The Kingmaker System-Chapter 102 - 101. Welcome Home (2)

"Happy birthday, brother." I smiled looking at Rune who seemed to have grown a little taller than I had last seen him.

But regardless, he was still as adorable as ever.

My father seemed to have lost a little weight though, he must be working really hard.

The household personnel, including Grandfather, Silas and Darren were present for the celebration and with my appearance the looks that I was getting were quite comical to say in the least.

Their eyes had turned into saucers and jaws were comfortably resting on the carpet.

"Re-Reina...?" Rune gasped.

"Yes,"

It seemed as if a spell had been shattered as the people suddenly were in motion and I was tackled by two bodies at once.

My father and Rune.

Rune clasped his arms around me and Father hugged us both.

"You’re back! You’re really back!" Rune shouted.

"My little Princess is back!"

The two cried like there was no tomorrow making one wonder if I had been gone for years instead of months.

I didn’t resist their warm gestures or their incoherent seeming speech as they were crying throughout.

It just made me feel fulfilled. I had longed for such a connection in my past life but having only these two fussing over me like this made me feel as if I could live by in this world without any sorrows.

"Are you going to keep crying or start the celebrations now?" I asked looking at Rune as he sniffled.

I wiped his tears and patted my Father’s shoulder before looking at the entire household personnel who also had tears in their eyes.

I had thought of Davian’s family reuniting would be a warm and fuzzy scene but I didn’t realise I would have the same thing for myself.

[Goddess of Wisdom asks you to cherish this feeling.]

"I will do that."

"Now, now, it’s not good to cry like this on your birthday." I said and Rune looked at me.

"Have you grown taller?" He asked and I tilted my head.

"Maybe."

"You definitely have." Father confirmed.

"Shouldn’t you two let her breath? It seems like she has rushed straight back from her journey." Marquis Desmond Fairisles, my grandfather spoke up.

"Stay out of it, they’ve missed each other." Silas retorted.

I could see them glaring at each other and sighed.

"You should go and freshen up first." Rune said.

"We will wait for you." Father added with a smile and I smiled back.

"All right."

The maids led me back to my room and after a good bath and changing into a new dress I walked back to the drawing room where everyone was waiting for me.

It had been such a long time since I was dressed up like a girl so, it felt slightly awkward but it didn’t last for long as I was quickly surrounded by everyone.

Rune seemed happy to receive the sword that I picked from one of the best shops in Mordino, it was a sword with a golden hilt which had the amber stone studded over it.

I started pulling out the souvenirs that I had gotten.

I handed Grandfather the handwoven shawl and he accepted with a smile.

"It’s quite warm."

"I’m glad, you like it. And, I’ll drop by tomorrow to give their gifts as well."

His eyes slightly went wide as I said that but he simply chuckled placing his large hand over my head.

"You far exceed my expectations, my granddaughter."

I moved ahead to Silas and Darren who were waiting. I handed Darren a fountain pen and then looked at Silas.

"So, what have you got for me?"

"I’d like to give it to you tomorrow and also discuss something."

The curiosity seemed to swirl in his blue eyes before he nodded, "All right. I’ll wait."

"Reina! What about Daddy?" My father stood expectantly as he was the last one to recieve the gift.

I pulled out a black box from the bag and handed it to him.

"Ca-Can I open it?"

"Sure, go ahead."

He opened the lid and gasped as he saw the brooch made of gold with the shape of a peacock sitting inside.

"It’s so beautiful." He gasped.

"You could wear it for formal occasions." I said and he smiled.

"Thank you, Reina. I’ll treasure it!" He held the brooch to his chest and I couldn’t help but smile.

The gifts weren’t too luxurious but everyone seemed to like them regardless that I couldn’t put much thought into it.

The evening moved on and we ate together the feast prepared for Rune’s birthday. I was happy to finally fall in my bed after a long day and such a long journey.

It had been months since I had slept in a comfy bed.

Still I couldn’t sleep until I had calmed my hyperactive brain, I had kept Eric’s and Lady Elise’s gifts aside.

Apart from that, I had to arrange some gifts for the kids who would now be at the building near the Oasis.

It was a good thing that I had some time to drop by at Izkar and let Kyrell know of what happened at Mordino and also that the kids that were sent there were good and would return soon.

The next morning, I woke up quite later than usual and was groggy until I had some tea and breakfast with Rune and Father.

"I have to go over to Grandfather’s house for a bit in afternoon and from there I have to visit the Ryujin mansion so, I’ll be home for dinner." I said and could see the two faces visibly grow gloomy.

"I’ve taken a leave from the academy because I wanted to spend some time with you after so long and you’re leaving like this." Rune pouted.

"I’ve been working more so that I could make some free time to spend with you as well." Father groaned and I couldn’t help but feel a bit foolish for bringing up work right after I’d returned from such a long trip.

"Erm... I’m sorry." I apologised and the two continued pouting.

*But if it’s all right then we can go on a picnic day after tomorrow, you can plan. I will go wherever you want. It can even be an overnight trip or something." I suggested and the two exchanged a look before their faces grew radiant.

"All right! I’ll look into the best place for picnic till then, Reina," Father looked at me with an expectant smile, "I hope you will finish your work."

"Ah, yes."

I went over to my room and put on my sapphire earstud and put on a black cloak along with the invisibility brooch before I leapt out of my balcony’s window.

I unfurled my wings and flew towards the market place before I got down near the alleyway and removed the invisibility spell before pulling the mask over the lower half of my face and walked over to the street and called a carriage.

"Fairisles mansion." I said and got inside.

It took me around two hours before I reached at the territory of Marquis Fairisles. I didn’t fly all the way over as this was day time and I couldn’t appear there out of thin air.

I paid the carriage driver and stepped out. The gates opened up as soon as I saw them the badge of the Mage’s Tower and I walked towards the huge mansion.

I walked inside the mansion and the servants who saw me immediately recognised as the "special" guest and led me to the waiting room.

The Head Butler of the mansion, Collins arrived after a few seconds with the tray of tea and some refreshments and placed it on the table in front of me.

"It’s been a long time, Master." Collins bowed and I nodded.

"Is His Excellency here?" I asked.

"Yes, he is on his way here."

I nodded and Collins stood near the door, he was one of the very few in this mansion who had seen my face and knew that I was Ocean Ryujin.

I pulled down the mask and drank some tea before I heard the footsteps hurrying towards the waiting room. The three set of footsteps approached the waiting room before the doors flew open.

A tall, handsome boy walked in followed by a lady and my Grandfather.

"Master!" Eric grinned and I stood up and bowed before him.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"It’s been a long time, Ma- Baron Ocean." Eric said as I straightened up.

"Yes, it indeed has."

"How was your trip?"

"Greatly successful."

"How are you, Master Ocean?" Lady Elise asked.

"I’m fine, My Lady. How are you?"

"I’m well and healthy, thanks to you." She smiled making her warm brown eyes light up.

After the poison was cleansed from her system she had regained her strength and her health had rapidly improved. For now, no one would know that the emaciated woman who was trapped in the tower in the Royal palace was this happy woman.

We all took seats before I placed the bag I was carrying on the table and pulled out a scarf from the bag and handed it to Lady Elise.

"I have brought souvenirs." I announced and Lady Elise smiled before taking the scarf which was made from the finest fabrics found only in Mordino.

"Oh my, what a pretty scarf!" She smiled as she brushed her fingers over the fabric.

"Even the fabric is quite comfortable."

"It’s made from the finest fabrics found only in Mordino." I smiled making her eyes go wide for a moment.

"Mo- Pardon, Master Ocean, did you go to Mordino?" She gasped.

"Yes."

She chuckled, "That explains the revolution."

Eric stared at me with wide eyes and I pulled out the dagger, its hilt was made of gold and was studded with a ruby. I had bought it from the same place that I had gotten Eric’s sword from.

"It’s a special Mordino curved dagger, Your Highness. You can conceal it in your clothes or anywhere on the body. Also, its speciality is,"

I pulled it off its sheath and then picked up the handkerchief from the table. I tossed the handkerchief in the air and slashed the blade making the kerchief slice cleanly in two pieces.

"It is so sharp that you can easily get rid of any assailants before they know what hit them." I explained before I put it back in its sheath and handed it to Eric.

He stared at the dagger before he looked at me.

"But, Master... Why... why did you go to Mordino? There was a war and even Sestia attacked that place because-"

"I know, I was needed in that place that’s why I went there. I have established friendly relations with their Queen so, in future it will come in handy when you ascend the throne, Your Highness."

Eric stared at me for a moment looking distressed and I noticed the fluctuation in the air.

"Why don’t you tell that you also basically announced to the whole world that a Dragon had descended?"