Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points! - Chapter 192

Chapter 192: • A Promise
Arkanos stopped near a cluster of lilies, his gaze flicking to her. “You didn’t come here to talk about flowers, Kaela,” he said, his voice low but not unkind.

“What’s on your mind?” Kaela took a breath, her hands clasping in front of her as she met his gaze. “I… heard Sephira’s announcement tonight,” she began, her tone careful. “About her child. It’s joyous news, truly. But it made me think about my place here—about what I can offer you… and the empire.” Her eyes flickered with a mix of resolve and vulnerability, a rare crack in her usual serenity.

Arkanos tilted his head, intrigued. “Your place is secure, Kaela,” he said, his voice steady. “You’re my wife, part of this family. Sephira’s child doesn’t change that.”

Kaela’s lips twitched into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I know,” she said. “But I’ve always been… quieter than Illena or Sephira. Less… bold. But now Illena has Vael… and now Sephira will have her child. I… I…”

She fidgeted, looking away. “I… want that too.” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

“I’m your wife, my emperor. I want to give you a child, to strengthen our legacy…”

She hesitated, her eyes glistening as she forced herself to continue. “I’m afraid I’ve been too… reserved. Too distant. I don’t know if I’ve earned that honor.”

Arkanos’s emerald eyes widened for a fleeting moment, her raw sincerity catching him off guard.

Then, to Kaela’s surprise, a deep, rumbling laugh burst from his chest, echoing through the greenhouse.

His head tilted back, his silver hair catching the lily light as he chuckled, the sound rich and unguarded—a rare break in his stoic demeanor.

Kaela’s flush deepened; her brows furrowed as she took a defensive step back, her hands unclenching from their nervous clasp. “W-what’s so funny?” she demanded, her voice rising with a mix of embarrassment and indignation.

Her blue eyes narrowed, searching his face for an explanation. “Is this… is my heart a jest to you?”

Arkanos’s laughter subsided, though a broad, amused grin lingered on his lips. He shook his head, his emerald eyes glinting with warmth as he stepped closer, closing the gap she’d created. “No, Kaela, it’s not that,” he said. “The way you came here, whispering so softly, looking like you were about to confess a state secret—I thought something far more dire was at stake. By the gods, you can be so sweet and innocent at times.”

Kaela’s cheeks burned, and she huffed, her defensive posture shifting to playful exasperation. “Is our future not something important?” she retorted, her voice rising as she stepped forward, her small fists playfully slamming against his broad chest.

The soft thuds were more gesture than force, her sapphire gown rustling with the motion. “You laugh as if my heart’s desire is trivial!”

Arkanos’s grin widened, his emerald eyes sparkling with mischief. “Okay, okay, I get it,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. But then, in a swift, fluid motion, he caught her by the waist, his strong hands pulling her close until their bodies pressed against each other.

The lilies’ glow cast soft shadows across his sharp features as he looked down at her, his voice dropping to a low, warm murmur. “Is that really something you need to ask for, Kaela? I’d be glad to make a mommy out of you.”

Kaela’s breath hitched, her blue eyes widening as she felt the warmth of his hands through her gown—the strength in his grip both firm and tenderly inviting.

For a moment, she was caught in his gaze, the intensity of his words sending a flutter through her chest.

But then her lips twitched, and she adopted a playfully annoyed expression, tilting her chin up defiantly. “Oh, you’ve got some nerve,” she said. “You’re so good at sweet-talking, it’s lost its sincerity!” She swatted at his chest again, though her hands lingered there, her fingers curling lightly against his coat.

Arkanos laughed again, a softer sound this time, his hands tightening briefly on her waist before one slid up to brush a strand of midnight-blue hair from her face. “Not sincere?” he teased, his smirk softening into a genuine smile. “Kaela, if I didn’t mean it, I wouldn’t be standing here in a greenhouse, listening to you bare your soul under these ridiculous glowing flowers.”

He gestured to the lilies, their azure light reflecting in his eyes. “You want a child? You’ll have one. I’m your husband, not some distant lord you need to petition—have you forgotten we’ve already made love before? What’s so hard about doing it again?”

Kaela’s playful scowl faltered, her blue eyes softening as his words sank in. She bit her lip, a mix of embarrassment and warmth flooding her cheeks. “You… you really mean that?” she asked, her voice quieter now, vulnerability returning as she searched his face.

Arkanos’s expression grew serious, though the warmth in his emerald eyes remained. “I do,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “You’re my wife, Kaela. Illena has Vael, Sephira will have her child, and you—you’ll have yours: one with your beautiful midnight hair and radiant blue eyes.”

His hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin, a rare gesture of tenderness that made her heart skip.

Kaela’s eyes glistened, and she leaned into his touch, her hands still resting on his chest. “Thank you, Arkanos,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I… I didn’t know how to say it. I was so afraid you’d think me foolish for worrying about such a thing.”

“Foolish?” Arkanos raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. “You’re the one who braved coming to me in the dead of night to speak your heart. That’s not foolish—that’s bold.”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a playful murmur. “And I like bold.”

Kaela laughed softly, the sound light and genuine, easing the tension between them. “You’re impossible,” she said, shaking her head, but her smile was radiant, her blue eyes sparkling in the lily light. She stepped back slightly, though his hands lingered on her waist, reluctant to let go. “I… I also heard whispers about the Head Priestess,” she added, her tone cautious but curious. “Sephira’s comment at dinner—it wasn’t just teasing, was it? Is she… important to your plans?”

Arkanos’s jaw tightened briefly at the mention of Isode, the system’s quest pulling his thoughts back:

〘 Quest Update: Legacy of the Holy Empire 〙

〘 Time Remaining: Approximately 3 months for quest completion 〙

〘 Reminder: Secure alliances, marry Isode Threshia, and pull Excalibur to claim the title of Holy Emperor. 〙

He released Kaela’s waist, stepping back to lean against a stone pillar, his coat rustling as he crossed his arms. “Isode is the Head Priestess,” he said, his voice measured. “Her role in the church makes her vital for the war—and other matters. Sephira’s curiosity is… perceptive, but it’s not the full story. Isode’s importance is tied to the empire’s future, but it’s not something to discuss lightly.”

Kaela nodded, her blue eyes searching his face. “I understand,” she said. “But if she’s part of your plans, I want to help. I could watch the court, listen to the nobles and clergy. I’m quiet, but I notice things. I could be useful.”

Arkanos’s smirk widened, impressed by her initiative. “You’re full of surprises tonight, Kaela,” he said, a note of approval in his voice. “Very well. Be my eyes in the court. Watch for whispers about Isode, about the church. Report anything unusual. Can you do that?”

Kaela’s posture straightened, a spark of determination in her eyes. “I can,” she said firmly. “I won’t let you down, my emperor.”

“Good,” Arkanos said, pushing off the pillar and gesturing toward the greenhouse exit. “Then we have an understanding. Come, let’s return. The night grows late—why don’t we go try giving you that child you so desperately asked for?”

“Arkanos…!” she said, embarrassed as she fell into step beside him.

“What? Am I forbidden from teasing you as well?”

She opened her mouth to reply but said nothing.

Her sapphire gown brushed the stone path as they left the greenhouse.

The blue lilies glowed softly behind them, their light fading as the cool night air enveloped the gardens.

Kaela’s steps were lighter now—her earlier vulnerability gone, replaced by a spark of confidence, her heart lifted by Arkanos’s promise.

Arkanos, meanwhile, felt the weight of the quest and the war pressing against him, but Kaela’s unexpected boldness brightened the night for him.

As they stepped into the palace halls, the quiet ambiance contrasted with the lush life of the greenhouse.

His thoughts churned—Isode, the Holy Empire, the Akerian war, and now Kaela’s desire for a child.

The future was still bright, at least he hoped it was, despite the fact it was going to be drenched in blood and conquest.

Indeed, it was.