The Kingmaker System-Chapter 364 - 363. In The Name Of Family (4)

I entered Eric’s room silently, watching as the maids adorned him with practiced precision. The air carried the soft rustle of fabric and the faint clinking of golden chains as they secured each intricate detail of his attire. I remained seated on the armchair, invisible to their eyes, observing in silence.

"Your Highness is truly handsome," one of the maids gushed, her voice filled with admiration.

"It’s a blessing that the war has finally ended," another chimed in, carefully adjusting the draped fabric over his shoulder.

"Yes, and it’s all thanks to you and our Crown Prince Arian," a third added, her words laced with reverence.

Their voices blended into the background, filled with flattery as they continued their meticulous work. Eric, however, remained impassive, allowing them to carry on without acknowledging their words.

He looked undeniably striking, dressed in a regal ensemble of pristine white and shimmering gold. His high-collared coat, adorned with delicate golden embroidery, framed his tall, powerful figure. Intricate chains wove across the fabric, connecting the gleaming insignia of his house—a radiant sunburst with a sword at its center, a symbol of both authority and unyielding strength.

His golden-blonde hair was brushed back, gleaming under the soft candlelight, and his scarlet eyes—like burning embers—stood in sharp contrast against the purity of his attire. The dark gloves he wore only further accentuated the brilliance of the gold that traced his sleeves and belt, giving him an air of both elegance and quiet intimidation.

With the final adjustments completed, the maids stepped back, murmuring among themselves about how fortunate they were to witness such a moment. Yet, Eric paid them no mind, his gaze distant, lost in thought.

I leaned back slightly in my seat, watching him closely. This wasn’t just an outfit—it was a declaration. Today, he wasn’t just a prince or a commander. He was the man who had brought an end to war, standing at the cusp of an uncertain peace.

After he was done being decorated, I activated my Dragon’s Presence. The effect was immediate. The air turned heavy, thick with an invisible pressure that pressed down on the room. Eric and the maids stiffened at once. The maids, caught off guard, exchanged uneasy glances, their hands halting mid-motion as if sensing something beyond their understanding. Their eyes darted around the room, searching for the source of the oppressive aura, while Eric, on the other hand, seemed to understand instantly.

"Could you please leave me alone for some time?" Eric’s voice was calm, but the command in his tone left no room for refusal.

The maids hesitated, clearly reluctant. Their hands twitched as if they wanted to finish fixing the final details of his outfit, but under Eric’s expectant gaze, they bowed and took their leave. The sound of the door closing behind them echoed in the silent room.

The moment they were gone, Eric’s shoulders relaxed slightly. He took a slow breath, steadying himself, before looking around.

"Master?" he called softly.

I dropped the invisibility spell, and the moment I did, his sharp red eyes found me. I sat on the armchair, one leg crossed over the other, watching him with a faint smile.

"Master," he murmured again, this time with a warm smile.

I returned the expression, my gaze sweeping over him, taking in his appearance properly now. Dressed in white and gold, he carried the regal air of a ruler, his golden blonde hair catching the soft light filtering through the windows. The embellishments on his attire gleamed, intricate patterns of gold embroidery running along his coat, enhancing his already striking presence.

"You look quite handsome, Your Highness," I remarked, and his ears turned slightly pink as he lowered his gaze.

"Th-Thank you, Master."

He had grown well. Standing before me was no longer the young boy who had struggled to prove his worth, who had spent his childhood buried in books and training relentlessly in the shadow of those who doubted him. That boy was gone, replaced by a man standing at the precipice of greatness.

One war had ended, but another—the most important one—was just beginning. This time, his sword would not be his weapon. His mind, his strategies, and his ability to outmaneuver his enemies would be what decided his fate.

Of course, I would be there to clear the obstacles in his path. But even so, a quiet sense of pride stirred within me as I looked at him.

"Are you ready to sign today’s treaty?" I asked.

His smile faded, replaced by an expression of steely resolve.

"Yes."

I stood and walked up to him, standing just a breath away. His scarlet eyes met mine as I held his gaze.

"You’ve done well so far, Your Highness Eric," I said, my voice steady. "But after signing this treaty, your status will rise higher than ever before. Prince Carlos isn’t here to ruin anything. No one can take this moment from you. So take this step—without hesitation."

He nodded.

"This treaty will be signed in your name as the representative of Sestia," I continued. "It is more than just a political agreement. It is a declaration of war against the Golden Serpent and her minions. While you were preoccupied with the battlefield, I have been weakening her forces in the shadows. From here on out, the war will be fought directly against her."

Eric nodded again, this time more firmly.

"Are you scared?" I asked, watching his expression carefully.

"I was..." he admitted after a brief pause. "When you weren’t by my side, I was terrified. But now, there is nothing to fear. If you are here, then nothing can harm me, my mother, or my friends."

He spoke with such unwavering faith that something within me hummed in response. A deep vibration, a shift in my very being.

[Supreme Aqua Dragon Bloodline Assimilation completed by 78%.]

My eyebrows lifted slightly. It had been at 76% before.

Even his faith in me was enough to further my assimilation.

I still didn’t fully understand how this process worked. Over the years, my bloodline had been slowly assimilating, my power growing with it. Each step forward made me stronger, more in tune with my true nature.

"Good," I said simply, and he smiled.

"Have you prepared the speech for the people?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Ah! How is Rune? Is he still in a meeting with Duchess Konstantinos?"

At his question, I sighed.

"About that..."

Eric’s brows furrowed. "What’s wrong, Master? Did Duchess Konstantinos reject him?"

"She came with the mindset that she would refuse no matter what," I said. "It didn’t matter what the Young Duke said or did—she was never going to give her daughter away."

Eric’s frown deepened. "How cruel. Is he all right?"

I shook my head slightly. "He’s fine now, but it will weigh on him."

Eric’s jaw clenched. "How dare she treat him like this?"

Even I was angry at that but this wasn’t for him to be thinking about, I was going to make sure Duchess Konstantinos would be punished for hurting my brother. He had accepted defeat because of his love for us- his family so, it was my responsibility to avenge him.

"It’s fine," I said, making him look at me again. "She did what she wanted to do. Don’t dwell on it. At the peace treaty, the vows will be taken on the magic parchment with a Great Magician and the new Pope as witnesses. If the King tries to change the marital clause, refuse to accept it."

Eric’s expression darkened, but he nodded.

"If there won’t be an alliance as originally agreed upon, then there is no need to accept a substitute," I added.

"I understand, Master."

For a moment, I let the matter of my brother slip from my mind and refocused on Eric.

"And I will remind you once more," I said, my voice firm. "This is one of the most significant moments of your life. It will mark a turning point. Stay balanced. Do not let any weakness or flaw show."

Eric exhaled deeply, then nodded. "I understand, Master."

Satisfied, I gave his shoulder a brief pat before stepping back.

"I’ll be at the hall, watching the signing," I told him.

He didn’t respond, just watched me as I activated my invisibility spell once again, vanishing from sight.

I left Eric’s room through the window, the cool air brushing against my skin as I soared into the sky. The atmosphere was thick with an unspoken tension, like a storm holding its breath, waiting for the right moment to break loose. The kingdom, however, was oblivious to it—celebration filled the streets, banners and lanterns swaying in the breeze as the people embraced the long-awaited peace.

From above, I spotted the carriages heading towards the royal palace, their polished exteriors gleaming under the sun. Among them, the Lancaster family’s carriage stood out, its crest unmistakable. Without hesitation, I landed soundlessly on its roof before slipping inside.

A startled, muffled scream filled the carriage. My gaze landed on Anastasia, her wide eyes locked onto me, her lips parting to scream again.

"Oh, my! I’m sorry," I said quickly, still under the invisibility spell.

"Wh-Who...?" she stammered, trying to back away.

I lifted the spell, revealing myself, but instead of calming, her fear intensified. Her face paled as she inched towards the door of the carriage, her body trembling.

Ah. I was still in Ocean’s form.

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