Lyall moved toward the window instinctively, but I raised a hand, signaling him to stop.

"Meet the child," I said, not giving him the chance to question me. His frown deepened, but I could tell he was more confused than concerned as I walked toward the door. I heard him freeze in place as my words registered.

When I opened the door, I was greeted by the sight of two priests, their expressions a careful mask of polite smiles. Between them stood the child, his bright, wide eyes glancing around with a curiosity that was almost too innocent for the grim reality he had found himself in.

"Come inside," I said, my voice firm yet warm as I extended my hand to the boy.

His small fingers grasped mine eagerly as I guided him into the room, closing the door behind us with a soft click. The priests lingered at the threshold, their faces momentarily betraying their disappointment before they turned and left.

The child beamed up at me, excitement sparkling in his eyes. "Are we going to play chess again?" he asked, his voice full of innocent hope.

I smiled, but before I could respond, his eyes suddenly snapped to Lyall, and his body froze. He gasped, his expression one of pure shock and fear as he scrambled behind me, clutching at the fabric of my robe with trembling hands.

I glanced at Lyall, who had remained still by the window, his posture as rigid as always. Without a word, I placed my hand gently on the child’s head, brushing his hair back in a soothing gesture.

"Don’t be scared," I murmured, my tone soft but unwavering.

The boy hesitated, his eyes still wide, flicking nervously between me and Lyall. His breath came in shallow gasps as he peeked out from behind my robe, clearly still unsure of the situation.

"It’s fine if you’re scared of him," I said quietly, kneeling down to meet his gaze. "But he’s going to help me take you out of here soon."

The child’s eyes widened even further, disbelief written all over his face. He turned to look at me, then at Lyall, his confusion palpable.

"His name is Lyall," I said, offering a reassuring smile.

Lyall, who had been watching silently, gave a respectful bow, his voice smooth and polite. "I am delighted to make your acquaintance."

The child watched him with cautious eyes, still uncertain. I could see the wariness in his stance, the way he shrank slightly behind me.

"Address him as Young Master," I said, my voice firm but gentle, guiding the boy’s confusion.

Lyall nodded, his expression never wavering as he spoke. "Young Master," he repeated with the utmost respect, fitting his role seamlessly.

The child remained silent, his small hands still clutching the fabric of my robe as he peered shyly at Lyall, his eyes wide with uncertainty.

I reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately, trying to offer him some comfort. "You can call him Uncle Lyall, or just Lyall, if you prefer," I added with a smile.

The boy didn’t say a word, though his grip on my robe tightened. He buried his face in the fabric, peeking out only slightly at Lyall. His hesitation was palpable, but I could tell he was slowly beginning to accept the situation.

I stood and turned toward Lyall, giving him a subtle nod. "You may leave now."

Lyall gave a final glance at the child, who was still half-hiding behind me, before silently disappearing toward the window. Even in broad daylight, his movements were so fluid and practiced that no trace of his presence remained once he had slipped away.

The moment Lyall left, the child let out a breath of relief, his small body relaxing in the quiet aftermath. Without a word, I scooped him into my arms, feeling the slight tremor in his frame as he gasped lightly from the sudden movement.

He felt lighter than I had anticipated, but then again, my strength was way beyond human understanding at this point so, I would have been surprised if this child was heavier.

Still, I looked at his pure eyes and asked.

"Did they hurt you again?"

His smile froze and then as if testing waters, he slowly shook his head. Nothing happened and his eyes grew wider a bit before he sighed in relief. The curse didn’t trigger at his answer, that meant this question though vague was harmless.

"Good," I said with a nod, "So, I guess I could do this now."

His eyes flickered, not fully understanding, but I could tell he was intrigued. I gently placed him back on the sofa, careful not to jar him, and crouched down near his feet, noting the cuffs around his ankles. I reached out to touch them, my fingers brushing the cold metal. He gasped, trying to pull his legs away, but I held his gaze, keeping my voice steady.

"I know what you are, child. Let me do it," I said, my words quiet but firm. His eyes, filled with fear, told me everything I needed to know about how long he had been forced into this form. His small lips pressed together in a thin line, but his worry was palpable.

With a practiced hand, I pushed the long robe aside, revealing the black cuffs that shackled his legs. I could feel a slight tingling sensation as I made contact with them, a subtle energy crackling in the air.

The boy gasped, panic rising in his chest, but before he could recoil, I gripped the cuffs firmly and, with a sharp tug, ripped them apart without breaking them.

His eyes went wide in disbelief, and so did mine, as the transformation began.

The boy’s body contorted, muscles shifting unnaturally as his form changed before my very eyes. His innocent face, once human, was now covered in clear blue scales, their shimmer reflecting the faint light in the room. His pupils elongated into deep blue slits, surrounded by lighter rings of blue that seemed to glow faintly. His small arms rippled as scales spread up to his shoulders, and his back arched, his body growing in size.

The transformation wasn’t complete, but it was enough to reveal what had been hidden beneath his fragile human form. His face became sharper, more angular, and claws sprouted from his tiny fingers. The sharp blade like half-formed wings poked from beneath his robe.

It was in that moment that his sobs began, deep and broken. He curled into himself, instinctively trying to shield his newly transformed body from my gaze.

I watched, my heart aching as the child trembled, his form both beautiful and tragic. His suffering was evident, the agony of being shackled for so long, forced to wear a human guise against his will. The mana-canceling cuffs had kept him suppressed, preventing him from fully embracing his true nature. Now that they were gone, the pain of being freed was written on every inch of his body.

He was a child who had lived shackled, his real self locked away in chains that had held him in this frail, human form. And I could see it in the way his shoulders trembled, his small body fighting to adjust to the freedom it had never known.

I reached out, my hand brushing softly over his back, my fingers grazing the cool scales. The sobs wracked his body, the sound of his grief cutting through the silence, and I couldn’t help but feel the weight of what he had endured.

Since he was in his half-way transformed state he would need a Dragon Master to stabilize his mana. And just like Drac I would have to give him my essence and blood. Once that was done, then this child would also become one of my kin.