The Kingmaker System
Chapter 367 - 366. Peace Treaty (3)

Chapter 367: 366. Peace Treaty (3)

The thick stormy clouds overhead loomed, their edges dark and restless, as if they too were hesitating before the declaration of peace. The wind howled through the city, twisting through the grand banners that lined the palace walls and making them snap in protest. The golden light of the lanterns flickered against the encroaching gray, creating an eerie contrast—hope standing stubbornly against the tempest.

It was almost ironic. A peace treaty was being signed, yet nature itself seemed unwilling to grant them a day of calm. Perhaps it was a warning. Or perhaps it was simply a reminder that peace, like storms, could not be controlled by mere mortals.

The murmurs of the crowd picked up as Eric stepped forward. Unlike Arian, who had spoken with the steady authority of a Crown Prince, Eric’s presence was different—calm yet intense, as if he carried the weight of something far greater than his own rank.

"That’s the Prince of Sestia, right?"

"He looks quite young."

"He doesn’t seem as strong as the rumors say."

Not all voices were kind. Whispers carried words of doubt, some dismissive, some outright hostile. War had forged hatred between their nations, and many still clung to their suspicions. But Eric stood unwavering, his golden eyes sharp, his posture relaxed but composed.

I listened in silence, my gaze fixed on him. He wasn’t a man who sought attention, nor did he thrive on the validation of others. That was what made him different. And as he opened his mouth to speak, the wind stilled, as if even the storm had paused to listen.

"People of Denril," he started.

"I am Eric Delle Ferin Marismus." He introduced himself.

The crowd grew quieter and started paying attention.

"Up till a couple of days ago, you might have considered me as the Prince of your enemy nation but today the things are different. The enemies of past are allies today, willing to stand by each other’s side and talk out our differences." He smiled, "It wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for..."

I cocked my brow as he took that brief pause, his eyes scanning over the masses before he continued, "if it weren’t for the willingness of bringing peace to the lands that we do desperately want to protect."

I sighed with relief, he almost gave me a shock back there. I thought he would confess for a third party being involved.

"It is the will of both myself and His Majesty the monarch of Denril that our people shouldn’t suffer anymore than what they have. Countless people lost their lives, their families, their livelihoods... and I wouldn’t say that it was a necessary sacrifice. Wars, only know how to take, never to give that’s why, we all suffered so much for such a long time oblivious to the aspect of peace." He announced and I smiled watching the people who looked up at him silent now and their eyes filled with attention and awe.

"My master told me this," he spoke up making me look at him.

"A King doesn’t seek pointless wars, nor unnecessary sacrifices. A King is someone who protects and makes everyone in his kingdom feel like they belong; everyone from the nobles to the commoners. A King’s hard work should reach the grassroots level where every person in the kingdom would feel happy to be protected and serve their King wholeheartedly."

"I believe I still have to work hard to prove myself but if I could even do half of what a King could do then, I would be more than happy." He beamed and I could see some of the girl’s in the crowd turning red.

There was a moment’s silence before the crowd started cheering.

"All hail, Prince Eric!"

"All hail, Prince Eric!"

I almost chuckled as he showed not only his idealistic but also his human side to the people. Honesty was supposedly his strongest trait. But then again, he couldn’t be completely honest, and that’s where I come in.

The stormy clouds broke and the beams of golden sunlight fell on the Princes and a couple other spots. The clouds that I was sure would bring the storm all over again, seemed to be dispersing. It was surprising but also seemed as if it was a divine symbol that supported the peace and the two future monarchs.

"He seems like a nice guy."

"Sestia is in good hands."

The views of the people around changed after that speech and I smiled, satisfied and proud that the boy whom I had been teaching for so long made his mark.

After the speech was done, the Princes and the King were going to have a parade that would go all through the main center of the capital. For now they retreated back to the palace to change into the other attire.

I found some time to take Lucius and Elle back to Angelina and her husband who were worriedly looking for them.

"Lucius, Elle!" Angelina cried when she saw them and the two kids rushed to their mother.

"Where were you? We’ve been worried sick!" She scolded them.

"It’s been a while Lord Ace." Gareth greeted me instead after making sure that his kids were fine.

"Indeed, My Lord." I said with a smile and Angelina looked up at me.

"Lord Ace!" She beamed and I smiled back.

"How are you, My Lady?" I asked.

"I’ve been well, what about you, My Lord?"

"I’m well too thanks to you," I said and then looked at Lucius and Elle who returned to my sides for some reason.

"Elle, Lucius, where did you run off to?" Gareth asked.

"We saw Lord Ace and we wanted to talk with him that’s why we went to him but, before we could tell you the crowd separated us." Lucius explained and his parents sighed while I placed my hand over his head.

"But why would you go on your own?" Angelina chided.

"It’s fine, please don’t scold them, My Lady." I said.

"It’s fortunate that they came to me without any problem,"

"It is fortunate indeed," she sighed.

"Besides, Young Master Lucius and Young Miss Elle, what did you want to talk to me about?" I asked.

The kids looked at me once before they looked at their parents. I noticed the silent gesture and sat on my knees to get to their level.

"It’s private." Lucius whispered.

"Yes, private." Elle repeated and I smiled, amused.

"My Lady, Marquis, if it isn’t a problem then, may I bring Young Master and Young Miss to get some snacks? I will bring them back to you right before the parade." I offered.

The couple looked at each other and then at their kids.

"All right," Gareth said and Angelina leaned to her kids.

"Lucius, Elle, don’t start away from Lord Ace, listen to what he says and don’t trouble him. Do you understand?" She said and the kids beamed.

"Yes, Mother!"

I bowed to them before I picked Elle up in my arms while Lyall carried Lucius before we turned towards the exit. We stepped out of the palace grounds and made our way to the market area where stalls were.

I bought the kids the sweets and snacks that they liked and we sat on a bench.

"So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked.

Lucius who was eating a kebab looked at me before he looked at his hand stained with the sauce and I chuckled before I pulled out a handkerchief and wiped it off and he pulled out an envelope from his vest.

"We wrote letters for our Uncle," he announced making my eyebrows jump.

"Pardon?"

"Uncle Asher!" Elle spoke up with a smile and I looked at the envelope.

"We never saw him but our mother and Uncle Allen told us about him and we are eager to see him that’s why we wrote a letter for him." He said and placed the letter in my hand.

"Lord Ace, will you give this letter to our Uncle and tell him that we would like to meet him?" Lucius asked.

I looked at both the kids who watched me with gaze full of expectations and I smiled.

"Sure,"

The kids grinned and thanked me sweetly before focusing on their snacks.

Asher, you thought you had no family left but I guess receiving these letters from your sister and your niece and nephew might make a change. I wondered what kind of face he would make when he would read these letters.

After the snacks were done, I and Lyall brought them to the main center where Marquis and Angelina were along with Count Lewinstein and Allen. The latter two greeted me and the kids hurried back to their parents.

"Lucius, Elle, you didn’t trouble, Lord Ace, did you?" Angelina asked.

"Not at all, My Lady." I answered instead and the kids grinned.

"Mother, we ate cotton candy and kebab and ice cream!" Elle shouted with glee.

"It was all so tasty!"

I almost chuckled hearing them and even Marquis and Angelina had tender looks on their faces while watching their kids.

"Thank you so much for that, Lord Ace." Gareth thanked me and I smiled.

"Please don’t thank me, Marquis. I enjoyed spending some time with them as well."

"Are you going to be for the parade?" Allen asked and I nodded.

"Yes, I just heard the speeches of both the Princes and I’m eager to see them up close." I answered.

"The Prince of Sestia seems to be quite sensible and mature." Count said and I smiled.

"He does,"

"Up until a couple of days ago, I would have believed that Sestia was doomed but I guess it has a chance if that Prince is going to take the throne." Allen observed and I nodded.

After that, we moved closer to the streets from where the parade chariots would be passing.