The idea was so grand, and the presentation was so elaborate that all were moved.
After the breakfast, in the royal court, in front of all the foreign dignitaries, as well as the prominent rival Families, like the Valerians, Sarrin, Nightingales, and last but not least Cassian Thorne- Lorian Thorne, was appointed unanimously as the Head of the Pirate Subjugation Team.
It was also clearly hinted that, after the successful completion of the operation, he would be declared as the official Heir of the Thorne Household.
Although the Hall erupted in applause and cheer, Lorian could notice many of them were fake; they were actually waiting for his fall in this operation itself.
His opponent was not only the Pirates but also his own uncle, the rival families in Veridia, and most probably one or more city-states themselves.
But it was something to be thought about later.
It was now time to celebrate.
But before that there was another thing left to do for Lorian.
And it was the Grand Announcement, which Lorian had already informed his parents about at the breakfast table.
Lorian's idea was that he, with his father, Lord Elmsworth, should make a public announcement, perhaps in the city's central square.
This must be a grand and formal affair to emphasize the seriousness of the Thorne family's commitment.
Gavril Fartom, the Seneschal of the Thorne family, had taken mental note of all and went to make proper arrangements on an urgent basis while Lord Elmsworth was addressing the dignitaries and important people in the court.
When Lorian, along with Lord Elmsworth and other guards, came out of Auric Spire, they were welcomed by a crowd of common people.
Most of the people were excited to see the true heir, Prince Lorian, who will be publicly addressing them.
They had heard many rumors regarding the prince.
Most were negative to date.
However, the recent news was reassuring, different, and promising.
They were feeling relieved that the oppressive, cruel Cassian Thorne won't be ruler, but the son of the Wise Master, Lord Elmsworth, will inherit his throne.
The City Square was filled to the brim.
The city guards were trying their best to maintain the crowd.
However, as the royal entourage approached, people automatically made way for them.
Many of them were surprised to see a filthy Beastman among the royal entourage.
Jax's sharp hearing skill picked up the murmur, and it made him feel a bit awkward, left out, and alone.
And then, among the crowd only, some people revealed that the Beastman was the Prince's personal guard, and any offense to him would be counted as a personal insult to the Thorne family.
This quickly stopped the murmur regarding his presence.
Jax's chest also filled with sudden pride as the personal guard of Thornes, as his heart was enveloped with renewed loyalty for the young master.
And then, with Lord Elmsworth's permission, Lorian took the stage at the center of the Central Square, surrounded by a sea of people, eager to listen to their next lord for the first time.
Lorian knew this time he was not talking to people driven by greed, selfish interest, and logic, but people driven by emotions.
And he thus has to connect to their emotions, avoiding logical arguments.
He was prepared.
It was his stage.
And he was going to win it.
Lorian cleared his throat and started speaking in a clear, calm, and composed voice, which was magically amplified to reach the farthest corner of the city by the magical gem on his collar.
"My dearest friends, brothers and sisters, citizens of my Veridia,
I stand before you today—but not as the scion of the Thorne family; no, but as one of you, my friends.
My heart has cried with every loss you have suffered and every tear you have shed in the wake of the pirate attack. I know many of you have lost your dearest family members, friends, and livelihoods. We all felt the terror and the pain of that night."
He took a breather to check the reaction of the crowd.
He could see many of them had started crying already or were desperately trying to keep a straight face. The rest were just taken aback with this personal address from the prince.
Lorian resumed,
"It is a tragedy that should never have happened, and it is a failure that my family and I take personally."
The public were now more surprised, as they felt they were going to be part of a great sin by making their overlords say sorry to them.
Lorian continued, "Let me be clear: the Thorne family does not consider you expendable. You are not just a number. A random, another citizen.
Every single life lost, every single life harmed, matters deeply to us.
You are not simply our subjects; you are our people.
You are our family.
To honor those who have fallen and to aid those who have suffered, my family will establish the Veridian Restoration Fund.
This is a fund dedicated to two solemn purposes:
first, to provide generous compensation to every family that lost a loved one or was injured in the attack;
and second, to rebuild and restore every home and business that was damaged.
The fund will operate with full transparency, overseen by a trusted hand, to ensure that every coin spent goes directly to those in need."
At this point the people present were so surprised that they became speechless.
"This is not a gesture of charity; it is a solemn duty.
We will not rest until our city has healed.
However, our work does not end with restoration.
These pirates, and any who would aid them, have proven they are a poison to our great city. An attack like this could not have happened without traitors within our very walls.
I am asking you to be our eyes and ears.
The Thorne family will reward anyone who comes forward with information about the pirates or their sympathizers.
Every whisper, every rumor, every piece of information you believe is insignificant could be the key to ensuring an attack like this never happens again.
Your identity will be protected, and your information will be rewarded.
Let us stand together, not just as a city in mourning, but as a united people.
Let the pirates know that to harm one of us is to earn the eternal hatred of all of us. Let us show them the true meaning of the Thorne family motto: "We take care of our own."
Thank you."
With this, Lorian stopped his speech.
And then, in the entire Central Plaza, there was pin-drop silence.
For a good few minutes, there was no reaction.
Just all the audience were gaping at him.
There was awe and reverence in their eyes.
And then, suddenly, they all broke into tears, cries, and cheers.
There was literally an explosion of emotions.
Till now there have always been declarations on them, never such heartfelt speech.
Lord Elmsworth's heart was filled with pride, so much that he could hug his son.