The Kingmaker System
Chapter 356 - 355. Peace And War (3)

Chapter 356: 355. Peace And War (3)

"Trade rights in key regions, a neutrality agreement for border villages, and a joint security pact to prevent future incursions." Eric spoke when Augustine asked of what Sestia wanted in return.

His eyes flitted over to the faces of the three young princes one by one lingering on them for a significant amount of time.

"I agree." Augustine spoke.

"But, Your Majesty!" A noble from Denril gasped but Damon gestured for him to stay down.

"I had been holding the bitter feelings despite wanting the peace," Augustine admitted, "But I guess my worries were groundless. If the future of Sestia is in the hands of such mature and sensible Princes who understand the pain of others then there is no way of not trusting you."

Arian’s eyes went wide and even the nobles looked at Augustine. I knew my brother, Eric and Davian would unmistakably impress them with their wisdom and intelligence without me having to do much that’s why I hadn’t decided to tell them that I was going to be here.

"I agree with your demands, Prince Eric," Augustine announced.

"And I am greatly impressed by the insights of Prince Davian and Young Duke Rune’s emotional maturity and wisdom so, I shall suggest two more things to this exchange."

"And what might they be, Your Majesty?" Eric asked.

Augustine’s eyes went over to Rune and I almost covered my eyes as I understood what he was going to say.

"I suggest a marriage alliance between the two nations." Augustine said making them surprised.

Eric and Rune exchanged glances as they knew what he was talking about while Davian had a small frown on his face.

"I would like for the engagement to be formed between Young Duke Rune Aurelius the hier of Aurelia Dukedom and Lady Celestia Konstantinos, daughter of Duke Konstantinos and my niece. Would you agree to this engagement, Young Duke?"

The nobles almost had their jaws on the floor as they heard it while Rune was quiet as if pondering over it. I knew I shouldn’t have thrown this card in without asking him first but I could only see what would happen from here.

"If it is for the betterment of both the nations then I’ll be honoured accept this engagement. And since Lady Konstantinos is Your Majesty’s niece, I and my family would make sure that she feels at home in our territory and gets the respect and affection that she deserves." Rune promised with a smile.

Eric and Davian looked at him and Augustine smiled, satisfied by my brother’s answer.

"Y-Your Majesty... a marriage alliance between Duke Konstantinos and Sestia’s Duke... isn’t it a bit...?"

Well, Duke Konstantinos was dead to be honest and the one who was taking care of the territory single handedly was Duchess Konstantinos, sister of Augustine. And she was present in this hall at this moment.

"What do you say, Duchess Konstantinos?" Augustine asked looking at her.

Duchess Nymeria Konstantinos sat regally beside Damon, dressed in an elegant black and blue gown that accentuated her stately presence. Her striking silver eyes—sharp and discerning—commanded attention, while her fiery red hair, neatly tied back in a bun, added to her aura of authority. In a hall filled solely with men, she stood out as the singular representative of her territory, a living testament to power and grace.

At the table were only men had gathered she was the only woman representing her territory so, it was obvious of how much strength she held.

"I shall talk with Young Duke a bit more later before I decide to hand my daughter, Your Majesty." She spoke in a chilled tone and I shook my head.

I should have talked to her first, I should have personally been at Konstantinos territory and made contact with this mother daughter. I could only leave this connection to future now.

[Goddess of Wisdom wonders how you could be so careless about deciding your brother’s marriage.]

[Defender of Divine Glory says that the consequences of your thoughtlessness might have to be faced by your brother.]

"I made a mistake, I get it! Stop rubbing it into my face already!"

[Giver of Gifts prays for Rune’s future and happy marriage life.]

"You guys are scaring me..." I spoke, mortified.

"The hall’s atmosphere began to shift as the conversation moved to the second additional measure. "What is the second thing, Your Majesty?" Eric inquired, regaining his composure.

Augustine smiled this time as he looked at the three, "For your wisdom and a peaceful future’s perception I wish to reward you with four sea routes."

My eyebrows jumped at the number that Augustine quoted, I had expected him to give only one on my word but here he was offering four. Well, it wasn’t enough to satisfy the greed of the monarchs of Sestia but it was better than nothing.

The nobles were once again shocked as they stared at their King.

"F-Four sea routes!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, having the trade talks, the negotiations and peace is enough why the sea routes?"

"The reason why the war had broken out was because of the sea routes, Your Majesty! What’s the guarantee that Sestia won’t be greedy for more?!"

Damon and Nymeria were silent throughout while Augustine who listened to his harried nobles spoke up.

"I understand your concerns well and I guess I didn’t make myself clear when I said rewarding sea routes." Augustine said and then cleared his throat before he looked at the three again.

"I am rewarding the four sea routes to the three valiant and wise Princes who have played such a big role in bringing peace to both the kingdoms." Augustine announced and my stance faltered as I pushed myself off the wall and stood straighter watching Augustine.

"Your Majesty, what might you mean?" Damon who had been quiet until now asked.

Augustine smiled, "I am granting two sea routes to Prince Eric, and one sea route each to Prince Davian Montaire and Young Duke Rune Aurelius."

This time my jaw slackened as I was definitely not expecting this. I had suggested Augustine to give a sea route to Sestia but he gave the sea routes to the three Princes solely and not to Sestia in general. He was in short supporting Eric’s position for being the future ruler.

The nobles of Denril were still in conflicts but Duchess who was observing spoke up.

"I agree with His Majesty’s decision. The peace that took a decade to establish was not brought by anyone but the future generations of both the nations so, it is only right to reward them fairly."

"I agree with His Majesty’s decision as well," Damon spoke up making the nobles’ words die down.

Eric and Rune exchanged a glance while Davian had a small frown on his face as they say their still disgesting the news.

Eric stood up again and I could see from his body language that he was slightly overwhelmed by this so, I walked up to him.

"I-We appreciate His Majesty’s kind hearted reward but we must-"

I placed my hand on his shoulder feeling him stiffen up.

"Take it." I whispered in his ear before removing my hand and he blinked twice but resisted his urge to turn and then bowed with his hand over his heart.

"We are honoured to hear the praise from His Majesty and we happily accept the reward that are bestowing on us."

Rune and Davian looked at him before they too stood up thanking Augustine while Augustine seemed satisfied with their responses.

"Prepare the treaty parchment with the terms discussed and we shall sign it tomorrow!" Augustine announced.

"The ball shall be held three months from today to commemorate this peace and also the celebrate the Princes who played a pivotal role in gaining it. I am extending a personal invitation to Prince Eric, Prince Davian and Young Duke Rune to attend it."

"We will, Your Majesty." Eric spoke with a smile.

With that the peace treaty talks were settled and everyone started leaving, I walked up to Davian who seemed to linger behind while Eric and Rune looked around as if trying to look for me.

"They are looking for you." Davian murmured.

"Yes,"

"Did they know you’ll be there?"

"No, I only came to watch you all did great." I said and saw a small smile gracing his features.

"You’ve taught him well," Davian said and I smiled.

"This is just the beginning, just wait and see, Prince Davian. The future is going to blow your mind off." I chuckled lowly making him tilt his head.

"I’ll be looking forward to it."

I saw Arian looking around and I sighed, "See you in Sestia then."

"Wait," Davian whispered.

"Are you not going back with us?"

"No, I came here for my work, it’s done so, I need to return soon to get back to my pending work." I said before I walked away from him and approached Arian.

The Dragon sword vibrated and I let my mana oozed from my being and touch the mana stone making it go calm.

"You’re here, aren’t you? And you were in that hall as well." Arian spoke loudly and I sighed.

It was a good thing that the others were already past the earshot.

"You need to speak a bit more softly, Your Highness." I spoke in a low voice as I reached beside him and he flinched.

"Was it you who were advising the Prince?"

"No, but I have taught him well." I said as I patted Arian’s shoulder twice.

"Learn the skills of patience and silence, Arian. It will help you a lot in the long run."

"Don’t lecture me, I’m not your student." He said waving his hand and I smiled.

"Don’t worry, I have only a couple of boys as my students and you will know who they are when you see them." I said before I stepped away.

"Show yourself," Arian said.

"Not now, Your Highness. I will come see you before I leave though and then let’s see when we meet again." I said before I walked away.