Meanwhile, Arthur was walking alone in one of the quiet corridors when he noticed Layla sitting in the backyard, enjoying the gentle sunlight that bathed the place.
He called out to her in a soft voice:
"Layla!"
She turned quickly, and a bright smile appeared on her face when she saw it was Arthur. She stood up from her spot and walked toward him lightly, with clear signs of joy in her eyes.
Arthur looked at her playfully and said, placing his hand behind his head:
"Why are you so happy? Did... you find a lover?"
Layla's face immediately turned red, and she played with a strand of her hair in embarrassment, then said with fake nervousness:
"What are you saying, you crazy? Are you insane? Or are you jealous now that I found a lover?"
Arthur laughed and put his hand on his chest as if in pain, then raised the other to the sky, saying in a dramatic tone:
"Ah, yes! Layla has been taken from me! My heart is about to tear apart from pain and sorrow!"
Then he looked at her from the corner of his eye and whispered sarcastically:
"Should I start crying? So the scene becomes more emotional?"
Layla laughed lightly and said, putting her hand over her mouth trying to stifle her laugh:
"No, don't cry... your feelings have reached me."
He raised his eyebrow and said in an exaggerated tone:
"What feelings are you talking about? You betrayed me! And took a lover!"
Then he held his head with both hands, pretending to be crazy:
"Ah, from your crazy actions I started to imitate you without realizing it!"
Layla giggled and jokingly said:
"Your acting is truly amazing! If I didn't know you, I'd think you really loved me."
Arthur spoke to himself with a side-smile:
"Of course my acting is good, I'm an expert in espionage, and skilled in role-playing."
Then he said to her in a somewhat serious voice:
"Anyway, there's no time for joking, come and help me."
He quickened his steps toward the inside, and Layla followed him in confusion and asked:
"Is there a problem? Why are you walking so fast?"
He replied as he opened his room door:
"No problem... I just want to gather my stuff."
She looked at him with some concern:
"Why? Where are you going?"
He said in a curt tone:
"Just follow me."
They arrived at his room, and he stopped at the door and said:
"Bring me a bag, we'll move the clothes and some stuff."
Layla said fearfully:
"Why? Did the head of the family kick you out?"
He smiled and shook his head:
"No, that's not it. It's just that there will be new guests in this room."
She furrowed her brows and said:
"Guests? And why in your room specifically?"
He replied as he began organizing some things:
"Because I'm responsible for them. They're just three girls, and I can't place them elsewhere."
Layla's expression changed immediately, and she frowned slightly:
"Three girls?! And why are they entering your room? I didn't know you were... a pervert!"
Arthur laughed sarcastically and said:
"Looks like you don't respect your master."
She raised her eyebrow and said sarcastically:
"My master? My master welcomes girls into his room! I don't see him as a master, but... something else."
He looked at her with a cunning smile:
"Are you jealous? You're such a sweet girl."
Her face turned completely red, and she stepped back, saying awkwardly:
"Me? Jealous? Over a little boy who hasn't even matured yet! Enough with the heavy jokes."
Arthur took a deep breath and said, pretending to be hurt:
"Your words are harsh... Is it because I haven't matured yet? Don't I have the right to love? Or do you not see me as suitable? You're such a cruel girl... You've broken my heart."
Layla became more flustered and looked confused:
"I didn't mean that... It's just... Don't you see me as too old for you? Aren't you ashamed of getting close to me?"
Arthur gently placed his hand on her shoulder and said firmly:
"Don't say that again. You're someone dear to me... and I don't care about age. If I love a girl, I'll marry her even if she's a thousand years old."
At that moment, the sound of light footsteps was heard behind them, before Zeila appeared from behind the door and said with a mischievous smile:
"Arthur, I didn't know you were a romantic person."
Arthur was startled and nearly jumped in place:
"Damn! Where did you come from?! Why don't you knock on the door?!"
Zeila said, laughing:
"We knocked, but some people were... busy flirting."
Arthur spoke to himself, frowning:
"Tch, seems my hearing's gotten worse, or Layla's driven me crazy with her actions."
At that moment, Layla wished the ground would open and swallow her. Her face turned crimson from embarrassment, and she lowered her gaze to the floor.
Sasha approached him and asked with childlike curiosity:
"Will you really marry a girl who's a thousand years old?"
Arthur felt embarrassed but stood upright and said with fake confidence:
"Yes, I don't care about her age as long as she's beautiful... and I love her."
Sasha placed her hand on her face shyly and said:
"Oh, how bold you are."
As for Victoria, she was struggling to hold back her laughter, and said to herself:
"When will I have grandchildren?... Ah, how excited I am."
Then she thought:
"Does he really love Layla? Maybe... she's the only one who stayed by his side until the end. But I never expected him to say such romantic things... He's strange, and very moody."
Arthur interrupted her thoughts and said:
"I've gathered everything. Let's go to your room now, Layla."
She replied in surprise:
"Why are we going to my room?"
He lightly hit his head and said:
"Ah, I forgot to tell you. I'll be sleeping in your room these days only, until I find a new room."
Zeila looked at him with a sly gaze and commented with a hinting tone:
"Hmm, a girl's room? Arthur, you're very bold."
Arthur suddenly felt embarrassed and said:
"Ah, sorry... I didn't mean anything by it, I said it without thinking."
Layla said shyly, touching the tip of her hair:
"It's okay... You're not a stranger to me. I'm the one who took care of you when you were little, so I don't mind."
He asked her with a worried tone:
"Are you sure?"
She nodded and said with a small smile:
"Yes, don't worry."
He thanked her sincerely, then turned to Zeila and said:
"This is your room, you can rest in it as if it were your home."
Zeila began inspecting the room with admiration, then sat on the bed and said:
"Wow... the bed is really comfortable."
Sasha and Misha ran and jumped on it excitedly, laughing loudly.
Zeila wanted to stop them, but she was surprised by Arthur's response:
"It's okay, let them rejoice... their happiness is our goal."
Zeila looked at him with appreciation, then held her sisters' hands and said:
"Come on, let's thank him."
She was about to kneel, but he quickly stepped forward and stopped her, saying:
"Don't kneel to me, please. I don't like that."
Then he added:
"There's no need to thank me, I did this because I wanted to, not because I expect something in return."
Zeila was surprised by his words, and felt respect for him:
"A truly rare person..."
Arthur finally said:
"Alright, we'll leave you now. Continue your arrangements."
And he left with Layla, carrying the belongings.
As soon as they left, Layla turned to him and said:
"Are you sure about giving up your room... to those monsters? I mean, strangers? Aren't you afraid of them?"
Arthur looked at her with a confident smile:
"Why should I be afraid? I have Layla to protect me."