1 1. Still The Heyday

"Please prepare delicious food for tomorrow night. Tell the chef that he can ask for dozens of chickens, ducks, and also some beef to be slaughtered and cooked. Most importantly I want food for tomorrow night so much and all delicious. Don't let there be food which tastes less delicious. And tell the chef that he also has to pay attention to the appearance of the food. The chef must cook well." Victoria said.

The woman spoke with a sweet smile on her lips. So the waiter who listened to her orders also smiled.

The maidservant who was standing with her head lowered nodded politely to the queen. "I'll tell the chef what you want, Your Majesty. But why do you want so much food? Dozens of chickens and ducks alone can be divided equally among the people." said the waiter.

Victoria smiled and placed her brush on a wooden board filled with scribbles of paint colors. Then she looked at her servant. "I'd like to invite everyone. Besides, it's not just Royce's birthday, it's also to commemorate my husband's thirty-two year reign."

"Ah, well your majesty, I understand."

"I also want to share a lot of food with all the villagers. So that they too can feel the happiness that is in this kingdom. Also convey my request to Frans. Only he can oversee the distribution of food. Because if it was Frans who was guarding, all the food would be evenly distributed without anyone stealing other parts for fun." Vicotria said again.

The maidservant nodded in understanding. "I understand, Your Majesty. Then I have to go to the kitchen to tell the chef first. Athena will take my place for a while."

Victoria looked at her maid again. "I want to be alone here. Let Athena help the others, the work in the kingdom is enough to tire her out. This is my mother-in-law's favorite painting room after all. I'll be here until this painting is done. Go without worrying about me, Bella."

Bella nodded in understanding, then she walked back and out of the painting room.

There were two maids who were very close to Victoria. The two maidservants were named Bella and Athena. They were both young maids.

Bella was twenty-two, and Athena was twenty-three.

If in the past there were still many people who prioritized early marriage or getting married at a young age, now in the reign of King Arthur, everyone has the right to choose their own path in life. Especially in matters of marriage.

King Arthur issued a regulation that contained the honor of a woman and what the rights of every woman were.

Due to rampant crimes such as abuse and forcing parents to marry their daughters at a very young age, Victoria protested. And Arthur also sympathized with the same. So they both agreed to defend and protect every woman.

Women have the right to marry at the age they want. Women have the right to work as long as they want to work. And Arthur also gave an affirmation to all men, that men should not hurt women. Because without women, civilization in that country would never exist. It is women who give birth to generation after generation. So women should be protected.

Such regulations certainly do not apply in all regions. Each kingdom has its own rules. And the villagers who lived under the leadership of the Diamond Kingdom, they were all grateful. Because King Arthur and Queen Victoria really gave a good and positive influence.

Back to Victoria who was painting on a medium-sized canvas. She paints quietly while humming softly.

The painting room is still the same as before, but many paintings have been sold to reduce the buildup in the room.

Victoria has loved painting since her mother-in-law taught her to paint. She learned to paint while pregnant with her first son, Royce Frederick Fitz.

That's right, her mother-in-law is Ariadne Iseult Candace. A tough woman who once fought to defend the Diamond Kingdom. Until she gave birth to a great son, namely the man who is now Victoria's husband.

King Darian and Queen Ariadne had passed away fifteen years ago. Starting with Queen Ariadne who experienced pain in her digestion and often vomited blood. She died while sleeping. Meanwhile, King Darian died due to illness as well. However, the pain is milder, only in the form of fever but does not go away for up to seven days. He died on the eighth day after his wife died.

Of course Arthur, Edgar, and Jasmine, the three of them went through those sad times together.

Moreover, Jasmine, who at that time was not married, but both of her parents were dead. So Arthur took Darian's place. And Arthur was also the one who accompanied Jasmine when her younger sister got married.

Now? Everything is fine. Fifteen good years have passed since the departure of King Darian and Queen Ariadne. Their services will not be forgotten by everyone and will always be very well remembered.

"Oh dear, I've been looking for you everywhere. Athena doesn't even know where you are. It turns out you're here and painting. Why is the door to this room closed?" Arthur came to his wife. He immediately hugged Vicoria from behind and kissed his wife briefly on the neck.

Victoria chuckled softly and stopped her painting activity. "Where else would I be if not here? Royce and Lucy have all the royal affairs in order. What are you looking for, honey?"

"It's okay, I just miss you easily. Can't you just leave that painting of yours?"

"Hmm, why?"

"I'd like to take you downstairs. Choose the dress you're going to wear tomorrow. And pick out the best outfit for me too. Royce and Lucy have already chosen their own." Arthur said so spoiled to his wife.

Victoria smiled and touched her husband's hand warmly. "Nothing can stop my activities, except your orders. Alright let's go down. Actually my ass is also tired sitting here."

"Hahahaha, my mother will definitely laugh when she hears this."

They both came out of the painting room. Leaving the painting unfinished and the exposed brushes and oil paints still strewn across the wooden table.

Bella who just came back to the painting room, the girl snorted in annoyance. She immediately cleaned up some open oil paints and a messy paint palette along with some brushes.

"This is so annoying. My hands are always dirty when I touch these things. Can she not paint neatly? I don't really like moments like this. My hands are not suitable for cleaning paint like this. The color will stay for a few days!! Ah, so annoying!!" The girl grunted in annoyance. She is not sincere with the work she does.

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