The Kingmaker System-Chapter 382 - 381. Un-Resolved (2)

The darkness still clung heavily to the sky, thick as velvet. Dawn was two hours away, the world caught in that fragile pause between night and morning. A quiet chill stirred in the air as I made my way back to the palace. There were farewells I needed to give—first to Eric... then to Rune.

I decided to visit Eric first. I would need more time with Rune, and I didn’t want to rush that moment.

With a wave of my hand, I unlocked the window to Eric’s chambers using telekinesis, the latch unhooking with a soft click. Slipping inside soundlessly, I moved toward his bed. The moonlight spilling in from behind me cast a long shadow across the floor.

Sensing a presence, Eric shot upright with a gasp, his hands instinctively clenching into fists.

"Good to see you so alert, Your Highness," I said with a quiet smile as I dropped the invisibility spell.

He let out a breath and lowered his fists, his tense shoulders easing. "Master..."

I took a seat beside him at the edge of his bed, the silence wrapping around us like an old cloak.

"I’m leaving at sunrise," I told him plainly.

He blinked at me, still not fully awake. "You’re returning to Sestia?"

I nodded. "The work here is done. Once you return from this side, I’ll come visit you at Fairisles Mansion. We’ll discuss our next course of action then."

Eric nodded slowly, processing my words. His hands settled on his thighs, clasped tightly.

"It’s hard to believe I’ve come this far, Master," he said softly, a flicker of awe in his voice.

I looked at him for a moment, seeing not the hesitant prince from months ago but a young man on the verge of something greater. I patted his shoulder gently.

"Believe it. And know this—there’s still more to come. This is just one battle. The war’s far from over. Be ready to fight."

He let out a sigh and then a faint smile pulled at his lips. "I’m sure you’ll be with me through it all, Master."

I gave a short chuckle. "I’ll be your charioteer, Prince Eric. I’ll stay by your side whenever you need me. But remember... the battlefield is yours. You’ll have to fight your own battles."

Eric nodded, more solemn now. "I won’t let you down, Master."

"It’s not about me," I said gently, my gaze steady on his. "It’s the kingdom you’ll one day rule. That’s who you owe that promise to."

His shoulders tensed at that, the weight of his future pressing into him. I stood and turned toward the window, sensing the hesitation in his silence.

"Don’t be anxious," I said without looking back. "Just focus on your deeds. I’ll handle the rest."

I stepped onto the window railing, the cool breeze lifting the edges of my cloak. Behind me, I heard his quiet footsteps approach.

"Have a safe journey, Master," he said softly.

I turned my head over my shoulder, offering him a calm, confident smile. "Yes. And I’ll be waiting for you in Sestia... Your Majesty."

His eyes widened at the title, realization dawning slowly as I activated the invisibility spell and leapt into the air. For a brief second, I caught the look of surprise and pride in his eyes before I disappeared from sight—vanishing into the last hours of the night as I made my way to Rune’s room, just next door.

I entered his room the same way I had with Eric’s—silent as the night, the soft clink of the window latch unlocking with a brush of telekinesis. But unlike Eric, Rune was already awake. He turned his head sharply the moment the window creaked open, and in a swift motion, he sat up in bed.

"Morning, Brother," I said softly, dropping the invisibility spell. A faint shimmer passed through the air as I appeared before him.

Rune’s tense posture eased when he saw me, but not completely. His pink hair was an unruly mess, the strands tousled as if he’d run his hands through it a dozen times.

"You didn’t sleep?" I asked, my voice gentling as I shifted back into Reina’s form.

He exhaled heavily, running a tired hand through his hair. "I couldn’t."

"Are you feeling sick or something?" I reached out and placed my hand against his forehead. His skin was cool—normal. Not fevered.

"I’m fine... It’s not that." He lowered his gaze. "Lady Celestia spoke to me yesterday. She said... she’s having second thoughts about our engagement. I told her what I could, tried to reassure her... but I’m worried."

I felt my heart sink a little. My hand slowly slid from his forehead, and I took his hand in mine, gently pulling him to sit at the edge of the bed.

"She said she couldn’t marry because she didn’t want to leave her family and home, didn’t she?" I asked gently.

He nodded, the worry visible in the lines carved into his expression. "I thought maybe the date would help. That maybe... I could show her she could be happy with me. But it didn’t seem to work."

He shook his head, jaw tightening.

I looked down, curling my fingers into a fist as guilt pricked the back of my throat and I sat near his feet. "I’m sorry, Brother."

I felt his hand resting on my head as he said softly, "It’s not your fault, Reina."

But I didn’t let him comfort me. I reached up and held the hand he’d rested on my head. "No... it is."

He blinked at me, clearly confused. "What are you talking about?"

"I spoke to her... after- before your date," I admitted, looking away.

"What?" His voice held confusion, not yet anger. But it was coming—I could feel it swelling behind the silence.

"You see... Dragons have the status of being God’s whom people pray to... And since I also have the Dragon’s blood in me so... I can hear prayers of those in need at times."

Rune stared at me, stunned. He didn’t interrupt—just waited.

"Celestia’s prayer was so strong that I had to go. I didn’t reveal myself fully, just... appeared as a small water dragon. I thought it might comfort her." I hesitated. "And she... she prayed for her engagement to be broken."

His silence was heavier now. I could feel his gaze on me like cold steel.

"But I couldn’t just break it. So, I made a deal with her—that she would speak to you, give the bond a fair chance. I told her to go on that date with you before deciding."

The storm in Rune’s eyes had begun to gather. His jaw clenched tighter as I felt the temperature around us dropping rapidly.

"That’s why I suggested the date," I continued, hurriedly. "I followed you, to make sure everything went well. Davian helped. He used that sword-fighting competition to cast you as a hero in her eyes. When you fought, I... might have helped a little. Cheated, just slightly, so you’d win. I only wanted her to see your strength and heart..."

Rune’s expression didn’t soften. If anything, it hardened.

"She was happy," I insisted. "She cared when you were hurt. She did enjoy the time you spent together. But she was still hesitant... so I gave her one more day. And tonight—just a couple hours ago—I met her again. She told me she wants to go through with the engagement. She was relieved after speaking with you directly. It was me... who complicated everything."

Silence.

Rune’s face was unreadable now, cold and still like a mountain under winter’s frost. His gaze didn’t waver. Didn’t blink.

"...Brother?" I whispered, my voice shrinking against the weight of his silence.

He didn’t respond. Just stared past me, jaw taut and eyes fixed somewhere far off. I knew that look. It was the face he wore when words failed him—when anger was too deep to put into sentences.

[Goddess of Wisdom says it’s obvious he’s angry at what you did.]

[Defender of Divine Glory says you should accept any punishment that your brother bestows on you.]

I bowed my head low, my voice steady despite the sting in my chest. "I’ll accept any punishment you give me, Brother. I’m sorry. I know I crossed a line."

Still, he didn’t speak. Not a word. Just sat with that haunted look, the quiet fire burning in his eyes.

I lingered only a moment longer, then rose to my feet.

"I’m leaving at sunrise," I said softly. "When you return... you may decide whatever punishment you feel is right."

I turned and stepped out onto the balcony, the wind brushing past my face.

"I’m sorry, Brother. Farewell," I said softly before leaping off the balcony railing.

[Giver of Gifts asks you not to feel too bad.]

"But I did something wrong..."

[Giver of Gifts says it’s still good that you confessed everything honestly.]

"That’s exactly why he’s angry... God knows what he’ll do now." I sighed, just as a sharp whistle cut through the early morning stillness, drawing my gaze.

Davian was standing on his own balcony, arms folded over the railing, a lazy smirk playing on his lips as he looked straight at me.

"You’re visible," he said casually, and I glanced down at myself, realizing I’d forgotten to reapply the invisibility spell.

I let out a quiet breath. "Right..." I murmured, before gliding to his side.

He turned to face me, his usual easy expression in place.

"What are you doing up so early, Prince Davian?"

"I couldn’t sleep," he replied. "Thought I’d catch the sunrise."

"It’s still a while away," I said, perching on the railing beside him.

He tilted his head slightly. "I wasn’t talking about that sun, Master."

I blinked, caught off guard. "Someone might think you’re into men, Prince Davian."

He gave a low chuckle. "I don’t care."

The memory of his words from the Temple came to mind. "By the way... what were you saying earlier at the Temple?"

"Hm?" he raised a brow.

"You said something about already having... what exactly?"

Understanding dawned in his expression. "Ah, that. I was saying I already have someone I like."

My eyes widened. "Wait—what? Who?!"

He smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "That’s a secret."

"That’s not fair, Prince Davian."

"Aren’t you the leader of the most skilled information guild? Find out who’s my lover," he teased.

I gasped, hand over my mouth. "So it’s mutual?"

A rare flicker of embarrassment passed over his face as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well... I haven’t confessed yet."

A soft laugh escaped me. "Now that is a rare sight. I never thought I’d see the ’Beast of the Battlefield’ flustered over love."

"Don’t tease me, Master. I don’t even know what I’d say if I saw them face-to-face."

His voice was quieter now—genuine. For a moment, he looked more human than warrior—just a man, nervous about the person who had quietly taken root in his heart.

I found myself smiling. Whoever this mysterious person was, they were lucky. After all, the one who held Davian’s heart was someone worth knowing.

And honestly... I’d like to meet the lady who managed to tame the God of War.

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