The Kingmaker System-Chapter 467 - 466. Allies (1)

Sol and I waited in the corridor for Davian to finish getting ready. I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Sol wandered a few steps away, gazing up at the portraits that lined the walls—generals, nobles, and the occasional monarch, all rendered in oil and framed in gold.

The guards assigned to escort us stood respectfully at a distance, silent and still.

I was growing bored of the quiet, and with Sol standing there unsuspecting, I decided to entertain myself.

Without a word, I used telekinesis to lift him gently into the air.

He flailed, startled, though he didn’t cry out—perhaps too proud to be caught yelling. When the guards glanced our way, I let him drop back to the ground. He landed on his feet, turning to glare at me with crimson cheeks.

"What do you think you’re doing?" he sneered, his voice low, lips twitching with embarrassment.

"I’m bored," I replied simply, a small smile playing on my lips. "So, I’m playing."

With a flick of my fingers, I levitated him again, just high enough that his boots dangled above the floor. The guards, once more looking away, remained blissfully unaware.

Sol glared at me from midair but this time folded his arms across his chest, pretending as if he were completely unbothered.

"You’re really strange, you know that?" he muttered.

"Yes," I said with a chuckle. "But you’re not much different. You lie. You keep secrets. And you still don’t trust me."

His crimson eyes narrowed at that. "Is that a problem with you?" he asked, tone sharpened with a challenge.

I met his gaze steadily. "No. I’m fine with you lying or doing whatever you want... but I hope you don’t hurt my people."

He stared at me for a moment—calculating, unsure. But before he could respond, the door to Davian’s room opened.

We both turned.

Davian stepped out dressed in full formal attire, and for a moment even Sol seemed too stunned to speak.

His coat was a tailored piece in deep black, its edges lined with crisp white detailing and subtle embroidery in shades of silver and sapphire. A cape of midnight blue hung over one shoulder, pinned in place by a silver brooch that bore his family crest—an eagle in flight. The high collar framed his angular jaw, and his gloves were fastened snugly, completing the regal look.

But it wasn’t the outfit alone that struck a chord—it was him.

Jet-black hair had been neatly combed back, revealing his violet eyes, which glowed subtly under the soft chandelier light. He looked every bit the noble he was, but there was a quiet, composed intensity in his presence that made him stand out even in silence.

"You’re late," I said, smirking.

"I wanted to make an impression," he replied smoothly, then glanced at Sol. "Seems I’m not the only one who dressed to match."

Sol huffed and looked away.

"Shall we?" Davian offered, stepping forward.

I placed a hand on Sol’s shoulder and nodded. "Let’s go."

The guards escorted us to the ballroom where the first day of the ten days’ celebration was being held. With the time we had spent, I was sure we were late.

The music and the sound of chatter was already spilling through the doors as we entered.

"Make way for High Highness future Grand Duke of Sestia Davian Montaire, His Excellency Marquis Ocean Ryujin and Young Master Sol." The announcer announced as per my instructions and we walked in side by side.

"Is it all right to introduce Sol as simply Young Master?" Davian asked in a low voice.

"He doesn’t want to be adopted just yet so, there’s no other title that I could give him." I responded while Sol himself walked quietly beside me.

The eyes that had turned at announcement were fixed on me and I knew the ones who knew my name would be waiting to pounce on me. But first, we needed to greet Augustine, the King Of Denril.

Davian and I bowed before him, I had to push Sol’s head down to keep him from showing disrespect while I myself could feel the slight irritation, for lowering my head before a human.

"What-" Sol almost grimaced.

"Stay put, please." I whispered.

"Please rise," Augustine spoke and we straightened up.

"I apologise for being so late, Your Majesty." Davian said and he laughed.

"It’s fine, I’m happy that you made it here though and," his eyes drifted over to me, "In even more surprised to finally lay my eyes on the rumored Marquis Ryujin."

I tilted my head with a smile, rumored?

"I’m elated to hear that you know about me, Your Majesty." I placed my hand over my heart and he smiled.

"Who wouldn’t know of the man who is doing so much for the common people of Sestia? I have heard a lot about your Oasis Foundation and your endeavours towards uplifting the society from the clutches of poverty. You are a role model, a man embodying Noblesse Oblige himself, I’m happy to know that you came all the way here for the celebration. I hope you enjoy yourself here."

I couldn’t sense any underlying intention in his words, I knew the talks about my Foundation had made it far and wide and I had also received praises for my work but having a King praise me for it was kind of good.

"It makes me ecstatic to hear a praise from Your Majesty, but, I feel humbled by your words as I’m but fulfilling my duty towards people, that’s all."

Augustine laughed, "You really are humble, Marquis. But your work is truly praiseworthy."

We took our leave after that and I released a low sigh as I could see the crowd slowly gathering towards us, mostly ladies.

"Your Highness," I spoke, "If the ladies come over, I’m ditching you."

Davian looked at me and then wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"That’s not a good thing to do as my chaperone, Master. You ought to stay by my side throughout the evening." He said and I looked up at him.

He smirked down, challengingly, his violet eyes sparkled under the glimmer of the chandeliers and for a moment, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was always this strange depth to his eyes. The depth that seemed to grow into deeper abyss past the shimmering violets.

A sound of someone clearing their throat snapped me out of my trance and I turned my head to see my father standing there looking pissed.

"Fa-" I clamped my mouth before I could call him father.

"Y-Your Grace, how are you?" I beamed while his eyes stayed fixed on Davian’s arm on my shoulder.

I pushed it away facing him completely while trying not to stutter a lot, "You-You see... I well... No, His Highness-"

Before I could complete Davian stepped ahead and swept a perfect graceful bow before my father along with a charming smile.

"It’s so nice to meet you, Your Grace. How have you been?" He asked.

I could see my father not being impressed at all as he gave him a fake smile and then turned to me.

"I didn’t know Marquis Ocean would show up at this ball." He said and I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Indeed," I heard a voice from behind and I didn’t even have to turn as I could hear the footsteps approaching me.

Rune walked over and stood beside father looking at me.

"That... I wasn’t really going to come but you see..." I twiddled and Davian smiled.

"It was because I requested Master to come with me," he answered making the two pair of sharp eyes turn on him.

"Hah?" The two spoke in unison, they looked like a spitting image of each other.

"Well, since the Gates of Frosthail are closed and my parents can’t leave the territory for a long time I had no one to act as my chaperone. Since I trust Master Ocean I asked him to come as my chaperone." He explained.

My father and brother eyed me and I smiled maintaining a safe distance between myself and Davian.

"It would have been really sad if I had let His Highness go alone for such a long journey without anyone being by his side, so, when he requested I thought about it and decided to come after finishing my work." I said and Davian nodded.

"We just arrived yesterday,"

"And who is this child?" They looked down at Sol.

"He’s... well, I’ll explain later..." I said.

Rune and father sighed before Rune stepped ahead, "That’s really kind of you, Master Ocean. And, since you’ve escorted His Highness all the way here so, you must be free to meet some people here. Please come along, I’d like to introduce you to some people."

"I’ll take care of Sol here so, you should go." My father said holding Sol’s hand, Sol looked surprised but didn’t resist and before I could even say anything, Rune dragged me away.

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