[Having people work for you will help with your purpose.]
[What do you mean? I don't need people who can hinder me from what I am going to do.] He leaned back once again and got comfortable.
The wound from getting betrayed was still fresh in his memories. The betrayal has cut deep within his flesh and his soul. He wouldn't easily trust anyone again. This was a chance for revenge and redemption and forming these useless bonds are not within his priority.
[They are only your tools. If you are worried about their loyalty, you can use your Unique Skill - Blood Contract.]
Lyonel tilted his head to the side after hearing Alfyon's statement. The invisible screen that he can only see popped out once again and the words Unique Skill with the words Blood Contract was written on it in bold and in red. The prince raised his hand and pressed the word. The screen turned to red with the instructions on how to use the Blood Contract on it. He silently browsed through it and finally a grin appeared on his face.
Now that he was thinking about it, having more people helping him would make his life easier. Yes, his current body was a genius when it comes to magic but it is extremely physically weak which makes him vulnerable. Lyonel was in position and yet he lacked the power to do what he wanted, limiting his movements. With this ability, he can gain loyal servants that will serve as his arms within the kingdom.
[This is good. I didn't know that I could do this.] He waved his hand and the screen disappeared before he leaned on his seat with a wide grin on his face.
Not long after, one of his father's aides came with a scroll in his hand. He was followed by two other royal guards. The three of them stopped in front of Lyonel and remained there in silence.
Lyonel waited but he did not hear a word from his visitors. **Not reading that? Just because I can't see, you can do whatever you want. You are within my territory and I can clearly perceive my father's command from that scroll.**
The aide who was holding the scroll gritted his teeth before he raised the scroll and opened it. It was a royal order that was addressed to the crown prince.
"I believe that Crown Prince Lyonel is now ready to take on roles within the court. Thus, I will be assigning Zhione Leizbyne and Ghester Aizhel to be the Crown Prince's advisor and personal bodyguard. Please receive the royal order." The man bowed while stretching his hand that held the scroll towards Lyonel.
[Infinite Treasury has been activated.]
Lyonel tilted his head at the mention of treasury but despite his curiosity, he held back so that he could deal with the new people that his father had assigned to him. **I am accepting the royal order.**
After hearing the confirmation, the royal aide raised his head together with the other guards. After giving him the scroll, the aide and the guards left. The moment they stepped out of the garden, the royal aide looked at Zhione and Ghester, a brief eye contact followed by a sharp nod that both of them understood. Now that the royal order was given and accepted, the crown prince can now acknowledge the both of them.
Unbeknownst to them, Lyonel had witnessed this little interaction. That small gesture informed him that either the king or someone higher had given his new subordinates a secret assignment.
He couldn't help but chuckle and shook his head. Whoever it was that gave them a secret order, he will know soon and whatever that order was, he will make sure to give them a good result. After he made sure that the royal aide left, he called for the two who had been standing at the entrance of the garden waiting for him.
**Now that the order has arrived, you can start working for me. I hope you do your best and I will give you a welcoming present.**
With both of their own understanding, they easily caught the underlying threat within those words. Zhione and Ghester tensed but it was not enough to scare the both of them. They followed the crown prince back to his own study and waited for his instructions.
**Why don't you start by giving me information regarding the different noble families within Ingracia.** His attention was directed towards Zhione who was adamant on hopefully ignoring the crown prince but he knew that he couldn't.
And yet his mind still wandered at the mention of those noble families because if not for those people, he would have remained as part of the Ministry of Justice and yet there he was serving a prince who was crazy enough to hurt anyone. His jaws locked and he closed his eyes and failed to hear what the prince was saying.
Lyonel's face contorted into a frown at the blatant display of disrespect from Zhione. Without warning, a loud thud echoed in the room and Zhione was already lying on the floor, face down with red mana pressing on his back and preventing him from standing up. The pain from being slammed on the stone floor made Zhione groan and come back to reality. He raised his head with a frown and glared at the prince.
**Ignoring me now?** The low voice transmitted by the prince's magic dropped the room's temperature.
The pressure on Zhione's back became heavier as if a large boulder was sitting on his very spine. Even his hands and feet felt like they were bound because no matter how he wanted to move them, he just couldn't.
Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes. "I apologize, your highness, it won't happen again."
After the apology, Lyonel did not retract his mana and enjoyed watching the kneeling man. **I hope this won't happen again.**
He was finally relieved of the crushing pressure. "I understand, your highness." He calmed himself while fixing his clothes as he stood straight to face the crown prince. "I will bring them all to you as soon as I can."
Ghester watched as the charade played out and came to one conclusion, it was not a good idea to be on the crown prince's bad side, for now he would do whatever the crown prince commands.
Silence followed the adviser's statement before they heard a sigh. **Look for the butler, he'll accompany you to your quarters and brief you on the rules of my palace. Since you are sent by my father, just do your job and be careful not to make mistakes as I am not really forgiving.**
Lyonel ignored them again and sensing that that was the end of their conversation, they both bowed and gave the prince a salute. They left the room and met with the butler once again. They were given a tour of the whole palace and given warnings of the places that are forbidden or need the crown prince's permission before they can enter it.
By the time they finished and settled with their luggage, two hours had already passed. The butler then led them to the prince's room where the royal physician was giving him a check up. And even just standing outside the room, they could already feel the tense atmosphere.
After the royal physician checked the crown prince, he stepped out and noticed Zhione and Ghester. "Ah, are the two of you the new addition to the prince's people?" The royal physician gave them a smile.
"Yes," they simultaneously answered.
He nodded but before he continued talking, Zhione and Ghester noticed that he looked back at the crown prince's room before turning back to them and speaking. "That's good to know. I feel more at ease knowing that someone will be keeping an eye on the crown prince. He is a bit stubborn and reckless at this time, he still needs to take it easy and needs plenty of rest."
After that encounter, Zhione and Ghester quickly adjusted to life within the prince's palace because everyone was welcoming of them. They were ready to help when they had questions. During this time, Zhione also started helping with the preparation of the kingdom's founding celebration.