The Kingmaker System-Chapter 109 - 108 Isle Rosa (3)

"Reina, are you all right?" Rune asked looking at me.

"Can we get out of the crowd?" I asked and he nodded before looking up at Father.

"Fa-"

"Let him be," I said as I slowly let go of Dad’s hand, he didn’t notice and Rune carefully brought me out of the crowd.

He took me to a bench nearby and helped me sit down. My head was still processing the vision I just saw and I was wondering what I should do of it.

"Are you all right? Should I get something for you?" Rune asked as he searched for my eyes.

"I’m fine."

"But your face is all pale." Rune sounded concerned.

"Wait, here let me bring you some water." He said and turned but I grabbed his wrist stopping him before he could run off.

"Oh, Rune?"

"Ah, it’s really him."

I heard some voices and saw Rune stiffen up before I tilted my head and saw two young boys who were probably of Rune’s age. One of them had light orange hair with the same light shade of eyes while the other had black hair with blue eyes.

"Oh, who is this with you?"

"Is that your sister, Rune?"

"Oh, she’s cute."

"Almost like a doll."

Their expressions were bright for a moment before they turned darker and Rune was sharing the same expression as them.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Reina." I introduced myself and the two smiled.

"It’s nice to meet you too, Miss Reina. Rune always talks about you. I’m his classmate Ralph Greene." The orange haired boy said.

"And I’m Derrick Langland." The black haired kid said.

"Um... Are you here to see the purple roses too?" I asked.

"Yes, are you here for that too?" Ralph asked and I smiled.

"Yes, we’re here on a family picnic."

There was something that was collectively making these guys worry, it was clear on their faces with the way the air had turned dark around them. So, maybe it wasn’t about me, it might be something related to Eden.

If that was the case then, should I pry further?

These two boys might just be able to slip something if I asked them.

"Um, big brother Ralph, big brother Derrick, how’s my brother doing in school?" I switched to the cute, little sister act makingt their faces go red.

I had used double attack at once, so, it would make them drop their guard.

"We-Well, Rune is a really bright student and he’s also the favorite of the teachers!" Ralph spoke up.

"Yes, yes. He’s always at the top of the class and is the best at everything he does." Derrick added.

"Is that so? That’s really great! My brother is the best!" I cheered with a huge smile making their faces turn red and Rune cleared his throat.

"Re-Reina, I’m not that great."

"I know you get flustered by praises, Brother Rune." I smiled making him avert his eyes.

"Shall we all sit and talk?" I asked with a smile and the two stared at me for a few seconds before he caved into the cuteness attack.

We sat down at the spot that they had prepared at their picnic spot and I saw the snacks in front of me.

I picked up the donut and dug in making them look at me with smiles.

"Miss Reina, why don’t you have this as well?" Ralph said placing the plate of the cake in front of me.

"Also have this it’s really delicious." Derrick said as he placed down some cookies.

"Thank you." I smiled as I ate what they gave.

"Reina, are you all right eating that much? We just had lunch." Rune asked and I smiled.

"I’m fine, big brother. In order to grow as tall as you I need to eat more."

"How adorable!" I could see the words practically written on Ralph’s and Derrick’s faces.

"Big brother Ralph, big brother Derrick, how’s the school in general?" I asked and the two flinched before exchanging a glance.

"I-It’s really great, Miss Reina. The campus is really beautiful and there are large classrooms, and library and even the dorm rooms are really nice."

"Really? That sounds great! Will I be able to go there once I’m of your age too?" I asked.

"Sure!" Ralph spoke up.

"What else is good at school?" I asked.

Is there anything good about school?

Contrary to my words, my thoughts were quite different about school. Like any normal person I wasn’t a fan of going to school or studying, I did it just because I needed to do it.

For now, I could avoid school and I would if there’s no need for me to be there.

"Um... Th-The professors are... good and..." The three exchanged glances again and I noticed the darkened expression that ghosted their faces before it disappeared.

"You can make a lot of new friends and also do a lot of fun things."

"Do you all have a lot of fun too?"

"Yes,"

"How many students are there in your class?"

"Around 30."

"Apart from you who else is friends with my brother?" I asked.

"Ah, it’s-" Ralpha was about to speak up when he suddenly paused as if he’d realised something and looked once at Rune.

Ralph and Derrick cleared their throats and Rune sighed.

"Reina, we should head back now. Father must be worried we came without telling him."

"Eh? But, I want to know more about your school life." I groaned.

"We-We can meet again, Miss Reina."

"That’s right, we will tell you everything about it when we meet you again, Miss Reina."

"How long are you going to be on the leave then?" I asked and the two looked at Rune.

"Um... That..." Ralph stuttered.

"It’s only for this week." Derrick answered.

"Is that so? Then-"

"Reina, let’s go." Rune said as he took my hand and stood up.

"I’ll see you two later." He told his friends before he pulled me off their picnic site.

Even though we had walked a few steps away seemingly out of earshot, I could still hear the low voices conversation going between Ralph and Derrick.

"He seems angry."

"But, a week is still not certain, we’ve been at it for half a month already."

"I wish what we started wouldn’t end up as a failure."

"Rune had been trying so hard for his sake."

"I feel really bad."

"Let’s hope for the best."

Rune continued tugging me behind him until I couldn’t hear them anymore and we stopped near the trail that led to the hills.

"Why were you interrogating them?" He asked once we were far away from other people.

"I wasn’t interrogating your friends, I was just asking them about your school life." I said and Rune sighed looking distressed.

"Reina, this... matter is different so please don’t pry anymore here."

"How do you know if I can’t handle this?" I asked.

"Because I don’t want you to!" He snapped and then sighed running his hand through his face.

"Look, Reina." He started, "I know you are very capable and you have been doing impossible things but, let me handle this all right? It’s our problem and I don’t want you to get in trouble."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" I asked and he closed his eyes massaging his temples.

"Please let it go, Reina."

Rune’s eyes looked really strained and I couldn’t help but feel as if I was being a bit nosy. I could take care of anything that was bothering him but if he didn’t want me to then I couldn’t bulldoze my way in.

"Fine, I won’t do anything." I answered and he sighed with relief.

"A week you said." I spoke up and he looked at me.

"What?"

"You have one week to solve your problem, if you can’t solve it in one week then I’ll step in myself."

"You don’t need to!"

"If it were me in your place then would you have left me alone?" I asked and he pursed his lips.

"That’s the same for me, I don’t like seeing you so stressed so, try to sort the problem within a week on your own or I will step in."

Rune avoided my eyes and I turned to leave, "I’ll go back first."

It wasn’t like he would get so stressed over a small thing and if his friends were included then it was obvious that whatever this matter was, it was big. The long break from school, distressed classmates and the hesitantion in speaking.

The questions and possibilities started building in my mind and I couldn’t help but start to feel irritated.

"Reina!" I heard my father’s shout and I saw him running towards me.

"Oh, God! Where did you go? I was so worried, I thought you got lost. And where’s Rune?"

"We ran into his friends from school so, we were talking with them, Rune said he’ll be back soon."

"Did he leave you alone?"

I shook my head, "No, I came on my own."

I looked back at the path I came from and added, "Brother seemed like he needed some time alone."

"I’m glad you’re all right, I was worried when I couldn’t find you anywhere." He said and I smiled at him.

"I’m sorry for leaving without telling you, but you seemed like you could have some good time on your own that’s why we went ahead first."

Dad scooped me up in his arms and turned, "Shall we head back then? I’ll show you some other nice places here."

"That’s a great idea."

On his way, Dad told Sir Rudyard to escort Rune when he returns and we went ahead.