The Kingmaker System-Chapter 445 - 444. Debutante Drama (4)

"Would you care for a dance with me?" I asked Eric.

"Wait, what?" Carlos nearly shouted, eyes wide with disbelief.

"But, Miss Reina..." Eric began hesitantly, but I smiled, cutting him off with a graceful turn.

"You went to the battlefield and brought glory to the nation, Your Highness. We could never match your courage or the determination it took to protect us all," I said clearly. "So, would you at least give me the honor of dancing with you—to celebrate your triumph, on a day that should rightfully be yours as much as ours?"

Eric’s eyes widened slightly, and a faint blush colored his cheeks. He quickly cleared his throat, regaining composure.

"B-But I’m sure your brother wouldn’t like it..."

"It’s fine," I said with a gentle smile. "My brother told me I could dance with you, since you’re such good friends."

The girls around us watched with wide eyes, lips parted in surprise. Carlos, on the other hand, looked as if he had swallowed something bitter.

"What kind of ridiculous thing is this?! I was going to ask you for a dance!" he snapped, his voice rising slightly. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

I saw Eric’s brows furrow for the briefest moment before he turned to me with a smile and said smoothly, "Well then, how could I refuse a request from such a beautiful lady?"

He took my hand, his fingers curling around mine as he gave Carlos a sidelong smirk.

"What the—!"

"Think before you act, Prince Carlos," Eric said quietly, his tone still polite, but the chill behind his words unmistakable. His smile remained frozen in place.

Carlos grimaced, his jaw working as if to bite back another remark. But then he looked around as everyone were looking at us.

"It’s Prince Carlos again."

"Even after doing practically nothing on the battlefield he is so cocky."

"Hush, don’t be so loud, he’ll hear you."

"What’s to fear? It’s obvious that Prince Eric will have more support now that he’s ended the war and besides, look he’s friends with most of the Young Masters of the kingdom include Young Duke Aurelius."

It must have been a strong jab to his ego that’s why he angrily stormed away.

I turned to Brielle with a light smile. "Brielle, why don’t you ask your fiancé for a dance too?"

"Pardon? Me?" she gasped, looking startled.

"Yes, why not?" I asked, then turned to address the other girls as well. "It’s a special day—not only for us, but for them too. These men are the heroes who fought to bring peace to our kingdom. Don’t you think it’s only fitting to share the honor of their victory with them?"

The girls stared at me for a moment, caught off guard by the suggestion. Then one by one, they smiled, glancing at each other with newfound excitement.

"You’re right!" Brielle beamed. "I’ll go ask Young Master Ralph for a dance!"

She hurried away, her cheeks flushed with enthusiasm, and several other ladies followed suit. Within moments, the debutantes began approaching the young men on their own—boldly, confidently.

Their actions clearly surprised not just the young men, but also the onlookers. Still, my reasoning had resonated well enough to shift the atmosphere.

I smiled as Eric led me toward the dance floor. He bowed, and I offered a graceful curtsy before he took my hand again, and we began to dance. Around us, the other couples began to move as well—smiling, laughing, talking with shy joy. The music wove us together into a celebration that felt far more whole.

"Was this your idea," Eric asked as we twirled, "or your Master’s?"

I blinked at him, feigning confusion. "What do you mean, Your Highness?"

"Don’t play coy with me, Miss Reina. I was at the meeting when it was suggested that you might divert attention to us during the debutante." His eyes twinkled knowingly.

I gave a soft chuckle. "Master didn’t tell me about it."

He tilted his head, curious.

"I did it because..." I paused, lowering my gaze just a little, "I didn’t want to enjoy this day all by myself, not when it was just as special for all of you too."

Eric chuckled, a quiet and sincere sound, and I smiled in return.

But I couldn’t fully relax. A strange sensation gnawed at the back of my mind—a presence. A stare.

It wasn’t the usual gaze of admiration, jealousy, or curiosity that I expected . It was something different. Sharper. Intentional.

I didn’t know who it belonged to.

I scanned the crowd subtly, but there were too many people. And yet... that gaze had been following me for a while now.

"What’s wrong?" Eric asked as he noticed me glancing around the ballroom.

"Hm? Nothing. Everyone’s dancing and enjoying themselves," I replied with a small smile.

Eric chuckled, the sound warm and low. I found myself briefly wondering why Rune had allowed me to dance with Eric in the first place. He trusted him, clearly. Maybe it was because I had chosen Eric to be King. Then again, Rune and Eric had always shared a close bond. While my brother had been fiercely protective—keeping me at a distance from most of his friends—he had never drawn such a line with Eric.

"Your Highness," I began thoughtfully.

"Yes?" he responded, eyes focused on me.

"My brother seems to trust you a great deal," I said. "I know you’re close, but he hasn’t allowed me to befriend any of his other companions like this... not the way he’s allowed me to be with you. I wonder if it’s just because of our shared connection through Master Ocean. But even so, asking you to escort me tonight—it’s a bit unusual, isn’t it?"

Eric smiled softly, his expression unreadable for a moment before he spoke.

"Maybe it’s because he knows what I think about you."

I blinked. "What do you think about me?"

His smile deepened, and he chuckled lightly. "Since I don’t have siblings, I suppose... I think of both you and Rune as family. And of course, Master Ocean as well."

"You have your mother," I pointed out gently, almost hesitantly.

"I do," he acknowledged, his tone dipping into something quieter. "But there aren’t many who genuinely support me. Rune has always stood by me—not just as a Prince, but as a person. He’s a loyal friend and an invaluable ally. And since you’re his sister... I see you as my sister too."

"Eh?"

He laughed. "It seems you’ve forgotten that I once asked you to call me ’Big Brother,’ just like you call Rune."

Ah, that’s right. He had mentioned that once, before leaving for the war. I smiled faintly as the memory came back to me.

"I did forget about it," I admitted, a bit sheepishly.

"Then I’d love for you to start calling me that again," he said warmly.

The music came to a gentle end, and we slowly stepped apart. I gave him a small nod, smiling.

"I will."

All around us, the ballroom buzzed with animated chatter. The focus of the evening had subtly shifted. What had started as a debutante ball now carried the weight and reverence of a celebration for the heroes who had returned home—those who had fought for our peace and won. And at the heart of it stood Prince Eric, no longer a silent shadow of the court, but someone whose presence now shone openly. Our efforts had paid off.

I danced with Father after Eric, and then with Grandfather—who, to my surprise, turned out to be quite the dancer. It was only his hair that had turned grey; his steps were still steady, his movements firm. He hadn’t lost his grace with age—if anything, he danced with a quiet dignity that drew admiring glances.

Silas, however, wasn’t at the ball. Perhaps he was still busy with the things I’d entrusted him with. Knowing him, he wouldn’t let himself breathe until every task was properly handled.

The ball was in full swing when the King—Roger—rose from his seat and stepped onto the podium. The clink of his champagne glass echoed through the ballroom, and the room slowly fell silent.

"I congratulate all the young ladies who had their debutante today," he began, his voice warm. "It’s a very special day in your life, and I’m happy to see so many of you coming of age."

He smiled—though something about it seemed a little too easy, a little too soft. Was he tipsy?

"But what makes me prouder still," he continued, "is seeing you all acknowledge the young men who also came of age... not in ballrooms, but on the battlefield."

My eyebrows lifted. So he was going to bring it up. I spared a glance toward the Queen, who looked like she had swallowed her wine wrong—her lips parted slightly in disbelief.

"All the young nobles and knights who fought to bring peace to Sestia—these are my brave sons," he declared. "And I am proud of every one of you."

The ballroom erupted in cheers, and I couldn’t help but smile, watching how the crowd responded.

Then came the moment I’d anticipated.

"I am especially proud of Eric," Roger said.

Silence.

It settled like a thick fog. The chatter dropped, and the only sound was the distant echo of music continuing somewhere in the background.

"He has been the pioneer of this peace. And I am proud," the King said, locking eyes with his son, "that he has grown into such a fine young man."

Whispers rippled through the crowd like an undercurrent. I glanced toward the Golden Serpent and her children—they looked like they’d just bitten into the sourest lemon in existence. Their jaws clenched, their expressions carefully composed but filled with discomfort.

Roger took a step closer to the edge of the podium. "I know things have been difficult... Eric, my son, you’ve lived away from your home for a long time."

Eric’s expression was unreadable, his posture rigid and regal. His eyes gave nothing away.

"That’s why," Roger said, voice steady, "I’m asking you to return to your rightful place now."

Gasps rang through the room. My own eyes widened. A beat passed, then applause followed—cheers rising like a sudden wave from the nobles and guests. Roger beckoned Eric forward. Without a word, without the faintest flicker of emotion, Eric stepped up beside him.

"To my son—and to all the young men who fought to give us peace!" Roger raised his glass.

The crowd followed suit, raising theirs high and echoing his toast.

I smiled, content. Then, like a ribbon of gold ink scrawled across the air, a soft ding sounded.

[Congratulations. You have completed the quest: Reinstate Prince Eric in the Royal Palace.

Reward: Influence over the nobles and royal family.]

My smile widened. That part of the plan was complete.

I exhaled softly, feeling a sudden lightness in my chest.

Might as well take a little break until the end of the ball now.

Turning from the crowd, I made my way toward the tall glass doors leading to the gardens. The cool night air swept in, tinged with the sharp bite of early winter. It kissed my cheeks and whispered against my bare shoulders, though I barely felt it. I never did thanks to my Frost Magic and also because I was a Dragon.

Frosthail must already be blanketed in snow by now. The mountain gates would be sealed shut. I wondered how Lady Dahlia and Lord Alarice were faring. They’d sent a few letters, but I hadn’t had the time—or the heart—to respond in full. Things between Davian and me had grown... cold.

We were in a stalemate of sorts, a quiet silence with too many unsaid things.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him dance with anyone tonight. Not once.

Was he standing alone? Had no one asked him?

A strange pang tugged at my chest. He was supposed to celebrate, too.

Lost in thought, I wandered farther into the garden, the murmurs of the ballroom fading behind me.

And then I heard it.

A voice.

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