The Kingmaker System-Chapter 43 - 42. A Mage And A Knight (5)

Davian was standing near the large window that seemed to be failing to illuminate the huge hall in which we had entered and beside him was standing someone who was possibly going to give me an earful later.

Davian didn’t look exactly as I had last seen him. He seemed like he had been through the years of exhaustion in just a few months.

There were dark bags under his eyes, he had grown a bit taller and I could see his muscles that were shaping the black shirt that he was wearing. But the look on his face was what made me feel the slight ache in my chest.

The child seemed to have been through a lot and for some reason, I felt guilty.

"He’s quite young." I mumbled.

"I never expected the Grand Duke to be a child." Lyall muttered beside me and Sir Adler cleared his throat.

"These two are the gentlemen who saved the people of Iker town." Adler said and Davian nodded while his companion glared daggers at me, I avoided looking at him.

"It’s a pleasure to greet the new ruler of the North." I bowed and Lyall followed suit.

"I’m Ocean and this is my attendant, Lyall."

"I’m Davian Montaire and I thank you for helping us in the time of crisis," Davian spoke up.

His voice wasn’t like how I remembered either, the soft voice was suddenly replaced by the steel as if a flower had evolved into a sword.

"You need not thank us, Your Grace." I smiled and my eyes ended up moving to the figure who stood a few feet away from Davian with his back against the wall and arms crossed at his chest.

"I heard about your purpose of visiting the North," Davian said as he walked up to me.

His violet eyes that were just filled with melancholy before were now solid and impenetrable. The little bit of emotions that was visible earlier was completely gone now. The child whom I had seen a few months ago was gone, the one standing in front of me was the young Grand Duke of the Frosthail who had to protect his kingdom and fight the monsters.

"But it seems like you didn’t inform of your trip to your superiors." Davian looked at Silas who didn’t move but I could feel his eyes impaling me.

"I did inform." I spoke up and the sound of Silas clearing his throat echoed in the large room.

"Regardless, I am happy to have you here Sir Ocean and if you are going to aid us then, I’d like to discuss more with you." Davian said as he looked back once at Silas.

"I’ll see you for dinner." He said before he walked past me.

The doors behind me closed leaving me with Lyall and Silas.

"Why didn’t you tell me you were coming here?" Silas asked.

"You came a bit later than I expected and at an unexpected place as well." I spoke instead making him sigh and run his hand through his hair.

"Do you realise where you are?"

"A place where you said I could get a proper training."

"Re-"

His eyes drifted to Lyall and he walked up to me and gripped my wrist and dragged me away from Lyall.

"I didn’t tell you about this because I knew the old man had told you to help Davian. I didn’t want you to come here, this place is way dangerous even for you, Reina." He gripped my shoulders and I sighed.

"I agree that Grandfather had asked me to help Davian but coming here was my own decision. And it doesn’t concern anyone’s request or prompt." I looked at him and he let go of me looking exasperated.

"I know this place is dangerous but that kid just now, he is handling it alone. He asked for your help but you weren’t going to send anyone here or rather none of your Mages were going to come here. Darren told me everything." I said and Silas stared at me.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked.

"Why... are you so adamant in getting involved in these dangerous situations? Wasn’t helping Eric enough that now you’re here as well?"

I smiled and answered, "Since the adults don’t do their work it’s up to us kids to help each other."

[Goddess of Wisdom appreciates your wise words.]

Silas licked his lips and inhaled and exhaled deeply before he spoke, "I’ll send someone here to help Davian. You return home I’ll arrange for your training at the Mage’s Tower."

"Who will you send?"

"Darren." I chuckled.

"Let it be, Uncle. I’m already here and I also need to train him." I said pointing at Lyall who stood in his spot looking at us.

"He can come along or accompany Darren here."

"He’s my subordinate, Uncle. Don’t decide for him." I spoke feeling slightly irritated as I hated someone trying to indulge into my decisions.

"Reina, return home now." Silas hissed.

I stared at him for a moment, I didn’t want to stretch this argument any longer but it didn’t seem like he was going to listen.

"I won’t."

"You won’t listen to me?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Nope."

"Then as an Archmage, I order you to return, Reina." Silas ordered making me smile.

"Is that why you gave me this?" I asked as I moved my black cloak revealing the blue badge of the Disciple level Mage of the Mage’s Tower.

He had given it to me as my birthday present for me to use it whenever I would be in trouble. But I guess it was also so that he could rein me in when I would try to drift on my own.

"If that’s the case then," I pulled off the badge making his eyebrows twitch.

I placed it in his large hand and stepped back.

"I’m no longer related to your Tower. I don’t follow your orders and also, I never did to begin with. So, I’m free to do whatever I want."

I turned and Silas reached out holding my elbow, stopping me.

I turned to look at him and he stood silently for a moment before he released a deep sigh.

"You’re so stubborn."

"I guess it’s in our bloodline." I commented making him chuckle.

"Fine, do what you want." He said and I smiled.

"Just don’t get hurt and return safely."

"I will."

He smiled as he reached out and returned the badge to me.

"Keep this and whenever you need help just contact me." He said and I nodded.

"Thank you, Uncle."

I turned to leave and then turned again with a smile.

"And, I hope you don’t scold Darren for this, I forced him to spill the beans."

Silas sighed shaking his head before Lyall and I left the hall.

The servant outside bowed to us and told us to follow him.

We walked behind him and I noticed as how Lyall was looking at me from the corner of his eye.

"Ask away, Lyall." I spoke up and he slightly flinched but then scratched the back of his head as he asked.

"Are you really a Mage from the Tower?"

"Kind of," I answered making him look down at me with a quizzical expression.

"What?"

"Unlike the other Mages at the Tower I work on my own, I don’t stay at the Tower and do stuff that’s quite different."

"Is that why you are still holding your title and your wealth?"

"Yes."

"The Archmage seemed quite close to you," he mumbled.

"I’m his illegitimate child after all." I joked and Lyall stopped short and stared at me with wide eyes even the servant who was walking a few steps ahead turned and stared at me.

I laughed at their comical reactions, "I’m just jesting, don’t take me too seriously. Archmage isn’t that old to have a child my age."

I waved my hand dismissively and the two shocked men turned away and started walking. I was feeling a lot light-hearted these days probably because I was starting to get used to this world or maybe it was because there were people here who genuinely cared for me and would listen to me if I needed to talk.

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to enjoy my time here.

The rest of the day passed by quite quickly and Lyall and I found myself dressed up and walking towards the dining hall to meet the thirteen-year-old Grand Duke of Frosthail.

The large double doors opened and I and Lyall walked inside, Davian was already in there but Silas wasn’t. He must have left considering he never stays at away from his Tower for a long time.

"Good evening, Your Grace." I and Lyall bowed to Davian before he asked us to sit.

I took my seat on the opposite edge of the dining table while Lyall sat close to me.

The food was served and Lyall stared at the feast in front of him with wide, hungry eyes and drool dripping from his chin.

"Archmage told me that you will be staying here and aiding us, Sir Ocean." Davian started and I nodded.

"Yes, Your Grace."

"May I ask why you didn’t inform the Mage’s Tower about coming here?" He asked as he cut into his steak and I and Lyall followed suit.

"I’m not like the other Mages who have abandoned their title and status and devoted their life to Magic and research, Your Grace."

Davian looked at me with slight surprise. It was a strict rule for the Mages who joined the Tower that they would have to leave their prior identity and life.

"I wouldn’t have believed that you were a part of Mage’s Tower if the Archmage hadn’t arrived here personally." Davian said and I chuckled.

"I have the tendency to do what I want instead of what others want me to do."

There was the sudden sound of the metal scratching against the porcelain and I noticed as the air around Davian had darkened.

Did I say something wrong?