The Kingmaker System-Chapter 377 - 376. Huge Screw Up (1)

I perched comfortably on the branch of the tree a couple of feet away from Celestia’s balcony, my arm draped lazily over my raised knee as I rested my chin on it. My eyes stayed fixed on her figure inside the room—she was pacing, again and again, her steps short and restless. Her hair was tied in neat braids, but stray wisps kept falling as she chewed nervously on her lower lip.

She hadn’t prayed for my presence yet. Or maybe she was simply lost in thought. Was she rehearsing what she wanted to say to me? Or was she unsure if she even wanted to see me?

I waited.

The moon climbed high and bathed the world in silver light, yet Celestia stayed within the confines of her room. Past midnight now. I finally sighed and raised my hand, manipulating the latch of her balcony doors with a gentle pull of telekinesis. They creaked open slowly, letting in a gust of cool wind that made the drapes flutter and the lanterns flicker.

Celestia gasped, whipping her head toward the sudden movement. Her eyes widened in alarm—until they landed on the small water dragon sailing in on the breeze, iridescent and humming with soft blue light.

Her shoulders sagged in relief. "L-Lord Dragon... you scared me," she said, stepping onto the balcony.

"I was waiting," I said, my voice calm, floating from the water dragon’s mouth as I kept my true self concealed. "I thought you’d summon me... tell me what was on your mind. But you didn’t. So I came."

A guilty shadow passed over her features. "I’m sorry for making you wait, Lord Dragon... I didn’t realize you were expecting me."

I smiled lightly. "Well, if it is for my people then I’d gladly wait on them."

Her cheeks flushed a soft pink. She bowed her head with flustered grace. "I-I’m honored to hear that."

My voice grew quieter, more curious. "So, what have you decided?"

She glanced down, her fingers tangling nervously with the hem of her chemise. "Um... that is..."

I tilted my head slightly, watching her squirm. The air around us carried the scent of night-blooming lilies and something else—young affection, unsure and trembling. I decided to tease.

"Did you not enjoy the date?" I asked playfully.

Her head shot up. "Huh? No-!"

"No?" I echoed, faking a concerned sigh. "That’s... unfortunate. Poor boy. I guess he had no other choice."

"No other choice?" Her voice trembled with uncertainty, her wide eyes fixed on the tiny dragon that carried my voice.

"What else could he do?" I mused aloud. "Since you’re set on breaking the engagement, he’ll have to give something up."

"Give something up...? What?"

"His life, of course."

Her mouth fell open. "Wh-What?! Why?!"

I continued smoothly, enjoying her fluster. "Well, think about it. If the engagement is broken without a proper reason, it stains the reputations of both families—especially yours. But if the Prince were to die in a tragic accident, or an unfortunate duel... then the engagement would dissolve naturally. A simple solution."

"No! Wait—why would we kill him? Isn’t there another way?" she exclaimed, taking a step forward, her fists clenched tightly at her chest.

I let the water dragon circle lazily in the air, feigning contemplation. "Hmm... we could ruin his reputation, I suppose. Expose a fabricated scandal. Tell the kingdom he’s unworthy of you. Of course, that would mean disgrace for him... he’d be ridiculed for years."

Her face turned pale. "That’s... that’s terrible..."

"Then what do you suggest?" I asked in a deceptively light tone. "Should I conjure a fictional lover for you? You could claim you’re in love with someone else. That would give you a solid reason to walk away."

Her brows furrowed in distress. "But then... my mother, and His Majesty... the whole court..."

She was already shaking her head.

"Celestia," I said more firmly this time, cutting through her spiraling thoughts.

She froze.

"Tell me the truth. Did you really not enjoy your time with the Prince?"

She looked down again, her fingers entwining with each other, and her lips parted—only to shut again.

Her silence was answer enough.

"If you truly don’t want this marriage," I began, watching her fidget under the moonlight, "then I’ll speak to the Prince myself. It won’t bode well for him, but he’ll still go to Augustine and your mother. He’ll be the one to say he doesn’t want the engagement."

Celestia’s eyes widened. She stared at the small water dragon suspended in the air before her, her voice breaking out in disbelief. "What? But... it’s me—I’m the one who—"

"That’s exactly what I’m saying," I interrupted, my tone calm but firm. "He won’t let your name be dragged through the dirt. He’ll shoulder the blame. He’ll take the shunning... even if it isn’t fair."

She lowered her gaze, the hem of her chemise wrinkling beneath her clenched fingers. I let out a quiet sigh, watching her small form tremble ever so slightly under the weight of decision.

"Do you really not like him?" I asked gently. "Is he truly that unworthy of your feelings?"

She shook her head quickly, her voice fragile as she replied, "N-No... that’s not it."

"Then what is it?"

She hesitated again, lips parted as she struggled to form the words. "It’s just... Prince Rune is really kind. Brave. Strong too. He’s... he’s someone I could admire." Her fingers trembled, and she clenched them tighter. "But after marriage... I’ll have to leave Denril. I’ll have to go to Sestia and... I—"

She paused mid-sentence. Her eyes widened suddenly, like a spark had lit within them. She turned to the dragon, excitement replacing her nervousness.

"Lord Dragon! What if... what if Prince Rune stays here in Denril instead?" she asked brightly. "With me and Mother? He’ll be the Duke of Livelstone anyway, so he could stay here, couldn’t he? Isn’t that perfect?"

I narrowed my gaze, studying her hopeful expression. "That’s... a good idea."

Her smile grew brighter, stars twinkling in her eyes. "Isn’t it? He’ll love it here! And then—"

"But," I cut in sharply, "if you put that condition on the marriage, he’ll definitely reject it."

Her smile faltered instantly, slipping off her face like dew under sunlight. "Eh? Why?" she asked, confused. "I-I thought... I mean, wouldn’t that be great?"

I shook my head slightly. "Great for whom, Celestia? I understand your reluctance to leave your home. Truly, I do. But asking someone to walk away from their family, their kingdom, from the people he’s bled for on the battlefield... that’s not love. That’s fear."

Guilt washed over her features, and she looked down.

"I-I didn’t mean—"

"It’s fine," I said, dismissing her excuse. "Forget it. I’ll simply tell him he should marry someone else. I’ll search for the best girl in this entire world. Someone who won’t chain him, but complete him. Someone who’ll walk beside him without asking him to cut his roots."

The water dragon turned to leave.

"No, wait!" she called out suddenly, panic in her voice.

I paused. Her eyes darted toward me, desperate and vulnerable, but still uncertain. She was still torn—between her heart and her mother... between the boy she was falling for and the only home she’d ever known.

"It seems," I murmured, "that you still haven’t thought about this seriously, Celestia."

She hung her head in shame, her voice coming in a whisper. "I’m sorry..."

I crossed my arms as I spoke again, softer this time. "It’s clear from his actions that he likes you." Her eyes grew glassy, tears threatening to fall.

"And I understand your side as well," I continued, my voice gentle. "Leaving your mother, your homeland, your memories behind... it’s frightening. And on top of that, you were never given a choice."

Her gaze slowly lifted to the water dragon, her lips trembling.

"For that, I apologize," I said sincerely.

She blinked, surprised by the words.

"I’ll give you some more time. But I won’t be able to intervene anymore. You’ll have to decide on your own, and face what comes next."

Her gasp escaped before she could stop it. "What? Why?"

"Because I have someplace else to be. Tomorrow night will be the last time I see you. If by then you’ve made your decision, tell me. If not... then leave it to fate. Rune will follow what he feels is right."

I stood, the wind catching the hems of my robes.

"Then... I’ll take my leave now."

The water dragon flapped its wings and soared into the night, shimmering softly against the pale moonlight. I turned from the perch and leapt from the tree, my form disappearing into the dark sky as I flew toward the Lancaster estate.

I’m sorry, brother.

The first thing that I would do once I return to Sestia would be to look for a suitable girl for Rune so that-

[Defender of Divine Glory tells you to stay out of it.]

"Huh?"

[Giver of Gifts says it’s cruel to play with Rune’s emotions anymore.]

"Wait, I’m not-"

[Goddess of Wisdom asks you to not exploit your Brother’s heart anymore.]

[Defender of Divine Glory is disappointed at your tendency to think that you could control everyone around as if they are not humans and only your pawns.]

[Goddess of Wisdom also abhors this tendency of yours.]

[Giver of Gifts says it will be better if you don’t do anything for a while.]

I landed in my room and Nox perked up as soon as I came in. He flapped his wings while I went over and plopped on the bed.

I was responsible for my brother’s unsuccessful first crush. I shouldn’t have made that deal with Celestia, no, I shouldn’t have responded to her prayers. Wait, I shouldn’t have taken Rune to see her in the first place then he wouldn’t have had feelings for her.

[Goddess of Wisdom says you should never have fixed the engagement of your brother and Celestia without their agreement in the first place.]

The sharp words in the notification made me feel even more bad and I groaned loudly before I cursed myself for being so presumptuous.

This wasn’t a war or a political matter, it was the life of not one but two people, one being my beloved brother.

[Giver of Gifts asks you to go apologise to your brother if things don’t work out well.]

"Yes, I’ll go apologise to him first thing after I talk to Celestia tomorrow. This is probably the biggest screw up I could have managed to make." I mumbled and looked at Nox who seemed confused before I sighed and closed my eyes going to sleep instantly.

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