Three days later...
Victor arched up his brow at Maria. He couldn't believe his ears. The woman, who used to doubt every single person in the world was actually now arguing with the king over the 'Little boy's' innocence!
"It's been only three days, Maria and you are already so convinced by him. That's so unusual of you." He said.
Maria only smiled at him. "Not only me, but everyone in the Palace would argue with you for sure."
Victor arched up his perfect dark brow again at her "Who would dare?"
Maria paused and nodded at him for her mistake. "Okay fine, no one would do that visibly. But, no one would agree with you either. For the last three days, you were out of the country, attending your parents thirty first marriage anniversary with the elder lord. So, you guys didn't notice anything. The boy has proved his innocence with his every action. And trust me, when I am saying, he is not the harmful but kind and helpful guy." She was very adamant in her speech, determined to win.
Victor's lips twitched Slightly at her words "guy? Wasn't he the little boy for you a few days ago?"
Maria "....."
She was speechless by his taunt. But, she would definitely not lose. "Does it even matter? Moreover, he is twenty, so he is a guy."
Victor nodded at her slowly. "Hmm. I get it now. Well, if you say so then I won't doubt him anymore. Change the room if you want." He paused for a bit and then spoke again "how is the class going on?"
Maria smiled brightly this time. "Professor Franklin praised him a lot. He is a rare talent. I think he is very lucky that the accident had taken its place that night, or such a talent would have gone waste."
"Where is he now?" He asked and stood up from his seat. He wanted to see the little boy. He wanted to see him was the first thing that came up in his mind after stepping into the Palace.
"He is taking his class with the professor in the art studio, you have opened for him." She replied and got busy with her work.
After Victor went out of the office, Maria smiled softly. "You even gave him the art studio all and here you are taunting me." She chuckled and shook her head helplessly.
*****************
"You have the aesthetic sensibility and the balance of your fingers well. Just need more arm strength and focus on the detail of your works." Professor Franklin said, looking at the sample portrait. "As you use your hands rather than paintbrushes, it's your signature mark and for that, you should focus on more arm and finger exercises. Your ability with the paintbrush is good too, just practice more with it in your spare times. Like that, you can grow up your experiences."
Yivanna nodded in understanding. *Yes, professor, I understand. Thank you for your guidance.* She smiled.
Professor Franklin patted over her head and then called it a day. After he left, Yivanna focused back on her paintings and tried to study them. With Professor Franklin, she got to learn lots of things and in just a few days she has learned well too. He also praised her a lot.
Yivanna was so happy. She wanted to share all these things with her brother, but unfortunately, she couldn't get the chance of calling him. It's been seven days and she has started getting homesick. She didn't even have a phone with her. Well, frankly speaking, she didn't have any back in the country.
Her Aunt Elizabeth had forbidden any electronic gadgets around her specifically. In her eyes, they would just distract her from growing up as a proper princess. However, she never forbade Edward for anything. So, Edward would help her learn about gadgets secretly, in the studio. So, she only knew basic things to use those digital gadgets.
With a slight heavy heart, she again concentrated on her paintings, where the professor has made corrections for her. And suddenly, she felt very awkwardly hot. As if something was digging a hole in her back. Startled, she looked behind and gasped silently.
She was surprised to see king Victor was standing at the door. She hurriedly stood up and bowed at him. Yivanna has a talent for adapting things quickly and in the past week, she has made herself used to a normal life. One of them was to bow at the Royals if you came in front of them somehow.
Yivanna did not know he came back. She even didn't know he and the elder lord were out of the country. She Learned about it later from Maria. And at the moment too, she didn't know he came back.
Victor slowly walked inside and stopped a few inches away from her. Meanwhile, Yivanna kept staring at him with amazed eyes. She has never seen such a handsome man in her life!
Her brother, Edward was handsome too. But, this man was on another level of gorgeousness!
His tanned skin with jet black hair was well matched. Those dark grey orbs were so deep and cold as ice. The chiselled jawline, hiding under perfectly treamed stubbles and of course, that straight edge nose was complimenting the whole look on him. And that cut on his eyebrow area. It's a faint scar but it made him more gorgeous and intimidating! His overall attitude was screaming of his identity of the king. 'No doubt, this man is the most wanted for all female hearts out there.' She mumbled in mind.
On the other hand, Victor was watching the boy in amusement. He didn't care and kept staring up at the king in the eyes! Was he really that much innocent as Maria described? Or, no fear at all!? He thought.
"How is your class going?" He asked with a calm and deep voice which immediately make her shivery. This voice could make people oblige him without asking a single question. Especially, those grey eyes. They were enchanting.
She nodded her head with a shy smile. *thank you.* Though she was mesmerised and intimidated both by his presence, still never forgot to show her gratitude. *If it's not because of you, I couldn't have gotten to learn all these things.* She bowed at him once again, *thank you.*
Victor did not reply. Instead, he turned his gaze to her paintings. "Seems, you have been learning well. Let me test you. Make my portrait." He suddenly threw those words at her.
Victor has his fair share of weakness in paintings. He collected a lot, following his grandfather. But, whenever, he asked any painter to make his portrait they all would be nervous as hell, did not matter how greater they were!