The Kingmaker System-Chapter 378 - 377. Huge Screw Up (2)

The next morning arrived quietly, ushered in by the gentle chorus of birdsong and the warm kiss of sunlight against my back. It should’ve been peaceful.

Instead, I groaned, shifting under the weight of tangled sheets and a very insistent tug at my hair.

"Stop it, Nox," I mumbled, half-asleep, trying to wave him away. But he didn’t stop. The large owl’s feathers flapped against my ear, his sharp beak tugging at the strands near my temple like a particularly nagging conscience.

"Master?" Lyall’s voice drifted in, calm and steady as always.

I sighed and burrowed deeper into the sheets like a coward hiding from the world.

"Master, the preparations are all done. We can move tomorrow."

I hummed in acknowledgment, but the weight of his words didn’t hit me until a few seconds later.

Tomorrow.

I sat up abruptly, making Nox flap his wings in alarm and nearly topple off my shoulder. My hair was an absolute disaster, and I could feel black feathers entangled in it. I pulled a couple free, rubbing my temples as the haze of sleep cleared, replaced by the suffocating reminder of the issue still unresolved.

"Good morning, Master." Lyall bowed as I sat cross-legged on the bed, realizing that someone—likely him—had taken off my cloak and shoes while I slept. I didn’t even remember collapsing into bed last night.

"You seemed truly exhausted," he added gently.

"More like emotionally drained," I muttered.

He tilted his head slightly, concerned. "Has something happened?"

I exhaled and ran a hand over my face. "I might have... thoroughly screwed up my brother’s life."

Lyall blinked, clearly not expecting that. "Pardon?"

I nodded, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah. Celestia—she’s not ready for the marriage. And Rune’s already halfway in love with her, so..."

I sighed louder, slouching slightly.

"He’s really fallen for her?"

"Head over heels," I muttered. "But she’s not comfortable leaving her family. She said she’d rather Rune came here to live with her. But that’s never happening. He belongs to us and he’d already rejected the engagement when Duchess Konstantinos asked him to leave his family for them. So, yeah, his relationship is doomed, thanks to me."

Lyall was quiet for a moment, piecing it together. "So... she did enjoy her time with him?"

"She did," I confirmed, a small bitter smile on my lips. "Which makes it worse. They like each other. But circumstances are cruel. I should’ve spoken to both of them before suggesting the engagement. I assumed too much."

Lyall stepped forward slightly, the ever-loyal servant in him unable to stand by. "Is there anything I can do, Master?"

I shook my head. "No. I’ll ask Celestia one last time tonight. If she still hasn’t made her decision... then I’ll go to Rune, confess everything, and take whatever punishment he thinks I deserve."

There was a pause, and then Lyall quietly sank to one knee in front of me. His voice was low, warm with sincerity. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"He’ll forgive you. You know that, right? He loves you more than anyone else in the world."

"I know," I said, voice barely above a whisper. "And that’s exactly why it hurts. I thought I was doing something good for him... I thought they’d be perfect together. Maybe I just overestimated myself. I keep trying to fix people’s lives like they’re chess pieces on a board."

Lyall gave a small, reassuring smile. "You’re trying to protect everyone, Master. That isn’t something to be ashamed of. But even Kings must let their pieces move on their own sometimes."

I gave a small, huffing laugh. "Poetic wisdom now, Lyall?"

"I’ve been spending too much time with you," he teased gently.

I rose from the bed and glanced at the sunlight streaming in through the sheer curtains. "I’m going to visit the Temple today... I have to see Mirielle’s statue."

Lyall stood immediately. "Shall I prepare a bath?"

"Please," I nodded. "I’ll be heading out for a while."

He bowed with practiced grace. "Yes, Master."

Once he left, I turned toward Nox, who sat on the edge of my desk looking at me expectantly.

"Well," I muttered, walking over and grabbing a scrap of parchment, "doesn’t hurt to have some company."

I scribbled a short note and tied it to his leg, giving him clear instructions. He cawed softly as I opened the window.

"Go on then," I murmured.

He flapped his wings and took off into the morning sky, disappearing over the rooftops.

I turned back to my room, reaching for my disguise—one I’d grown used to wearing, even when I wasn’t sure if I needed it.

"Time to face the day."

After an hour, I walked down the stairs and was greeted by Damon, Beatrice and Anastasia. I hadn’t talked to them after the peace treaty day and I guess it wasn’t bad.

We sat for breakfast together and I decided to tell them about me leaving soon.

"Duke Lancaster," I started and he looked at me.

"Yes, Lord Ace?" He spoke sounding too polite for a Duke talking to a merchant.

I gave him a small smile, "I had been very delighted to enjoy the stay at your abode and thanks to you all my work had gone well."

"Why are you speaking like that, Lord Ace? You aren’t planning on leaving soon are you?" Beatrice asked and I smiled.

"I’m afraid the answer is yes, My Lady."

"What? You’re leaving already!" Anastasia gasped but Damon didn’t seem surprised.

"I thought that was the case since I heard that Mr Zoro has been going around making preparations." He said and I gave him an apologetic smile.

"I know, I was so caught up that I couldn’t tell you myself."

"So, when are you going to leave?" He asked.

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?!"

The three of them were taken aback and I couldn’t help the smile.

"But that’s too soon!" Beatrice gasped.

"I know but I just return now, my family awaits me." I said.

"Can’t you stay just for a little more while?" Anastasia asked and I smiled.

"I would have loved to, Young Miss but I’m afraid I should return now. I’ve been away from my house for a while, I miss my people." I said with a smile and she averted her eyes.

"Then, can you at least spend your day with us?" She suggested and I blinked.

"Ah... I’m sorry but I already have an appointment." I apologised.

"Where are you going?" Beatrice asked.

"I was hoping to visit the Temple today w-"

"The Temple! That’s a great idea!" Anastasia grinned, "We can go together, right Father?"

Damon looked at her and then at me, "I’m afraid, I wouldn’t be able to make it. I have to go to the palace for some work so, if it’s not a hassle then can you please let my wife and my daughter keep you company today, Lord Ace?"

I looked at the two ladies who looked at me, Anastasia with wide expectant eyes and Beatrice with her emotions cleverly concealed.

"I’d love to." I responded.

After an hour, I and the ladies were in the carriage headed towards the Temple.

"I didn’t know you were a religious person, Lord Ace." Beatrice started a conversation and I smiled.

"It’s not about being religious, My Lady. I have faith and that’s what is enough." I smiled and she smiled back.

"I see,"

"Lord Ace, have you heard about the legend of the Saintess and the Dragon." Anastasia asked me looking excited.

"Yes, I had heard that years ago when the Demons world’s doors were opened Saintess Miella invoked the Dragons who came to save the earth from being destroyed. And at the end, Saintess Miella and the Great Golden Dragon sacrificed themselves to seal the Demon world’s doors." I explained and she shook her head.

"Not that one! The other one about the Saintess who was sent here by the Dragon- the same one that appeared during the parade and blessed the Princes and our King!" She spoke excitedly.

"Ah, that one. I did hear the stories about that Saintess and how she disappeared." I said and Anastasia shook her head again.

"My Lord, Saintess Mirielle didn’t disappear, some say she was born from the water Dragon’s blessing and he had sent his beloved daughter to this land to save us from the plague and she came all the way blessing everyone without any discrimination and at the end when the Pope was entrapped by the Demon the Dragon called her back so that she wouldn’t be harmed by the evil." She explained and I raised my eyebrows feiging surprise.

"Oh, is that so? That’s quite a story!" I said and she nodded.

"It’s quite beautiful, right?"

"It is." I said.

After a while, we reached at the entrance of the Temple and I got down giving my hand to Beatrice and Anastasia helping them out. Lyall came up beside me and he patted my shoulder.

"Master," he said and I turned to look at him, he gestured me in a particular direction.

I looked up at the alabaster building sensing the presence whom I was expecting to see. He stood a couple of feet away with his back against the pillar and my owl perched on his shoulder as his head was turned in our direction.

I raised my hand and waved at him. He moved at once and made his way towards us. The Lancaster family knights who were guarding us were altered at once as he approached us.

"Who are you?" The Vice Captain asked and I patted his shoulder.

"Don’t worry, he’s my acquaintance." I said and the knights stepped back but didn’t put their guard down.

Davian eyed me and then at the entourage behind me.

"I thought we were visiting the Temple on our own." He spoke with his arms crossed.

"No, no, don’t be so rude, don’t you see these two beautiful ladies with me? They are keeping me company today since I’m leaving tomorrow."

He flinched at that, "Y-You’re leaving tomorrow?"

"We’ll talk about that later," I spoke in a low voice and then turned to Beatrice and Anastasia.

Well, I couldn’t give them Davian’s real name so, I just smiled and gestured at him.

"Dear Ladies, this is my acquaintance Lord Levi Ackerman."

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