And so, time passed, and everyone was busy with their tasks—except for Arthur, who was sleeping.
Arthur, who was deeply asleep, felt something touching his left side.
He jumped up quickly and eagerly, afraid it might be an assassin or something dangerous beneath him.
He turned around fast and found that it was Layla, sleeping next to him in the same bed.
Layla opened her eyes and said, "Did I scare you? I'm sorry, I fell asleep without your permission."
Arthur spoke to himself: "She's truly crazy! How could she sleep in the same bed with me? Doesn't she feel even a little bit concerned?"
Then he sighed and added internally: "But it seems she looks at me differently... as if I were a child she raised herself. That's why she acts this comfortably, without fear."
"But I'm an adult, and I still find it hard to adjust to this situation… Still, it's fine. At least she's someone who loves me, and that's better than an enemy lurking around."
He replied, "No, you didn't scare me… You can go back to sleep."
Layla asked, "Are you going to train?"
"Yes, I'll train a little. Early morning is the best time for training."
"Alright, I'll get up and train with you," she said.
Noticing that she was still sleepy, Arthur replied, "No, you can keep sleeping. I'll just run a little, so there's no need for you to get up for me."
Then he gently tucked her in and said kindly, "Go back to sleep."
She answered, half-asleep, "Okay… but if you need me, wake me up."
"I will," he said.
Arthur thought to himself: "Since she's fallen back asleep, I should change my clothes and head to the training grounds."
Arthur changed his clothes and went to the training grounds. He found them completely empty.
He stood in the middle of the yard, enjoying the cold morning breeze—a breeze that brings activity and comfort.
He clenched his hand and said to himself: "Alright… I've started to build some muscles, but my endurance is still very poor. There's no solution but to run, to strengthen my lungs and heart."
"I must build a strong physique, for a warrior without physical strength is like a house built on a weak foundation."
Arthur started jogging slowly, then increased his pace until he was running quickly.
"What a terrible state… Not even five minutes have passed, and I'm already feeling exhausted and tired."
Sweat was pouring from his body, his breathing was heavy, and his heart pounded hard.
"I'm in a pitiful state… but it's okay, it will improve with time. Now, I'll start again after a short break."
Arthur continued running until morning light spread.
The servants began moving, and the palace buzzed with life.
Arthur said, "Looks like everyone is awake… Alright, I should finish today's training."
"Oh God… I'm sweating a lot. I need to take a bath."
Arthur returned to his room and found that Layla had just woken up. Her long hair covered half her face, and she was wearing her nightclothes.
Still drowsy, she asked, "Did you finish your training?"
Then suddenly, as if a moment of realization struck her, she became shy and said, "D-Do I look ugly to you?"
She mumbled to herself: "Damn, I woke up late and didn't prepare myself like I usually do."
Arthur looked at her and smiled inwardly: "What a beautiful moment… She looks prettier in her natural state."
He smiled and said, "On the contrary, you look beautiful like this."
Layla blushed and said, "Ahem… well, of course I'm beautiful."
Then she added, "Looks like you've sweated a lot… I'll prepare water for your bath."
Arthur said, "Alright."
Arthur bathed and changed clothes. Then Layla came, bringing breakfast for him.
She said, "I brought you breakfast. You have to eat all of it."
He replied jokingly, "Why are you treating me like a little boy?"
She said, "Oh? Aren't you a little boy?"
He sighed and thought to himself: "Damn… I forgot I'm in a child's body."
He said, "Never mind. But… were the Speed sisters sent breakfast too?"
Layla replied, "I don't know. I'll go and check."
He said, "No, don't get up. Eat your breakfast first."
She said, "But Arthur… you're my master. I can't eat before you."
He smiled and said, "If you don't eat your breakfast, I'll feed you myself."
Her face turned red, and she said shyly, "Alright… alright, I'll eat with you."
And so, Arthur and Layla had breakfast together.
After finishing, Arthur headed to Zela's room and her sisters'.
He knocked on the door and said, "Are you awake?"
Zela replied, "Yes, come in."
Arthur entered and found Victoria—his mother—sitting there.
He was surprised and felt a bit awkward, as their relationship was tense.
He thought to himself: "What an awkward situation… What should I do? I'll just say 'hello' and that's it."
"Hello… how are you all doing?" he said.
Zela replied, "We're fine."
Misha and Sasha were sitting in Victoria's lap, eating breakfast.
Arthur looked at them, and Zela noticed and said, "Come on, Misha, get down right away."
She thought to herself: "I don't want to look selfish or take advantage of Lady Victoria's kindness, and upset her son."
But, contrary to expectations, Arthur said, "It's okay, let them sit. Why are you making them get down?"
He walked over and sat on the couch.
Victoria felt a little shy, with mixed emotions, and said, "Alright, I'll leave you to talk comfortably."
In truth, she wanted to stay, but feared disturbing him.
Arthur felt a little guilty and thought: "She actually wants to stay, but chose to leave so she wouldn't bother me."
He said, "Don't go. You can stay. I only came to check on them, then I'll leave."
He looked at Misha and Sasha and asked, "Did you enjoy the breakfast?"
Sasha replied innocently, "Yes, it was very nice!"
He joked, "Didn't you say you're afraid of humans? Why are you in her lap?"
She said, "She's different… She gave me candy and let me play!"
Arthur laughed, "Looks like you had a lot of fun."
"Yes!" she replied.
Meanwhile, Misha looked shyly at Arthur and said, "Why don't you eat breakfast with us?"
He asked, "Will you give me some of your candy?"
Sasha shouted, "No! I won't give you my candy!"
Arthur held his chest and said, "Ah… you hurt my feelings!"
Zela laughed at his joke, and Victoria also seemed happy—she felt she had taken a small step toward her son.
Misha offered him her candy and said shyly, "Here… take all of mine."
Arthur was surprised, "Really? You'll give me your candy?"
"Yes," she said, blushing, as if looking at someone she loved.
Arthur noticed and joked, "So, Misha, do you think I'm very handsome?"
She covered her face with her hand and said shyly, "Yes, you're very handsome."
Arthur laughed and said, "How lucky I am! Looks like I've got a fan!"