After the engagement agreement, Vlad spoke:
"Alright, tonight everyone should rest, and tomorrow we will hold the engagement ceremony."
Alexander replied:
"Very well, thank you."
Vlad added:
"This concludes our meeting."
Everyone stood up and began to leave. Victoria was still seated, as was Arthur.
Elena smiled at him and said:
"Why haven't you stood up, Arthur? You're known for not wanting to stay here anyway."
He replied calmly:
"I want to go, but I cannot leave while my mother is still seated."
Elena responded kindly:
"How thoughtful of you."
Victoria spoke to her son:
"My son, you may go if you wish. I'll stay here a little while longer."
Arthur smiled:
"Alright, Leila will be happy."
He stood and left, while Elena, Victoria, Isabel, and Luna remained seated.
Elena said gratefully:
"Thank you for helping my daughter… I will never forget this. I will support you in anything you need."
Victoria replied with a gentle smile:
"No need for that; I did nothing. My son did all of it."
Elena bowed her head slightly and said:
"Your son is a man in every sense. You should be proud… He has always acted nobly despite his young age."
Victoria smiled:
"Thank you for the compliment. It seems Arthur considers your daughter like a sister… He has always looked at her with care."
Then she looked at Isabel and added:
"I hope your daughter feels the same toward him."
Elena said:
"Yes, of course, especially after today."
Isabel spoke spontaneously:
"My brother is a good boy."
Victoria chuckled gently and stood:
"And you too, my little one."
Elena turned to Victoria and asked:
"Will you tell me what you meant earlier?"
Victoria answered:
"No… it's nothing."
Elena was surprised, but she did not dwell on it, happy that her daughter had been spared a political marriage.
She then asked:
"My daughter, what do you think of your brother Arthur?"
Luna replied:
"He has changed a lot… his way of speaking, his maturity… he seems like an adult. But despite that, he is a principled boy, and that's what I like about him. He is a man in every sense… At least there is someone in the palace who treats us without hostility. A trustworthy ally."
Elena said:
"Yes… and he will have a significant role in the future."
Everyone stood and left the hall.
Alexander Family Meeting
Irina, Alexander, and Eric arrived in their room and decided to hold a small meeting.
Eric asked:
"What do you think of them, Father?"
Alexander replied:
"They are truly strong… not only that, but also intelligent. That child impressed me. Yesterday he was weak, and that woman seemed nearly lifeless… look at them now."
He continued:
"As for their guards… incredible. They have five or six people who could easily enter the human pillars' ranks… yet they have not revealed their full strength. This is why the empire remains cautious of them."
Then he asked his daughter:
"Irina… what do you think of your fiancé?"
She replied:
"I thought he was weak, but he is not… he is capable enough to accomplish our mission."
He asked his son:
"And you, Eric… what do you see in Arthur?"
Eric sighed:
"I see a dangerous person… Imagine if he were my enemy, what might happen? He is young but bold… eloquent… and has a strong personality."
His father asked:
"And what if he were your ally?"
Eric replied:
"He would be a great help… and he might also solve the monster problem."
Alexander nodded:
"Yes… I expect much from him, and I hope he does not disappoint me."
Outside the Hall
Victoria and Arthur exited the hall, with their guards waiting.
Leila greeted Arthur:
"How did the meeting go? Did the engagement happen?"
He replied:
"Yes."
Leila laughed:
"Now you have a fiancée! How does it feel?"
Arthur froze for a few seconds and thought to himself:
Even when I was a demon, I never knew love or engagement… how am I supposed to handle this?
He sighed and said:
"It seems I will suffer a lot."
Leila laughed:
"Did you fall in love at first sight?"
He gently tapped her leg:
"Be quiet, you fool."
She giggled:
"Shy!"
At that moment, Victoria emerged with purposeful steps.
Her personal guard, Kevin, looked at her and asked:
"What's wrong, my lady? Your face looks stern."
She replied with concern:
"I don't know… but I feel that something bad is coming.
Watch Arthur closely, Kevin…
My instincts are never wrong…"