Chapter 37 Chapter 37: Arrows and Agendas
Chapter 37: Arrows and Agendas
Vishiea’s POV
Darius kept his eyes on me—he's watching my every move. Does he really think he could scare me? Well, he's definitely wrong.
“Since we're already here, we gathered for the feast. Let's give this a little bit of thrill,” the king announced. We all looked at him. He stood up, yet his eyes remained on me.
“Everyone in the fighting ground,” Darius turned his back. Everyone was excited while following his order. This always happens when a kingdom celebrates.
“I’m excited. I can't wait to watch a fight between werewolves. This only happens once a year, Lady Anastasia,” she said, walking beside me. I see. I just pretend that it's my first time to be here in this kingdom. However, I witnessed this celebration for many years.
“That's impressive. I have no idea about this. It's actually my first time witnessing this kind of event,” I told her. She was surprised, yet I stayed calm and amused.
While we were talking, my eyes spotted Rachelle. She's standing, talking to servants. When we got close to them, she turned around and looked at me. She’s like giving me a warning.
She walked closer to me, giving me a smug look.
What is she trying to do again? Did she lose some decency? She's the king's fiancée, yet she's acting impulsively every time. Darius can't handle such a woman like her. How pitiful.
“Lady Anastasia,” Cassie tried to reach for me, but Rachelle didn't let her.
“What are you trying to do again, Rachelle? Stop bothering Lady Anastasia. You're not worth her time,” Cassie told her, which made her mad.
“Shut up, Cassie. You should remember your place. I have a higher position than you right now. Stop defending her. Even if you're on her side, it doesn't make sense,” she stepped closer to me. Cassie was about to interfere, but I stopped her.
Rachelle’s eyes and I met. I could see how she hated me. I know it's because of Darius again.
“Let's see how you handle being humiliated later. Get ready, because I will make sure you’ll be in the fighting ground begging for mercy,” she let out a sarcastic chuckle. I also laughed, and that made her look at me.
Furious is written on her face right now. “Stop being insecure, Rachelle. Too much idolizing me would lead you to dig your own grave,” I told her, enough for her to hear it clearly.
“What did you say?!” Her voice rose. She couldn't bear what she just heard from me.
“You heard it. There's no need to repeat my words. You know what I am talking about,” I said. Before she could react, I immediately walked past her. I could hear Cassie’s giggles watching Rachelle’s face.
“That was hilarious,” she said and let out a laugh. I smiled with triumph.
She’s definitely insecure. I saw how she forced herself not to cause trouble at the dining table earlier while watching Darius staring at me.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to this competition.” Someone’s talking. The king had already seated on his chair.
“I’m excited,” Cassie hurried us to sit on the chair near the king.
“No magic is allowed. However, both challengers could use weapons provided by the kingdom. Whoever wins will claim a prize,” the announcer said.
Everyone murmured in excitement. Some had volunteered in the competition.
“Let's begin this game.” Just like what the announcer said earlier, there are various weapons that challengers could pick.
The fight started. Both teams wanted to win.
Everyone applauded as the games began. However, there's a rule they have to follow—they need to play to win, but not to kill.
The fight became intense. Both are good; they have different ways.
While the game was exciting, I could feel Darius’s stare. I checked on him, and I was right. He was about to talk when Rachelle, beside him, stopped him.
I focused on the fighting ground. The man with golden hair is winning.
“What amusing entertainment,” the king's advisor applauded.
“Now, let's proceed to the next game. This time, we have different challenges. Get ready for a game that involves bow and arrow. This time it will test the challengers' aim and precision. The challengers should take turns shooting arrows at the target, competing to see who can get closest to the bullseye,” the announcer said. Everyone got excited for the next game.
“That’s an exciting game. I want to challenge Cullen. I bet she would agree. But when she doesn't accept my challenge, she's only showing that Cullens are nothing but trash,” Rachelle suddenly said.
I closed my fist. What did she just call us? Trash?!
“Rachelle! Watch your words!” Darius told her, but she only showed a smirk.
“Are you going to accept my offer, or are you too cowardly to even step into the fighting ground?” she asked with confidence. Does she really plan to mock me and humiliate me right now?
“Are you afraid you would lose face? Don't worry, I won't give you a chance to win. I am known for being good in archery. There’s no way on Earth someone like you could defeat me. And if you still want to save yourself, then don't accept it. Stay cowardly and a loser,” she said, making everyone murmur.
“She must be scared to deal with the King’s fiancée.”
“If I were her, I should ask for forgiveness.”
“She's too much. An ignorant like her doesn't deserve to be the queen.”
“Humiliating Cullen like that is unacceptable.”
I could hear everyone’s opinions right now.
“What? Are you going to accept it?” she said, being impatient.
“That’s enough, Rachelle, she—” I didn't let Darius finish his words. I stood up.
“All right then,” I confidently said and went to the fighting ground first.
“You can do this, Lady Anastasia!” Cassie shouted. I smiled at her.
A servant provided me with a bow and arrow. I looked in Rachelle’s direction. She's preparing herself.
“You’ll lose today, bitch. Get ready to be humiliated,” she uttered. I only responded with a calm face.
“Now, let’s begin the game!” the announcer uttered. Rachelle is the one targeted by the board. There are three arrows we have to use.
Everyone applauded as she hit a bullseye.
Now it’s my turn. I stood, relaxing.
“Stop dreaming you can defeat me,” I heard her say.
“You should shut your mouth before my arrow could touch you,” I told her.
“Wow! What a great shot!” the announcer said, as I hit the bullseye. With my second arrow, I concentrated again. Then I released it, making sure it would hit the arrow already on the board.
And I did it.
“No, it’s not true,” Rachelle started to feel anxious. But I am not done yet.
I did the same trick, and I succeeded.
Everyone gave me a round of applause, and I even earned their standing ovation.
Rachelle looked at me with frustration. I walked closer to her.
“What an insecure, pathetic loser,” I whispered before getting out of the fighting ground.