Victoria sighed and said, "Raised, yes."
Victoria stood up with a smile and said, "Alright, rest well. I'm going to my training. It's time for it."
Zela asked curiously, "Are you very strong?"
Victoria replied with a mysterious smile, "How do I look to you?"
Zela said as she noticed her facial expression, "Well, you're very scary when you're angry. You really resemble my father in that."
Victoria responded in surprise, "Oh, does your father get angry sometimes?"
Zela answered in a low voice, as if recalling a painful memory: "Yes, once there was a rumor spread among the wolf tribe that I was an ugly and silly girl, and they mocked me, even started making proverbs about my failure. And when my father heard that, he got very angry. He went to them that night and wiped out the entire tribe in one hour. The soldiers who were with him say he was moving faster than imagination, as if there was only one thing appearing in the sky: flying heads."
Then she continued in a soft voice: "Since then, I always try to calm him down so he doesn't get angry."
Victoria said as she thought about Zela's words, "Oh, it seems your father is very strong."
Zela replied with a smile of some pride: "You too are very strong, especially when you're angry. Arthur looked at you with confidence, as if he trusted you deeply. What a thrilling sight." She said that shyly.
Victoria was surprised and said, "Did he really look at me like that?"
Zela answered honestly: "Yes, he looked at you like that."
Victoria smiled and said: "Thank you very much, you've made me happy."
Then she said to herself: "Finally, my son is starting to trust me a little. It seems my efforts were not in vain."
While Victoria was lost in her thoughts, Zela said: "Lady Victoria, you are really beautiful when you smile."
Victoria responded curiously: "Oh really? Am I beautiful?"
Zela said gently: "Yes, you're very beautiful. Even your son is very beautiful like you."
Victoria smiled and said: "Thank you very much."
Zela smiled and said: "Alright, I'll go rest a bit, then I'll go train."
Victoria left the place heading toward her training area.
Meanwhile, Arthur was confused about where to put his clothes.
Layla asked him: "You can put them with my clothes."
Arthur replied seriously: "Are you crazy? You're a girl, did you forget that?"
Layla answered with a sarcastic smile: "Oh, your courtesy, my lord."
Arthur responded with a serious tone: "Today I want to sleep well, because tomorrow I'll start my training. So you must manage things properly."
Layla said in surprise: "But it's still noon, will you really sleep now?"
Arthur replied: "Yes, I'll sleep now to wake up early."
Arthur put his bag on the ground, then went to sleep on the couch.
Layla asked him questioningly: "What are you doing? Why don't you sleep in the bed?"
Arthur replied with a smile: "No, I won't sleep with you. I'm no longer a child, and you know that."
Layla said calmly: "Don't worry, my lord. You should sleep here. I'll sleep on the couch."
Arthur replied firmly: "No, that's impossible. Sleep in your place. Consider me not here."
Layla approached him and said in a low voice: "Don't worry, dear Arthur. I don't care about all that. I feel at ease when I'm with you, so you can be as selfish as you want. Please, sleep in the bed so I won't worry about you."
She said that pleadingly, as she loved him a lot and didn't want him to sleep somewhere that could harm his health.
Arthur finally replied: "Alright, I'll do as you say."
Arthur went to the bed and lay in it. Layla covered him well and said: "Sleep peacefully. I'll guard you, so don't worry about anything."
Drowsiness started to overtake Arthur, who hadn't slept well recently. He whispered to himself before falling asleep: "Finally, I can sleep peacefully for one day without fearing for my life."
Arthur smiled and said before drifting into sleep: "Thank you, my dear."
Moments later, Arthur, who was extremely exhausted, fell asleep.
Layla covered him well, then approached and said: "You were a weak child who used to cry in the past, but now you're strong and defend yourself, and even defend me. And despite all that, you never forgot me and always respected me."
She added with a gentle smile: "You cruel boy, you've conquered my heart."
Then she leaned in and kissed him on the head with love.
But suddenly, she felt something strange, so she turned quickly toward the door. She opened it to find Victoria standing there, quietly observing the scene.
Layla smiled and said: "Alright, come in, my lady."
Victoria replied calmly: "Is he asleep?"
Layla answered: "Yes."
Victoria entered quietly and went toward her son who was in a deep sleep, the exhaustion clearly visible on his face.
Victoria approached him, began patting his face and closely examining him, and said: "You've grown so much and I didn't even notice. You've become very handsome."
Then she leaned in and kissed him, saying: "I'm sorry. If I were a good mother, you wouldn't have suffered all this. But I promise you I'll make up for everything. Don't worry, nothing will harm you as long as I'm here."
She wiped her tears and then looked at Layla and said: "If you ever need anything, tell me quickly. And if you're ever subjected to injustice or bullying, come to me at any time and I'll be there to help you, even if it's impossible."
Layla replied with a smile: "Alright, my lady."
Then Victoria left, wearing her training clothes and carrying her sword.
Layla smiled and said: "It seems the queen has returned to her training after a long absence. It seems the strongest human girl is returning to reclaim the throne again."
While everyone was busy with their duties and worries, a knight arrived carrying an urgent message. He hurried toward Vlad and handed him the letter, saying: "It came directly from him, sir."
Vlad opened the letter quickly, and the seal on it indicated that it was from a noble and important figure.
He sighed and said in an angry voice: "What a nuisance. It seems he's coming..."