| 44 : Archery |

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       The morning was nothing but me struggling to write the very first line for the song I was going to compose. Not that it was truly difficult for me to write something, but finding the right beginning, ending, and title to a piece is the hardest part.

I was left to set aside the song for now and prepare for my date with the prince this lunch. Or maybe longer than just for lunch. I don't have a clue with what his 'plans' might be besides food.

Although, I have to admit he is good at planning stuff like this.

"I wish you all the best this evening. It's going to be your first time meeting the king isn't it?" Aunt Aline asks, brushing a comb through my hair.

My puzzled dull colored eyes look at her through the vanity in front of me. "Huh?"

"Hm?" She paused from what she was doing and put the comb down. "Oh, oops."

"I'm meeting the king this evening?!" I gasp. Jolting up from my seat and turning around to look at the lady who held a tiny look of guilt on her face.

"Calm down now Riselle dearest, you still have a lot of time till then! And uhm, let's get you fixed since you still have something else to do, so forget about the king for now." She attempts to calm me. Not. Working!

I'm going to meet the reclusive King Quentin who is only known through rumours? I would've liked to have known this at least a week earlier!
 
  
   
   
  
        Cocky. Prince. Rowan. Quentin. I glare at his back, walking in front of me at a steady pace, we are just about to exit the castle's interior.

"So, What do you have planned Rowan love?" I ask, evidently bothered.

"Archery." He replied.

"Archery?" My feet come to a halt and I feel to confused to continue on. So we weren't leaving the castle, but instead, we're just heading to the barrack's? "You want us to do archery?"

"Exactly. It would be a nice change of pace, wouldn't it?"

If I knew how to do archery, then yes. But no, no I do not!

"Y-yeah but... Don't blame me if I accidentally shoot anything that isn't the target!"

"You'll do fine."

I didn't feel fine until we were at the barracks, a single bow and arrow in my hand. It was just me and the prince here, no knight in training to witness the wonderful court musician fail at simply shooting an arrow.

Rowan looked at me anticipatingly. I looked at him with a blank expression. "I don't even know how to position myself." I tell him.

He helped angle my shoulders, place my hands where they should be, but his calloused warm hands touching me were a dangerous distraction. It reminds me of how touch deprived I really am.

"Try shooting now." He instructs, still standing close behind me.

I pull back on the arrow, trying to gain enough pressure to send the damn thing flying.

Steady, steady...

Release!

With great speed the arrow was fighting wind. And hits the tree left to the target.

Nope. No I can't do this!

"Did you bring me here just to humiliate me, Rowan?!" I stammer.

"I'm the only one watching you though."

"But still! It's embarrassing." I turn my head away from him. It's only normal I wouldn't want to look bad in front of someone I like. This cocky prince...

"You don't need to feel embarrassed in front of me. Because nothing will change how much I love you." He takes the bow from my hand.

"Easy for you to say prince perfect. And save the sweet talk for later!" How I wished I could control my face which would always turn a shameful pink when he'd tease.

"Right, for later then." He picks up a good arrow and swiftly shoots the target. It all happened so quick, I blink once and see the arrow at the very center.

"Eeeh, you're really good."

"I did go through the extensive training every prince does after all." He was smiling proudly. "Impressed?"

"Not really. That was the result of extensive training every prince does after all." I smile back. I bet I dented his ego with this one.

His icy blue eyes leered at me, but they no longer scared me like In the past. I stick my tongue out at him awaiting a good reaction, but he just pats my head. He's been doing that a lot lately.

"Come now, I'll take you somewhere to eat. I believe a new café has opened up in the more quiet parts of Elleris, and the cakes are good." He was sounding all gleeful and enthusiastic.

"Of course it's desserts again."

I'm surprised he still hasn't said anything about how I'm going to meet the king later. Maybe he doesn't know either? Or could it be I really wasn't supposed to find out.

Well, I'm going to find out later anyway.
 
   

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