Lorelei Phaellas, destined queen of the Hethos people, is met with shocking news: to avoid conflict, her father is giving up their kingdom to be governed by the Neowalkers of Udaria, a pompous and secluded race of overly-perfect people.
Holding on...
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The blazing sun beamed down on the courtyard, reflecting the bright pinks and blues from the garden's decor onto the soft grass. A bead of sweat dripped from Lorelei's forehead, tracing her brow and down her cheek, leaving a streak over her dark brown, shimmering skin. Her dark hazel eyes narrowed as she focused on the center of the target across the way. Slowly, she raised her bow. Arching her back, she aligned her forearm parallel to the ground and pulled the string back. Closing one eye, Lorelei took aim, her arm slightly trembling as she tried to line up the perfect shot.
Fwip.
Her three fingers released the arrow, sending it spiraling across the courtyard. She held her position in silence for a moment, and let out a deep sigh, and lowered her bow.
"That's four inches from bullseye," echoed a gruff voice unapologetically, "Again."
Lorelei leaned her bow back on the stand and began to unravel her hand wraps, "Yep. Today's just not my day, Captain Flint."
Captain Flint ripped four arrows from the haystack target and shoved them under his arm. He was young and fit, and his dimpled face was charming. The metal in his armor clanked loudly as he strutted back towards Lorelei. He picked up her bow, took aim, and shot, one after another, four perfect bullseyes.
"Showoff." Lorelei finally broke and smirked as the captain peered back over his shoulder and smiled.
"Princess, I'm not trying to be hard on you, but I've seen you make this shot perfectly a hundred times."
Lorelei tossed her hand wraps into a basket and started to redo her ponytail, allowing her long, raven-colored hair to fall behind her back, "Must've been the wind."
"Wind would be a blessing from the goddesses. Do you know how hard it is to breathe in this?" Flint chuckled, gesturing to his leather armor and metal plating, "I digress. If something is bothering you--"
"Captain, I'm fine. Honestly," Lorelei pulled her redone ponytail tight, "Besides. You told me to leave--"
"Leave all distractions at the door, I know." Flint gave her a defeated smile, "One more round?"
The princess playfully eyed her teacher and grinned, reaching back for her hand wraps, "One more round."
"Sorry, you're twenty minutes over," another young woman garbed in white and purple silky robes glided from the grand archway and through the garden.
Captain Flint's face softened when his eyes met the woman's, but with a clear of his throat, it quickly jerked back to his usual playful grin, "Aw, c'mon Plum, don't ruin our fun!"
Plum stopped in front of the duo, pulled out a handkerchief from her robe pocket, and began to dab it on Lorelei's forehead, "I've been sent for you, Princess Lorelei," she paused, moving from dabbing the princess's forehead to her cheeks, "Your father wants to speak with you in the south wing after this evening's banquet, and you certainly cannot go to dinner like this."
