The Kingmaker System-Chapter 449 - 448. The L Word Problem (3)

"...Aqua..."

He blinked slowly, golden eyes still hazy as they tried to focus on me. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"H–How are you feeling? Are you in pain?" I asked gently, leaning forward.

Before he could answer, a loud rumble echoed from his stomach. I paused, lips twitching. Of course—he had been unconscious for nearly two weeks, and Dragons had infamously ravenous appetites, especially when recovering mana.

I reached for the small silver bell on the bedside table and gave it a sharp ring.

Moments later, a maid rushed in, eyes wide. "Y-Yes, Master?"

"Hurry and tell the chef to prepare a full feast for the child. As much as he can eat."

"Huh?... Um—yes, Master. Right away!" she stammered, clearly startled at the sudden order, but quickly turned on her heel and left.

I let out a long sigh and plopped down on the edge of the armchair by the bed, resting my elbows on my knees as I looked at him.

"You had me worried for so long, child," I said softly.

"Child?" His golden brows furrowed as he tried to sit up, the sheets slipping from his shoulders. His movements were sluggish, arms trembling slightly with the effort.

"Are you not?" I asked, reaching out to support him, carefully slipping an arm behind his back and helping him settle upright against the pillows.

He looked at his own hands then, small and bony, flexing his fingers as if seeing them for the first time.

"There’s so much I want to tell you... and even more I need to ask," I murmured. "But since you’ve just woken up, take it easy for now. No rush, alright?"

His gaze remained fixed on his hands for a moment, before he asked, barely above a whisper, "Why?... Why are you here?"

I chuckled softly. His voice was hoarse, likely from dehydration and disuse.

Without a word, I reached out with telekinesis, lifting the glass jug from the nearby table and pouring water into a clean glass. The child’s eyes widened as he watched, clearly taken aback by the casual display of mana.

"Here," I said, holding the glass out to him.

He accepted it with both hands—tiny fingers wrapping around the cool surface with a kind of reverent hesitation—then took a small sip. A moment later, he gulped the entire thing down as though only now realizing how parched he was.

"And besides," I added, watching him with a half-smile, "this is my house, Little Dragon. That’s why I’m here."

"I’m... not little," he muttered, setting the empty glass down with a faint frown.

I laughed gently, the sound soft and warm.

"Of course you’re not."

After some time, the maids returned, carrying in trays piled high with food, and quickly arranged the feast on the long coffee table in the sitting area. The aroma of roasted meats, warm bread, creamy stews, and sweet pastries filled the room. I glanced at the child just in time to catch the sparkle in his eyes. His throat bobbed as he gulped, eyes darting between the food and me like he needed permission.

I smiled and gently lifted him from the bed, carrying him over to the couch and settling him onto the cushions before gesturing toward the spread.

"Go ahead. It’s all for you."

He stared for a moment longer, hesitant, before finally reaching out. And then—like a dam had burst—he began wolfing the food down at an astonishing speed. His small hands moved rapidly from dish to dish, piling more into his mouth even before he finished chewing.

Watching him, I couldn’t help but think of a certain ambitious pirate with a straw hat who devoured meals with the same intensity. The Dragon child was no different—if not hungrier.

"Slow down. There’s no need to hurry, you know," I said gently, amused.

He paused, looking up at me with both cheeks puffed out like a squirrel, crumbs clinging to the corner of his mouth, a bit of cream smeared near his nose. I chuckled under my breath.

There was a soft knock on the door before it creaked open. Kai peeked in, a bright smile lighting his face.

"Master, I heard the baby woke up!"

The Dragon child turned his head sharply, eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.

"Mm hm hm!" he mumbled through a mouthful.

I sighed. "Swallow first, little Dragon. Then speak."

Kai laughed and lingered at the doorway. "Can I come in?"

"You may," I said, nodding.

Kai walked in with a bounce in his step and plopped down beside me, peering curiously at the child who was now eyeing us both cautiously between mouthfuls.

"Are you full?" I asked.

The child wordlessly shook his head and continued eating, his pace only slightly slower now.

"It’s a good thing you woke up," Kai said enthusiastically. "I’ve been waiting to talk to you and play with you!"

The Dragon child blinked at him, clearly unsure how to respond. He made another attempt to speak but was promptly cut off again.

"No speaking with your mouth full," I said, more firmly this time.

Kai turned to me. "Master, what’s his name?"

"I haven’t asked yet," I replied, eyes still on the boy.

Kai turned back to him eagerly. "Then what is your name?"

The child swallowed the last of the food on his plate. The entire table had been cleared in just under fifteen minutes—a new record, even by Dragon standards.

"...Sol," he said quietly.

"Sol..." Kai repeated, grinning.

"A fitting name," I said warmly, standing and walking over to him.

Sol stiffened slightly as I knelt before him and slipped a hand into the inner pocket of my vest. His golden eyes widened for a heartbeat, but all I drew out was a soft handkerchief. I reached out and gently wiped the food from his cheeks and chin. He didn’t move, simply watching me with a wary stillness until I finished.

"There you are," I murmured with a small smile.

He looked away.

"Thank you for helping me back there, Sol," Kai said, sincerity in his voice.

Sol turned his gaze to him.

"I... should leave now," he said, and my eyes narrowed slightly.

"Eh? Why?" Kai asked, visibly deflated. "You could stay with us! Master is super strong—he’ll protect you. And we’d have so much fun here."

Sol shook his head, more firmly this time. "I must leave."

I took a breath. "Kai," I said softly, "isn’t it time for your lessons?"

Kai hesitated. He glanced between the two of us with obvious reluctance, but I could see the understanding in his eyes. I had taught him never to force someone to stay if they didn’t want to.

"...All right," he murmured, climbing down from the couch. "I’ll see you later, Sol."

With a last wave, he walked out of the room.

The maids began clearing the dishes, and once they were gone and the room was silent again, I sat across from Sol, folding one leg over the other.

"Aqua," I said gently.

He flinched—barely, but I noticed it.

"You recognized my mana," I continued. "Didn’t you?"

He lowered his gaze. "It’s not a big deal for a Dragon to sense another Dragon’s element," he muttered.

I observed him for a moment, he seemed like he was t willing to part with his secret or rather he didn’t seem to trust me.

"I won’t force you to reveal anything you don’t want to, Sol," I said quietly. "But I need to know what happened that day when you fought the demon. I need to understand."

His lips pressed together tightly, fingers curling slightly into his lap.

I kept quiet for a moment before I sighed realising that he wasn’t going to speak unless I give him a reason to. But currently, I couldn’t. He had just woken up and he seemed like he would need as much rest assured he could.

"All right," I sighed as I stood up.

"Since you aren’t in the state of speaking, you could rest some more."

"I... I wish to leave." He said.

"You’re in no state to protect yourself, Sol. You may not trust me but just stay here until you recover some of your strength. I won’t force you but I just want you to think it first before you make a decision." I said before I walked over to the door.

"I’ll see you later then," I said before I stepped out of the room.

Dragons were the divine beings of this world yet the ones whom I came across so far were in such a bad state including my own predecessor. It made me wonder about the other Dragons and Lesser Dragon’s who were spread out in this world. Were they safe or were they also suffering from some sort of a curse?

Regardless, the problem that was waiting for me back at Aurelius was a rather bigger one.

Penny was visually radiating happiness as she greeted me and I noticed the three envelopes on the table before me.

"Penny..." I spoke feeling slightly uneasy and she smiled.

"Don’t worry, My Lady. I’ve already prepared for the dress and accessories for your tea party tomorrow."

My eyebrows twitched as I stared at her, "Tomorrow?!"

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