The Kingmaker System-Chapter 370 - 369. First Date (1)

The evening settled over the land in hues of deep indigo and warm amber, the air carrying the quiet hum of nocturnal life awakening. I lay in my bed, exhaling a slow, satisfied sigh. The weight of the day pressed against me—not as exhaustion, but as a sense of fulfillment.

"Are you tired, Master?" Lyall’s voice broke the silence, his gaze sharp yet gentle as he stood near my bedside.

I turned to look at him, his ever-composed expression waiting patiently for my answer.

"No," I murmured, stretching slightly. "I’m just... satisfied. For now."

A soft hoot sounded beside me as Nox, my loyal owl, ruffled his feathers. He sat perched near my pillow, his electric blue eyes gleaming with quiet affection. I reached out, running my fingers along his downy plumage, feeling the warmth beneath. He leaned into my touch, preening contentedly under my palm.

It had taken time, but the issue with Denril was finally resolved. With that burden lifted, I could return home, anticipating my brother’s arrival for my debutante ball. For a while, at least, things could be normal. I would remain in Sestia, watching over the kingdom until the day came for Eric’s coronation.

I sighed, my fingers stilling over Nox’s feathers as my thoughts drifted elsewhere.

I still wondered to what extent the thing about people praying to me would go.

I had bestowed my blessing only over Drac and Kai till now but there was even Cesio now who had also received a blessing from a Golden Dragon?

But wait, how was that possible?

I frowned, sitting up slightly. The Golden Dragon and the Saintess had sacrificed themselves long ago to seal the gate to the Demon World. Their existence should have ended in that final act. And yet, Cesio had described his benefactor’s presence as golden, warm, and overwhelming, the very same way I recalled it from four years ago.

"Hey, what’s going on?" I muttered under my breath, seeking answers.

[Goddess of Wisdom says they can’t explain now.]

I scoffed, rubbing my temple. "Why did I even expect a straight answer?"

Deities never revealed what they didn’t want to. And yet, this mystery tugged at me. Could there be another like me? Another scion, chosen by the Golden Dragon, walking the land and bestowing blessings?

I waited for further word from my Patrons, but they remained silent. Not confirming, nor denying.

Fine. I’d let it rest for now.

Shaking my head, I turned my focus back to more immediate matters.

"We will be leaving for Sestia in two days," I instructed, my voice firm. "Make the necessary preparations."

Lyall bowed without hesitation, then turned and left, his movements as graceful and precise as always.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I sighed, sinking back into my pillows. Nox immediately took the opportunity to nuzzle against my neck, his small body rubbing against my skin in a silent demand for more affection.

I chuckled softly, obliging him by scratching beneath his wings. He let out a low, pleased hoot, his eyes half-lidded in contentment.

Just as I was about to close my own eyes and drift into sleep—

"Please... Dragon... hear my prayer..."

My breath caught.

I sat up sharply, my fingers stilling in Nox’s feathers. The voice was faint, an echo within my mind, yet undeniably a prayer directed toward me.

I frowned, scanning the room instinctively as if expecting to see the source materialize before me. But of course, there was nothing.

"Is someone praying to me again?" I muttered.

The words were distant, lacking clarity, but the desperation behind them was unmistakable.

Another prayer, another plea.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Nox tilted his head, his large electric blue eyes watching me curiously.

"Wait here, Nox," I murmured, swinging my legs off the bed.

The owl flapped his wings once, then let out a soft, almost pitiful hoot, clearly displeased.

"Nox, stay," I commanded firmly. He slumped over onto my pillow dramatically, his feathers puffed out in sulky defiance.

I smirked. "I’ll give you a treat when I return."

That perked him right up. He straightened immediately, hooting in excitement as he settled himself down obediently.

Satisfied, I moved to the open window, the cool night air rushing against my skin.

Then, with a single motion, I leapt forward.

My wings unfurled, the wind catching beneath them instantly. The three sets of white wings that marked my full power activation spread wide, carrying me effortlessly into the night sky.

Flight had always felt exhilarating, liberating. The freedom of soaring high above the world, looking down upon the vast towns and cities stretched below, was unlike anything else.

I felt the pull from the direction of the royal palace and wondered just who was calling me from there. Was it Augustine? The sensation was strange—compelling yet subtle, like a whisper brushing against my consciousness.

I activated the invisibility spell before I entered the premises of the royal palace, letting my presence dissolve into the night. My instincts carried me toward a particular balcony, where a faint glow caught my eye. There, bathed in the soft light of the moon, stood a young woman with long lavender hair, her hands clasped together in silent supplication, her pearly silver eyes squeezed shut in earnest prayer.

Celestia Konstantinos. My soon-to-be sister-in-law.

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees as I settled onto a sturdy branch nearby. The leaves whispered in response, but the girl remained lost in her prayers. I conjured a small water Dragon in my palms, shaping its fluid form into an elegant, translucent creature, and with a flick of my fingers, sent it gliding toward her.

"Please, please, please..." her quiet murmurs reached my ears, each word a thread of desperation woven into the night.

I smiled, finding her sincerity endearing. "What is it that you’re praying so hard for?" I asked aloud.

She gasped, her eyes snapping open, darting around in search of the source of the voice. When her gaze finally landed on the water Dragon hovering a few feet above her, her jaw dropped.

"Wha-What are you?" She gasped.

"You were praying to a Dragon, weren’t you? So, I came."

"B-But you’re so small."

I almost laughed, "Then do you want me to appear in my original form to let the whole palace know of my arrival?"

Her face went red with embarrassment and without a moment’s hesitation, she fell to her knees, pressing her forehead to the ground.

"I-I’m sorry, please forgive me." She spoke.

I was amused.

"You called for me to listen to your prayers, didn’t you? Then why are you closing your eyes?" I mused. "I’m right here. Open your eyes and tell me what you want."

She lifted her head, hesitant yet awed, her gaze locking onto the Dragon. There was an innocence in her expression, wide-eyed and hopeful, that explained why my brother had fallen so deeply for her.

"I-I didn’t think you would come yourself, Oh Great Dragon," she stammered.

"How could I not?" I said, my voice carrying a gentle amusement. "You were praying so fervently—I had to see what was so important."

She hesitated, then took a deep breath before speaking. "Wi-Will you help me, Lord Dragon?"

I tilted my head. "With what?"

A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face before she gathered her resolve. "I want to break my engagement. Please, help me!"

I raised an eyebrow. This was unexpected. My brother would be over the moon about his engagement, and yet here she was, praying for it to be dissolved. Did the Duchess not consult her own daughter before making such a public announcement?

"Why do you want to break your engagement?" I asked, watching her closely.

Her fingers curled into her skirt. "Th-That... I don’t like the prince... I-I don’t want to be married into an enemy country... I don’t want to die." Her voice trembled, her lower lip quivering as unshed tears gathered in her eyes.

I exhaled slowly. This was going to be difficult.

"And what if he is destined to be your life partner?" I questioned, tilting my head slightly.

She looked up at the Dragon with glossy eyes, her desperation plain.

"Please, don’t say that," she whimpered.

"Have you spoken to your mother about this? Didn’t she and the king arrange this engagement?"

"I-I tried, but Mother said that Prince Rune is a decent man and that he could handle my responsibilities. She agreed to His Majesty’s suggestion without considering my feelings." Her voice rose in frustration. "But I can’t! I-I don’t even know him!"

"Then what if you get to know him first?" I suggested.

She shook her head vehemently. "I’d rather run away!"

A second later, she gasped, as though struck by a revelation. Her expression brightened with determination. "Lord Dragon! Why don’t you help me run away? I can start a new life somewhere far away, in the countryside!"

I nearly burst into laughter. She was adorable. There was no way I could let my brother and our family lose someone like her.

"Even if I did help you run away, do you think everything would go well?" I asked, amusement laced in my voice.

Her expression faltered.

"Your mother and the king announced your engagement before the entire kingdom. What do you think will happen if you try to run away?" I prompted, watching her carefully.

Her shoulders slumped. "So... even you can’t help me?" she asked, her voice small. "I’m going to be married off to the enemy country, to a man I only saw for the first time this afternoon. I don’t know what his family is like, how he will treat me, whether he has a lover, or if he will ever love me... I-I just..." A sob broke through her words, and the tears she had been holding back finally spilled over.

[Goddess of Wisdom says you should feel guilty for fixing the poor girl’s marriage without her consent.]

"Will you stop throwing judgmental comments?" I thought dryly before refocusing on Celestia.

The water Dragon drifted toward her, its liquid form shimmering in the moonlight as it sprinkled droplets onto her. She sniffled and looked up at it, her face flushed red from crying—an oddly endearing sight.

"All right, I’ll help you," I said finally.

Her eyes widened with hope. "Yes?"

"But on one condition."

She straightened, determination returning. "Yes! Whatever it is!"

"You must spend a day with the Prince," I declared.

Her expression froze. "Yes?"

"Spend time with him, talk to him, voice your concerns. If, after that, you still feel he is not someone you want to spend your life with, then I will help you break the engagement."

She stared at the water Dragon, digesting my words. "B-B-But..."

"You won’t have to see Prince Rune’s face ever again, but for that, you must fulfill this condition. Do you think you can do that?"

She lowered her head, deep in thought. I waited.

Finally, she inhaled deeply and nodded. "If I spend one day with the prince, and if I don’t like him, you’ll help break the engagement?"

I’m sorry, Brother.

"Yes," I promised.

She wiped her tears and looked at the dragon with renewed resolve. "All right, I will do it. I will spend a day with the prince, and then you must break the engagement."

"As you wish."

A beat of silence passed before she hesitated. "But... I can’t ask him to spend a day with me."

"Don’t worry about that. I’ll arrange it."

Her eyes widened. "Pardon? How?"

I smirked. "Leave it to me. Now, get some rest."

She let out a weary sigh. "All right... I’ll trust you. Good night, Lord Dragon."

"Good night, Miss Celestia."

She cast one last glance at the water Dragon before retreating into her chambers. As the door clicked shut, I let the Dragon disperse with a quiet ripple and exhaled deeply.

"I just hope Rune won’t flip after hearing this," I muttered, running a hand through my hair before glancing in the direction of my brother’s quarters.

After a moment’s contemplation, I took off in that direction.

It was time to arrange his date with Celestia.

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