The Kingmaker System-Chapter 133 - 132. Proposal (1)

The stretch of the silence grew longer after Alarice had announced that the one he and his family was indebted to was a Dragon.

The silence was swelling in the small space where the people who listened were and it was shattered by Roger’s loud laughter.

"That’s an interesting story,"

Just then the dance music started and the Queen appeared.

"Your Majesty." She called and Roger excused himself for the first dance.

The first dance started with only the King and Queen dancing according to the tradition and the people’s attention was pulled to that.

The awkward air dispersed and I inhaled and exhaled freely feeling a large arm on my shoulder making me look at Grandfather who now stood behind me.

He gestured for me to go along and after telling Rune I walked away with Grandfather towards the secluded hallway.

"What was all that about?" Grandfather asked.

"His Grace was telling about the Mordino war."

"And he mentioned a Dragon?" Grandfather asked and I nodded.

Grandfather released a deep sigh, "Was it intended by you?"

"Only the story not the identity." I said and he nodded.

"Besides, you must have noticed the change in him." I spoke up not mentioning Eric’s name directly making Grandfather smile.

"His training at my place seemed like it was greatly lacking."

I grinned, "Dorm life works the best when improving ones qualities. The kids there are also like him, they’ve influenced him enough and it’s not only him but Rune as well."

"I sensed it around him as well." Grandfather said with a smile.

"I didn’t expect to see so much improvement in such a short time." He admitted and I couldn’t help but smile proudly.

"Just wait for a while Grandfather, I’m sure they will go beyond our expectations soon."

Grandfather seemed pleased and added, "Speaking of which, you seem a little different."

"Ah, right. That’s because of this," I brought up my hand and Grandfather looked at the bracelet.

"Another one of Silas’s devices."

"Yes,"

"Well, at least he can make useful things like these for you."

I chuckled, "It would have been harder for me to do what I do without him, Grandfather."

"I guess it’s only you who can make him work like that."

"I guess so."

"Has he reached back to you regarding the things you handed him for investigation?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Not yet,"

"It’s been over a month."

"I know... but I’m sure he must have found something since he’s taking so long."

"Hm..."

"We should head back now." I said, "I need to go back to Father."

Grandfather looked down at me and asked, "Is it about that thing that you told me about?"

I nodded, "Yes."

"Then, let’s go. I need to see it too.*

"Wait, you can’t see. I’ll tell you what happens later when I drop by."

"Hm? But I’ll be staying at your mansion till we’re in Laiden." He said and I raised my brows.

"And what about him?"

"He will go too. That will be the safest place for him, don’t you think?"

"I don’t have my guards here, Grandfather." I said and he chuckled.

"The place where you are is the safest, Reina."

I released a sigh and then smiled as we turned and walked back into the ballroom.

The music flowed through the large ballroom touching every nook and crevice and the couples swayed gracefully over the dancefloor.

I made my way towards Dad and Rune and once there I noticed the girls who were eyeing Rune.

I patted on Dad’s arm making him look down at me before I gently tugged him away making Rune look at us.

"Where are you going?" Rune asked as he followed along.

"Brother, you’re attracting attention towards us, I need to talk to Father about something important." I spoke up and his eyes went wide for a moment hearing me before he pouted.

"Just for a moment, I’ll be back." I said making him sigh.

"All right."

I and Dad walked towards the secluded corner and I looked up at him.

"It’s almost time, people are dancing so, it’s the best moment to strike." I said and Dad gulped once before nodding.

"You do remember what I told you, right?" I asked holding his hand in both of mine.

"Yes."

"Don’t be nervous."

"Yes."

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"I’m relying on you."

Dad inhaled deeply as I gave his hand a light squeeze before slowly letting go. He picked up a glass of champagne before he made his way towards the King.

I started making my way back towards Rune when I ended up getting flanked by the familiar faces of the girls whom I had seen at the tea parties.

"Miss Reina!"

"Oh, my! You look so adorable!"

"You’re dress is so pretty!"

I was tempted to run away, I had endured their cuddling and smothering for the past few days but now I had an important work.

I couldn’t even see Dad at this point to see if he was doing fine, he was already freaking out because of this huge responsibility and I couldn’t just not watch over him. He needed me. Just as I was about to snap appeared a saviour.

"There you are, Miss Reina."

The girls turned and looked at Davian who walked straight towards me. I could see them stare at him as he came and reached out to me.

"Your brother Rune has been looking for you," he said and I blinked twice before reaching out and taking his hand.

I walked away with him before the girls could start again and after walking a bit I sighed with relief.

He walked till a bit of the distance before we stopped at the food counter but I couldn’t see Rune.

"Where’s my brother?" I asked making him look at me sheepishly.

"Please forgive me," I looked up at him, "I lied to bring you out of that place."

I almost let out a surprised chuckle as he added.

"You seemed really uncomfortable so, I thought I’d help you."

"Thank you, Prince Davian." I smiled making him smile back.

I turned my head and saw Dad talking to the King, I could see the King giving him a look of interest before he gestured for Dad to follow him.

I saw them walking towards the stairs before they went up and I couldn’t help but sigh with relief.

"I’ll go look for my brother." I said before I quickly curtsied and scurried away before he could say anything else.

I walked past the few people before I quickly went down the empty hallway and then towards the farthest waiting room. Once inside, I locked the door and activated the communication brooch.

I had given one to Dad and asked him to activate it the moment he started talking to the King.

I could hear the sound of shuffling as I sat down quietly listening to the conversation between Dad and the King.

"So, what is this proposal that you were telling me about, Duke Aurelius?" I heard Roger’s voice and released an inaudible sigh.

"It’s about the trade with Mordino, Your Majesty."

"Mordino as of now is in shambles, Duke Aurelius. Trade with them will mea-"

He suddenly stopped and I clenched my fists wondering if he suspected something or maybe he noticed the communication device.

"Trade with them will mean... future support of that Kingdom."

"Not only future, Your Majesty but even for the present. We have the chance to get Mordino on our side by opening our doors to them and letting them know that we are their helpers."

I heard a deep sigh, "My advisors already suggested this, Duke Aurelius. But, there is a problem, you know? The trade can be done between those who can have something negotiable. I understand the point that you’re trying to make but Mordino’s new monarch is a child, girl at that and even if we managed to get her on our side it won’t be that fruitful. The previous King was a greedy man but he was playing his cards well and now we don’t have the capital needed for supplies of the war."

I steepled my fingers in front of me and I closed my eyes.

We had gone through this as well, the fact that Roger would rather trust the Tyrant than the present monarch of Mordino but there was an answer for that as well.

"But the previous King had endangered our kingdom, Your Majesty. He had a wall of Frosthail destroyed and aimed to usurp a portion of your kingdom." Dad said.

"That’s... true but he wouldn’t have been able to."

"And what if he would have succeeded, Your Majesty? As per what Grand Duke said, he and his family were on the brink of death because of the Tyrant. If he had succeeded then he might not have just sufficed with Frosthail, he might have waged a war on Sestia. And considering our present circumstances, we might not have been able to afford war with two kingdoms at once."

I nodded as Dad explained it in a composed tone.

"The trade between us will still be that of a loss, Duke Aurelius. Mordino is rebuilding itself and that costs a lot."

"And if they have a helping hand then they might want to repay that favour, even if that means that supporting us in the war against Denril."

"Till the time they are done getting back up the war would be finished."

"I beg to differ, Your Majesty. The war between Sestia and Denril has been going for a long time so, it’s unlikely that it will end so soon unless a miracle occurs like the Dragon’s presence in Mordino."

I heard a snort, "You really believe that nonsense, Arthur."

Oh, first name basis now.

"The times are changing, Your Majesty. We need a new approach to win this war and Mordino can be a key to that victory."

There was a moment of silence which made me smirk as I knew the King’s mind would be working in the direction that I wanted it to.