The Kingmaker System

Ocean decided to choose his reward later as he felt Sol squirming beside him. The little boy moved a bit before he lifted his head, his drowsy eyes met with the aqua blue ones and instantly his eyes went wide blowing away the traces of sleep.

"You’re awake!" He almost shouted and Ocean chuckled softly.

Ocean ran his hand through the back of Sol’s head and Davian who had been in the same room woke up with a start hearing Sol’s shout.

"Wha-What happened?!" He gasped and then noticed Ocean pushing himself up tk the sitting position.

"Master!" He rushed over to Ocean.

Ocean noticed that the two were still in the clothes that they had worn for the ball and summarized that he hadn’t been out for more than a few hours.

Ocean brushed his hand over Sol’s head while looking at the two. The both seemed relieved but there were the traces of worry and concern in their eyes. Seeing that they hadn’t even changed into comfortable clothes, they couldn’t even have gotten enough sleep throughout the night. It made him feel a little guilty. His father and brother might be in even more bad shape.

"I’m so glad you woke up, Master." Davian sighed, plopping on the edge of the bed beside Sol.

Ocean smiled as he reached out and Davian leaned ahead wondering if Ocean wanted something but Ocean placed his hand over Davian’s head ruffling those jet black locks gently.

"I’m sorry for worrying you all. I’m all right now." Ocean spoke.

Davian smiled while Sol sighed, "This... went too far."

Ocean nodded before he moved from the bed and stretched his arms above his head. He walked over to the bathroom and washed his face wiping his hands and face with the fluffy towel before he stepped out again.

"How’s everything? I must have an audience with His Majesty right away, won’t I?" Ocean asked turning to look at them.

"How are you going to explain what happened?" Sol asked and Ocean shrugged.

"I’ll tell him the truth,"

"You’ll tell him the truth?" Davian cocked his brow and Ocean smiled removing the brooch that was barely clinging over his clothes. He placed the mana devices down carefully on the vanity table watching his reflection. His mask sat on the vanity probably removed by one of these two last night.

His hair and clothes were a mess but there wasn’t any other trace of him fighting the demons the earlier night. His face looked radiant as always after the splash of water.

"Only the amount that he needs to know." Ocean said before he walked over and grabbed a fresh set of clothes and then walked behind the changing frame.

"He’s already suspecting you for all that happened." Sol said and Ocean chuckled as he removed the shirt which was worn over because of the fight.

"Let him, I don’t really care. How about others? Are they all right?" Ocean asked as he put on the new shirt.

"Yes, but they must be worried about you." Davian said as he stood up making his way towards the vanity, he watched the communication device and the teleportation pendant was there but the earcuff that was over Ocean’s ear earlier wasn’t.

"I know, I’ll talk to them during lunch." Ocean said as he pulled the trousers up his long, pale legs.

"Duke Aurelius’ family seems quite close to you, Master." Davian mumbled, "They really do see you as their family."

"Hm, yes, they do." Ocean said absentmindedly.

Davian who noticed that Sol hadn’t been talking for a while turned around to see the little boy dozed off on the bed.

After Ocean was done dressing up, he stepped out from behind the changing frame noticing that Sol had fallen asleep and walked over to the vanity. Davian picked up the communication brooch.

"Let me help you, Master." Davian volunteered with a smile and Ocean cocked a brow with a smile.

"It’s quite an honor to have the future Grand Duke of Frosthail to tend to a mere Marquis." Ocean commented playfully and Davian chuckled.

"I only do this for the people I cherish," Davian said noticing the silver glinting over Ocean’s ear.

The earcuff was still on Ocean’s ear, it was quite odd for Ocean to forget something and even Sol had last night slapped his hand when he tried to reach out for this earcuff. Davian wondered what kind of a device that earcuff was that Ocean hadn’t removed it. The last time he had seen was the earstud which would always be on Ocean’s ear but now it was replaced by this earcuff.

"All right, do what you like." Ocean allowed putting his hands behind him.

Davian beamed before he looked at Ocean up and down and then walked over to the wardrobe pulling out an olive green vest with golden embroidery. It would go well with the white dress shirt and the beige trousers that Ocean had worn.

Davian walked back and helped Ocean into the vest, he hooked the golden buttons in their places noticing that Ocean had something beneath his shirt. Davian’s fingers briefly brushed over the smooth, pearly surface that seemed like a pendant over Ocean’s chest. He wondered if he should ask but then he decided not to, grabbing the beige cravat, he gently placed it over Ocean’s glass-like slender neck.

"You’re quite beautiful, Master." Davian mumbled as he adjusted the cravat carefully.

"Did you learn to have such small talk from the maids?" Ocean asked with a chuckle, "I know, I’m beautiful."

Davian chuckled but then his eyebrows twitched as he realised that he didn’t feel the sound that one would feel while touching the throat of a speaking person when Ocean spoke or chuckled.

Maybe it’s because he has scales for skin. Davian thought.

His fingers subconsciously brushed over the crook of Ocean’s neck and he found the pulse beating faintly beneath it.

He almost sighed with relief and Ocean who noticed his probing fingers felt the heat rise up to his chest.

"If you don’t know how to tie a cravat let me do it myself, Your Highness." Ocean said and Davian laughed sheepishly.

"I’m sorry, I know, I’ll do it." Davian said as he properly tied the cravat placing the communication brooch over it to secure the folds.

The mana stone over it glinted for a moment and once its glow subsided it looked like emerald matching the attire that Ocean wore.

Davian further picked up a comb and gestured for Ocean to sit down on the table. Ocean obliged.

Davian brushed his long fingers through the smooth locks of aqua, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as though he was holding water itself in his hands. The strands were impossibly soft, their coolness almost intoxicating, slipping between his fingers like liquid silk. Each stroke of the comb sent the straight hair tumbling down in a gentle cascade, gleaming like a waterfall spilling over his shoulders, mesmerizing in its quiet, fluid beauty.

Once done, Ocean handed him a thin green ribbon which he found in a vanity drawer. Davian diligently tied the soft hair in a low ponytail before he picked up the teleportation pendant. He clasped it gently over the nape of Ocean’s neck and his eyes then found themselves focusing over the silver earcuff where the sapphire-like blue mana stone glinted.

"Master," Davian spoke.

"Hm?" Ocean responded and then almost stiffened as he felt Davian’s fingers brushing over the earcuff.

"What are you doing?" Ocean asked but Davian’s eyes were still fixed on that earcuff.

"What does this device do?" He asked and Ocean grasped his wrist before he could unhook the earcuff.

"It’s..." Ocean blinked as he raked his brain for any reasonable sounding answer, "a gift."

Davian tilted his head, "A gift? From who?"

Ocean sighed, "From Archmage Silas, he gave it to me saying that I could use this in case of emergency."

Davian seemed even more curious now, "What does it do?"

"Disguise," Ocean sighed.

"Disguise? You mean like how you turned into a woman back then?" Davian asked and Ocean nodded having a clue.

"Yes, yes. It’s for that."

Davian blinked, impressed.

Ocean picked up his usual black mask and Davian helped him fix it over the side of his face brushing his fingers over the smooth, cool skin of Ocean’s heavenly face.

Davian often wondered why his Master who was so beautiful to say the least was unwilling to court any woman. Was it because he was already so beautiful that any woman’s beauty didn’t effect him? Or was he looking for a Dragon mate?

Ocean was relieved that Davian wasn’t asking any more questions and suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Davian went to check, the knight at the door was a bit surprised but he bowed before he asked.

"Is Marquis Ocean Ryujin awake?"

Davian stepped aside and Ocean stepped up.

"Yes, I’m awake."

The knight nodded before announcing, "His Majesty has summoned Marquis Ocean Ryujin right away."

Ocean nodded, "I understand, lead the way."

The knight bowed to Davian and turned on his heel, Ocean once looked at Davian before he walked behind the knight to go and have a talk with Augustine.