The Kingmaker System
Chapter 478 - 477. Someone By My Side (1)

Chapter 478: 477. Someone By My Side (1)

Ocean/Reina ushered everyone away apart from her brother, Rune stood there as the others left while dragging their feet.

"Let’s go talk in your room," Reina said and Rune hummed before they turned and walked down the hallway not noticing the door of Ocean’s room opening a crack bit and the figure glancing at the two retreating figures before a low sigh was resounded and the door closed back again.

Sol hadn’t been able to sleep after Ocean left the room in the dead of the night. It wasn’t like he was guilty... maybe he felt a tad bit of guilty for being too harsh on the person who fought tooth and nail to save his life but, there was also the matter of his pride. He hadn’t ever relied on anyone for his life let alone someone who was too weak at the moment of the fight that they could have died.

Sol could only sigh as he recalled the events of the previous day, it was all absurd to the point that he felt as if it was just a strange dream altogether. He wondered if Ocean wouldn’t come around anymore. He hadn’t disliked their outing until the obvious mishap.

Sol shook his head, maybe being in the body of a child has started to shape his mind as a child too. He scolded himself internally for acting like that. But then again, there was another voice in his head which reminded him of the way Ocean had protected him despite being so weak in that moment. He had prioritized Sol’s safety over his own and went as far as to heal him when the curse acted up while his own life was barely hanging by the thread.

The voices rang in his head.

"Save us..."

"Venerable one... Please save us..."

"So brave and courageous... There’s no weakness to you..."

"The Holy One protects us so, we have no fear."

But then there was one distinct voice that spoke to him, the voice which was soft but held the words that were capable of making tremors in his heart.

"Even if you are strong, you shouldn’t deny pain and weakness. A mighty Dragon can save the world but when the time comes to saving you, I don’t think anyone else will step up."

Sol didn’t know what to respond at that time, he had even went ahead and scoffed, thinking who on earth could even dare to step up claiming that they could protect him? But presently one had dared.

"I may not know you, but since you’re by my side, I will protect you."

Those words had been said by a young Dragon who probably knew only one-third of the world but was so outspoken that they always caught Sol off guard.

He was conflicted as to what to do, he could t stay around them for long since the curse would grow but he also couldn’t leave because the only one that kept the curse and the pain at bay was that young Dragon.

Sol could only wonder what the future had in store for him and the reckless young Dragon.

Anyone who knew Ocean/Reina knew that she was extremely cautious of every aspect before planning something or jumping into a battle. It was rare for her to be in the life and death situation, and it was only once when she had actually been close to death and that was years ago because of a demon.

But now Rune had heard of a strange news that claimed that Reina/Ocean had been cursed and that curse made her so sweak that when the lowly thugs beat her she was in a near death state. He couldn’t believe his ears when he heard Davian and Miera, the Queen of Mordino discuss about it in hushed worried voices.

Reina removed the earstud that kept up Ocean’s appearance and went back to her original form.

Rune observed her quietly, his gaze trying to look for any form of injuries on her body but there were none. It was the same girl whom he had seen a few days ago at his house.

"What happened?" He asked in a composed tone.

Reina took a seat with him followed and she looked at him with an expression which he knew very well. Reina could lie, she could lie so well that nobody could ever know but around her father and brother. Her lies were minimal. She would lie only to keep them from worrying and let them know only when everything was done.

Reina knew lying now not work so, she used the same lie that she had told Sol about a spell going wrong and the consequences of it.

Rune’s expression didn’t give away his thoughts but Reina knew he was worried and angry. So, she didn’t put up any excuses.

"Are you all right now?" He asked once she was done explaining and Reina nodded.

"Yes, the spell broke last night and I recovered quickly."

Rune’s eyebrows then twitched, "Then where did you go so early in the morning?"

"I couldn’t sleep so, I went for a walk."

Rune observed her for a long moment before he sighed deeply, "I haven’t told father about it,"

Reina felt relieved, "Thank you brother."

"In return," he spoke, "I want you to not do such reckless things again. Those spells or whatsoever, don’t research them while you’re in an unfamiliar place... Or let me know so that I could be there to help in case something happens."

Reina smiled, "Yes, brother."

He fell silent, his fingers still clenched before Reina spoke, "Besides, did you enjoy your date yesterday with Lady Celestia?"

His cheeks started turning red at the mention of the date and he looked at her with barely concealed flustered expression. Reina dug deeper as she leaned ahead with a mischievous smile.

"Did you progress a bit? Hm?"

Rune’s face turned redder which confirmed her thought that something did happen between them yesterday. Reina did want to pry further but she also knew to give her brother some privacy.

"All right, I’m glad to know that my brother and sister-in-law are having a lovey dovey relationship. I should leave now, I’ll see you during at luncheon."

Rune nodded before his eyebrows narrowed a little.

"How did you know about the luncheon?"

"Hm? I ran into Crown Prince Arian, he told me."

His expression shifted and he asked, "What was he doing out there?"

Reina couldn’t help but laugh, "This is his place, brother. He could be anywhere at anytime."

Rune was about to say something else when Reina added, "He was training on his own when I saw him and we talked a little that’s all."

Rune pursed his lips without saying anything else and Reina took it as her cue to leave. She placed the earstud back on her ear transforming back to her Ocean’s form.

"I’ll see you later then," she said before she strolled out of his room.

Back in her room, Reina/Ocean kept the interaction with Sol to minimal to give him some space and privacy while he also kept his distance.

They got dressed for the luncheon separately and once they were done dressing up, Ocean dismissed the maids asking them to wait outside.

Ocean fixed the cravat over his neck and then glanced at Sol who sat on the couch swinging his legs. His body was still in the chibi size despite him trying to use his mana last night.

"I won’t treat you as a child," Ocean started, "but we’ll have to keep up the act outside so, I hope you bear with it."

Sol glanced back at her as she turned her gaze and then hummed in response.

Ocean didn’t say anything after and they were escorted to the garden where the luncheon was arranged.

Some of the guests were gathered already and Ocean greeted them with a smile while holding Sol’s little hand in his.

"Marquis, you really have an adorable son." One of the ladies cooed and Ocean smiled.

"Pardon me, but Sol is not my son." Ocean clarified and Sol stiffened ever so slightly.

"Pardon! He’s not?"

"He’s my nephew." Ocean answered.

"So... You’re not married?" A lady asked.

"No, I’m not." Ocean regretted saying that but he couldn’t lie.

The improving relations between Sestia and Denril would also bring their nobility closer and lying here wouldn’t be a good matter.

"Oh dear, then, would you like for me to arrange a blind date for you?" One of the ladies said.

"Ah, what kind of a lady is your type, Marquis?"

Ocean maintained a composed smile before he spoke, "I’m actually not married because of my face,"

Ocean said and the guests seemed slightly taken aback.

"Pardon?"

They had been itching to ask about why he hid his face by a mask but thought of better and didn’t pry.

Ocean poured the anguished tone in his voice before he spoke, "You see, a few years ago, I along with my family met with an accident where my family passed away and I... was left with a hideous scar on my face..."

Ocean gingerly touched his mask acting the part of a tragic male lead, "I couldn’t bring myself to show such ugly appearance to any lady that’s why I’ve sworn off marriage."

The people around, moved by Ocean’s performance started giving him their condolences and some ladies even sniffled into their kerchiefs.

"Please don’t be disheartened, Marquis."

"Yes, you shall be blessed with a lady who loves you despite your appearance."

They started giving the cheerful words and Ocean smiled.

"Oh, I’m not disheartened," he said, "I have a family now, I have my nephews and my work that keeps me occupied and happy."

Ocean placed his hand over Sol’s head and the people turned their attention back on him.

"I’m sure he’ll grow up to be such a fine young man under your patronage."

"He’s already so beautiful, I can only wonder that the love letters from the ladies won’t stop." A nobleman spoke earning a wave of laughter from the guests that had gathered around me.

Sol didn’t say anything but simply stood with his head down while wondering how Ocean could lie so blatantly before numerous people.

Just then, he felt a pair of arms wrapped around his abdomen plucking him off the ground and Sol saw Davian’s smiling face.

"Good noon, Mas-Marquis." Davian corrected himself and Ocean and the others bowed.

"Good noon, Your Highness."

"You came early," Davian said, "I was thinking we’d come together."

Ocean chuckled, "I apologise, I didn’t think that."

Davian smiled as he carried Sol on his arm, Sol had no expression whatsoever.

"Your Excellency, I heard that you are also affiliated with the Mage’s Tower of Sestia."

The topic among the nobles shifted to the Mage’s Tower and Ocean turned his focus. Sol observed him while Davian noticed the tension between the two.

He turned and Sol blinked on confusion as Davian walked further away from Ocean towards a buffet table.

"Did you fight with Master?" Davian asked as he cut a small piece of a pastry with a fork bringing it close to Sol’s mouth.

Sol didn’t open his mouth for a moment and Davian bobbed the bite in front of his face making Sol’s mouthwater and he gulped before he clamped his mouth onto the silver fork.

"So, did you fight?" Davian repeated and Sol gave him a faint nod.

"Why?" Davian asked as he got another piece of the pastry.

"He treats me like a child, I’m not a child." Sol said and Davian brought up the fork and Sol ate it.

"So, you want to be treated as an adult then?" Davian asked as he brought up another bite.

"I am an adult." Sol claimed before he ate.

Davian couldn’t help the smile before he said, "I don’t think you hate being treated like that,"

Sol looked at him sharply, but it didn’t affect him.

"Even I hated it when Master treated me like a child when we first met, but I got used to it and frankly... I liked it. I had thought I didn’t have anyone by my side and I had to be responsible for the lives of those who worked for me. But he just did whatever he wanted and despite me warning him several times, he kept being by my side until..."

"Until?" Sol asked watching an expression of sorrow flicker over his face.

"Until I pushed him away and he left." Davian said, "it was my mistake though... I wanted to correct it so, I sought him out, wrote him letters but he never responded... He really does what he wants," Davian chuckled.

"I had to wait for five years to see him again..." Davian spoke and then smiled bringing up a piece of pastry to Sol again.

Sol didn’t eat as he stared at Davian’s eyes that looked like they were liquidised amethyst crystals.

"I’m an adult now," Davian said with a smile, "But I like to act like a child around Master. Because I know I can rest easy when he’s around. And it’s not only me, but everyone who is under his wing. They all know that everything is fine as long as Master is by our side."

Sol kept staring at Davian whose eyes sparkled while he ate another bite but somehow the pastry didn’t quite taste sweet, it seemed bitter. Sol wondered why?