Lorian, with his keen, logical mind, had quickly weighed the situation and decided it was best to personally approach Kaelan.
His modern mind of Adrian believed that a direct, private conversation, rather than a summons, would yield better results and demonstrate a certain level of respect, even for a guard.
Eldard, however, was quite surprised by this decision.
For a scion of the Thorne family, the rightful heir to one of the continent's wealthiest and most powerful houses, it was entirely normal and expected to simply summon a servant, even one as trusted as Kaelan, to the castle.
Going out of one's way to personally visit a guard at his home was simply unheard of.
Elara, standing nearby, shared Eldard's mild shock, as her soft eyes widened slightly at Lorian's unexpected choice.
News of Lorian's intent, however, quickly reached Lord Elmsworth and Lady Seraphina.
They immediately sent for Lorian to come to their chambers, along with Eldard and Elara.
While they were undoubtedly pleased that their son had decided to venture out of the castle library and engage with the world, a deep current of worry ran through them.
Lorian's safety was paramount, especially now, with an important upcoming event where he was to be officially introduced to the wider world. Any incident before then could be disastrous.
So, it was decided.
Lorian was given strict instructions:
He was to follow Eldard and Elara closely at all times.
Furthermore, he was informed that four seasoned guards, dressed discreetly in common clothing, would follow them from a safe distance. Their role was to provide security without drawing undue attention, ensuring the young master's safety remained absolute.
As Lorian prepared to leave, Seraphina subtly nudged Elmsworth with her elbow as a silent reminder of a matter they had discussed earlier.
Elmsworth, recalling their conversation, beckoned Lorian closer.
His voice, though softer than his usual commanding tone, still carried immense weight.
"Lorian," he began, while keeping his gaze steady, "as the rightful heir of the Thorne family, you are entitled to receive a personal allowance of 1,200 Solars each month. Due to your… condition these past years, that sum was simply withheld, as you had no need for it. However, now that you are well and fully engaged, it is only proper that you receive all that accumulated wealth."
Lorian felt a jolt of surprise.
"That sum," Elmsworth continued with a hint of his usual business precision in his voice, "has amounted to 259,200 Solars."
Seraphina then added, her voice warm with affection, "And I've topped it up with an extra 40,800 Solars to make it a nice, round 300,000 Solars in total, my dear."
The 'Adrian' part of him, the logical, calculating side, immediately wanted to interject, to demand explanations about inflation and interest that should have accrued over eighteen years.
But the 'Lorian' in him, still overwhelmed by this unexpected kindness and the sheer generosity of his parents, felt a surge of genuine emotion. He bowed repeatedly, an unfamiliar gesture of profound gratitude.
From the knowledge he had diligently gathered in the castle library over the past few days, Lorian knew this was an utterly staggering sum of money.
He understood that a single solar was a significant fortune for most ordinary people, enough to feed a small family for a week or two.
His Adrian side had quickly done the mental conversions, estimating that one solar could be anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 in modern luxury terms.
A rapid calculation in his mind placed his new personal wealth as comparable to being a multi-hundred-millionaire, potentially even approaching half a billion dollars in personal liquid assets.
The thought of such immense, personal capital, given freely, was too much for his reserved nature.
He stopped bowing, instead rushing forward and wrapping his arms tightly around both his parents.
Elmsworth, usually so stoic, was visibly moved, his stern expression softening as he returned the embrace.
Seraphina, with her eyes moist with tears, chuckled softly, "Ah, Lorian," she teased gently, with her voice full of pride, "you truly are a Thorne, getting so emotional over money!" Elmsworth merely nodded, holding his son close.
After a moment, Lorian gently pulled away.
He took his leave from his parents; his mind was now a mix of wonder and purpose.
He turned to Eldard and Elara, "Eldard, Elara," he said in his firm voice, "please guide me to the market. My education begins now."
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Since his birth, the palace was Lorian's only world, and the big golden gates had always been the boundary line between Lorian and the rest of the world.
For eighteen long years, his reality had been restricted to the 'Auric Spire'—the grand palace of Thornes.
Its towering stone walls, its big courtyards, and, for the last few days, the strange nostalgic scent of old parchment hanging in the air of the library—this was all Adrian had experienced in this world after being reborn as Lorian.
But today, for the very first time in his memory, those gates swung open for him, and he stepped out into the bustling, vibrant spectacle of Veridia, the city his family ruled.
Elara was walking one or two steps behind him. She was nervous and excited at the same time, as it was the first time out there with her young master.
Beside Lorian, Eldard Alsnow was walking while performing the role of a careful guardian.
His cautious eyes frequently were being directed towards the Young Master, offering a subtle, reassuring nod whenever Lorian looked his way.
Behind them, four guards were walking while dressed in plain, everyday clothes like common citizens. They were keeping a discreet but watchful distance.
Their simple attire had allowed them to blend seamlessly into the growing morning bustle, providing a silent, invisible shield.
To Lorian's ears, the very air itself seemed to be alive, as it was humming with a thousand small noises.
It was a strange symphony made of the creaking of distant cartwheels, the excited chatter of vendors who were calling out their wares, the faint, continuous clang of a blacksmith's hammer striking iron, and the constant murmur of countless human voices blending into a single, vibrant sound.
Lorian inhaled deeply, identifying a strange, interesting fragrance in the air.
His sharp senses quickly deciphered it to be a fascinating mix of fresh bread baking nearby, the sharp tang of exotic spices carried on the breeze, the earthy dampness from the ground, and a vague, metallic scent floating from the busy workshops.
As they stepped further from the castle's long shadow, the true market of Veridia unfolded before Lorian's eyes.
It wasn't just big; it was utterly enormous, far grander than anything Lorian had imagined, even with Adrian's worldly memories.
Beautifully decorated small stalls roadside stretched as far as the eye could see.
Brightly dyed silks draped over sunshades, beautiful jewelry was shining in the morning light, and mountains of fresh, unfamiliar fruits were seen to be piled high in wooden crates.
Lorian's eyes, which had grown accustomed to the calm, dimly lit ambiance of his library, were now drinking it all in, absorbing every detail of this new, vibrant reality.
He felt reborn.