The Kingmaker System-Chapter 400 - 399. Worries Of A Single Parent (2)

During dinner, I observed Kai as he ate silently. The large dining hall seemed deafeningly quiet except for the clinking of the cutlery and Nox’s occasional hooting as he enjoyed his meat.

"How was your day today?" I asked, breaking the silence, and Kai looked at me.

"It was good, I learned about the principles of trading and contracting," he said, and I nodded.

"Are you able to understand what Grandfather teaches? If not, then you can ask me anytime, I’ll explain," I said, and he gave me an obvious fake smile.

"His Excellency is a great teacher. I’m learning well," Kai said.

I pursed my lips, wanting to ask straightaway about what was eating at him, but I held my tongue. If he was going through puberty, then this matter should be handled more delicately.

"Say, Kai," I started again, "Will you be free this weekend? I have tickets to a play. You can go with Asher and Sylvia," I suggested, and he stiffened up. I could see his fingers curling around his silverware tightly before he looked at me with a smile.

"No, I have to read some reference books, so I can’t go," he said.

He hurriedly finished his dinner after that, and I watched as he stood up from his chair.

"I’m done. I’ll be heading back to my room now," he said.

"Wait," I spoke up, making him halt before he could run away.

"Yes?" he asked as he turned to look at me.

"I talked to the Archmage today," I said, observing his expressions. "He volunteered to begin your magic lessons at the Mage’s Tower."

Kai blinked, clearly taken aback, as he opened his mouth, then closed it, and then opened it again.

"I-If it is fine by you, then I’ll go," he said, and I frowned.

He was already staying up late to study, and he was ready to go to the Mage’s Tower while juggling his academic training.

"Are you sure?"

"I’m fine with whatever you decide, Master," he said, and I clenched my fists, but I forced myself to relax and looked at him with a softened gaze.

"Then, arrange your schedule. You will be visiting the Mage’s Tower on the days that you won’t have classes and have your weekends off," I said, and he gave me the fake smile again.

"All right," he said before he bowed. "Then, I’ll take my leave now. Good night, Master."

I watched him leave before I looked at the twisted silverware in my hands and placed them down, steepling my fingers in front of my mouth.

"I need those childrearing books," I spoke.

[Goddess of Wisdom asks you to be more perceptive.]

"What does that even mean?"

[Defender of Divine Glory sometimes wonders why you don’t have proper emotional intelligence.]

"Why don’t you guys give me a hint, then?"

[Giver of Gifts says you should figure it out yourself.]

[Goddess of Wisdom says that you are hopeless.]

[Defender of Divine Glory agrees with Goddess of Wisdom.]

"Oi, are you guys trying to purposely piss me off now?"

Nox hooted and flew up to me after finishing his meal, and I sighed, running my fingers over his feathers.

"Being a single parent is hard."

[Giver of Gifts claps her hands in glee as she suggests you find Kai a father, then.]

[Goddess of Wisdom finds the idea good.]

"Hey, system, is there a way to mute their nonsense?" I asked.

[Unfortunately, the messages from the Patrons cannot be muted.]

The system responded, and I could see the angry replies of my Patrons while I picked up Nox and left the dining hall.

Three days passed after that, and I found the books that Silas delivered to me about childrearing and parenting. I read them all in my free time, ignoring the amused glances of Roan and Enora.

I had even brought those books back to Aurelius and read them while I was in my library after discussing the plans with my father.

At one point, I wondered if Kai was enamored by someone, then I quickly shook my head as it would have different kinds of symptoms.

He would have a dreamy smile almost all the time and not be so tense. He would have sleepless nights, but he wouldn’t be able to focus on his studies.

After finishing reading, I realized that maybe I should be more interactive with Kai than I was and not make it seem like I was being interrogative. I should be more observant and try to figure out things myself and try to deal with his problems without being too nosy.

"I can see why teenagers are so handful," I sighed as I ran my hand through my hair.

I heard a low chuckle and looked at my father, who approached me with a tray of tea and some snacks.

"Father, why are you bringing these?" I asked, and he placed the tray down with a smile.

"You’re reading something interesting," he said as he looked at the cover of the book in my hands.

"Uh, yes... Kai is, well... I can’t understand what’s going on in his head, that’s why..." I said, and he chuckled as he brewed us some tea.

"I didn’t expect it, but you’re going through the troubles like me, Reina," he said as he poured the tea into one teacup.

"I only have one, but you’ve got two, Father," I said, and he smiled, handing me the teacup and saucer.

I accepted it gratefully and took a sip of the soothing and gentle tea.

"I feel like I’ve aged as much as you, Father," I groaned, and he laughed, making me look at him.

It was one of those rare, normal moments when I could feel at ease while spending some time with my father. Only Rune was missing from this equation now.

"This is only the beginning. More of it is to come," he said, and I sighed.

"Why don’t you share with me some precious knowledge on how I could deal with this, Father?" I asked, and he smiled, sipping his tea.

"I might not be the right person considering both my kids are notorious for going off to do whatever they want on their own," he said, and I felt that jab.

"But if it is about Kai, then I guess I can see why he is so worried," he added, making me look at him.

"He reminds me of myself," Dad said as he sipped his tea. His voice had a touch of melancholy, which made me lean in.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because he’s trying his best to catch up to you," he said. "He fears that if he doesn’t work hard enough, he would fall behind and disappoint you."

"What? But I’ve never told him to work that hard," I said, and Dad gave me a wistful smile.

"Kids are like mirrors, Reina. Once they find their role models, they try everything in their power to mold themselves to be like their role models," he said, and I pursed my lips, listening to him.

"I used to try to do it too when I found out about your potential, but I soon realized that I could never catch up to you, so I’ve been working hard in my own sense to not let you down."

"You can never—" I spoke, but he raised his hand, stopping me.

"You shine so brightly that everyone gets attracted to you, Reina," he said, and somehow I recalled Davian’s words.

"... you are the sun that burns in my sight whenever you are around."

"Whatever you do makes people want to follow you," Dad said. "Kai is a child, and he is impacted the most because he is as close to you as we—your family—are. He has the burden of being Ocean Ryujin’s heir, and with you being so outstanding, whatever he does will always be overshadowed. Even if he works his best, it might not be considered to the point before your achievements."

I pursed my lips as I clenched my fists.

"So, I’m the reason why he’s so worried?" I asked, and Dad shook his head.

"Yes and no," he said, making me frown. "He might be worried that he would fail to reach the level where you want him."

"I’m fine with any level he’s on," I said in a low voice.

He smiled. "I’m sure that’s what you want, but he wouldn’t be eased even when you tell him this."

"Then, what should I do?" I asked.

"Kai is a sensitive child with a painful past, Reina. You have created a safe world for him now, so he sees you as the center of that world. If you are the sun, then he will try to match your light even if it burns him. What you are supposed to do is try to include him with you," he suggested, and I looked at him questioningly.

"Include him where?" I asked.

"In some of your missions. Let him feel good about himself, praise him moderately so that he would feel useful."

I clenched my fists. "I don’t mind if he’s useless."

Dad chuckled. "Your heir cannot be useless, Reina. He is being taught by Marquis Desmond Fairisles and the Archmage of the Mage’s Tower. Do you really think he doesn’t have the potential to keep up with you?"

"Of course, he does!" I responded in a heartbeat.

Dad smiled. "Then let him be with you. Show him your world a little bit more. He knows you are surrounded by dangers, but make him feel that you can rely on him. Let him feel useful and be happy about it."

I watched Dad as he sat there smiling knowingly at me as he sipped his tea, and I leaned back in my chair.

I guess what Silas said was right. Everyone could see what Kai was going through, but I couldn’t because I was me.

Parenting opened up new aspects to me every day. It wasn’t Kai who had to keep up with me but it was me who had to keep up with him.

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