The Kingmaker System
Chapter 325 - 324. Founding Day Ball (2)

Chapter 325: 324. Founding Day Ball (2)

Lyall gave me a hand and I stepped out, I had purposely gone late so as to not get caught up by the crowd which would gather at the entrance but here they were. A couple of nobles who were also late spotted me and I could already hear them whispering and talking about me as I passed by without any glance.

I had a cane with me along with my complete ensemble which screamed the star of the party.

I could see that I was already gathering attention despite anything. Lyall walked behind me silently until we reached at the ball room’s entrance and the guards who stood there looked at me.

Lyall showed him the invitation and the guard stiffened before he looked at me before he opened the doors and the steward who stood nearby stared at me. I glanced at him and he flinched, blinking before he opened his mouth.

"Announcing His Lordship, Baron Ocean Ryujin of Oasis!" The steward announced my entry.

As the steward’s voice echoed through the grand ballroom, announcing my arrival, a hush fell over the crowd. The murmur of conversation faded, and in its place, silence stretched like a drawn blade. One could have heard even if a pin had dropped in that moment.

I took my first step past the towering entrance, my presence commanding every gaze to shift toward me. Nobles, dignitaries, and royals alike turned as one, their curiosity palpable. The chandeliers above bathed the room in a golden glow, casting long shadows that flickered against the polished marble floor. The rich fabric of my cloak whispered against the ground as I moved, the weight of my title settling onto my shoulders like armor.

I did not slow. Did not falter.

Instead, I let the silence deepen, let them take in the man who now stood at the threshold of power. Eyes trailed from my midnight-blue attire—tailored, precise, exuding authority—to the insignia of Oasis emblazoned upon my chest, a symbol of the land I ruled.

For a moment, I simply stood there, my gaze sweeping over the sea of expectant faces. Some held intrigue, others calculation, a few—envy.

Then, with the slightest tilt of my chin, I stepped forward.

And the ballroom, as if released from a spell, breathed again.

Just like I had expected the people started converging to me like moths to flame, I activated my Dragon’s Presence to keep them from smothering me with their eagerness and those who were the closest shuddered keeping their distance but still not giving in to their greed.

"My Lord, it’s so great to see you,"

"I’m Earl..."

I zoned out almost immediately as they started introducing themselves and moreover, they started thrusting their daughters ahead. I sighed as I looked for a way to get out of this torture.

Just then I saw my Dad who was talking to Silas and I excused myself before I headed over to them.

"Greetings, Your Grace, and Archmage." I spoke politely and the two turned to looked at me.

"Lord Ocean," Dad smiled, "You look quite... handsome today."

"Baron Ryujin." Silas regarded me with a neutral expression.

"I thought you were busy talking," Dad said looking past my shoulders.

"It seems like you managed to get rid of your admirers." Silas spoke and I chuckled.

"I wouldn’t call wild dogs my admirers, Archmage." I spoke in a low voice.

A corner of Silas’s lips twitched as I said that and he sighed before he looked around us.

"His Majesty along with Her Majesty and Princess are going to arrive soon,"

"I know, that’s why I took my time. I didn’t want to be surrounded for a long time." I said.

"You can stay with us for the time being, I’m sure you won’t be-" Dad was suggesting that only for us to be interrupted by another noble.

"Lord Ocean?" I turned to see Count Kliens, a branch from Esmertia family smiling at me.

"Greetings, Baron Ryujin." Beside Count Kliens stood Viscount Jervico who was his right hand man of sorts.

"I’m Count Kliens, it’s such an honor to make your acquaintance." Kliens smiled with his hand over his chest and I smiled back.

"And I’m Viscount Jervico," his companion said.

"The pleasure is all mine, Count Kliens and Viscount Jervico."

"I have been eager to meet you ever since I got to know how you have been generously helping the needy people around the territory. It must be quite hard considering you are doing it on your own, right?" Kliens asked and I almost cocked my brow giving him a look.

He wanted a share in Oasis?

"But I guess someone of your standing could easily take care of such matters," he smiled.

"If you don’t mind, may I ask you how exactly do you manage to do so, Lord Ocean?" Viscount Jervico asked and I opened my mouth to answer when another voice answered for me.

"It’s an ability that only Lord Ocean could possess."

"Lord Ryujin." My eyes grew focused when I heard a familiar voice and I saw Lord Oberon aka Lord Devil appear beside me. He was dressed in his signature black color attire.

"Baron Oberon, you’re here." I smiled looking at him and he smiled back.

"Well, we know your habit of coming fashionably late, Lord Ocean that’s why we have been waiting."

"We?"

"Yes, My Lord, we."

From behind him Count Wallace Nash aka Lord Hawke and Earl Ludwig Clive appeared with smiles on their faces.

"It’s been a while gentlemen," I said and the two smiled.

"It is indeed, I’m happy to see you in good health." Count Nash smiled.

"It’s such an honor to be present for you on the day when you would be rewarded for your endeavours, Lord Ocean." Earl Clive said and I chuckled.

"Thank you," I said and then looked around, "Come to think of it I don’t see-"

"Looking for me?" I heard the silky voice before I saw him walking towards me. The man with platinum blonde hair and mischievous green eyes with dark cocoa skin.

"Count Zachary Erkens," I smiled and he grinned back.

"I’m so happy to see you again, Lord Ocean." He grinned with a glint in his eyes and I chuckled as I saw which way he came from. It was hallway and I could see a noble lady stepping out from there fixing her hair.

"I see you’re in great health these days," I said.

"Oh, it’s all thanks to you." He smiled and I shook my head.

I heard someone clear their throat and I turned to Count Kliens and Viscount Jervico who were still there.

"Oh, apologies, I was a bit distracted by my companions." I said.

"Hm, Count Kliens and Viscount Jervico, what a pleasant surprise!" Zach spoke as he stood beside me.

"Why would it be a surprise, Count Erkens?" Viscount asked.

"Oh, you know, because I wasn’t expecting you to be here." He said nonchalantly and I almost chuckled.

"You didn’t seem to have known that this is a royal ball with compulsary summon for all the noble families, Count Erkens. If you didn’t know that then you might possibly be having a hard time adjusting I guess." Count Kliens smiled.

Zach didn’t back off though, "Ah right, considering how I’m usually busy with my business I don’t have time to read the insignificant names in the guest list. I just saw that my dear friend Lord Ocean and my companions were coming so, I showed up."

Count Kliens seemed a bit taken aback and he looked at me and then at the men who stood around me. I was basically surrounded by my vassals.

"I’m sure a lot of people would love to call Lord Ocean Ryujin their friend, Count Erkens." Viscount Jervico spoke and I chuckled.

"Sure they would," I said, "But I have very limited friends, including these people here."

I gestured to the men who were standing on my side.

Count Kliens and Viscount Jervico stared at the men and then at me before they gave an obvious fake smile.

"Can we be a part of your friends circle then?" Count Kliens asked.

They didn’t know when to stop, the men around me were basically releasing the hostile vibes and yet these two had to keep pushing.

"Would you like to talk privately, Lord Ocean? We would like to introduce you to our business partners and also to those who are eager to know more about you." Count Kliens said and then turned and gestured for two ladies, Viscount did the same.

"This is my daughter, Lord Ocean. She had her debutante only last year and I’ve been looking for some prospective bachelors for her hand." Count Kliens said and I looked at the girl who curtsied before me.

"And this is my niece, Lord Ocean."

Both the girls curtsied and looked at me with fluttering eyelashes and the strong perfume waftng from them.

"I see, it’s nice to see you." I said.

"I’m sure you aren’t here to look for prospective bride, are you, Lord Ocean?" Lord Oberon asked.

"We aren’t asking for Lord Ocean to select a bride, Baron Oberon. We’re merely getting them acquainted." Count countered.

"I’m sure, Lord Ocean must have to think about selecting an heir who would looking after his legacy." Viscount added and I almost chuckled.

I was tempted to tell about Kai but I didn’t have to do that now, I wasn’t going to bring attention to Kai as my heir at this point. The world would know about Kai but not now.

The crowd started converging around me again and I sighed as my acquaintances were also getting distracted because of the nobles who were asking for their attention. Archmage and Dad had their own sides to handle while I talked to the girls who were eager to know more about me and also to make an impression on me.

"How old are you, Lord Ocean?"

"You look very handsome, Baron Ocean."

"My heart nearly stopped when I laid my eyes on you, Baron Ryujin."

"Why haven’t you been attending the balls frequently, Baron Ryujin?"

The non stop questions were coming like arrows and I was trying to keep up with my social meter going down.

"My, my if it isn’t the star of today’s ball." I heard another voice and my mana presence bristled before I could see him.

The girls turned as the handsome man appeared behind them facing me.

"Your Grace," I bowed and the girls curtsied quickly.

"How are you, Lord Ocean?" Grand Duke Alarice asked with a smile and the people who saw him had their jaws on the ground.

Alarice wasn’t the person to smile at another, he was known as the man who wouldn’t attend these balls if possible and only Lady Dahlia was around for socialising and keeping the name of the Frosthail.

"I’m well thanks to you, Your Grace." I said, "How about you?"

"I’m also well, thanks to you." He said.

The girls seemed a bit taken aback by Alarice’s appearance that they stood there silently watching us.

"If you have a moment, would you like to accompany me, Lord Ocean? I have some things to talk to you about." He said and I wondered if Lady Dahlia told him about me being Reina.

I had told her to keep it a secret but I guess I couldn’t blame her for telling her husband. But I would like to have a word with her when we meet.