The Kingmaker System-Chapter 411 - 410. Two Can Play This Game (2)

I had promised Davian that I would show him around Oasis but I also couldn’t leave Rune unattended I just had no idea that I would have to be in a situation that I would have to attend to them together.

"So, why are you here for Young Duke?" Davian asked as he sat in the arm chair leisurely sipping his tea.

Rune sat in another armchair with a blank expression on his face but the annoyance of him barging in our family meeting was also clear.

"I came to see Master Ocean and his heir." Rune said calmly, taking a sip of his tea.

"Heh? You never told me about your heir though, Master." Davian looked at me and I sat quietly with my leg crossed one over the other with Kai sitting beside me, he seemed the most uncomfortable amongst all of us.

"There’s nothing to tell you about at present, Your Highness." I spoke and Davian looked at Kai.

"Do you like it here, little Kai?" Davian asked him.

Kai looked at him and then at his hands on his thighs, "Yes... Master... And everyone is very kind and nice to me..."

"You seem to have the same mana presence as Master. Are you sure you’re not of his kin?" He asked and Rune coughed, probably choking on his tea.

"That’s because he’s of the same lineage, and yes, he is of my kin." I clarified.

"When did you take him in?" Rune asked.

"About four years ago when I went to Denril." I said as I glanced once at Kai.

He was looking down, I hope he wasn’t recalling some of those dark memories. Our first meeting was also quite memorable, considering he was on a carriage that was going to be exploded and I carried him in the air around hundreds of people to save him but ended up making it show like it was an abduction attempt.

"From Denril?" Rune frowned.

"Yes, well... He was of the same lineage as me and had no one to rely on someone, I took him with me." I spoke not telling him about the deeper story.

Davian leaned ahead looking straight at Kai before he slid the tray of cookies at him.

"Here, Kai. You’re not eating anything."

Kai flinched and looked at him before hesitantly picking up the cookies to eat it.

"If I’m not wrong then I heard that the Saint of Denril was taken away four years ago by a Water Dragon," Davian spoke making Kai stiffen up and Rune’s eyes to go wide.

"What?!"

"That’s... true." I said placing my hand over Kai’s head for a moment and he continued nibbling on his cookie.

"Y-You brought their Saint!" Rune gasped.

"I’m sure leaving a little Dragon behind wasn’t a proper thing for an older one who loves kids so much." Davian spoke with a playful smile.

Rune looked between the two of us, bewildered and I sighed, "First of all, it’s true that it’s because he’s a Dragon that I brought him along and second, I don’t like kids unconditionally. I brought Kai with me because it’s him."

Rune’s expression relaxed a bit and Davian tilted his head watching me with a soft expression.

Just then there was a knock on the door and I called the person in. Remi entered followed by Nox who flew over and sat right near Kai on the table. Kai smiled watched Nox.

"Um, Master." Remi spoke and I stood up from my spot walking towards him.

"What is it?" I asked and he brought his hand out with two pieces of parchments in his hand.

I took it and opened it up reading the message from the palace about the Queen’s next move and also about Eric reaching safely at Fairisles.

I smiled before handing both the parchments back to Remi and said, "I understand, you may leave now."

Remi bowed before he took his leave and I walked back to the couch where Kai was now feeding Nox the cookies while the two men looked at him.

"He’s quite a unique owl," Rune mused, "I’ve never seen an owl with such black feathers before and so large one at that."

"Well, since Master is the one raising it so, it has to be unique." Davian chuckled.

Well, I couldn’t tell them that I got him from one of the deities as a reward for fulfilling a quest and he is a special familiar.

"Nox is very intelligent and he is also very quick and strong!" Kai spoke with a grin and the two stared at him.

"So, you do smile." Davian said making Kai gasp.

"You seemed quite uncomfortable earlier, I thought being around the stiff and scary Young Duke was making it hard for you to relax." Davian smiled making Rune glare at him.

"What did you say?"

Davian gave him the same smile, "Now, now, Young Duke, don’t be mad or you’ll scare the little one again."

Rune seemed like he would take his head any moment if I let them.

I cleared my throat taking their attention, "Prince Davian, like I had told you earlier, I couldn’t be able to show you around Oasis today so, why don’t you go and take some rest?"

Davian pouted before he looked at Rune and then at me, "Then what about Young Duke? Are you going to be busy with him?"

"Yes," I said and Davian smirked.

"Then let me come along too." He said making me cock a brow while Rune frowned.

"And why would you come along?" Rune asked.

"Why not? I was here first." Davian challenged and Rune seemed ready to snap.

"All right," I said not wanting to stretch this.

"But, we won’t be going to Oasis since the town is being prepared for the festival. So, we’ll be going to another place." I said looking at Rune.

After a couple of minutes, we were in the carriage, I asked Kai to stay back at Ryujin mansion since he was grounded despite Davian and Rune’s insisting that we should take him along.

"So, what’s this place that you’re taking us?" Davian asked as he looked out of the window.

"Considering the path, I guess we’re going there, aren’t we?" Rune asked with a smile and I smiled back.

"Yes,"

"Hm? What’s with this secret between you two?" Davian asked and I tilted my head.

"Well, it’s a place that your parents loved too." I spoke teasing him and his eyes narrowed a little as he took the bait.

"A place which my parents loved? Now I’m curious." He admitted and I smiled.

"You’ll have to have patience, Your Highness and also, I’d ask you to tone down your aura in advance. That place is special for me so, I wouldn’t want any chaos there." I said and Davian feigned a hurt expression.

"How cruel, Master! Have I ever caused any chaos?"

"Yes, you have multiple times." I spoke with a smile, unfazed by his acting and he pouted.

It took us some time till we reached at the foot of the hill and from there we went ahead on foot as usual. Davian didn’t ask any questions until we were close to the mana protection barrier.

"What-" he gasped his aura spiking defensively.

"It’s fine, it’s for the protection, so that none except the allowed ones enter this place." I explained as I and Rune kept moving.

Rune seemed happy as he moved a tad bit faster.

"Just what do you have here, Master?" Davian asked as he followed us.

After some more time we reached the clearing and Davian frowned a bit.

"A manor in the middle of a forest?" He mumbled and Rune smiled before he walked ahead without any hesitation.

The kids inside seemed to have sensed both of us and besides, I could sense another presence besides the kids.

Soon enough the kids came rushing out and pounced on Rune since he had walked closer.

"Big brother, Rune!"

"Whoa! He’s grown taller too!"

"You’re finally back!"

"We missed you!"

The kids shouted while I felt Davian standing beside me silently. Behind them, Kent walked out sighing but then he blinked, surprised as he saw Rune.

"Young Master Rune?" He spoke and Rune smiled.

"It’s been a while, Kent. How are you?"

Kent smiled back, "Well, as you can see, I’m still having a hard time with them."

Rune chuckled a bit and the third presence walked out. He had grown quite a bit resembling more of a man than the boy who had come looking for me since he had nowhere to go. While Rune and others had grown up to the fine young men with the touch of delicate features, this one had the rugged look that suited his Dragon lineage.

"Drac! You’re here too." Rune beamed as he saw Drac.

Drac smiled running his hand through his short cropped red hair before his eyes landed on me and Davian.

Davian scowled beside me and clenched his fists. I hoped he didn’t recognize Drac.

"This guy," he spoke in a low voice, "He seemed familiar."

"He’s another Dragon under me, his name is Drac and as you can see this place has this kids that’s why there is a barrier." I spoke turning the topic so, he wouldn’t linger on it.

"Wait, that presence!"

"Are you an Aura user?"

"Are you Dahlia and Alarice’s son?!"

"Whoa!"

They seemed to recognise him in an instant as some of them hovered over him and I cleared my throat.

"Wow, it’s seems like I’m not loved anymore." I spoke and all of them looked at me.

"We-We didn’t mean to ignore you, Master!"

"We’re sorry, Master!"

They all pounced on me at once making me chuckle and Kent sighed.

"How many times do I have to teach you to behave yourself around Master and the guests?!" He shouted.

After a while, we all were gathered in the drawing room of the manor where Rune was talking to the kids while some of the other kids were keeping Davian busy and I gestured for Drac to come along.

We stepped out in the corridor away from the earshot of everyone.

"Yes, Master?" Drac spoke and I glanced once at the closed door.

"You do realise who he is, right?" I asked and Drac seemed a little concerned but nodded.

"Stay away from him and try not to let him know who you are. If he figured it out it would turn out ugly." I spoke in a low voice.

"Yes, Master." Drac said.

"Besides, why are you here?" I asked and he scratched the back of his head, his yellow eyes averting from mine.

"Did you miss this place?" I prompted and he nodded. Well, he would definitely find this place more comfortable than staying with humans.

Eldarf had the kind of quality to heal a person’s troubled mind.

"Fine, stay here for as long as you want but make sure to keep in touch with your foster parents." I said and he nodded.

"I went home before I came here." He said.

Just then the door opened and Rune poked his head out, "Ah, Drac, there you are!"

"Is there something you want, Young Duke?" Drac spoke formally making Rune laugh.

"Oh, come on, Drac, we’ve trained here like equals and I told you to address me informally." Rune said and Drac smiled.

"I understand, Young- Rune."

Rune smiled, "That’s right."

Rune then looked at me, "Ah, besides, we’re having a spar right now, want to come and see?"

I smiled as I saw Rune grinning like an enthusiastic young boy. Before coming here he had been donning the mask of being the Young Duke of Aurelius but now he was more carefree and only the Rune who could play around and behave as he wanted here. I was glad to see this side of his again.

"Why not?"

The sourc𝗲 of this content is fre(e)novelkiss