The Kingmaker System-Chapter 395 - 394. Preparing For The Counter Attack (1)

The next morning, a soft knock roused me from the quiet hush of my chambers.

When I opened the door, I found Lyall already standing there, composed in posture but visibly tense beneath the calm surface. His eyes flickered with suppressed guilt, and his jaw was locked tightly as if he’d been grinding his thoughts all night.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair, fingers tangling briefly in the long strands before stepping aside to let him in.

Without a word, he moved to prepare the bath for me, his motions sharp, precise—too precise. The tension in his frame was unmistakable, every movement riddled with a silent self-reproach.

"An assassin managed to sneak in last night," I said plainly.

He froze.

The sound of water filling the tub became the only noise in the room for a moment.

"He was disguised as one of the guards," I continued, watching his back as his fingers clenched around the copper faucet. "There might be more."

Slowly, Lyall turned to face me, and though he said nothing, his eyes—strained and lined with fatigue—spoke volumes. He had failed in his own eyes. Not just as a retainer, but as someone whose sole duty was to keep threats like this far away from me.

"I’ll take my bath. After that, summon the leaders of every team responsible for the territories under my protection. I want them in the training ground behind the mansion within three hours," I said, tone clipped but steady.

Lyall bowed immediately. "Yes, Master," he said, voice low and heavy.

He moved toward the exit, clearly intent on leaving to follow orders at once, but I stepped closer and gently placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Don’t beat yourself up," I said quietly. "This is a reaction to my actions. I knew this was coming. I won’t blame anyone for letting an assassin slip by—not if the attack was meant for me. If they want me, they can come. But you must ensure that Kai and the others are protected. I won’t compromise on that."

Lyall’s head dipped further, his breath shaky with restrained emotion. But he nodded.

I could feel how much it hurt him to accept what had happened. Still, he would rise from it. That was his way.

"Oh, and," I added, just as his hand touched the doorknob, "wake my vassals. I want to see them all at breakfast. Also, prepare the hangover soup for them."

He turned his head just enough to meet my eyes and gave a short nod before silently taking his leave.

The door clicked shut behind him, and silence settled over the room once more.

I let out a long sigh, fingers moving to undo the clasps of my clothing. My coat slid off my shoulders, followed by my shirt and trousers. Finally, I reached up and removed the ear stud that cloaked me in Ocean’s form.

The moment it came off, a gentle shimmer swept across my skin, and my reflection in the mirror shifted—black hair cascading into a long, silvery wave as my body returned to its original self. Reina.

I tied my silver hair up into a loose bun and stepped into the tub. The water was just the right warmth, embracing me with a gentle hush as it lapped against my skin. I sank lower into it, my breath easing in and out with the familiar scent of sandalwood drifting around me.

For a few blessed moments, I let the silence hold me.

The Queen had moved. I could already feel the ripple effects reaching me. This was only the beginning.

She had started her retort faster than expected, and if I knew her well, she wouldn’t stop until she had tested every weakness in my defenses. But I would not wait on the back foot.

No, we would welcome her strikes. And when the time came, we would return them with tenfold force.

I lingered a while longer in the calming bath, letting it wash away the exhaustion that clung to me like a second skin. Then I rose, drying myself swiftly, and slipped into my usual attire—casual yet sharp. A black shirt with the top button left open, black trousers tailored to fit with subtle elegance, and a long coat hanging loose from my shoulders.

I left my aqua blue hair down, letting it cascade like flowing water, soft but untamed. A gentle reminder that no matter what form I took—Ocean or Reina—I was still the tide they could never control.

I stepped out of my room to find Remi standing there, his posture straight but his eyes betraying the tension he carried.

"The vassals and Young Master Kai are waiting for you in the dining hall, Master," he said, bowing slightly.

I nodded and began walking, and Remi followed closely beside me. The corridor was quiet, but the unease that lingered from the night before seemed to cling to the walls. I could feel it in the air—and in the way Remi’s shoulders were drawn up a little too tightly.

"You’re worried about what happened last night?" I asked, my gaze flickering to him.

He glanced at me, hesitated. "Well... I..." His voice faltered, and he looked away, his fists tightening at his sides.

I reached out and rested my hand gently on his head, my fingers brushing through his hair.

"We haven’t exactly had a shortage of such attacks, Remi. Don’t let it shake you too much."

He looked up at me, eyes wide and uncertain.

"I’m not scared, Master," he said quietly, "I’m just... worried. If it hadn’t been you but Young Master Kai there then..."

His voice trailed off, a visible shiver running through him at the thought. My jaw tensed for the briefest moment, but I eased it and gave his hair a gentle ruffle.

"Listen to me, Remi," I said, my voice calm but certain, "As long as I’m alive, no harm will come to Kai—or anyone else under my protection. No one’s ill intent will ever reach them. Not while I’m here."

He stared at me with that familiar expression—an odd mix of admiration and quiet concern that he tried hard to suppress.

I offered him a small smile, and the tips of his ears turned red before his cheeks flushed entirely.

"I—I apologize for my unnecessary—"

I cut him off with a quiet laugh, ruffling his hair more playfully this time. "Don’t apologize for caring, Remi. I like that about you. It means your heart’s in the right place."

The poor boy flushed deeper and dropped his gaze, trying to hide the tiny smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"I-I understand, Master," he said softly.

I let my hand fall from his head and turned forward again, walking ahead with measured steps.

Behind me, Remi followed a little lighter on his feet—still silent, still composed, but no longer carrying the same weight in his shoulders.

I entered the dining hall, Remi trailing silently behind me. The gentle clinking of cutlery and porcelain quieted as all eyes turned toward the door.

"Good morning, Master," the vassals greeted in unison, their voices a mix of reverence and slight grogginess.

"Good morning, Uncle," Kai chimed in with a soft smile. Despite the brightness in his voice, I could clearly see the faint purplish shadows under his radiant blue eyes—traces of exhaustion he tried to hide behind cheer.

"Good morning, everyone," I replied, my tone calm as I made my way toward the head of the long table.

As I passed by Kai, I reached out and ruffled his hair lightly, murmuring a subtle rejuvenation spell under my breath. The blue spangles danced in his eyes faintly—only for a moment—and within three seconds, the fatigue left his body. Kai blinked, touching the top of his head in mild surprise.

I took my seat at the head of the table, folding one leg over the other as I observed the rest.

"How are you three?" I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly as I took in their sorry states—bloodshot eyes, sluggish movements, and expressions of deep regret.

"Are you asking because we don’t already look miserable enough, Master?" Lord Devil muttered, rubbing his temples.

"I’m never drinking anything that Lord Devil brings from now on," Zach groaned dramatically, resting his head on the table.

"It’s your fault for gulping it down like water, Lord Snake," Lord Hawke said, his tone clipped as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

The maids entered with practiced grace, setting down plates of steaming food and freshly brewed tea. The scent of butter and herbs filled the hall, and yet none of the Lords looked eager to dig in. The maids rested the hangover soup in front of them making them all look at her and then at me.

I turned to Kai, watching him stir his tea absentmindedly.

"How about you?" I asked, and he lifted his gaze to meet mine.

"I’m feeling well now," he said with a nod, clearly rejuvenated by the earlier spell. I offered him a faint smile and began to eat.

As I observed the three Lords attempting to function like normal humans, I sighed.

"I suppose I’ll have to boycott the drinks during our meetings," I commented dryly.

Their reactions were instant.

"No, no, that’s too extreme—" Zach began, only for Lord Devil to cut in.

"If it’s going to leave us in this state, I second Master’s decision."

"I agree," Lord Hawke added, still wincing. "Handling a drunk Lord Snake is far worse than the hangover itself."

"Hey! Don’t make it sound like I’m the only problem here," Zach whined.

"You are the problem," Lord Devil muttered.

"My head still aches," Lord Hawke sighed, resting his chin on his knuckles.

"Ah, but seeing both Master and Young Master Kai together like this..." Zach’s lips curled into a flirty smile as he leaned slightly forward, "...it’s healing me far more than the hangover soup ever could."

I kept my expression neutral, but Lord Hawke didn’t.

"You were ready to be flayed alive last night," he reminded coldly.

"Pardon?" Zach blinked.

"Yes, I heard that too," Lord Devil added with a dark grin.

"Well... if it’s Master doing the flaying," Zach said with a daring grin, "I wouldn’t mind. In fact, I’d say it’s a huge turn—"

I cleared my throat, sharp and low. Zach froze.

The suggestive look vanished as if it never existed. His back straightened, and he gave me the most innocent smile he could muster.

"A-Apologies, Master," he said sheepishly.

I sighed and turned to Kai, who remained oblivious to the awkward tension and continued sipping his tea calmly.

Lord Hawke and Lord Devil both shook their heads in silent exasperation before returning to their food.

A few minutes passed in relative peace, until Lord Devil spoke up again.

"Master, there’s been a tense atmosphere among the attendants since morning. Has something happened?"

I looked at him, then slowly turned my gaze to the other two.

"There was an assassination attempt last night," I said evenly. "The man infiltrated by disguising himself as a guard. He was eliminated."

All three stiffened. Kai flinched slightly beside me.

"Master, you—" Lord Hawke began.

"I’m fine," I interrupted, lifting a hand. "But the reason I called this breakfast meeting isn’t just to check on your hangovers."

Their earlier relaxed expressions disappeared instantly, replaced by the cold, unreadable masks of the Underworld Lords.

"I’ve ruffled the Queen’s feathers. That means her retaliation will begin now. That wasn’t the first attack... and it certainly won’t be the last."

I met each of their eyes in turn. "I want you all alert. Don’t underestimate her. The fact that her man reached Ryujin undetected is enough cause for concern. I’ll assign additional reinforcements to your territories and personal residences. In the meantime, stay sharp."

"Yes, Master," they responded in unison, voices grave. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

I turned to Kai, whose brows furrowed ever so slightly.

"Kai," I said gently, "I want something from you, too."

He looked at me attentively.

"From now on, someone will accompany you in addition to Asher. I don’t want you moving without at least two protectors at your side."

Kai didn’t question it. He simply nodded with that same quiet loyalty I’d come to trust.

"All right, Master."

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