The Kingmaker System-Chapter 388 - 387. Family Dinner (2)

Kai and I entered the large dining hall finding my father at the head of the table followed by Grandfather who sat directly on his left, Alys sitting next to him and then my Uncle Silas.

"Good evening, Father, Grandfather, Uncle Silas, Princess Alys." I greeted them with a smile.

"Good evening, Your Grace, Marquis, Archmage and Your Highness." Kai bowed gracefully though I could sense his nervousness.

He was still nervous when it came to people outside Ryujin and Eldarf. I guess it was time that I would have to send him to Grandfather or at the Mage’s Tower for further studies.

"Good evening to you too," Alys smiled.

"Good evening, have a seat." Grandfather responded.

"You’re late," came my uncle’s response and I chuckled as I and Kai made our way to the dining hall.

I sat on my father’s right with Kai taking a seat beside me.

"I wasn’t expecting to see you all here,"

"Even if you knew we were you wouldn’t have hurried," Silas shot back making me tilt my head while keeping the smile.

"Maybe." I said.

Grandfather cleared his throat silencing our little chatter before the maids started serving the dinner to us. After they were done with their work, they stepped back and we started eating.

My father looked slightly on edge to have Grandfather sitting directly to his side but I guess he was drawing strength by keeping his eyes on me.

For a while nobody spoke as this wasn’t our place to talk, our meeting would take place in the library where it usually happens but I guess Ayls was slightly uncomfortable because of the silence. She kept watching us all hoping someone would start talking but when none did, she decided to break the silence herself.

"H-How are you, Young Master Kai? It’s been a while since we met. How’s Master?" Alys asked Kai.

"I’m fine, Your Highness and even Master is fine."

"I heard he went on a business trip, has he returned?" She asked.

"Yes, he returned two days ago."

Alys smiled, "That’s great, maybe I’ll drop by at Ryujin mansion to see him."

Silas cleared his throat and I looked at him before I looked at father and Grandfather who were silent. Father’s plate seemed empty already so, I served him some more salad making him look at me.

"Don’t look at me like that, you should be eating well." I said and he sighed before smiling and ate what I served him.

After that the silence persisted for a couple more minutes and Alys looked at us as if expecting someone of us to start any conversation but we all sat quietly and she decided to start another topic herself.

"It’s been a while since we had dined like this together," she spoke up looking around for anyone to pick up her prompt and continue the conversation.

"Indeed," I spoke up making her look at me with glittering, grateful scarlet eyes.

"I haven’t seen you in so long, Reina. How is your health now?" She asked.

Well, Alys wasn’t currently in on the secret about my and Ocean’s identities so, like a lot of people even she was told that I was sickly that’s why I would be recuperating in the countryside house alone.

"I’m good thank you, Your Highness."

"Oh, Reina, please don’t use that honorifics it’s... uncomfortable." She said.

She wasn’t yet comfortable with her own title, we hadn’t exposed her to the world to it was only natural that she would be like that. Still, like Eric I will reinstate her in her her rightful place.

"Then should I call you Aunty Alys?" I asked making Silas cough.

I resisted my urge to laugh but I heard a light snort from Grandfather and even my father coughed to hide his laughter.

"Um... If you are comfortable with that then, I’m fine." She said stealing a glance at Silas and he wiped his mouth with the kerchief gathering his composure.

"What do you say, Uncle?" I asked him and he looked at me.

"You should already be addressing her as your Aunty, Reina." He said and I smiled.

"Is that so? All right then, I’ll address you as Aunt Alys from now on." I announced.

The silence persisted again as we all went back to eating and Alys whose face was slightly red kept her head down. I could see Silas giving me a light glare for teasing him and I smiled at him sweetly making him roll his eyes before turning his eyes back to his food.

"It’s been a while, Young Master Kai." Grandfather spoke and Kai ever so slightly stiffened.

"Yes, Your Excellency." He responded and I looked at him.

"I heard you are studying hard under Marquis Ryujin." Grandfather continued and Kai nodded.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Ma-Uncle has been teaching me well." He said, catching himself just in time.

Outside our safe homes, Kai was supposed to address Ocean as his Uncle and not Master to legitimize his position in the world.

"Hm... It’s quite good that despite being so busy, your Uncle finds time for you." He said and I tilted my head slightly.

"Yes," Kai said, "Despite being very busy, my Uncle always makes time for me."

Grandfather looked at him and then a small smile spread over his bearded face and he nodded.

"Why don’t you all stay for the night?" I spoke up looking at our guests.

"What?" Alys blinked and I smiled.

"All right," Silas said.

"I was thinking of it too," Grandfather spoke.

Both of them announced it quite casually that Alys looked at them slightly surprised.

After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms for the time being, waiting for the night.

It was nearing 10 when I sat in the chair in the library with the game of chess in front of me, and Kai sitting on the chair at the conference table playing with Nox, he still seemed nervous.

"Are you nervous?" I asked him and he looked at me.

"No," he said and I smiled before I picked up the white knight and took out the black bishop and then looked up as the doors opened revealing Grandfather and Silas.

They walked over and took a seat on the chairs at the conference table.

"Isn’t your father here yet?" Grandfather asked.

"He’s coming." I said as I moved my Queen and pulled a check on the game.

"He’s late." Silas mumbled.

Just then the doors of the library opened again revealing my father followed by Tobias who brought us the tray of tea and refreshments.

"So, shall we start?" Silas spoke up and I stood up from the armchair and made my way to the head of the table which was left empty for me.

"Let’s begin." I announced looking at the men of my family.

"How did the things go in Denril?" Silas and Grandfather asked in unison and then looked at each other with frowns.

Just when would these two fix their hostility?

"Everything went smoothly, the peace treaty was signed and even the people of Denril accepted the three Princes of Sestia."

"But they offered a marriage proposal for Rune, are you sure that is fine?" Grandfather asked.

"Actually... I was the one who suggested it to the King." I admitted.

"What?"

"Yes, well..."

I explained to them about the situation for their better understanding and till the end of it both Uncle and Grandfather were frowning.

"So, he’s not talking to you now." Grandfather mumbled.

"I’ll talk to him when he returns," Silas said and I shook my head.

"No, Uncle. It’s the matter between me and Brother so, it’s better if we sort it out ourselves." I said and he sighed.

"What do you say about this thing?" Grandfather asked Dad.

Dad looked at me before he said, "Rune loves Reina too much to stay mad at her, I’m sure they will work it out without anyone else’s interference."

There was a moment of silence as everybody let the topic rest and Silas prompted.

"What about the future plan now? I’m sure the Golden Serpent would be planning something as well."

"I’m sure," I agreed, "and when she comes to know that the sea routes that King of Denril gave weren’t for Sestia but personally to Eric, Brother Rune and Davian then, I’m sure she will have an amusing reaction."

Their eyebrows jumped as they heard that and I smiled.

"Prince Eric got two sea routes while Brother Rune and Davian got one each."

Silas snorted, "She would probably kill someone after hearing this,"

"There was already pretty thick tension in the royal court because Prince Carlos wasn’t invited to Denril and Prince Eric was called instead, after hearing this I could only imagine what kind of chaos she would make." Grandfather said.

"Anyways, why was Prince Davian there? I thought you didn’t include him in your plan." Silas asked and I nodded.

"Well, he showed up unexpectedly during the duel and from there I guess he was invited because he is the future Grand Duke of Sestia and the protector of Frosthail." I shrugged.

"How is he?" Grandfather asked.

"He’s grown quite well," I said, "just as I had imagined when I saw him when he was a child, he’s gotten strong and can handle his aura pretty well too."

"That’s good," Grandfather nodded.

"What about Prince Eric?" He asked.

"He’s grown quite strong as well, the training and the war did them all good." I said and then looked at Silas.

"As for the future plan then I have two plans, first is that there will be the celebratory ball in Denril in three months so, I’m sure Father you have got the invitation already. And even Grand Duke must have got the invitation so, I want you to go."

"What about you?" Dad asked.

"I’ll be here making preparations for their return, I couldn’t let the Golden Serpent make any moves that won’t be met by any resistance." I answered and he nodded.

"Also, Father, you will take a knight whom I assign you along with Sir Rudyard’s group." I said and Dad looked at me.

"Pardon?"

"Yes, also, the Princes will be returning within a month so, there will be celebration here as well. Although I have told my subordinates to keep an eye on the surroundings but I’d like for Grandfather and Uncle to keep an eye on your sides in case something goes wrong." I instructed.

"All right, don’t worry." Silas answered and Grandfather nodded.

"One last thing," I said, "I plan to drop a huge announcement during the debutante so, I would like it if you were prepared for that."

"What announcement?" Silas asked and even Grandfather seemed to be trying to decipher the meaning of it and I smirked.

"I’m going to put Prince Eric against Prince Carlos publicly and make sure the world knows that Prince Eric will be the future King."

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