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The funeral of King Gregory was a grand and somber affair. The streets of Leona were lined with mourners, their faces filled with grief as the procession made its way to the royal mausoleum. The air was thick with the scent of incense and flowers, and the sound of mournful horns—*BWAAAAH! BWAAAAH!*—echoed through the city.
Dignitaries from neighboring kingdoms arrived to offer their condolences and pay their respects to the new king. Among them was Princess Sixhonia and her mother, Queen Isasha, escorted by a contingent of Hyen warriors. The palace was abuzz with activity as merchants, nobles, and commoners alike flocked to the capital, turning Leona into a bustling hub of trade and diplomacy.
Princess Sixhonia’s merchants set up stalls in the market, their goods drawing crowds from all over Waltonia. She approached me with confidence, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "Your Majesty," she said, her voice smooth and calculated. "I trust you will grant my merchants exclusive access to the markets of Leona."
I nodded, though I kept my expression neutral. "We shall discuss the terms, Princess. But first, let us honor my father."
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In the days following the funeral, I often visited the section of the palace where the orphans were housed, next to the servants’ quarters. These 21 children, ranging from ages 9 to 12, had become my special project. I named the youngest boy Mustard Leo, and officially adopted them all as members of the royal family.
Using the Spineless Brain, I had subtly installed advanced combat techniques into their minds. They were unaware of their newfound abilities until I introduced them during a grand ceremony. The audience gasped as the children demonstrated skills that rivaled even the Red Lion Guards. The enemies of Waltonia, including the burly representatives from the Thamus Kingdom, watched with a mix of awe and dread.
One of the Thamus delegates, a towering man with a sneer on his face, made a snide remark about the children being "trained monkeys." Without hesitation, I commanded one of my lions to bite off his arm. The man screamed—*AAAH!*—as the lion dragged him to the ground. The room erupted in chaos.
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"Let this be a declaration of war," I said, my voice cold and commanding. "Anyone connected to the Thamus Kingdom is no friend of mine. You are dismissed from my land."
The Thamus delegates left in a hurry, their faces pale with fear. The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air.
--
Later that evening, I asked Princess Sixhonia to take a walk with me in the Leo family lions’ park, a serene area next to the palace. The lions played nearby, their roars—*ROAR! ROAR!*—filling the air as they guarded us. The bear lumbered along, a rib bone clutched in its massive jaws.
As we walked, I noticed a softer side to Sixhonia. She spoke of the bloodshed she had witnessed from a young age, her voice trembling with emotion. "I never wanted this life," she admitted. "But I had no choice."
I reached out, grabbing her hand affectionately. She responded by flipping me onto the ground with a swift combat move. I was stunned but impressed. "You’re full of surprises," I said, brushing myself off.
She glared at me, her cheeks flushed. "You’re a pervert who only wants my body," she snapped before storming off.
I commanded one of the lions to follow her, but she unsheathed her sword, her eyes blazing. "Stay back!" she shouted.
I ran after her, apologizing profusely. "I didn’t mean to offend you," I said. "I just… I care about you."
She was silent on the way back, her expression unreadable. I let her go, feeling a mix of frustration and regret.
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Later, I took a walk alone, my Red Lion Guards marching behind me. I headed to the quarters of the Lion’s Mane Bureau, where the children flocked to me. Some stayed back, shy and reserved, while others eagerly showed me their progress in their studies.
The children adored me, and I adored them in return. They had become like family, their laughter and energy filling the palace with life. The maids acted as their mothers, while the Red Lion Guards served as their mentors. Even my little sister, Princess Lumina, often dropped by to play with them.
The big lion and the bear, whom the children had named "Goldmane" and "Honeyclaw," were tame around them. The animals played with the children, their roars and growls—*ROAR! GRRR!*—filling the air with a sense of warmth and security.
As I watched the children train and play, I felt a sense of pride. They were the future of Waltonia, and I would do everything in my power to protect them.
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