The Kingmaker System-Chapter 441 - 440. Calm And Composed? (3)

I had to carry Kai back to his room since he wouldn’t let go of me. He clung to me like a lifeline, his little hands grasping tightly onto my coat even in his sleep. Gently, I placed him back on the bed and sat beside him, holding his hand long after he had drifted off.

Enora and Lyall stood nearby, silently watching over us.

"Master, you should rest for a while," Enora suggested softly, but I didn’t respond.

"Master... you haven’t eaten anything either," she tried again, a note of concern in her voice. Still, I didn’t move. My eyes remained fixed on Kai’s sleeping face.

"Enora," I heard Lyall murmur in a low voice, "It’s better if we leave."

"But—"

"Master is deeply disturbed right now. Our presence won’t help. Let’s go," he said gently, and after a few seconds of hesitation, I heard them both quietly retreat and close the door behind them with a soft click.

But Kai and I weren’t the only ones in the room.

Davian stood in the corner, silent and still, watching us without uttering a word. His presence was a quiet reassurance, and for now, that was enough. I didn’t want to speak, nor did I want to listen. I just needed to be by Kai’s side.

I remained there through the night, unmoving, until the early morning rays streamed into the room. I lifted my hand and used telekinesis to pull open the curtains, letting the golden light spill in.

A soft knock came before the door creaked open, and the maid assigned to Kai stepped in with a basin of water in her hands. She looked between Davian and me with hesitant eyes.

"Master... the Young Duke of Aurelius is here to see you," she said quietly.

I sighed, reluctant to let go of Kai’s hand, but eventually stood up, forcing myself to part from his side.

The door opened again just as I was approaching it, and Asher stepped in. He bowed to me, and I gave a brief nod before glancing once more at Kai.

"Stay by his side," I said quietly.

Maybe it was because I hadn’t slept a wink all night, or maybe it was because the weight of everything was finally settling in—but my voice came out not as a command, but more like a plea.

"Yes, Master," Asher replied at once.

Without another word, I turned and walked out of the room.

I made my way straight to the reception room where Rune was waiting. As I arrived, Kate stepped out, her expression somber. I gave her a nod as I passed and entered the room.

Rune stood the moment he saw me, his brows furrowed in anger.

"What the hell was that yesterday? Why were you disguised as a woman? And why was your aide hugging you like that?!" he snapped, firing off his questions the moment I walked in.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I moved to the couch and dropped onto it with a heaviness that I couldn’t shake. Rune stopped mid-rant, staring at me in confusion.

"Reina... what’s wrong? Why do you look like that?"

I didn’t answer immediately. My thoughts were a mess, and I didn’t even know where to begin.

"The atmosphere around your mansion also felt tense when I arrived," he continued, his voice softening. "Reina, did something happen?"

I hung my head low and finally spoke.

"Kai... was almost kidnapped yesterday."

"What?!"

"The kidnapper was taken care of," I said, "but I still have no idea who was behind it."

Rune walked over and knelt beside me, concern glimmering in his golden eyes.

"Reina, are you all right?" he asked gently, placing a hand over mine.

I squeezed my eyes shut, the exhaustion and pain catching up with me, and he squeezed my hand in return before wrapping his arms around me.

"Don’t worry," he said softly. "We’ll find out who it was."

His hand brushed gently over my back, a steadying gesture.

"Kai is safe now, so don’t be too stressed," he whispered, and that’s when the tears that hadn’t come last night finally began to fall.

I sniffled and held onto my brother, the weight of it all too much to carry alone. He kept brushing my back gently, murmuring quiet reassurances that everything would be fine—that I didn’t need to carry this burden alone.

I didn’t cry as much as I thought I would, but I finally pulled back, letting him see my face—or rather, Ocean’s face. frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

"Did you eat?" he asked softly.

I shook my head.

He let out a quiet sigh, a small smile tugging at his lips as he took my hand. "Let’s go home for now."

"I... can’t," I murmured. "Kai cried a lot last night, so I... I have to stay close. He won’t calm down unless I’m with him."

"Then take him along," Rune offered gently.

"I can’t... He’s not in a condition to be moved," I replied, and he gave a slow nod of understanding.

"You should go freshen up and eat something," Rune said, his voice firm yet kind. "I’ll go and see him."

I looked up at him. He met my eyes and smiled as he placed a hand over my head.

"He’s family, Reina. I can’t let our youngest suffer like this. I’ll be with him for a while."

His words gave me a strange sense of ease, one I hadn’t realized I needed. I finally nodded and left to return to my room.

After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, I found Lyall waiting at my door with breakfast.

"Where’s my brother?" I asked as I sat down.

"Young Duke is with Young Master Kai in his room, Master," he replied.

"Kai woke up?"

"Yes, a short while ago."

"Is he... still upset?"

Lyall gave a faint smile. "He was a little disoriented when he woke, but the Young Duke managed to calm him down."

I let out a long sigh, then chuckled softly. "My brother’s pretty amazing, isn’t he? He has the power to calm Dragons. First me, and now even Kai..."

"I concur," Lyall said with a respectful nod.

I ate the entire spread Lyall had brought for me, my appetite returning bit by bit with the warmth of food and comfort.

Then, as the calm settled in, my mind began to stir again.

Two tasks now stood before me—one, to uncover the mastermind behind Kai’s attempted kidnapping. And two, to prepare for the approaching Debutante.

After finishing breakfast, I headed up to Kai’s room. As I neared the door, I heard Rune’s cheerful voice from inside.

"You finished the whole soup! That’s a good boy."

A small smile tugged at my lips. I raised my hand and knocked gently on the door.

"It’s me," I called.

"Come in!" Rune hollered.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Kai was still lying in bed, with Rune seated beside him. The maid, having just finished clearing away the dishes, bowed politely and exited the room.

Kai’s eyes shimmered with tears the moment he saw me, and I sighed softly as I made my way to him.

"How are you feeling now?" I asked as I reached the bedside, and he reached out, clutching my hand tightly.

"Are you still scared?" I asked gently. He shook his head, though the tremble in his fingers told a different story.

Rune offered a warm, encouraging smile, and I gave Kai’s hand a light squeeze.

"Would you... like to tell me what happened, Kai?" I asked cautiously, watching his expression.

He stiffened.

"It’s all right if you’re not ready," I added quickly. He lowered his head, lips pressed together, silent for a few moments.

Just as I was about to steer the conversation elsewhere, he spoke in a faint, fragile voice.

"...I..."

Rune and I leaned in, giving him the space to continue.

"I was eating kebabs with Sylvia and Rowan when I felt it... That dark presence I sensed back in Denril."

He raised his head slowly, his tearful eyes locking with mine.

"I thought... he was back again—to hurt you. So—so I..."

"So you chased after him," I said softly, completing his thought. Rune frowned, glancing between us.

Kai nodded faintly. "But then... he shot something at my chest, and... I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t even control my mana. It hurt. It really hurt."

My hand tightened gently around his.

"I didn’t know what he did, but then he grabbed me and I thought... I thought that I..."

He shuddered, voice breaking off.

"That’s enough," I said firmly, and he immediately fell silent, his lower lip trembling.

"Who is he talking about?" Rune asked quietly.

"Take a guess," I replied, keeping my voice low. "Who do you think could stand against a Dragon?"

Rune furrowed his brows, deep in thought—then his eyes widened in realization.

"Wait... you’re telling me that hit was a demon?!" Rune gasped, and Kai squirmed in discomfort at the mention.

"I felt it too when I got there," I said, "but before I could act, another Dragon defeated it."

"Another Dragon? You mean Drac?" Rune asked.

I shook my head. "No. Someone else. He’s here now—seriously injured. I healed him, but he hasn’t regained consciousness yet. We’ll have to wait to hear the full story."

Rune’s expression turned grave. Silence settled for a few moments. I stood up to leave, but Kai gripped my hand more tightly.

"Don’t worry," I said, brushing his hair back gently. "I’m just going to the office. I’ll still be home."

Rune then offered, "Or Kai, would you like to come with me to the Aurelius mansion?"

Kai hesitated. His fingers twitched, uncertain. I added reassuringly, "I’ll send Sylvia and Asher with you, if you’d like."

He thought it over for a moment, then shook his head.

"I want to stay with you, Master... I’m sorry, Big Brother Rune."

Rune smiled and ruffled Kai’s hair affectionately. "It’s fine. I’ll visit you whenever I can, all right?"

Kai nodded up at him, and Rune beamed before turning to me.

"Let’s go. He needs to rest."

I looked back at Kai. "Get some more rest, and if you feel unwell or uneasy, send for me, okay?"

Kai nodded once more, still holding my hand loosely before letting go.

With that, Rune and I stepped out of the room. His smile faded as soon as the door closed behind us. We had barely walked a few paces when he turned sharply toward me.

"A demon attacked Kai," he said grimly.

I let out a quiet sigh, my expression hardening.

"That’s what worries me most. If it was a demon, then only those attuned to mana can detect their presence. That puts not just Kai, but even my people in danger—especially if more of them appear."

Rune looked unsettled, struggling to grasp the enormity of it.

"But how on earth could they even get here? I mean..."

"It’s possible if someone summoned them. Since demons can’t manifest physical bodies on their own, they have to possess someone—either the summoner or another vessel nearby. When I got there... there was no one else present. That’s why I’m waiting for the other Dragon to wake. He’s the only one who might have the answers."

Rune frowned. "Another Dragon..."

"For now," I continued, "I suggest you and Father stay away from Oasis and Ryujin territory."

"What?!" His voice sharpened, disbelief flashing across his face.

"It could be dangerous," I said gently but firmly. "I can’t risk the two of you getting caught in the crossfire."

He looked more agitated by the second. "And you think we’re just going to sit back while you deal with all of this?"

I sighed again. I understood the frustration in his voice. Rune had always been protective—and I knew how much restraint it took for him to stand on the sidelines.

"It has to be me, Brother. I’m a Dragon. Humans... aren’t strong enough to go head-to-head with demons."

His expression darkened with resistance, but before he could speak, I rested a hand on his shoulder.

"You’re already doing a lot for me, Brother. I was... shaken before you arrived today. Honestly, I don’t know what I might’ve done if you hadn’t come. Just knowing you’re here—that you’ve got my back—helps more than you realize. That’s all I need."

Rune let out a deep, defeated sigh and looked at me with conflicted eyes. "Are you sure you’ll be okay?"

I nodded with quiet determination.

He closed his eyes for a moment, then pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Oh, how I wish I could shield you from all these dangerous things you keep diving headfirst into..."

I smiled softly, leaning into the warmth of his arms.

"But since I can’t," he murmured, "I’ll do what I can to make sure we never hold you back."

"Thank you, Brother," I whispered.

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