THE ENCHANTED DEFORA By Livelihood Partridge

3 - VIVIENNE

I blinked my eyes and I thought he was about to vanish when he pulled me against his chest by my waist and he whispered " Just remember when you are in trouble I will come to save ."  "Why" I was confused as to why he would do that . " Now we are friends , right that is why and For the upcoming activities I will teach you and the first lesson you learn will be archery so let's go to the archery grounds . " As we  left the castle no one asked me as to where we were off to . So out of curiosity i blarted out " why did no one question us as to where we are going " i looked at him and he smirked and said " if they would see us then only they could question us " " so you have invisibility ? " I asked shocked and didn't notice how his arm was still around my waist . " Kind of " I couldn't contain my excitement, The Great Clock was magical but hanging around a magical person was different if you are an ordinary person and my friend was a magical creature made me more excited . " What else are your abilities ? " I asked our of curiosity . " Turning your cheeks in a dark rose hue " he blarted out with a straight face like it was something normal that he said . I blushed at his antics and then we were standing infront of the courtyard . " Go on , look at the archery and tell me how will get the Bullseye ? " I looked at him and gupled hard . In Vajnar , there they didn't teach extra curricular activities like archery or other games because there solely purpose was on studies so , any extra curricular activities like racing or something was taught by Camille as to bring us closer and to teach me .

I took the bow in my hand trying to see how to fit it around my hands in order for the arrow to straight at the Bullseye . As I was fiddling with the bow in my hand I heard footsteps behind me . I thought it was Winston trying to step closer to me as to see what I'm doing . I'll be honest the thought only made me internally scream . " Win-" I looked behind me and saw a strange man standing to close to me . By looking at him , the instant thought that came to my mind was about Prince Leo Pheonix Maverick , I bowed my head and looked at his attire , he wore a white shirt with a waist band around it which was red and red trousers with black boots over them . I took in his face , his sharp black eyes and blonde hair made him look majestic with a sharp jawline . I looked around to see for Winston , when a cold hand at my chin , pulled my face to meet Leo's eyes . His eyes held intensity like they were waiting to meet mine since a long time . He asked me in a deep voice " Who are you looking for , Love ? " I couldn't acknowledge the question but the nickname had butterflies flipping in my stomach . " Your highness , I was looking for the maid actually I was really thirsty." I lied i didn't know why but I didn't want to tell him about me looking for Winston . " Lieing is never the answer until you are doing it for keeping yourself safe . "

"Leave this , how is your practise going ? " He asked me with the hand still on my chin , his eyes were like comfort , deep comfort . "Actually I need a little help " i said to keep him close to me . " Well , I am the best in these kind of things " he said and held the bow and arrow like an Archer and shot straight at the Bullseye . I looked surprised at him that he had outdone himself . He looked at me with smirk and then handled me the bow and arrow , I did the same as Leo but he put his hands over mine and helped me hit the Bullseye .  I was more focused on feeling his hands upon mine while he shot the arrow and it again hit the Bullseye . I was about say thank you when the same maid came and informed me about the other activity which was Archery . I was very nervous because when Leo was tracing me I was more involved in feeling his hands in me , on how warm they were . The maid escorted me out of the Archery Grounds , I looked back at Leo and he vanished just like Mr. Clock . Deep in my thoughts I didn't realise when I reached the other Archery ground where the activity was going to be held . I looked around and saw many beautiful ladies dressed in the princessy gown just like mine but more majestic , more sophisticated . " Don't lower yourself , Cariño , it hurts to see a pretty girl lower herself for the other people who are not even half of her beauty . " I looked beside me to the man who whispered this . And my breath got caught in my throat at the proximity . His lips were parted and his eyes were holding mine with softness in them and just as I was about say anything he pulled back , I wish I could stay in this moment forever , with the same proximity, the same closeness .

I looked at him with somewhat disappointment in my eyes but quickly masked it . Just when I was about to go closer to him , the host started the activity " Now , let's start The Archery Activity for choosing our Next Queen to marry Our handsome yet stunningly looking prince , Your Highness called Leo Pheonix Maverick. " With this the applaud for Leo began and I looked around to see a glimpse of him but I found no one . I tip-toed and and whispered in Winston's ear . " Where is Your Highness ? " " Why are you so excited to see , do you want to jump on him ? " He said but  I couldn't tell if he was taunting me because he was pissed off me as I was maybe irritating him . That's when I heard someone call my name , i looked in the direction from where the sound came and saw the host looking at me . " And thats , Vivienne Levington , that's the girl who once " and the host stopped mid sentence , i furrowed and looked at the host . " Sorry I  mixed up something here , Miss Vivienne Levington is the beautiful lady which came from Vajnar " with an awkward smile , he finished the sentence . After a few of the ladies names , one name caught my attention , Miss Alice Maverick , and I looked shocked at Winston and he looked at me and understood my confusion , he whispered " Just for the throne , people sacrifice their old relationships , she is one of those , Alice Maverick , the prince's sister . " He looked at her with hatred in his eyes , like she has done something deep in him . " But then the prince will choose her , she is his sister but won't they feel awkward ? " I looked at him dilemma dawning on me . " These series of activity are fair and even if they get married , there will be awkwardness but just for the throne she has lowered her already down image . " Just then the host announced my name for the The next archer , I looked at Winston with nervousness all over my body , he just nodded his head in the simplest way possible . I walked up the 3 stairs to the stage and took the bow and arrow in my hand just as I was about to shoot , i  felt Winston's body press against my body and I knew he was using his powers . He whispered "Relax , I'll always be around to help you " and he shot the arrow and it landed straight on the Bullseye . And the host said " Fabulously played by our beautiful , young yet talented lady here . " "Those compliments should got to me " winston whispered , I whispered back " Yeah you are a beautiful , young yet talented lady " " if this means you are complimenting me I'll gladly take it . "