[Transformation in Progress.]

This male is being constantly trained and prepared to serve as the king's next form. To prevent 𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒆𝒓 from dying, a body transfer ritual is done from time to time, transferring both their souls from one body to another, therefore giving the king a new, young and strong form once again, so he'll continue to live.
The male's soul then goes to the king's old, weak body, which will eventually die.
Their main characteristics are also swapped. The only thing that's preserved in this swap is the body type. Things like size, fur length, and the overall shape of the body.
However, their voices, colors and the things that truly belong to them, that are responsible for making them recognizable, swap from one body to another along with their souls.

It's important to note that this is all done with the male's consent. They all usually think it's an honor to serve as the king's next form.
Some believe that those males will be rewarded in the afterlife, too.

The ritual is completely painless and the male doesn't suffer in any way.

After the ritual is complete, the pride kindly takes care of the male, in his new form, making sure that his death is completely peaceful once the time comes, since the body he's in is really old, and will die soon.