As Lorian was going to rise from his bed, the glowing eyes, at lightning-fast speed, appeared in front of him.
It was none other than Zara Sunstreak, the Leopard-girl.
She whispered in a voice so low that no one sleeping would wake up but high enough for Lorian to be able to understand with complete attention.
"Please, sire, you need to rest. Sleep a bit more! Your servant is there for you! So, take your rest, sire!" she said with utmost respect.
Lorian felt once to stay asleep, as she had suggested.
The experience of sleeping in a soft bed was something he had always longed for.
And, in his past life, when he had gotten the opportunity to sleep in a comfy bed, he had neither had time nor mental peace to lie down awake in comfort.
But this time, it was different.
He had money and time.
But something in him was troubling him.
He was feeling a burst of energy, and he wanted to channelize it.
He wanted to wake up.
Wake everyone in the room up.
Everyone in the Auric Spire wakes up.
Everyone in the city wakes up.
He could not believe this new him who was suddenly bustling with energy.
That was most probably the demonic energy that was boiling inside.
But he quickly reminded himself not to force himself or the people with him.
This time he will go slow, at his own pace; unlike last time, when he rushed so fast that he did not see what was happening behind his back and how he was running in a race he was thrown out of already.
He nodded to Zara and slumped in the bed.
He started thinking random things, including his encounter with the demonic prince, and then he fell asleep.
Lorian opened his eyes when golden rays of sun touched his face and kissed his eyes.
He felt a soft hand brushing over his hair and forehead.
It was his mother.
"Good morning, Son!" She spoke emotionally.
A drop of a tear from her eyes fell on his cheek.
He rushed to sit on the bed and hugged his mother. "I am sorry, Mother dear, for making you worried!"
"Yes, because Father does not care, and so do not get worried about his dear son!" Lord Elmsworth spoke in a fake grudging tone.
The Lord smiled and sat by his son and wife on the bed.
Lord Gavil cleared his throat softly to lowly attract the attention of everyone.
He signaled everyone in the room, other than the royal family, to vacate the room.
Everyone bowed to the Lord, the Lady, and the Prince and was going to leave.
However, Lorian raised his hand to stop them in their tracks.
He scanned the room once, casting his gaze upon everyone present.
He placed himself between his parents, grabbed their hands with both of his hands, and spoke.
"Every one of you present here is the dearest and nearest to me.
To me you are all more precious than any wealth in the world.
Some of you have been with me, even when the whole world had discarded me as garbage, a waste of a princess.
You have stayed with me, withstanding humiliation and ridicule, but still did not stay away from your duty of serving me.
Even when no one knew if I would ever become normal."
Lorian took a bit of a pause to gauge the mood in the room.
Everyone was silent.
Eldred, Kalen, and Elara's eyes had gone moist. Their eyes were glittering as the sun was falling on their face.
They were trying hard to control their tears.
Their emotions touched Lorian as well, as he could feel his throat was choking.
He cleared his throat and resumed.
"I am grateful to you all.
To stay by my side, ignoring all humiliation, coercion, threats, and lures."
Elara was going to say something, but Lorian, with a pleasant smile on his face, stopped her, raising his hand.
"And Jax and Zara, you two are new in my retinue.
But I have sensed sincerity and genuineness in you two.
I know you two will be of service to me. I have great hope for you two as well!"
Both the Beastmen bowed with utmost gratitude.
Lorian looked at Gravil with a meaningful glance.
Gravil, sensing the young master's order, spoke, "My Prince, they are no mere Beastmen, but the
Special people of the Prince himself. It will be known to every soul in the city and beyond.
Misbehaving with them is akin to misbehaving with the Prince of Veridia, the Thornes of Veridia."
Lorian nodded and resumed addressing his people.
"It was a bad time you had spent to date.
But the bad time ended with yesterday's dire struggle.
It is a new day, and a new phase of your life begins.
You are now a team; you are supposed to have each other's back. Never forget that.
Your loyalty towards me should extend to your teammates as well.
Got it?"
All five of them nodded like obedient school kids.
Lorian smiled and ordered them to go take a rest, which all of them seriously deserved.
They would be summoned later when Lorian feels the need.
As they bowed and took their leave, on Lord Elmsworth's signal, Gravil also took his leave.
The royal family decided to spend a few moments of their life just like any other normal family, celebrating their reunion.
At the breakfast table today, there were the three Thrones, who were joined by the other noble families.
There were General Marcus Ironclad, Grand Scholar Elara, First Trader Zara, High Druid Oakhaven, Thane Borin Stoneheart, and Lady Justice Serana.
There was also the girl that had accompanied Lady Serena yesterday.
She was looking at Lorian as if he were a ghost or a strange being.
Lorian smiled at her, to which the girl fumbled, smiled back at him, and quickly averted her glance.
Lorian did not push her farther.
After exchanging initial pleasantries and well wishes, there arose the main topic: what is the next step?