Elora’s Archery Skills
“I’d love to see such skills.”Everyone stilled.“Your highness,” the servants bowed and gave way for the prince to walk forward. Elora swerved around to face him. Fully clothed in a black coat draping over his shoulders, behind him stood his two right-handed men.“To what do I owe this pleasure, princess?” His brows were lifted as he spoke.“We were already leaving.”“Not yet. I just heard that you have quite the skills in archery. It would please me if you show me. What do you think?”“I don’t. It’s been a while since I…I last practiced.” She crossed her arms over her chest.“Well, I’d love to see.”“Fine,” she agreed.“Perfect. Come, I’ll lead you.”He led her to the archery spot on the other side of the training ground. A few meters away from them stood the target made of straws and stems.“And where did you learn how to shoot a bow?” He cocked his head to stare at her.“My late maid used to teach me sometime back at home.” It was the late maid’s way of calming the princess down when she was first exiled. She remembered that the late old maid was always ready to teach her skills to ease her boredom. The thought of her caused a slight ache in her heart.She accepted the bow from the servant and noticed how heavy it was compared to the light one she’d used for practicing for years.She could barely lift this one.Picking up an arrow from the ground quiver, she nocked it into a bowstring.“Go, my lady.” The cheers of the servants echoed behind her.Elora turned to glance at him only to find his eyes on her, his hands crossed behind his back. He nudged his head toward her, giving her a go-ahead.She narrowed her eyes. “You don’t think I can?”“I dare not doubt you. Don’t let my presence stop you. Please go on.”Still conscious of his gaze that burned holes behind her back, she shut her left eye and shot it.“Ohhh.” Her face fell. Her arrow had missed the target. But it was a surprise. She knew that she was very good at archery. For a second and third time, she tried but each time, her arrow kept missing the target.The maids seemed to have the same expression on their faces. “My lady is good at this,” Lia stated. “I think there is something wrong with the bow.”One of Rafael’s men from the previous night walked to her and took the bow. He brought it closer to his eyes and examined it. “I don’t think it’s broken, my lady. I’ll try.”He wore a smile on his face as in a swift motion, he picked up an arrow, clipped it onto the bow string, and shot. Gasps echoed around them from the servants as it hit the bullseye. He dropped his hand and turned to the princess.“It’s perfectly fine, My Lady. The bows in Elyria are very different from the ones in Yvlies. You might have to learn how to use this one.”“Is that why it’s more heavyweight?”“You’re right.”She cocked her head downward a bit to examine the longbow in curious eyes. “Oh,” she murmured. “Would you teach me how to use this?”Adam’s smile grew even further. He kicked his foot and agreed. “It would be a pleasure, My…”He was suddenly shoved to the side. “He has duties.” Rafael’s voice suddenly rang out as he stood in the position that Adam once occupied. His hands remained crossed behind him.“Your highness, I finished training already.”He cut in sharply. “No, you didn’t.” He cocked his head to the side and cast Adam a glare. Immediately, his mouth clamped shut. “He can’t help. He has duties to perform.”Elora looked behind him. “How about him?” She directed at Draven.Before a breath could pass, Rafael rejected. “So does he.”“Or perhaps you just don’t want me to learn,” she shot. It was obvious he didn’t want to teach her nor did he want either of his men to. Was he trying to rile her on purpose?“Princess…”“I don’t think I’m interested anymore. You can go on to continue your work.” Her eyes avoided him. Anger was laced in her voice. Her lips were pouted and her chest heaved up and down.His gaze softened as they fell on the silver leaf tucked in her hair. It was beautiful, he thought inwardly. She was beautiful. All these years, he’d regarded the silver plants and leaves in Elyria as ugly. But suddenly tucked into her hair, he couldn’t help but see the beauty in it. Perhaps it was how she made everywhere and everything she touches shine brightly. His hands subconsciously lifted to her head but right before his hand reached her head, she slapped it away.The servants' breath hitched and their eyes expanded.“Goodbye, your highness. I’ve yet to tour the entire mansion. I must continue my own work.” After lowering her knees for a second, she slightly lifted the side of her fairy blue dress, spun around, and angrily began to storm away. The servants were right before her in an instant.Watching her back, he couldn’t help a chuckle. He must agree that she was rather cute even when angry. She must’ve thought of herself as an angry lioness but to him, she looked more like an angry bunny.A short laugh escaped his lips when she missed her footing and almost tripped but as soon as she got herself balanced again, she turned and cast a glare at him before continuing her storm.“Is he alright?” Adam whispered to Draven behind him. “Did his highness just get hit for the first time and only laughed?”“What did she do to him last night?”“I think his highness is possessed.”Even as they continued, Rafael’s eyes remained glued to the path the princess had taken.