However, it wasn't the first time she had exhibited such behaviour, leaving them wondering whether this situation was truly worthy of their concern.
Garnet, however, couldn't help but suppress a smile, finding amusement in the situation. However, like the others, he maintained his composure, awaiting Princess Crystalia's explanation.
"Crystalia, what is the meaning of this?" King Brylon's voice echoed throughout the chamber as he observed his daughter approaching him, stressing his frustration with her habitual disruptions during their council meetings.
"Haven't I warned you about disrupting council meetings?" The king's hand moved to his forehead as if already sensing a headache forming from the disruption.
Coming to a stop before her father, Crystalia took a deep breath, using the moment to collect herself. "Haaa… haa…" Her exhalation was audible as she faced her father, her gaze shifting from her mother's fierce glare to her father's fatigued and contemplative expression.
Her throat bobbed nervously as she composed her thoughts, well aware of the gravity of her interruption. She said firmly, "It's really important, I promise."
The King's brows arched slightly, his expression shifting into a thoughtful frown as he considered her confident demeanour.
Contemplating her intention, he finally nodded in reluctant agreement. "Very well, proceed," he granted, though his tone held a hint of scepticism. "I hope it's as important as you claim, considering you've disregarded my warnings and interrupted the council meeting."
Sensing the urgency, Crystalia quickly shifted her gaze to Orion and gave him a subtle nod.
Recognizing the signal, Orion responded with a decisive nod, exhaling deeply before acting. Swiftly, he removed the cloth that Princess Crystalia had provided him.
The cloth sailed through the air, landing on the other side, and as it fell, he stood, revealing his presence before the assembly.
An audible gasp spread throughout the room, a chorus of surprised reactions echoing among the figures seated around the beautifully crafted rectangular table constructed from a fusion of crystal and rock.
"Crystalia," the king's voice, now edged with a more intense tone, rang out in the chamber. His gaze bore into his daughter with a stern furrow forming on his brow. "What... Who is this?" he asked seriously.
Princess Crystalia winced at the intense tone that accentuated her father's words. Despite the inner turmoil, she met his gaze head-on, her expression showing both determination and unease. "Father, I found him in the upper section of the mountain," she replied, pausing before quickly adding, "I mean, I believe they came from outside the mountain."
When her words ended, the sound in the room quietened. Even Garnet, who had been about to interject, now directed his attention to Orion, who stood somewhat awkwardly, holding the still-unconscious Saria in his arms.
"..You.. Went.. To.. The.. Upper.. Section, After.. All.. My.. Warnings," the king's voice rumbled, his arms vibrating with anger as he clenched his fist to maintain his composure.
While phrased as a question, the slicing anger beneath the king's words was perceptible to everyone in the room, including Orion. Princess Crystalia swallowed nervously before responding, "Yes. But, this time around, I believe it was worth it. I managed to rescue someone who seemed to be from outside the mountain," she explained.
"CRYSTALIA!!" King Brylon's voice thundered through the room as he fixed his enraged gaze on his daughter.
He took a deep breath, attempting to quell his anger as he observed her avoiding his eyes.
Shifting his attention back to the Council table, the King addressed the clan leaders representing various clans in the kingdom, "This meeting shall be postponed for now."
"King Brylon, I believe this issue should be addressed by the entire Council," Garnet stated gravely, his face etched with a deep frown. As he saw the other members nodding in agreement, he particularly noticed one of the Clan leaders—a middle-aged woman with emerald eyes and deep green crystal locs—solemnly nodding in agreement.
Witnessing the overwhelming support for Clan Leader Garnet's suggestion, King Brylon managed to temper his anger once more.
He heaved a deep sigh and nodded, his voice a blend of weariness and understanding. "I understand your point. However, at this moment, I must address and reprimand my daughter for breaching a rule that I had set. Afterwards, I will arrange another meeting to address this matter and resume our discussions. Therefore, as the ruler of the Prismerian kingdom, I grant each of you permission to leave."
With the conclusion of King Brylon's statement, a perceptible shift took hold of the room's atmosphere. The Council members, prompted by his assertion of authority, let out a collective sigh of resignation.
Slowly, they rose from their seats, their movements carrying an air of defeat, and one by one, they filed out of the throne room.
However, their eyes still lingered on Orion and the unconscious Saria cradled in his arms. Even Garnet, as he followed the retreating figures, maintained a keen gaze fixed upon Orion, his thoughts occupied with the revelations from Princess Crystalia's words.
Swiftly, he departed the meeting hall, to relay the startling news to his clan's elders.
Naturally, Garnet anticipated that the other clan leaders would follow suit, as the arrival of an outsider like Orion from beyond the mountain's confines couldn't be casually brushed aside, even if dismissed by the king himself.
The heavy door sealed with a soft "click," enveloping the room in silence. Now, only Orion holding Saria, Princess Crystalia, Flintor, King Brylon, and his wife remained. King Brylon and his wife both silently looked at Princess Crystalia with a frown on their faces.
"Crystalia, why don't you explain once again how everything had taken place," the Queen interjected, recognizing that her husband was struggling to contain his emotions.
Her gaze shifted momentarily to Orion and the unconscious Saria, then back to her daughter, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. Princess Crystalia, taking note of her mother's intent, cleared her throat and began narrating the story anew.
She sensed that her father was now receptive to hearing the full details of what had happened and how they had rescued Orion away from the White Flame.
